spotterjoe From United Kingdom, joined Oct 2010, 19 posts, RR: 0 Posted (3 months 1 week 1 day 2 hours ago) and read 1156 times:
Hi
I am planning a spotting trip to LHR, however it looks like 9L will be in use and I have only ever been to myrtle avenue. I have read about a good embankment south of the runway threshold but could do with some detailed instructions on how to get there on foot. I will be travelling by tube. Also, would this location be busy with other spotters at this time of year, as I don't really want to be there alone!
CaptainKramer From United Kingdom, joined Feb 2012, 156 posts, RR: 0 Reply 1, posted (3 months 1 week 1 day ago) and read 1130 times:
Hi spotterjoe,
To reach the embankment, on exiting T5, turn right follow the foot path, walk past the bus stop (under cover of multistory car park) which will be on your left, as will be an undercover bike rack just past bus stop. Ahead on the left will be a Sofotel Hotel. As you walk along the footpath, you will see the T5 apron on your right, with A319, A320's parked at the gates. Overhead you will see the T5 Pod Cars heading out to long term carpark. Just keep the apron perimetre fence on your right as you continue to walk.
In about 3 minutes you will see a taxi rank and in the distance aircraft landing on runway 09L. Just walk down the hill where the taxies are lined up and you will see the embankment/mound in distance, covered with trees, which you can walk up and shoot from, as I have done on numerous occassions, without any hassle from authorities whatsoever.
Weekends are more likely to be busy with photogrpahers if weather is good. Light is generally better for arrival shots in the morning and just past lunch time.
Also if you have Google Earth, you can look at what I have described using a birds eye view, to get the lay of the land. If not just download, it takes seconds to set up.
CaptainKramer From United Kingdom, joined Feb 2012, 156 posts, RR: 0 Reply 3, posted (3 months 1 week 23 hours ago) and read 1110 times:
Yes, go up the escalators or lifts from the T5 tubestation to the arrivals level. Then just head towards the exits outside the sliding doors. You will see the bus stops on your left, just head to the right along the footpath. Journey time about 5 minutes.
I also understand there is a spot outside the departures drop off area at the 09L end, where you can shoot from, especially departures coming from 027R, but I have yet to give this a go by myself.
CaptainKramer From United Kingdom, joined Feb 2012, 156 posts, RR: 0 Reply 6, posted (3 months 1 week 23 hours ago) and read 1090 times:
Sorry I can't do a map, but while looking at Google Earth the embankment/mound is north of the roundabout and is triangled shaped.
On the left is a road that passes runway 09L, on the right a reservoir, just inside the perimetre fence. The road passes through a tunnel underneath the roundabout itself. When standing on the mound you can clearly see the reservoir.
Also on leaving T5 you will see a plane landing off in the distance. If all else fails just head towards the planes, using the footpaths provided.
spotterjoe From United Kingdom, joined Oct 2010, 19 posts, RR: 0 Reply 7, posted (3 months 1 week 23 hours ago) and read 1082 times:
I think i have found the embankment on google maps. I plan to be there for about 4 hours; are you confident i willnot be hassled by police? Lastly, is the walk to the embankment along a pavement?
Thanks, you have been really helpful!
CaptainKramer From United Kingdom, joined Feb 2012, 156 posts, RR: 0 Reply 8, posted (3 months 1 week 23 hours ago) and read 1081 times:
I have never been, hassled by the authorities, ever! The incline must provide some resisitence to them contemplating going up them! Just kidding. The embankment is the Myrtle Avenue of 09L.
spotterjoe From United Kingdom, joined Oct 2010, 19 posts, RR: 0 Reply 10, posted (3 months 1 week 7 hours ago) and read 1001 times:
Is the departure level of T5 a bit in the middle of the terminal, as I don't want to be photoraphing aircraft in front of all the people checking in! Also, should I stand near the top of the embankment, or at the bottom nearer the road? Is it possible to just stand right against the perimeter fence?
scbriml From United Kingdom, joined Jul 2003, 11360 posts, RR: 50 Reply 11, posted (3 months 1 week 7 hours ago) and read 997 times:
Quoting hotplane (Reply 9): So long as you don't start having a picnic on the armco at the top you'll be ok.
The police will ask people to move away from the barrier and move further down the slope, but this is only for safety reasons.
Quoting hotplane (Reply 9): I prefer outside T5 for 09L shots though
Me too. IMHO, it's a better angle than on the embankment as you're much higher up.
Quoting spotterjoe (Reply 10): Is the departure level of T5 a bit in the middle of the terminal
No, you stand outside the front of the terminal at the north-west corner (there's a small paved area there overlooking the 09L approach). With a 300-400mm lens you can catch the planes before the many light poles get in the way. Even with a 200mm you can get perfect side-ons between the poles if your timing is good.
spotterjoe From United Kingdom, joined Oct 2010, 19 posts, RR: 0 Reply 12, posted (3 months 6 days 22 hours ago) and read 950 times:
I'm not so worried about photos, I'm more of a rego taker! I would just like to know if the embankment area is likely to be frequented with other spotters throughout the day next monday, as I guess the more of us there are the less suspicious it will look to passing police.
scbriml From United Kingdom, joined Jul 2003, 11360 posts, RR: 50 Reply 13, posted (3 months 6 days 22 hours ago) and read 947 times:
Quoting spotterjoe (Reply 12): I would just like to know if the embankment area is likely to be frequented with other spotters throughout the day next monday, as I guess the more of us there are the less suspicious it will look to passing police.
There's nearly always a crowd there. There will be no issue with the police even if you're on your own.
JakTrax From United Kingdom, joined Jun 2005, 4735 posts, RR: 8 Reply 14, posted (3 months 6 days 17 hours ago) and read 931 times:
The only time I've seen police take action is when there's been a large group of people. It didn't help that day that some local guys (don't know who they were) kept hopping over the barrier onto the motorway sliproad (!) to get their shots. Idiots!
You'll be fine on your own. Just stay a few feet away from the road barrier at the top.
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