More and more people are choosing to travel in style by hopping on board a helicopter. CATHERINE BRUCE talks to a North Yorkshire firm that has cashed in on our love of the air.

SITTING inside a helicopter, wearing ear protectors, it's hard not to feel a bit like Anneka Rice on Treasure Hunt.

But sadly I'm not wearing one of her natty 1980s jumpsuits and there's no clever clues to solve. One thing that struck me as I got into a helicopter for the first time is just how small and light they are, almost like child's toys.

As we flew above the North Yorkshire countryside, it felt almost like we were floating above a model village. And the aerial views have to be seen to be believed.

Travelling by helicopter was once strictly the domain of Royalty, the super-rich and the military. But now everyone is keen to have a go.

Hields Aviation was started in 1989 by former West Yorkshire firefighter Bob Hields to train people to fly helicopters. The business steadily expanded and last year it started to offer helicopters for commercial charter.

Now Hields Aviation flies people anywhere they want to go - business trips, sporting events and even weddings. In fact, more and more brides and grooms are picking helicopters to make a grand entrance - or exit - on their big day.

They can even opt to travel in the firm's Hiller helicopter, which was flown by Honor Blackman in the classic Bond film Goldfinger.

One of the major success stories for Hields has been the York aerial tour. Starting from the company's base at the airfield in Sherburn in Elmet, this 40 minute pleasure flight flies towards Selby before taking passengers over the historic city of York.

Sights from the cockpit include the famous White Horse at Sutton Bank, Elvington airfield and the Knavesmire. But the main pull of the aerial tour is the chance to get a stunning view of York's attractions including the Minster and the city walls, from the air.

But while this might be one of the smartest ways to sightsee in York, it certainly isn't one of the cheapest. The flight costs £300 for three people but despite the hefty price tag people are more than willing to pay the price to take to the skies.

And it's easy to see why. Despite feeling a little bit like you're sitting in a goldfish bowl, travelling by helicopter certainly has plenty of the feel-good factor. As aeroplane flights become cheaper, easier and more basic, the helicopter has come into its own, offering a touch of glamour and personal service. It is what the stretch limo was before it was hijacked by hen nights and school balls - just a bit out of the ordinary.

Hields Aviation pilot James Booth has been passionate about helicopters since he was a child. At 14, when he was a pupil at St Aidan's in Harrogate, he joined Bob Hields for two weeks work experience. And he has been involved in the company ever since.

At first he just helped out at weekends but now at 21 he has his commercial pilot's licence and flies for the firm full-time.

"Arriving by helicopter makes a good impression. It's fantastic," he says.

"It is such a buzz. When passengers get out of the helicopter they are absolutely beaming, whether they've been on a five-minute pleasure flight or a two hour charter."

Although Hields fleet of helicopters are used for pretty much anything including filming and aerial surveys, training is still a major part of the company's business.

Pilots wanting to build up their flying hours can even hire a helicopter to take their friends and family around the country, a service known as self-fly hire.

But while training remains the mainstay of the business, with around 30 people taking lessons, the charter side of Hields Aviation is growing all the time.

"The training part of the business is as big as it can be. Now we are looking to operate larger helicopters on the commercial side," said James.

The company already takes passengers to sporting events like Ascot, Cheltenham and the Grand Prix. And Royal Ascot coming to York next year can only boost business even more for the firm. It is looking into adding a twin engine helicopter to its fleet in time for the event to attract the A-list celebrities, who will be flocking to York to go to Ascot.

"We don't get many famous people at the moment as they want to travel in twin-engine helicopters. But we did transport Cannon and Ball recently," James said.

Although the main part of the business and seven helicopters are based in Sherburn-in-Elmet, Hields also has a flying school in Chester with a further two aircraft. The firm is also looking to expand with another base in the Teesside area.

But Sherburn will always be home to Hields.

"Sherburn is great," said James.

"It has a friendly aeroclub, no air traffic and it is in a good position near York, Leeds and the A1. It's also a good place to start learning to fly from scratch.

"You can do all aspects of the flying course at Sherburn, including flying at night."

And Hields isn't just about helicopters - it also offers once in a lifetime flights in a 1939 RAF Tiger Moth for those looking for a bit of nostalgia.

While I won't be swapping the car for a helicopter just yet, (not unless I win the Lottery) I can see why once some people get into the cockpit, they don't want to come back down to earth.

For more information visit the company website, www.hieldsaviation.co.uk or phone 01977 680206.

Updated: 09:48 Tuesday, June 22, 2004