Invoice templates for commercial helicopter pilots and operators covering charter flights, aerial surveys, photography, and corporate transfers.
A commercial helicopter operator invoice records fees for chartered helicopter flights — executive transfers, aerial photography, survey flights, news gathering, search and rescue support, and scenic tours. UK commercial helicopter operators must hold an Air Operator Certificate (AOC) issued by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), and pilots must hold a Commercial Pilot Licence (Helicopter) with appropriate type ratings. Helicopter charter rates are typically quoted as an hourly block rate including fuel, with a minimum booking of 1–2 hours. Landing fees at destination helipads or airports are charged at cost as disbursements. For complex survey or photography missions, additional fees for specialist camera mounts, observer fees, or data processing may apply. Commercial helicopter operations are highly regulated and invoicing must reflect the scope of the AOC held.
| Service | Typical Rate | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Helicopter charter (per block hour, R44/AS350 class) | 1100 | hour |
| Helicopter charter (per block hour, EC135/H145 class) | 2200 | hour |
| Minimum booking charge (1 hour) | 1100 | booking |
| Aerial photography mission (per hour + operator) | 1400 | hour |
| Landing fee disbursement | 1 | actual cost |
| Ferry flight (positioning) | 900 | hour |
| Overnight AOG crew accommodation | 1 | actual cost |
Helicopter operators should issue invoices immediately after flight completion, with payment due Net 14–30 days. For regular corporate clients, a monthly consolidated invoice covering all charter hours is common. For one-off private charters, full prepayment or a 50% deposit before the flight and balance on completion is appropriate. Charter aviation clients expect professional invoicing that references the aircraft registration, crew, and exact block time flown. Landing fees and handling charges are disbursements — pass these through at cost with receipts available. Never bundle disbursements into the hourly rate without disclosure.