Caen and Jersey
Following the success of Leylstad and Amsterdam last year and Diest, Lille and Popham the year before, Colin, Dave A and David Breden (of G-STEA fame) along with Khalid Khan (another G-BRDO pilot and IAS Medical King Air medical crew) started mulling over this years trip. Along for the ride was Chris Smith, David Breden Sr and Jack Hornby (also from IAS Medical).
We met at Hangar 3 at 0715, where David B was already well underway prepping G-STEA. Colin and Khalid took Chris and Jack, with Dave taking Dave and Dave!!
G-BRDO was first ready for departure, taking off at 0821 and G-STEA following at 0832, though G-STEA arrived 20 minutes ahead of G-BRDO having overtaken whilst passing abeam RAF Benson, thanks to the extra speed gained from being able to raise the undercarriage.
Friday 5th June
Whilst passing east abeam East Midlands, a couple of unusable photos revealed only a DHL 757, two Ryanair 738s and a Flybe Dash 8 that we don't intend to trace, however a Gulfstream G650 parked outside the JCB hangar that we had just heard on the radio using it's fixed call sign "Jayseebee 1" can be assumed to be M-JCBB.
East Midlands Airport
EMA / EGNX
REG | A/C TYPE | OPERATOR | NOTES |
M-JCBB | Gulfstream G-VI (G650) | J.C. Bamford Excavators | |
A real treat came when we flew over Bruntingthorpe to find GJD Services have barely touched any of the aircraft they've received in the last few years! We haven't listed the outdoor museum exhibits here.
Bruntingthorpe Aerodrome
REG | A/C TYPE | OPERATOR | NOTES |
B-HKV | Boeing 747-412 | Cathay Pacific Airways | |
B-HOP | Boeing 747-467 | Cathay Pacific Airways | |
B-HUE | Boeing 747-467 | Cathay Pacific Airways | |
B-HUF | Boeing 747-467 | Cathay Pacific Airways | |
N304CS | Lockheed L-1011-500 TriStar KC1 | Royal Air Force | ZD948 |
N309CS | Lockheed L-1011-500 TriStar K1 | Royal Air Force | ZD951 |
N405CS | Lockheed L-1011-500 TriStar KC1 | Royal Air Force | ZD950 |
N507CS | Lockheed L-1011-500 TriStar C2 | Royal Air Force | ZE704 |
N703CS | Lockheed L-1011-500 TriStar C2 | Royal Air Force | ZE705 |
N705CS | Lockheed L-1011-500 TriStar KC1 | Royal Air Force | ZD953 |
XR808 | Vickers VC10 C1K | Royal Air Force | |
XV104 | Vickers VC10 C1K | Royal Air Force | Cockpit only |
XV109 | Vickers VC10 C1K | Royal Air Force | Cockpit only |
ZA147/F | Vickers VC10 K3 | Royal Air Force | |
ZD241 | Vickers VC10 K4 | Royal Air Force | Forward fuselage only |
SX-OAD | Boeing 747-212B | Olympic Airways | |
VP-BGX | Boeing 747-346 | Transaero Airlines | |
VP-BGY | Boeing 747-346 | Transaero Airlines |
Aside from David Breden overtaking us whilst pursuing the sound barrier, only two aircraft were noted flying on our way down, the Herc was para-dropping over Weston-on-the-Green and the BA had just departed Heathrow bound for Los Angeles. Heard but not seen whilst coasting out east of Portsmouth was fellow DTVA resident G-GOBD on his way to Brittany, that thing must shift as it was all locked up with no sign of life when we left!!
Miscellaneous / Other
REG | A/C TYPE | OPERATOR | NOTES |
G-XLED | Airbus A380-841 | British Airways | London Heathrow - Los Angeles |
Lockheed C-130J Hercules | Royal Air Force | Para-dropping Weston-on-the-Green |
Next we passed over RAF Benson, with three Pumas on the ramp, one of which started up, two Tutors, a light aircraft and the based Air Ambulance which is the only aircraft we can ID with absolute certainty.
RAF Benson
(BEX / EGUB)
REG | A/C TYPE | OPERATOR | NOTES |
G-HBOB | Eurocopter EC135 T2+ | Bond Air Services | Thames Valley & Chiltern Air Ambulance |
We arrived in Caen just in time for lunch, where we were met by our tour guide for the day, Fillippe. Before setting off we enjoyed Beer and Baguettes in the airport bar / café which is always busy as it seemed to double up as the 'local' for the nearby community. Caen is the perfect regional airport, with only a couple of HOP! flights per day, a Stobart Air service to Southend, and the odd seasonal charter, it is not much busier than we are. Vibrant with GA, you can walk freely across the main apron with no hi-viz, and they weren't bothered about seeing our passports on arrival. Frankly, it puts the UK to shame.
We went from the airport to the stunning American Cemetary, with 9,000 emaculate, perfectly kept graves, with the soldiers names and date of death on the front, and dog tag numbers on the back. Next we took a look at the beaches, where we were surprised at just how steep the cliffs are that they had to climb. We then drove to the scene of the British landings, where the single most impressive and overlooked feat of the whole operation can be found - a man-made port consisting of a number of concrete blocks that was built somewhere in north-east England and transported to Normandy just after the landings and setup (the Germans destroyed the existing ports). A massive pipeline from the UK was then installed to provide fuel!
Next stop was some German batteries, one of which was destroyed, with a further two intact. They were not fully operational at the time of the landings, and had little-to-no accuracy, serving only to strike fear into the forces storming the beaches. We then went a bit further along the coast, to the site of the Canadian landings, where the first building to be liberated - a Café, still stands.
The next day was the 71st anniversary of the D-Day landings, so the town was rammed full of veterans and tourists, though Fillippe said this was very quiet compared to previous years. We stumbled across a group of Americans who had setup a 1940s American camp on a grass area including vintage vehicles and music etc, Dave A said to Chris "some people have strange hobbies", we then both laughed given the irony of the comment!
The final stop of the tour was the famous Pegasus Bridge, where the many Airspeed Horsa gliders landed, we crossed the bridge in it's current form, but this is a replica so we went to see what remains of the actual bridge, which is now a museum piece, along with a replica Horsa glider.
We then went to our digs for the night, an ibis-style hotel, where we quickly got changed ready to go out for steak and a few drinks, though everyone thought Chris was off to a nightclub with his bright orange shirt!
Caen - Carpiquet Airport
(CFR / LFRK)
REG | A/C TYPE | OPERATOR | NOTES |
F-BXPY | Beech C90 King Air | Seine Aviation | c/o Chalair Aviation |
F-GEXV | Beech A100 King Air | Phenix Aviation | |
F-GRID | Cirrus SR20 G1 | Private | |
F-GRZL | Bombardier CL-600-2C10 CRJ-702 | HOP! | |
F-HBCE | Raytheon 1900D Airliner | Seine Aviation | c/o Chalair Aviation |
HR-AXH | ATR-42-310 | Isleña Airlines (TACA Regional) | Stored? |
N1SN | Gulfstream G-IV | Sky Night LLC | |
N120MX | Cirrus SR20 G3 | Private | |
N854BC | Cirrus SR22 G3 Turbo GTS | Private | |
OO-HBY | Cessna 172S Skyhawk SP | Belgian Defence Aeroclub |
Saturday 6th June
With a few of us feeling a little rough (I won't specifically mention Dave B), we got up, had breakfast (or at least most of us did - Chris slept in having set his alarm on British time!) and went straight to the airport. Not a lot had changed, mainly more residents being brought out of the hangars. We went through the terminal like normal passengers (the only priviledge we got is we were able to jump the queue), before paying our landing / parking fees all of £7!!! and heading off. G-BRDO did a 'bombing run' down the beaches, where a parade was taking place and a US Army Piper Cub passed us in the opposite direction. Frustratingly, HOP! sent the same CRJ as the prior day despite having another 13 to choose from!
Caen - Carpiquet Airport
REG | A/C TYPE | OPERATOR | NOTES |
F-GUXA | Robin DR400/120 Petit Prince | Aéroclub Régional de Caen | |
F-GVLD | Socata TB20 Trinidad | Private | |
F-GYVC | Robin DR400/120 Petit Prince | Aéroclub Régional de Caen | |
F-JVRM/14-NI | Aero Services Guépard 912 | Private | |
F-WFYH | Nord 2501F-3 Noratlas | Unknown | Stored, PWFU |
G-BAJA | Reims Cessna F177RG Cardinal | Private | |
N18MV | Dassault Falcon 2000 | Short Hills Aviators LLC | |
N121MC | Stinson L-5 Sentinel | Private | Marked 299186 US Army |
N148CD | Cirrus SR20 G1 | Private | |
N870CM | Gulfstream G-V-SP (G550) | Caremark Aviation LLC | |
N918SF | Piper PA-46-500TP Malibu Meridian | Private | |
PF800 | Airspeed AS.51 Horsa | Pegasus Bridge Memorial | Replica, located off airport |
Jersey is a superb airport for spotting, we landed almost an hour ahead of G-STEA who had to wait for fuel back in Caen, this gave Chris ample time to walk up and down the approximately five rows of five aircraft, before settling in the superb Aero Club with a viewing terrace overlooking the GA grass parking area and the taxiway that each and every movement uses - meaning the only thing you miss is anything parked at the terminal or bizjets at the Aviation Beauport facility, as both are out of view.
Once G-STEA arrived and Dave A had given me the V sign for tapping at my watch we attended the Jersey International Motor Festival, which included a variety of classic and modern cars, motorbikes, time trials and trade stalls from many, mostly high end, car manufacturers. There was also some beach racing with everything from dune buggies and go-karts through to motorbikes and rally cars, it was during this that we picked off a few OTTs.
We then went back to the Hotel de France for some drinks, before getting ready to go out to a top class Fish restaurant, where most enjoyed Lobster. The restaurant in question was the "Roseville Bistro" and we can very highly recommend it!
Chris and Colin went to a nightclub (knew I should have saved that shirt!) whilst the others got a taxi back, but despite the brain wanting to party the night away, the body wasn't as willing and after a couple of Vodka's we were just too tired to get into it! Well, for Col it was probably more of an age thing ;-)
Jersey Airport
(JER / EGJJ)
REG | A/C TYPE | OPERATOR | NOTES |
2-BEST | Commander 114B | Private | |
2-GSYJ | Diamond DA42 Twin Star | Corporate | |
D-ABQK | Bombardier DHC-8-402Q (Dash 8-Q400) | Air Berlin | |
D-EAGS | Piper PA-28-181 Cherokee Archer II | Private | |
D-EFLE | Piper PA-28-180 Cherokee Archer | Private | |
D-EMLL | Mooney M20K 231 | Private | |
D-EQAS | Beech V35 Bonanza | Private | |
D-ESHK | Robin R3000/160 | Private | |
D-ETBX | Reims Cessna F150L | Private | |
F-GGTL | Piper PA-46-310P Malibu | Private | |
F-GMRE | Reims Cessna FR182 Skylane RG | Private | |
F-GXGI | Robin DR400/180 Regent | Private | |
G-ASYJ | Beech D95A Travelair | Crosby Aviation (Jersey) Ltd | |
G-ATLT | Cessna U206A Super Skywagon | Skydive Jersey | |
G-ATOT | Piper PA-28-180 Cherokee | Sirius Aviation Ltd | |
G-AVLJ | Piper PA-28-140 Cherokee | Cherokee Aviation Holdings (Jersey) Ltd | |
G-AXZD | Piper PA-28-180 Cherokee | Sirius Aviation Ltd | |
G-BAHJ | Piper PA-24-250 Comanche | Private | |
G-BFDO | Piper PA-28R-201T Turbo Cherokee Arrow III | Private | |
G-BGSW | Beech F33 Bonanza | Private | |
G-BHUJ | Cessna 172N Skyhawk | Uniform Juliet Group | |
G-BOET | Piper PA-28RT-201 Cherokee Arrow IV | Private | |
G-BOXA | Piper PA-28-161 Cherokee Warrior II | The Channel Islands Aero Club (Jersey) Ltd | |
G-BPDT | Piper PA-28-161 Cherokee Warrior II | The Channel Islands Aero Club (Jersey) Ltd | |
G-BSCS | Piper PA-28-181 Cherokee Archer II | Private | |
G-BTYC | Cessna 150L | Polestar Aviation Ltd | |
G-BYTB | Socata TB20 Trinidad GT | Watchman Aircraft Ltd | |
G-ECOT | Bombardier DHC-8-402Q (Dash 8-Q400) | Flybe | |
G-EOLD | Piper PA-28-161 Cherokee Warrior II | Fly Welle Ltd | |
G-EZPG | Airbus A319-131 | easyJet | |
G-FBJI | Embraer ERJ-175-200STD | Flybe | |
G-GFTA | Piper PA-28-161 Cherokee Warrior III | One Zero One Three Ltd | |
G-ISLG | ATR-42-320 | Blue Islands | |
G-JACB | Piper PA-28-181 Cherokee Archer III | Private | |
G-JECP | Bombardier DHC-8-402Q (Dash 8-Q400) | Flybe | |
G-KEEF | Commander 114B | Private | |
G-LGNS | Saab 2000 | Flybe (Loganair) | |
G-OJER | Cessna 560XL Citation XLS+ | Aviation Beauport | |
G-RINZ | Vans RV-7 | Private | |
G-RODD | Cessna 310R | RJ Herbert Engineering Ltd | |
G-SALA | Piper PA-32-300 Cherokee Six | Private | |
G-VIPX | Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain | Capital Air Charter | |
G-VOUS | Cessna 172S Skyhawk | FlyGlass Ltd | |
G-WARR | Piper PA-28-161 Cherokee Warrior II | Private | |
G-WINS | Piper PA-32-300 Cherokee Six | Cheyenne Ltd | |
G-ZIPA | Rockwell Commander 114A | Private | |
M-BISA | Pilatus PC12/47E | Pilatus PC12 Centre | |
N25PR | Piper PA-30-160 Twin Comanche C/R | Private | |
N37US | Piper PA-34-200T Seneca II | Private | |
N145PC | Reims FR172J Rocket | Private | |
N302MC | Cessna T310Q | Private | |
N9680Q | Cessna 172M Skyhawk | Private | |
OE-LDC | Airbus A319-112 | Austrian Airlines | |
OK-LAZ | Let L-410UVP-E Turbolet | Citywing (Aeroservis) | |
OY-KBO | Airbus A319-131 | SAS Scandinavian Airlines | Retro c/s |
Sunday 7th June
For the final day, we visited the La Mare Wine Estate, having sampled some of their produce the previous night, and bought a few things from their shop. Next we travelled along the coast on some awful narrow roads, stopping at another German battery and searching (unsuccessfully) for an ice cream parlour. Once at the airport, G-STEA more or less got straight off, whilst G-BRDO waited for fuel. The flight back was bumpy as hell, and when we weren't being thrown about by the thermals, we were throwing ourselves about to avoid nuisance paraglider kites and gliders!
Jersey Airport
REG | A/C TYPE | OPERATOR | NOTES |
G-AVGE | Piper PA-28-140 Cherokee | Spirit of Flight Ltd | |
G-BRKH | Piper PA-28-236 Dakota | Private | |
G-CJDB | Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1 | Breed Aircraft Ltd | |
G-EUOE | Airbus A319-131 | British Airways | |
G-GBSL | Beech 76 Duchess | Private | |
G-IJAG | Cessna 182T Skylane | AG Group | |
G-JEDM | Bombardier DHC-8-402Q (Dash 8-Q400) | Flybe | |
G-NIND | Piper PA-28-180 Cherokee | Aquarelle Investments Ltd | |
G-OFCM | Reims Cessna F172L Skyhawk | Sirius Aviation Ltd | |
G-SIGN | Piper PA-39 Twin Comanche C/R | Private | |
G-XAVB | Cessna 510 Citation Mustang | Aviation Beauport | |
G-ZEBS | ATR-42-320 | Blue Islands | |
M-PREI | Raytheon 390 Premier I | Craft Air | |
N225RB | Cirrus SR22T G3 | Private | |
N414FZ | Cessna 414 | Lizard Aviation Inc | |
N542AP | Dassault Falcon 2000EX | Corporate | |
PH-VSX | Piper PA-28-181 Cherokee Archer II | Private | |
XP573 | Hunting Percival P.84 Jet Provost T4 | Royal Air Force | Instructional airframe |
Noted OTT over the Saturday and Sunday
OTT
REG | A/C TYPE | OPERATOR | NOTES |
CS-TKK | Airbus A320-214 | SATA International | |
CS-TTD | Airbus A319-111 | TAP Portugal | |
CS-TTH | Airbus A319-111 | TAP Portugal | |
CS-TQZ | Airbus A340-313X | Hi Fly | |
D-AEBA | Embraer ERJ-195-200LR | Lufthansa Regional (Lufthansa Cityline) | |
D-ASTX | Airbus A319-112 | Air Berlin | |
EC-HQL | Airbus A320-214 | Vueling Airlines | |
EC-KOY | Airbus A319-111 | Iberia | |
EI-FEF | Boeing 737-8AS/W | Ryanair | |
EI-FHA | Boeing 737-8JP/W | Norwegian Air Shuttle | |
EI-FHB | Boeing 737-8Q8/W | Norwegian Air Shuttle | |
F-GKXL | Airbus A320-214 | Air France | |
F-GLZK | Airbus A340-313X | Air France | |
F-GSEU | Airbus A330-243 | XL Airways France | |
F-GSQO | Boeing 777-328ER | Air France | |
F-GZCD | Airbus A330-203 | Air France | |
F-HCAT | Airbus A330-243 | Corsair | |
F-HXLF | Airbus A330-303 | XL Airways France | |
G-VBUG | Airbus A340-642 | Virgin Atlantic Airways | |
G-ZBAL | Airbus A321-231 | Monarch Airlines | |
G-ZBAS | Airbus A320-214/S | Monarch Airlines | |
HB-JHE | Airbus A330-343E | Swiss International Airlines | |
N291AY | Airbus A330-243 | American Airlines | |
N415MC | Boeing 747-47U/F | Atlas Air | |
N919SB | Gulfstream G-VI (G650) | Corporate | |
N66056 | Boeing 767-424ER | United Airlines | |
OE-LIB | ATR-72-600 | InterSky | |
PZ-TCP | Airbus A340-311 | Surinam Airways |
After hearing about B2s and B52s at Fairford, Colin very kindly adjusted our route home so we could go and take a look, and a couple of my aerial shots of them almost went viral on social media. At the same time on the right hand side of the aircraft was Brize Norton, where an Indian Air Force C-17 put the cherry on the cake.
RAF
Fairford
FFD / EGVA
REG | A/C TYPE | OPERATOR | NOTES |
60-0018/MT | Boeing B-52H Stratofortress | US Air Force - (69th BS / 5th BW) | |
60-0047/MT | Boeing B-52H Stratofortress | US Air Force | |
61-0040/MT | Boeing B-52H Stratofortress | US Air Force - (23rd BS / 5th BW) | |
82-1068/WM | Northrop Grumman B-2A Spirit | US Air Force (13th BS / 509th BW) | "Spirit of New York" |
RAF Brize Norton
BZZ / EGVN
REG | A/C TYPE | OPERATOR | NOTES |
CB-8003 | Boeing C-17A Globemaster III | Indian Air Force (81 Squadron) | |
G-VYG? | Airbus Voyager KC? | Royal Air Force (10/101 Squadrons) / AirTanker Services | |
ZM402 | Airbus A400M Atlas C1 | Royal Air Force (24 Squadron) |
All in all a fantastic long weekend, I don't think it could have been much better. Thanks must go out to our guide in France Fillippe, to Colin, Khalid and Dave B for 'driving', and from me (Chris) to the rest of the group for the invite!!
Caen Airport photos | Caen non-aviation photos | Jersey Airport photos