Touchdown Helicopters is a small and friendly, privately owned company, with a can-do attitude, applying professional values to our everyday operation. We offer a full range of scenic, charter and aerial work services from each of our bases here in the Illawarra. Our headquarters is located at Illawarra Regional Airport in Albion Park Rail and our secondary facility is at Wollongong Heliport near the Wollongong CBD. Only two hours drive south of Sydney, we are ideally located to provide helicopter services to the Illawarra and beyond.
30 Minute Trial Introductory Flight (TIF)
A Trial Introductory Flight (TIF) can either be a one-off flight experience for some or a “taste test” for a future career for others. Whatever your reason for wanting to sit in and take control of a helicopter, it is the experience of a lifetime!
City & Surf Flight
Two fantastic experiences in one. The unique thrill of a helicopter flight and the breathtaking views of the Illawarra from above.
* All flights sold on a shared basis. For private flights please get in touch with our team.
Seacliff Bridge Flight
Within minutes of departure you will be flying over the pristine sandy beaches of Australia’s South Coast; from Wollongong Harbour in the south to the Seacliff Bridge in the North. And always against the ever present backdrop of the Great Dividing Range
* All flights sold on a shared basis. For private flights please get in touch with our team.
Waterfall Discovery Flight
Explore the rainforest, rivers, waterfalls and gorges of the Illawarra escarpment. Witness the infinite expanse of the Australian Bush. Epic views from the mountains to the sea. See the beautiful green pastures of Jamberoo Valley.
* All flights sold on a shared basis. For private flights please get in touch with our team.
Coastal Explorer Flight
Fly over the stunning Illawarra coastline to see the world famous Sea Cliff Bridge. Dramatic ocean facing cliff faces, rock pools and golden sandy beaches. Spectacular!!
* All flights sold on a shared basis. For private flights please get in touch with our team.
Waterfall & Canyon Safari Flight
Discover the most spectacular waterfalls in the Southern Highlands. Fly over the steep canyons visiting Carrington, Belmore, Fitzroy and Gerringong Falls. See the rain forest, cliff faces, gorges and chasms of the Great Dividing Range.
* All flights sold on a shared basis. For private flights please get in touch with our team.
All flights sold on a shared basis
Private flights are available on request
Gift Vouchers Available
About Touchdown Training
Touchdown Helicopters acquired Aerowasp Helicopters in 2016 to bring helicopter training back to the Illawarra. Aerowasp Helicopters now trades as Touchdown Training.
Training Courses
Touchdown Training offers a full range of pilot training courses for both the commercial and private helicopter pilot alike. As well as rotary PPL and CPL courses we also offer helicopter type endorsements, Instructor Ratings, Night VFR rating, Sling Ratings, Instructor Training Endorsements etc . And if you can't get to us, then we can come to you.
Ground School
If you would like help getting through your aviation theory exams we also have a ground school available, offering either full PPL and CPL theory courses or else customised support to get you through those theory components which are more challenging than others.
Please note:
- All flight training conducted under AOC No. CASA.TAAOC.0516-10
- All flight training and assessment conducted pursuant to Part 141 of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR)
30 Minute Trial Introductory Flight (TIF)
A Trial Introductory Flight (TIF) can either be a one-off flight experience for some or a “taste test” for a future career for others. Whatever your reason for wanting to sit in and take control of a helicopter, it is the experience of a lifetime!
Recreational Pilots Licence (RPL)
The cheapest and easiest way to obtain an entry level Helicopter Licence. A recreational licence allows you to carry passengers but at a restricted capacity compared to the PPL(H). Flights are restricted to piston powered aircraft and can be no further than 25 nautical miles from your departure point. These restrictions can be lifted by obtaining further endorsements to your licence.
Private Pilots License – PPL(H)
This allows you to fly for pleasure, take your mates, loved one(s), or family on flights in a private capacity. You may not however fly for hire or reward on a PPL(H).
Commercial Pilots Licence CPL(H)
Thinking of a career in Helicopters? You will need a Commercial Pilots License to fly for hire or reward.
The minimum requirements and overview of the course is described here.
Wedding Transfer
When its comes to the biggest day of your life, you want everything to be absolutely spectacular and that includes the arrival of the bride. Touchdown Helicopters will make sure she arrives at the alter on time.
Aerial Photography
Whether you are a professional photographer taking aerial photos for your client or an amateur photographer looking for a unique perspective, a helicopter can provide the perfect shooting platform.
Joyflight Days
If you want to put your fundraising day on the map, Touchdown Helicopters has a fleet of helicopters available to provide joyflights for your event.
A to B Transfer
No matter where you are or where you want to go, you can cut down on a lengthy road trip by taking to the skies and travelling direct, door-to-door.
Airport Transfer
The fastest way to get to the airport is in a straight line above the traffic. So if you want to maximise your time with family, friends or at the office before heading to the airport then a helicopter transfer is just the service you are after.
Corporate Transfer
Arrive rested, relaxed and prepared. A corporate transfer is a fast, personalised service for the busy business executive who needs to get to their destination as soon as possible according to their own schedule. And if that includes your staff team, then we have a large fleet of helicopters to get you all there, all together and all at the same time.
Aerial Crane
The ubiquitous helicopter is used as a work horse across a multitude of industries due its large lifting capacity. When used for industrial or commercial purposes, the helicopter will typically have a hook fitted into its underbelly which can then have various types of payload attached using a long cable or rope.
Fire Control
During the warmer months, when the hazard of a bush fire is greatly increased, Touchdown Helicopters has its fleet of helicopters, ground support maintenance units and 30,000L JetA1 fuel truck on permanent standby, ready to react to support the community.
Marine Transfer
The working harbour of Port Kembla was historically the beating heart of industry in the Illawarra and now with the increased use of the port, activity is steadily making a comeback to the heights of the coal and steel industry 20 or 30 years ago.
Survey & Spotting
Touchdown Helicopters has many years of experience providing our helicopters as a platform for use in aerial survey and spotting applications.
Cargo Transport
Touchdown Helicopters is able to provide a transport solution for the delivery of cargo when all other options are unavailable. Whether delivery is required to remote locations without road access, or to communities isolated due to weather events or even if road access is unavailable due to the bulk, size and shape of the cargo, then a helicopter delivery may be the best option.
Aviation Refuelling & Ground Support
New to Touchdown in 2018 is the addition to our fleet of a 30,000L mobile fuel carrying semi-trailer. This comprises a Scania R480DG prime mover attached to a Holmwood Highgate BS32 tandem axle JetA1 fuel tanker trailer.
Events
December 12, 2024
2024-2025 VIC Fires
Our Touchdown Helicopters team have been committed to helping in Victoria’s 2024 and 2025 bushfires, using our Black Hawk helicopter for rapid water bombing to protect communities. Working with amazing local fire services, we’ve tried our best to safeguard homes and the environment, providing vital support during these challenging times.
Latest News
November 25, 2024
Girls on fires come to Snowy Monaro
Pays Helicopters, a branch of Touchdown Helicopters, was proud to participate in the Girls on Fire event, an inspiring initiative that encourages young girls to explore careers in firefighting and aviation. As a company committed to supporting the wider community, […]
November 17, 2024
2024 CONVOY
At Touchdown Helicopters, we are incredibly proud to have supported the Illawarra Convoy again in 2024, helping to raise much-needed funds for local families. Throughout the day, our team was out in full force, with four helicopters flying continuously through […]