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North - South Tour

After a stressful couple of weeks at work I decided a week off was needed, so after booking it off, I spent a couple of months contemplating what to do, in the end deciding to visit a selection of airports within easy reach, starting with Newcastle, and working South finishing at Leeds/Bradford. No pics with this one I'm afraid.

As expected, Newcastle was the busiest of the airports visited, although I couldn't help thinking if you take into account that they don't have the likes of FRA/CLB/GPO etc, the difference in the number of movements between them and us can't be all that much.

REG: TYPE: OPERATOR: NOTES:
NEWCASTLE INTERNATIONAL 17-11-2008 1004-1459
5N-AAN HS25 NEWCASTLE AVIATION ACADEMY BROKEN UP
A6-EAB A332 EMIRATES  
C-GWJO B732 NEWCASTLE AVIATION ACADEMY EX-WESTJET AIRLINES
CS-DMF BE40 NETJETS EUROPE  
D-ILAM C25A PRIVATE  
EI-CVA A320 AER LINGUS  
F-GRZG CRJ7 AIR FRANCE (BRIT AIR)  
G-BAWK PA28 PRIVATE  
G-BUIF PA28 NORTHUMBRIA FLYING SCHOOL  
G-BXTB C152 PRIVATE  
G-CDKB SB20 EASTERN AIRWAYS  
G-CELX B733 JET2.COM  
G-CELY B733 JET2.COM OLD COLOURS
G-CTEN C750 PRIVATE  
G-EUUC A320 BRITISH AIRWAYS  
G-EUUK A320 BRITISH AIRWAYS  
G-EZJJ B73G EASYJET  
G-EZKA B73G EASYJET  
G-EZKD B73G EASYJET  
G-EZKE B73G EASYJET  
G-FCLA B752 THOMAS COOK AIRLINES "VOTE FOR AN EXTRA DAY" STICKER ON REAR FUSELAGE
G-JECM DH8D FLYBE  
G-JECW DH8D FLYBE  
G-JECX DH8D FLYBE  
G-LSAD B752 JET2.COM WHITE FUSELAGE
G-MAJG JS41 EASTERN AIRWAYS OLD COLOURS
G-MAJJ JS41 EASTERN AIRWAYS  
G-MAJV JS41 EASTERN AIRWAYS  
G-MAJY JS41 EASTERN AIRWAYS  
G-MAVI R022 PRIVATE  
G-WACT C152 PRIVATE  
G-WBVS DA40 PRIVATE EX-DTVA RESIDENT
G-WOWE DH8C AIR SOUTHWEST  
I-MLGT FK27 MINILINER ALL WHITE
LN-WFC DH8C WIDEROE  
N101UK M20K PRIVATE  
N226CA C172 PRIVATE  
N999F BE33 PRIVATE  
OY-RJE CRJ2 CIMBER AIR HEAVILY DELAYED
PH-KZB FK70 KLM CITYHOPPER  
PH-OFD F100 KLM CITYHOPPER  

Called in at 'home' on return from Newcastle, and bagged more than I expected, with it being quite a bizy evening! (Sorry, couldn't resist).

DURHAM TEES VALLEY 17-11-2008 1620-1636
CS-DRA H25B NETJETS EUROPE  
F-GXRM F900 PRIVATE  
G-BVMA BE20 DRAGONFLY AVIATION OPERATING FOR NORTHERN AVIATION
G-CDNK LJ45 AIR PARTNER PRIVATE JETS TECH
G-FRAP FA20 FR AVIATION VISITING FRA
G-RJXN E145 BMI REGIONAL  
N250AC PA31 PRIVATE  
VP-CRB LJ60 PRIVATE  

I've never had a real interest in Military aviation up until now, although that's starting to change and so a visit to RAF Leeming was included, although I over-estimated the place, as there wasn't much activity at all, and the spotting spots were poor. In fact, I found myself sat at an airport quieter than DTVA - there's hope for us yet!! Still, I made a good few all the same.

RAF LEEMING 18-11-2008 1136-1311
G-BYVV G115 RAF  
G-BYWH G115 RAF  
G-BYWP G115 RAF  
G-BYYA G115 RAF  
G-CJLL R044 PRIVATE PASSED OVERHEAD
U/K U/K U/K POSSIBLE GATE GUARD?
XX280 HAWK RAF  
XX285 HAWK RAF  
XX289 HAWK RAF  
XX318 HAWK RAF  
XX332 HAWK RAF  
XX339 HAWK RAF  
XX345 HAWK RAF  
XX346 HAWK RAF  
ZA147 VC10 RAF PASSED OVERHEAD

Leeds/Bradford was the final call of the trip, and although not as busy as Newcastle, I'd definitely saved the best until last! I've only been to LBA once before a few years ago when I flew from there, and I fell in love with the place instantly, and always new I'd be back. I love the architecture of the buildings, the layout, and the selection of airlines too. Mind you, I can see why people think it's one of the worst airports to get to!! The spotting spot on waste ground behind the Multiflight facilities was excellent, it's very high up and you're practically looking down on the airport. You can see why it gets badly affected by weather so much though!! Scott Cooper joined me for this leg of the tour.

LEEDS/BRADFORD INTERNATIONAL 20-11-2008 1022 - 1512
CS-DXD C56X NETJETS EUROPE  
EI-DPY B73H RYANAIR  
G-CELB B733 JET2.COM "YORKSHIRE" BILLBOARD TITLES, OLD COLOURS
G-CELD B733 JET2.COM OLD COLOURS
G-CELF B733 JET2.COM  
G-CELG B733 JET2.COM  
G-CELS B733 JET2.COM  
G-CELU B733 JET2.COM  
G-CELV B733 JET2.COM  
G-CEMS EXPL YORKSHIRE AIR AMBULANCE  
G-DAKI PC12 PRIVATE  
G-HPPY LJ40 TAG AVIATION  
G-JEDR DH8D FLYBE  
G-LSAE B752 JET2.COM  
G-LSAJ B752 JET2.COM  
G-ORDH AS55 PRIVATE "HOMESERVE" TITLES
G-RJXB E145 BMI REGIONAL  
G-RJXK E135 BMI REGIONAL  
G-RJXL E135 BMI REGIONAL  
G-RJXN E145 BMI REGIONAL  
G-SASH EXPL YORKSHIRE AIR AMBULANCE  
M-NEWT CL30 PRIVATE  
N250TM BE20 PRIVATE  
OO-INN BE20 PRIVATE  
PH-OFN F100 KLM CITYHOPPER  
U/K TCNO RAF O/S "LINTON 71"

I had looked at the possibility of calling in at AAC Dishforth on the way there or back, but after looking at various maps, I couldn't find a way back onto the A1M, so decided to scratch that bit and just kept my eyes peeled when passing. I did get one, but sadly I couldn't focus on it for long enough to give you anything more than the details listed below - well, when you're travelling down the motorway at 90mph, you can't really stop to look at aircraft!!

AAC DISHFORTH 20-11-2008 1554 - 1556
U/K LYNX RAF  
     
TOTAL SEEN: 91    

That's all for now, hope it's been a good read!!

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