FAQs

The Coastal Location of the Heliport allows minimum disturbance for their operational requirements whilst using the South West and South Wales Training areas.  The Military require a particular grade of fuel which we supply to them as well as the Emergency Services.

With our fully trained Ground Crew we are able to offer a very speedy turnaround, at their request, at night and sometimes with no “white light” to aid their training and efficiency.

We have a good reputation for a fast, efficient refuel with an exemplary clean-fuel record.

The modern military helicopter has many complicated onboard systems that can only be turned off in a sustained systematic procedure which can take up to 10 minutes to shut down and 20 minutes to start up.  It is therefore quicker to do a rotors running refuel as quickly as possible.

War is not limited to daylight hours so therefore most of their training is done at night.  We are one of the very few places within the UK that they can come to day and night to refuel with all the necessary landing facilities and lighting.

No.  Several Military bases over the past years have closed. Chivenor no longer has fuel as it is now a Royal Marine Base and the Search and Rescue has been civilianised and moved to South Wales.  Plymouth Airport closed, Exeter and Bristol very rarely will accept them so therefore over the years they have come to rely on Lomas Helicopters.

Smaller Airfields generally do not supply the FSII (Fuel System Icing Inhibitor) required by the Military within the Jet A1 Fuel.

We work on the principal that the average Chinook refuel can be undertaken within 15 - 20 minutes rotors running.  This will also depend on the amount of fuel required and their tasking.

Like all machines, helicopters can have unforeseen technical issues which need to be resolved before flying again.

The crew can be tasked to fly all day, sometimes for up to 9 hours, and if this is the case they will sometimes need to change the crew.

Due to their training they will also have unplanned task changes which need to be planned before taking off again.

The military require turbine Jet A1 (Avtur) Fuel with the additive FSII. (Fuel System Icing Inhibitor)

No, Lomas Helicopters do not operate charter flights anymore.

Lomas does not operate flights to Lundy anymore.  Please contact the Lundy Shore Office for details of how to get to Lundy.

Yes, it is an MD500E Helicopter owned and operated by Lomas Helicopters and undertakes Aerial Work.

No.  We do not operate passenger flights anymore

The Heliport is situated next to the road so Helicopters can be seen taking off and landing from there.  You are most welcome to watch from the road but please be aware of the downdraft, noise and dust created by helicopter take offs and landings.

Do to the sensitive nature of some of the flights we are unable to publicise their movements.

No - I’m afraid we do not offer hangarage.

Yes, the Heliport can be used to pick up or drop off Passengers.

Yes.  Operators such as National Grid and Trinity House are regular short term base users.

Our normal operating hours are 0800 – 1700 Monday to Friday. Outside of those times by agreement. Please contact us on 01237 421054

We provide Jet A1 with FSII. We do not provide Avgas.

We would prefer you book in for fuel in advance but if you require fuel in an emergency this can be arranged by contacting us on 01237 421054 or coming up on our radio frequency.

There are no landing fees if you take fuel during normal working hours. Landing Fees are applicable outside of these times.

Yes

No. Lomas Helicopters does not have any engineering facilities.

Yes, you can pay by card or we can send you an invoice.

51 01.950N 00415.098W
OS Grid Reference: SS422 283
What3Words: measure.anyone.regal
Postcode: EX39 5BQ

Yes. Lomas Helicopters offer Off-Site Refuelling as well as Night Landing Aids

There are no size restrictions. We can refuel any size of Helicopter with pressure or gravity fed fuel.

Normal crew room facilities
Access to weather, Notams etc
Car Park
Waiting Room
Toilets
Tea & Coffee
Free Wifi

Westward Ho! is 1.2 miles and Bideford is 3 miles from us. There is a Pub within walking distance.

Yes, there is free Wi-Fi available

Yes. Overnight Parking for Helicopters and vehicles is available