Midlands Mayhem
By Chris Smith
My kitchen was going to be closed for three days straight during mid-October for some building work, I rarely get two seperate days off in any given week let alone three on the belt! So naturally, a trip was planned! My first idea was to head just west of London and do Brize Norton and Oxford, amongst others, then my staff - also looking to take advantage of the rare opportunity - wanted a night out on the lash and they went and picked the middle day, meaning I would have to settle for a shorter trip. Version 2.0 was a few hours drive around Yorkshire's spam fields, including Full Sutton, Breighton, Sandtoft, Sturgate and Netherthorpe amongst others. Then at the last minute, my sister Catherine who lives in Leeds mentioned she was going to be working in Coventry for a week, so I set my sights on the Midlands and hastily arranged a Travelodge. Probably best given I hadn't had sufficient time to research and plan the GA fields to establish which are friendly, ease of access, who to contact in advance for tours etc etc.
My first port of call was to be East Midlands, before heading to Coventry Airport then into the city centre to meet my sister for a few hours, before doubling back slightly to my digs, the Travelodge at Birmingham Airport. As with the planning process however, the day itself was not about to go according to plan. A 2am finish at work the night before ruled out an early start, and at approximately the same time, a fatal two vehicle crash happened on the M1 right next to East Midlands Airport. By the time I was up and sorted it was lunchtime when I set off, and despite by now being aware of the closed M1 and an approximately one hour queue, I figured it wouldn't be enough to interupt my plan. Oh how wrong I was! Not only did I end up having to knock East Midlands on the head, Coventry Airport was also postponed for the day too, instead I went direct to meet Catherine, arriving in Coventry city centre some six and a half hours after leaving the north-east!!! Happily, this is where the headaches ended and a good trip awaited ahead.
Birmingham Airport
Monday 12th October | 2130
- 0000
Only my second visit and within a couple of months, I find Birmingham a very easy airport to navigate, lot's of spotting spots, many of which are good for photos, no hassle from anyone, and a very nice variety of traffic. The Travelodge here offers views looking over the entire airport, with particularly good views of the old terminal area which now houses GA, cargo and Monarch Engineering as well as the runway, providing you ask for a high level room overlooking the airport.
| D-AILB | Airbus A319-114 | Lufthansa | |
| D-AIPP | Airbus A320-211 | Lufthansa | |
| EC-HCH | Fairchild Swearingen SA-227AC Metro III | Aeronova | |
| EC-JKH* | Embraer EMB-120ER Brasilia | Swiftair | |
| EI-DLW | Boeing 737-8AS/W | Ryanair | |
| EI-EMI | Boeing 737-8AS/W | Ryanair | |
| EI-EVW | Boeing 737-8AS/W | Ryanair | |
| EZ-A015* | Boeing 737-82K/W | Turkmenistan Airlines | |
| G-BYAY | Boeing 757-204/W | Thomson Airways | |
| G-FBEG | Embraer ERJ-195-200LR | Flybe | |
| G-FBEN | Embraer ERJ-195-200LR | Flybe | |
| G-FBJC | Embraer ERJ-175-200STD | Flybe | |
| G-FBJD | Embraer ERJ-175-200STD | Flybe | |
| G-FBJE | Embraer ERJ-175-200STD | Flybe | |
| G-FBJG | Embraer ERJ-175-200STD | Flybe | |
| G-FSEU* | Beech B200 Super King Air | Nimbus Air | |
| G-JECJ | Bombardier DHC-8-402Q (Dash 8-Q400) | Flybe | |
| G-JECN | Bombardier DHC-8-402Q (Dash 8-Q400) | Flybe | |
| G-JECX | Bombardier DHC-8-402Q (Dash 8-Q400) | Flybe | |
| G-MARA | Airbus A321-231 | Monarch Airlines | |
| G-MRJK | Airbus A320-214 | Monarch Airlines | |
| G-OOBG | Boeing 757-236/W | Thomson Airways | |
| G-OZBF | Airbus A321-231 | Monarch Airlines | |
| G-OZBN | Airbus A321-231 | Monarch Airlines | |
| G-OZBO | Airbus A321-231 | Monarch Airlines | |
| G-OZBR | Airbus A321-231 | Monarch Airlines | |
| G-OZBZ# | Airbus A321-231 | Monarch Airlines | |
| G-PRPL* | Bombardier DHC-8-402Q (Dash 8-Q400) | Flybe | |
| G-RAJG* | Boeing 737-476 | Cello Aviation | |
| G-TCDC | Airbus A321-211/S | Thomas Cook Airlines | |
| G-ZBAJ | Airbus A321-231 | Monarch Airlines | |
| HA-TAD* | Saab 340A/QC | Fleet Air International | |
| N277GM* | Gulfstream G-IV | Whirlpool Corp | |
| N350PB | Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain | PFB Self Drive Inc | |
| N915FD | Boeing 757-236/SF | FedEx Express | |
| OO-DWA | BAe Avro RJ100 | Brussels Airlines | |
| OO-DWB | BAe Avro RJ100 | Brussels Airlines | |
| OY-JTY | Boeing 737-7Q8/W | Jettime | |
| PH-BGD | Boeing 737-7K2/W | KLM Royal Dutch Airlines | |
| VQ-BHO | Piaggio P.180 Avanti | Desert Sky | |
| VT-ANS | Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner | Air India |
Birmingham Airport
Tuesday 13th October |
0820 - 0920
I was awake at 5.55am so had a little look out of the window to see before me a fantastic VIP 757, SX-RFA, perfectly positioned for a shot. But at that time of morning I figured I'd risk it still being in later and would get it then so went back to bed. When I got up properly around 8am, it was still in, but towed between two hangars, completely unaccessible to the public! Gutted! So I just had a quick walk around the old terminal area and left for Coventry.
| A6-ENT* | Boeing 777-31HER | Emirates | |
| D-ABEK | Boeing 737-330 | Lufthansa | |
| D-CEFE* | Cessna 525C CitationJet CJ4 | E-Aviation | |
| D-CELI* | Cessna 550 Citation Bravo | Euro Link GmbH | |
| EC-JCV* | Fairchild Swearingen SA-226AT Merlin IVA | Flightline | |
| EI-EDP | Airbus A320-216 | Aer Lingus | |
| EI-FCZ | ATR-72-600 | Aer Lingus Regional (Stobart Air) | |
| F-GKXN* | Airbus A320-214 | Air France | |
| G-EZAY | Airbus A319-111 | easyJet | |
| G-FBJK | Embraer ERJ-175-200STD | Flybe | |
| G-JECE | Bombardier DHC-8-402Q (Dash 8-Q400) | Flybe | |
| G-JECG | Bombardier DHC-8-402Q (Dash 8-Q400) | Flybe | |
| G-JEDU | Bombardier DHC-8-402Q (Dash 8-Q400) | Flybe | |
| G-MAJW | British Aerospace Jetstream 41 | Eastern Airways | |
| G-NMAK | Airbus A319-115X CJ | Alkharafi Aviation 2000 Ltd | |
| G-TAWC | Boeing 737-8K5/W | Thomson Airways | |
| HB-JVE | Fokker 100 | Helvectic Airways | |
| HB-VOU* | Cessna 560XL Citation Excel | Premium Jet AG | |
| LN-DYB | Boeing 737-8JP/W | Norwegian Air Shuttle | |
| N18119* | Boeing 757-224/W | United Airlines | |
| N191AN | Boeing 757-223/W | American Airlines | |
| OE-GGP* | Cessna 560XL Citation XLS | Jet Pool Networks | |
| OY-KBP | Airbus A319-132 | SAS Scandinavian Airlines | |
| PH-BGN* | Boeing 737-7K2/W | KLM Royal Dutch Airlines | |
| SX-RFA* | Boeing 757-23N/W | GainJet Aviation |
Coventry Airport
Tuesday 13th October |
0950 - 1130
Coventry is split into three sections and road signs direct you accordingly to 'Airport North', 'Airport West' and 'Airport South' and there's something to be had at all three. Airport South is what was previously the terminal building and associated apron (they're going to re-evaluate the feasibility of passenger flights in five years), now used for bizjets, the VIP 757 mentioned above lives here and had flown the short distance to Birmingham where it will stay for four months to allow for some air cargo related development to take place at this part of the airport. Whilst here it's worth photographing parts of 'Airport North' that are a little trickier to reach. Only other thing of note on this side is a stored Electra but you need to be at Airport North to see it. Head out of the airport and follow the signs for Airport North, a single road leading to Airport West will get you access to most of the north locations, first up is a flying club and flight simulator centre, which has a Jersey-style Aero Club Cafe overlooking the action, I asked for hangar access here and luckily someone was available to escort me, though spotters seem to have had mixed results in the past. Continuing along the road, next up is the fantastic Midlands Air Museum, though sadly I didn't have time to go in and properly look around, so I just noted down a handful of the more modern outdoor exhibits. There are a few more nooks and crannies I would have liked to explore around this area, but time was a factor so it was on to Airport West. Following the road past Airport North, take a left at the roundabout, go through Baginton village then take a left where sign-posted. This will lead you to what looks like an airside barrier, but drive up to it and it will raise automatically, Airport West is home to Air Atlantique and the various offshoots and spin-offs that have formed over the years. The road zig-zags past another GA area made up largely of Atlantic Flight Training, before you get to Atlantic Airlines, or West Air Europe, or West Altantic, whatever they're known as these days where you'll find more ATPs than you can shake a stick at. Zig-zag some more and you'll find Air Atlantique, or Classic Air Force, or Airbase, or whatever they're known as these days as well!! Not sure if access is possible, again I didn't have time to try. They've recently moved back in after an unsuccessful move to Newquay Airport, though my understanding is all of the aircraft are for sale providing any new owners are willing to maintain the excellent condition their aircraft are in. Also here is G-SIXC, otherwise known as the DC-6 Diner. It was closed up during my visit which may be just as well as apparantly they don't have the best reputation on the Airport, having passed through a few different owners over the years. In a nutshell, Coventry is everything you think DTVA should be, I only wish I'd had more time to explore and knock on more doors etc, but I had to get back for my staff night out. As I often say, a reason to return!
| G-AKIU* | Percival Proctor 5 | Air Atlantique (Classic Flight) | |
| G-AMPY | Douglas C-47B Dakota IV (DC-3) | Air Atlantique (Classic Flight) | Marked KK116 |
| G-AORG* | De Havilland DH114 Sea Heron C1 | Duchess of Brittany (Jersey) Ltd | |
| G-APRS* | Scottish Aviation Twin Pioneer 3 | Aviation Heritage Ltd | |
| G-ARYB* | De Havilland DH.125-1 | Midland Air Museum | Preserved, fuselage only |
| G-BKGA* | Morane Saulnier MS.892E Rallye 150GT | Private | |
| G-BLWY* | Robin R2160 Alpha Sport | Pure Aviation Support Services Ltd | |
| G-BNIV* | Cessna 152 | Smart People Don't Buy Ltd | |
| G-BOER* | Piper PA-28-161 Cherokee Warrior II | Private | |
| G-BPKF* | Grob G115 | Swiftair Maintenance Ltd | |
| G-BPKM | Piper PA-28-161 Cherokee Warrior II | Pure Aviation Support Services Ltd | |
| G-BSEY* | Beech A36 Bonanza | Private | |
| G-BTPJ* | British Aerospace ATP/F | West Atlantic | Stored, all white |
| G-BTPL* | British Aerospace ATP/F | West Atlantic | Stored, Magic Bird c/s |
| G-BTTO | British Aerospace ATP/F | West Atlantic | Basic West Atlantic c/s, to become SE-MHK |
| G-BTYI* | Piper PA-28-181 Cherokee Archer II | Private | |
| G-BUJN* | Cessna 172N Skyhawk | Warwickshire Aviation | |
| G-BVWC* | Avro Canberra B6 | Classic Aviation Projects Ltd | Marked WK163 |
| G-BWFG* | Robin HR200/120B | Air Atlantique (Classic Flight) | |
| G-CINA* | Cessna 152 | Swiftair Maintenance Ltd | |
| G-DHDV* | De Havilland DH104 Dove 8 | Air Atlantique (Classic Flight) | Marked VP981 |
| G-GAFT* | Piper PA-44-180 Seminole | Bravo Aviation | |
| G-GCVV* | Cirrus SR22 | Daedalus Aviation (Services) Ltd | |
| G-HANG* | Diamond DA42 Twin Star | Airways Aviation Academy | |
| G-HEMZ | Agusta A109S Grand | Sloane Helicopters | The Children's Air Ambulance |
| G-JAFT* | Diamond DA42 Twin Star | Airways Aviation Academy | |
| G-JMCL* | Boeing 737-322/SF | West Atlantic | |
| G-JSCA* | Piper PA-28RT-201 Cherokee Arrow IV | G-JSCA Flying Group | |
| G-JURG | Rockwell Commander 114A | Wright Aviation Dunchurch Ltd | |
| G-LOFB* | Lockheed L-188CF Electra | West Atlantic | Stored, PWFU |
| G-MANC* | British Aerospace ATP/F | West Atlantic | Stored, First Flight c/s |
| G-MEDX | Agusta A109E Power | Sloane Helicopters | Air Ambulance (spare) |
| G-OBWP* | British Aerospace ATP/F | West Atlantic | Stored, First Flight c/s |
| G-OGEM* | Piper PA-28-181 Cherokee Archer II | Gem Integrated Solutions Ltd | |
| G-OMUM* | Rockwell Commander 114 | Private | |
| G-OVMC* | Reims Cessna F152 | Swiftair Maintenance Ltd | |
| G-PIKK* | Piper PA-28-140 Cherokee | Coventry Aviators Flying Group | |
| G-SIXC* | Douglas DC-6B | DC-6 Diner | Air Atlantique c/s, converted into a restaurant |
| G-SKTN* | Avro 696 Shackleton MR2 | Shackleton Preservation Trust | Marked WR963/B-M |
| G-TORC* | Piper PA-28R-200 Cherokee Arrow | Pure Aviation Support Services Ltd | |
| G-TURF | Reims Cessna F406 Caravan II | RVL Group | HM Coastguard c/s |
| G-UFOE* | Grob G115 | Swiftair Maintenance Ltd | |
| G-WAVS* | Piper PA-28-161 Cherokee Warrior III | TGD Leasing Ltd | |
| N401JN* | Cessna 401 | Specialscope Inc | |
| N440GC | Piper PA-44-180T Turbo Seminole | Private | |
| SE-LPU# | British Aerospace ATP/F | West Atlantic | Stored, West Air Europe c/s |
| SE-MAI* | British Aerospace ATP/F | West Atlantic | West Air Europe c/s |
| SE-MAM# | British Aerospace ATP/F | West Atlantic | Basic West Atlantic c/s |
| VP293/X | Avro 696 Shackleton T4 | Air Atlantique (Classic Flight) | Cockpit only |
| XL360* | Avro 698 Vulcan B2 | Midland Air Museum | Preserved |
| XR771/AN* | English Electric Lightning F6 | Midland Air Museum | Preserved |
| XV232/32* | Hawker Siddeley HS.801 Nimrod MR2 | Air Atlantique (Classic Flight) | |
| XX899* | Blackburn Buccaneer S.2B | Midland Air Museum | Preserved, cockpit only |
| ZA452/021* | Panavia PA-200 Tornado GR4 | Midland Air Museum | Preserved |
| ZE694/N* | British Aerospace Sea Harrier F/A2 | Midland Air Museum | Preserved |
East Midlands Airport
Tuesday 13th October |
1215 - 1245
Just the usual quick drive around East Midlands, I missed a Qatar Cargo A330 about an hour prior, but I'll happily take two Saudi Herc's plus a C-17 that was due later turned up early. East Midlands have taken several military transport aircraft of late due to a reported fault with refuelling equipment at Brize Norton.
| 474* | Lockheed C-130H Hercules | Royal Saudi Air Force | |
| 1631* | Lockheed C-130H-30 Hercules | Royal Saudi Air Force | |
| EI-DAJ | Boeing 737-8AS/W | Ryanair | |
| EI-DHA | Boeing 737-8AS/W | Ryanair | Circuit bashing |
| G-BOUK* | Piper PA-34-200T Seneca II | Private | |
| G-BPRY | Piper PA-28-161 Cherokee Warrior II | White Wings Aviation Ltd | |
| G-BTPH | British Aerospace ATP/F | West Atlantic | |
| G-BWDB | ATR-72-202 | Aurigny Air Services | |
| G-MAPP | Cessna 402B Utililiner | RVL Group | |
| G-NOSE | Cessna 402B Utililiner | RVL Group | Ordnance Survey c/s |
| G-RRGN* | Vickers Supermarine Spitfire PR.XIX | Rolls-Royce PLC | |
| G-SOUL | Cessna 310R | RVL Group | HM Coastguard c/s |
| G-TTGV* | Bell 206L-4 Long Ranger IV | Langley Aviation Ltd | |
| G-YRTE | Agusta A109S Grand | Galegrove 2 LBG | |
| M-AQUA* | Bombardier BD-700-1A11 Global 5000 | Corporate | |
| M-JCBB | Gulfstream G-VI (G650) | J.C. Bamford Excavators | |
| N766AM* | Eurocopter AS355N TwinStar | Beacon Aviation Inc | Passed overhead |
| N978PW | Dassault Falcon 900EX | TAS Corp LLC | |
| TC-ALM | Boeing 727-230 | ex Air Alfa | Fuselage only (fire trainer) |
| ZZ173* | Boeing C-17A Globemaster III | Royal Air Force | 99 Squadron |
That's it! A hugely successful trip despite the difficulties faced on day one. Hope it's been an interesting read!