Ikarus From United Kingdom, joined Jan 2001, 3524 posts, RR: 2 Posted (11 years 5 months 1 week 2 days 20 hours ago) and read 6063 times:
Hi!
As this term is quickly approaching its end and I have a few days with little to do, I thought about going spotting planes at Heathrow and for the first time also London City Airport. I have never been there, and was wondering how best to get there, where to stand around and take pics from, and what times of day are busiest? Note: I do not have access to a car.
Any web pages with spotter's guides comparable to Chris Sheldon's LHR page?
Sukhoi From Sweden, joined May 2006, 371 posts, RR: 9 Reply 3, posted (11 years 5 months 1 week 2 days 8 hours ago) and read 6019 times:
Ikarus,
I have only been there once and I walked along the north side of the Royal Albert dock. Here you can look straight across the dock at the airport and it gives really good unobstructed views no fences or anything! Not sure where your coming from but there are plenty of LDR stations around infact the Royal Albert station was right next to where i was standing. Probably best time to be there is around lunchtime but the airport is closed from 12.00 on Saturdays and reopens 10.00 Sundays.
Ikarus From United Kingdom, joined Jan 2001, 3524 posts, RR: 2 Reply 4, posted (11 years 5 months 1 week 1 day 22 hours ago) and read 5981 times:
Thanks, Sukhoi!
You might have saved me a lot of anger, as I was planning on going there on Saturday, or maybe Sunday early morning! That way I know I'll head for Heathrow (weather permitting!)
Ndebele From Germany, joined Apr 2001, 2895 posts, RR: 25 Reply 5, posted (11 years 5 months 1 week 1 day 22 hours ago) and read 5979 times:
Even without a car: Leaving the terminal and turn left, you can walk down the whole runway, no fence, just water between the runway and you. And a glass wall to protect you from the storm, but there are also some meters without glass, if you want to take photoes. But note: I've been there in early september, and it was really cold and stormy. I wouldn't want to spend a whole day at LCY in december...
Yorkie From United Kingdom, joined Sep 2001, 125 posts, RR: 0 Reply 6, posted (11 years 5 months 1 week 1 day 20 hours ago) and read 5969 times:
I try to get there once or twice a year, you see a lot of European commuters which don't go elsewhere in the UK. I go along the south dock but you can see from either side. Don't go if there is likely to be low visibility as they will divert.
If you need travel directions let me know, I find the Jubilee line is quickest then local bus but would need to look up the connecting points as I never remember.
I made a complete log this October on a Thursday which I will summarise:
Saw 39 between 9.00 - 17.00 not counting repeats. 6 Scot 328, 5 B'Euro DHC8 / 146. 2 UK f.50. 2 Titan 146. 4 Germans - 2 LH 146, 2 Augsburg DHC8. I CityJet 146. 3 EI 146. 2 Regional SF2000 (F-), 2 Swiss 328, 6 LX (3 Saab 3 146), 4 VLM, 2 Schreiner DHC8, 2 BizJets (hope that adds up). Very busy up to 0945 (17 logged) then a steady flow after a lull - about a dozen up to lunch, then it died down with long gaps between movements.
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