How the flight works

Good to know in advance

• Documents

  Bring an ID document: before the flight you complete a registration with passport details for insurance. Children and foreign visitors also need an ID document.

  For Pripyat and Chernobyl an ID is mandatory.

• Children

  There is no set minimum age. Every passenger, children included, takes a separate seat with a seat belt and a headset; children cannot sit on laps.

  A small child may be frightened by the noise and vibration, so if you are flying with a little one, please talk to a manager first. The Exclusion Zone admits visitors from the age of 16, no exceptions.

• Weight and wellbeing

  Three passengers together up to 250 kg, one seat up to 120 kg, with no surcharge. The exact limit depends on the fuel load and is confirmed before take-off; if the weight is higher, a manager will find a solution.

  If you are pregnant, please consult your doctor and mention it in your request.

• Weather and rescheduling

  We fly when the weather allows, from sunrise to sunset, in winter too; the last departure is before sunset. Light rain and clouds are fine; we do not fly in fog, haze, strong wind or thunderstorms.

  The pilot decides on the morning of the flight day, and flights cancelled for weather are moved to another convenient date at no extra cost. If you want to reschedule or cancel yourself, let us know at least 24 hours before departure, with no penalty.

• What to bring and wear

  Any clothes, comfortable shoes. For photos, avoid light and shiny colours.

  You can take small personal luggage with you; the R44 has no separate luggage compartment. We do not carry cargo.

• Photos and video

  Taking photos and filming is free: a phone, a GoPro or a small camera, as long as it does not disturb the pilot. There is no need to open the windows, the shots come out well anyway.

  We do not have a staff photographer: the manager on site can take a few shots on your phone, or you can bring your own photographer. A photographer who flies takes a passenger seat. Please agree a photo shoot with a manager in advance; time for photos by the helicopter depends on the flow of passengers, so we cannot guarantee it. While flights are suspended, there are no photo shoots at the airfield.

• A single seat in a shared flight

  On the 12, 18 and 24-minute routes you can book a single seat, most often at weekends. The flight departs as soon as a full group of three passengers is formed; this usually takes from a few days to a week. The day before, we call all passengers and confirm the departure.

  If you do not want to wait, you can pay the difference for the whole helicopter and fly with your own company. All other routes are sold only as the whole helicopter, 1 to 3 passengers, same price.