An airborne electromagnetic prospecting system (10) is disclosed. The system (10) comprises a transmitter loop structure (12) hat is attached to, and arranged to be towed by, a helicopter (14). A transmitter (22) is fitted to the transmitter loop structure (12) for transmitting a primary electromagnetic field. A high drag bird (26) is attached to, and arranged to be towed by, the transmitter loop structure (12). A receiver (38) is fitted to the high drag bird (26) for receiving a primary and secondary resulting electromagnetic field, the secondary field arising from the interaction of the primary field with ground conductors that are traversed by the helicopter (14). Significantly, the high drag bird (26) is also attached to, and arranged to be towed by, the helicopter (14), so as to keep the position of the receiver (38) relative to the transmitter (22) substantially constant.