Gyrocopter Essex

Autogyro, gyroplane or gyrocopters in Essex - whatever you call these funky little aircraft, they are great fun to fly! These flight experiences take off from the delightful Damyns Hall Aerodrome and give you a bird's eye view of the London east area.

Just three miles north of the QE2 bridge across the Thames at Dartford, Damyns Hall is a great place to take a gyrocopter lesson. As you soar over the Essex countryside the London City skyline is never far away and it's totally amazing to be able to look down and see the traffic snaking along the M25 and the boats on the Thames.

But these gyrocopter flights out of this Essex base aren't just about sightseeing, they're about airmanship too! Chief instructor Owen Brooking will be getting you airborne in an open-cockpit gyro and making sure you have plenty of time to have a go at the controls too.

And in case you're wondering what it's like in a gyroplane, they are actually really stable, as there are no wings to cause that bumpy turbulence, as the rotor blades simply slice through the air. You can also hover over the Essex countryside in a gyrocopter, but you can't do vertical take offs and landings as you can't increase in height whilst hovering. Having said that, you only need a tiny airstrip to take off and land one of these things, making them super agile.

Once you're airborne out of Damyns Hall, your cruising altitude will be about 800ft, which is lower than helicopters and fixed wing planes. This means you can literally see everything that's going on below, will is utterly fascinating and mesmerising, as although the aerodrome is off a narrow country lane in Essex, there is so much going on around you with roads, train lines and the river too.

We could say flying in a gyrocopter at Essex's Damyns Hall is a hidden gem of an activity, but now we've told you all about it! There's plenty of opportunity to take a lesson though, as the school operates flights (subject to the weather) all through the year. It's also really easy to get to on the c2c train, underground and by car. Isn't it time you joined the gyrocopter revolution and booked a flight?

• Weekdays and weekends throughout the year
• Flights are subject to weather conditions and availability

• Minimum age 14
• Under 18s must be accompanied on the airfield by an adult
• Weight restrictions: maximum 17 stone (108kg), minimum 6 stone (38kg)
• A good, general level of fitness is required
• Please seek medical advice if you have previously suffered a heart condition or other medical conditions such as back or neck
• This experience is not suitable during pregnancy

• Spectators are welcome

• Participants should wear comfortable outdoor clothing and closed-toe footwear
• Bring gloves to wear during the flight