Plane spotting London

Fellow forum member, A330Crazy, told me recently that 09L is no longer possible with a car because the pavement has been raised (or something like) preventing access to cars.

I am not too clued up on LHR, LTN, STN or LCY, But i can give you advice on LGW.

Over recent years it has become more and more unfriendly towards spotters, however there are still some good vantage points, Perimeter Road, 08R crash Gate/Field, Lowfield Heath Industrial Estate Crash Gate, S.Terminal Car Park and Northside Mound. A full report on where said spots can be found is on my new website, http://ldn.mjk.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=57&Itemid=71 hope that helps.

Another question, where can I find out which runway is in use?

http://www.plane-mad.com/guides.php?guide=LHR That should help you, uses real world weather and tells you what runways are in use, and also the planned runways in use for the future etc

Josh

Thank you for the pos T5, very hellpful for future references :

Another question, where can I find out which runway is in use?

Is the Queens building now shut? Apologies, I’ve not been a spotter since 1974. I just make the things now, and fly on them.

i believe so. im only 18 but i think that closed in the 1980’s

Whilst I am certain that the Queen’s Building is now closed, I am not sure when exactly it closed. I think, although I am prepared to be corrected, that it closed in 2002. There are photographs taken from the rooftop in June 2002 on Airliners.net. Apparently, the demolition of the building is set to begin before the end of the year!

Heathrow does have some really good spots though and you are sure to get some good views and good photographs, regardless of which of the runways are in use. The 27s seem to be in use more than the 9s, which means that Myrtle Avenue would be ideal for. At 3.00pm, guaranteed, the runways will change. If aircraft are departing from 27L before 3.00pm, they will depart from 27R after 3.00pm. The same also applies with arriving aircraft. It is worth bearing in mind that Myrtle Avenue is only of use if aircraft are arriving on 27L.

For 27L departures, just across from Myrtle Avenue is the Southern Perimeter Road, which offered great views of departing aircraft. It used to be possible to park in Myrtle Avenue or Cain’s Lane and to cross the A30 to this spot, although I was recently told that the once broken fence has now been repaired, meaning that access from either of these roads isn’t as easy as it once was. Alternatively, the Esso petrol station a few miles further down the Southern Perimeter Road allows for good views and photography opportunities. Whilst the staff here once tolerated people parking up and enjoying the views, parking is apparently no longer permitted. Looking through Airliners.net, it is obvious that some spotters continue to use this location.

For 27R arrivals, the Eastern Perimeter Road is your best shot, especially if you are after the light for photography as the sun will be behind you. 27R departures can be viewed from the Northern Perimeter Road and car parking can be found at the Heathrow Academy (once the Heathrow Visitors Centre), although there is a charge. It used to be £1.00 per hour but I am unsure if this is still the same.

When the 9s are in use, it will always be 9R for departures and 9L for arrivals with no changeover at 3.00pm. Views of the departing aircraft are not easy to get but arrivals are best seen from the big field at the end of 9L, just off of Stanwell Moor Road. A large pavement allows for plenty of room to park the car and the police have not once moved me on from this location, nor have I had any problems parking the car there and walking into the field.

Since I have never visited Gatwick or Stansted, I cannot offer any advice.

i believe so. im only 18 but i think that closed in the 1980’s

Is the Queens building now shut? Apologies, I’ve not been a spotter since 1974. I just make the things now, and fly on them.

probaby heathrow is the most spotter friendly. you can see everything on the ground by driving around the perimiter. at the end of runway 09L there is a huge field, usually full of spotters, just park your car at the side of the road and walk in. if they are not landing that way (they normallly do) you could try mertyle avenue at the end of 27L, but this is a residential street with a field at the end, so respect peoples property.

gatwick is ok, the observation deck is closed now (i think) so you cant see much on the ground,there are fields at both ends of the runway.

luton is similar, can drive round the airport, its full of biz, and get a good view. as for landings im not sure. there is a country lane at the end of 26 but its a tad bleak. theres not much at luton anyway, unless you love biz and easyjet.

Stansted is well known for being one of the worst airports in the UK from a spotting and certainly from a photography point of view. you could go to belmer road, park your car and walk through the bushes, there is a verge that you can see landings only from (Taking off stuff has already gone by the time its come from behind the verge) you cant see the apron from here. or there is green street at the end of 23 where you can see the apron.