Well the time had come to me to set off to BHX. I’d been looking forward to this all week after some long revision periods, this would be a nice break. So an early start of 6:30am to catch the train to BHX. For once, we had no prbos on the Wesc Coast despite the line between New Street and Euston closed. So after bye to my bro,as he went off to the motor show, i catched sky rail to T1 @ BHX. 1st impressions where not good as there was some building work going on in T1, then the swap to T2 improved my image of the airport, as T2 was a clean spacious airy terminal And i saw a B747-200 TF-ATN standing on one of the Piers of T1!. So i followed the instructions that mark L gave me the day before and went to the grassy area next to Taxiway Y. Despite runway 15 in use, the aircraft were so close you could touch them. For the next few minutes in came a few BACX ERJ’s, saw the leased BAe B-G-BSNS which i think operated the Lyon service?? Mark could correct me(Say’s on the CAA site that BACX lease it from TRIDENT AVIATION LEASING SERVICES).
Then the influx of the flybe departures earlier on, came back to BHX with a number of 146’s and Dash-8 Q400 arriving. Also saw two of the AF painted BE 146’s. There was a nice touch i felt, when a arriving BACX ERJ stopped right in front of me, when the ground controller asked why he stopped, he said because there is photographer wantinbg a good snap of us. AAfter i heard this on my scanner, gave the F/O a wave, and he waved back. I felt chuffed 😀 Minutes later came one of the lowest cleared to lands i’ve ever heard. A BE 146 was given a quick rolling take-off whilst a BACX 146 was on a 3 mile final. Controller gave the BE clearence to go, whils the BACX went as slow as he can. With only bout 10ft to spare the BACX was cleared to land, with the Captain saying “That was too close for comfort”!
Then came one thing i’d been waiting for all morning, the EK 777 A6-EME, wich i have seen at MAN a number of times. It was welcomed by the shy sunshine, and as it arrived, a mini jam started as the 742 wantedto go, a BE 146 wanted to go, and 2 BACX wanted to swap stands. For a moment, BHX stood still! By this time it was 12:05pm, so i decided to grap afew hours of the motorshow. Very dissapointing i felt, and decided to spend the final hour of my tripin the Ian Allan experience, which was free this weekend! Despite restricted views, I saw plenty, including a Swiss Ambulande D328 JET. I bought a flybe DVD, which i’ve wanted for ages, and that was it, my BHX trip over, and a daunting task of going back on the train. Lucky we had a Pendolino to Crewe which was one fo the best i’ve been on, and again, NO HICCUPS!
So i feel that BHX is a great place to spot, go there
P.S sorry no pics as i only have an APS, tho when they r back from the processers, i’ll post um ere
By: bmi-star - 31st May 2004 at 18:03
The fence is quite high so how the hell did u use a bin to get to the top i dunno! Also in this period where doing that, would be a terrorsit offence, i wouldn’t of bothered myself. Tho the blinking fence was a pain in getting good pics
By: ALBERT ROSS - 31st May 2004 at 17:47
Did you use anything to stand on to get those shots from the grassy viewing area? I haven’t been to BHX for a few years and the time before last, there were rubbish bins up against the fence with a sign saying “Please Use the Rubbish Bins”, so I did – I stood on top of them to get photos over the fence!!. Last time I went, they had cottoned on to this and had taken the bins away, so be replaced by others fixed well away from the fence.
By: bmi-star - 31st May 2004 at 17:22
Yes but i don’t have an airport on the Snowdonia National Park:D:D, tho RAF Valley could be our local airport in a few months!!
By: RIPConcorde - 31st May 2004 at 17:13
While all you are having the slog of a railway journey, I shall be flying down in pure Flybe Q400 bliss! :p 😀
I still like it how when you say to someone you are flying they seem shocked or surprised, when infact this flight is costing less than it would in petrol for the car! 😀
By: LBARULES - 31st May 2004 at 15:19
Well i got the 7:30 from Llandudno Junction, the the 9:15 VT from Crewe, supposed to go to New Street only, but goes thru to International. Hope u don’t get any probs
Hopefully I wont, as I dont think its the line thats been having the problems. My Train is Leeds-Birmingham International direct.
By: Speedbird744 - 31st May 2004 at 14:26
Can anyone give me directions for the best place to spot @ BHX.
I am def going this week. I need to see planes as the AS exams are really killing me!
Thanks
By: bmi-star - 31st May 2004 at 13:33
Well i got the 7:30 from Llandudno Junction, the the 9:15 VT from Crewe, supposed to go to New Street only, but goes thru to International. Hope u don’t get any probs
By: LBARULES - 31st May 2004 at 12:51
Hiya, I am getting the 08:11 from Leeds with Virgin Trains. Is that the train you got?
By: bmi-star - 31st May 2004 at 08:48
Good idea RIPConcorde, he trouble i had was that iwent to BHX to spot 1st as i didn’t know there was a BSM school there.
LBARULES looks like u r catching the same train as me, as i got in 10:30am aswell, and just catched the CO 757 taking off.
By: LBARULES - 30th May 2004 at 21:32
Me to, though my train doesen’t arrive there until 10:30.
By: RIPConcorde - 30th May 2004 at 21:29
I signed up @ 2pm, next slot was available @ 5:45pm!
I think we’ll sign up for everything as soon as we get in!
By: LBARULES - 30th May 2004 at 21:15
Hehe, back in 2000 and 2002, i couldn’t get everything back on the train, on the days where only 2 carrages ran to N.Wales, Lodsa bags and pens, only one bag this time, a Vauhall one as the other wanted donations. Crap if u only had £1 coins like me:D
I was really dissapointed bout the BSM thing, as i’m nervous when i think bout driving, this time i was determined to do it. So i was furious when i was told to wait till 5:45! 😡 Anyway, have a gooden 😉
Donations? Thats a bit strange! How much did they want?
By: bmi-star - 30th May 2004 at 19:43
I signed up @ 2pm, next slot was available @ 5:45pm!
By: RIPConcorde - 30th May 2004 at 18:04
What time did you sign up at? or how long was the waiting time?
By: bmi-star - 30th May 2004 at 17:57
Thanks alot BMi, my dad actually works for BSM, and was offered the chance to be one of the instructors there but he declined.
Maybe if I say my dad works for you, ill get better treatment!
Shame not alot of freebies, but I remember when I went in 1998, I looked like a donkey the amount of stuff I was carrying!
Hehe, back in 2000 and 2002, i couldn’t get everything back on the train, on the days where only 2 carrages ran to N.Wales, Lodsa bags and pens, only one bag this time, a Vauhall one as the other wanted donations. Crap if u only had £1 coins like me:D
I was really dissapointed bout the BSM thing, as i’m nervous when i think bout driving, this time i was determined to do it. So i was furious when i was told to wait till 5:45! 😡 Anyway, have a gooden 😉
By: bmi-star - 30th May 2004 at 17:54
Well i’d reccomend to get to BSM asap!! as the slots get taken up faster than u think, like in my case!
By: RIPConcorde - 30th May 2004 at 17:47
I did indeed, got to test out the beds, and comfy seats, that was the best thing bout the show i feel. Tho the VIP treatment i got in the Mini Ministry of Ownership bar was fab!:D And the Mini stunt show was incredible. Not a lot of freebies this time round. But the lure of planes was too much for me in the end. If any of u are 14-17 and +1.5m tall, go to the BMS school of motoring where u can get a driving lesson for 45mins abuolutley free. My self i am 17,, since Nov last year, and not really wanting to drive yet, tho i signed up, nevers jangalling, then i was told i wouldn’t get a go till 5:45!!!! 😡 And i was leaving B’Ham International @ 4:00pm 🙁 So go there early!
So LBARULES and RIPConcorde have a great time 😉
Thanks, I intend to make use of all the interactive activities! 😀 Except the Motoropolis or what ever it’s called and the taster test drives! Looking very much forward to the BSM thing! 😀 I should be there for when the doors open, as my flight is due to arrive at 08.15, I reckon I’ll do a bit of spotting at BHX until it opens. Unless the flight has a delay- Oh God no! don’t even suggest it! 😉
The guy that does the Minis is Rus Swift, he was at a thing at Ingliston last weekend when I went to see the B777 at EDI, so my Dad and I sneaked in, anyway, he was in an Evo 8 what he can do is absolutely jaw dropping! 😮 He accelerated full pelt for the crowd then at the last second pulls a handbrake turn, does a few donuts-in a very inclosed space- and speeds off leving the crowd flabber gasted( 😉 ) and in a cloud of tyre smoke, what a guy! 😀 He really is so so highly skilled!
By: LBARULES - 30th May 2004 at 17:42
Thanks alot BMi, my dad actually works for BSM, and was offered the chance to be one of the instructors there but he declined.
Maybe if I say my dad works for you, ill get better treatment!
Shame not alot of freebies, but I remember when I went in 1998, I looked like a donkey the amount of stuff I was carrying!
By: bmi-star - 30th May 2004 at 17:31
bmi-star did u see the virgin atlantic stall at the motor show showing off their new upper class suite aparently you can sit in them aswell
I did indeed, got to test out the beds, and comfy seats, that was the best thing bout the show i feel. Tho the VIP treatment i got in the Mini Ministry of Ownership bar was fab!:D And the Mini stunt show was incredible. Not a lot of freebies this time round. But the lure of planes was too much for me in the end. If any of u are 14-17 and +1.5m tall, go to the BMS school of motoring where u can get a driving lesson for 45mins abuolutley free. My self i am 17,, since Nov last year, and not really wanting to drive yet, tho i signed up, nevers jangalling, then i was told i wouldn’t get a go till 5:45!!!! 😡 And i was leaving B’Ham International @ 4:00pm 🙁 So go there early!
So LBARULES and RIPConcorde have a great time 😉
By: LBARULES - 30th May 2004 at 17:19
Wow! I had no idea Virgin Atlantic would have a stand, i’ll have to make sure I take a good look 🙂
No probs Comet, glad to be of help 🙂
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May 30, 2004 at 8:41 am