Aircraft Our Fleet

Arena owns a fleet of five aircraft based around the proven Eurocopter AS355 twin squirrel & reliable Robinson R44 Raven II. Combined they fly in excess of 1,100 hours (over 100,000 miles) every year & at Arena we only provide aerial filming services.

Our AS355 fleet includes both the F1 & F2 variant equipped for either VFR or IFR operation (with autopilot). By using standard factory aircraft as camera ships, options such as floats are available for specialist operations. It's also easy to upgrade equipment as technology changes, thus offering the very best to our Clients.

Eurocopter AS355 Twin Squirrel
  • Powered by two Rolls Royce 250-C20 turbine engines
  • Maximum all up weight: 2,400kg (F1); 2,540kg (F2)
  • Seats pilot plus up to 5 passengers
  • Cruises at around 135 MPH
  • Maximum Range circa 400 miles or 3 hours (plus reserves)
  • Ability to fly safely with only one engine operative
  • Can fly at 750ft anywhere over central London
  • Can be flown at night and in instrument flying conditions (IFR variant)
  • Camera mounts on the left or right hand side of the aircraft nose

    Robinson R44 Raven II (Clipper II - version with safety floats)
  • Powered by a fuel injected IO-540 Lycoming engine
  • Maximum all up weight: 1,134kg (2,500lb)
  • Seats pilot plus up to 3 passengers
  • Cruises at around 135 MPH
  • Maximum Range circa 350 miles or 2 hrs 40 mins (plus reserves)
  • Needs to be able to glide clear of built up areas
  • More economical to run than turbine aircraft
  • Camera mounts on the left or right hand side of the aircraft

    Single or Twin engine operation over Central London?
    It is Arena’s opinion that Twins are best suited for filming in R160 (an area covering most of Central London). However it is acceptable to use a Single engine helicopter, provided it can land clear of the built up area in the event of a power failure. Single engine aircraft need floats to carry paying passengers along the River Thames - something we can easily arrange.

    Twins provide the greatest flexibility in the demanding role of aerial filming where a combination of altitude, speed, directions of travel, and the exact position above the ground may be critical to getting the shot. Singles v Twins.

    For more information please call us on 01737 822011.


  •