By Chris Smith
I'm going to start by answering Richard Bowaters question from his report to Humberside a couple of weeks back...yes I often step back and wonder if I'm still enjoying the hobby, if it's worth it, or should I find something else, though not necessarily always at this time of the year. The enthusiasm always seems to return mind. One thing that does grip me each January more so than any other month for reasons unknown is the urge to do a trip somewhere, and I usually take a week off work to action the urge, but this year it has slipped into February.
As regular readers will know most of my spotting trips are road trips to London and back, because no matter where you are in the UK if you want to see aircraft in both volume and variety the south is about the only place to achieve that, yet in the past I've always seemed to overlook the fairly aviation-rich Oxfordshire area - so it was time to change that! Initially I couldn't decide where to go, I was leaning towards the new T4 Premier Inn at Heathrow which has very quickly become famous for it's views across the airport and the prices are still very reasonable despite supposedly being only introductory rates. I also knew I wanted to stop in one of my other favourite airport hotels, the Holiday Inn Express at Luton and in the end I booked the latter despite no trip forged around it. I started investigating Oxfordshire but I think one of the reasons I have avoided here in the past is that when assessing airfields and airports in a particular area I have to do "all or none", and here there are simply too many. Yet on this occasion I managed to overcome that and actually came up with a pretty efficient itinerary that had plenty of stops, but was also quite slack...there would be no rushing around to get to the next location and I could just go at my own pace.
Day One
Wednesday 21st February
First up the usual break from driving at Gamston which despite a couple of new airframes going in the book was about the same as ever.
Retford Gamston Airport
EGNE | 1005 - 1015
| REG | A/C TYPE | OPERATOR | NOTES |
| G-BAXV* | Reims/Cessna F150L | Flying Fox Aviation | |
| G-BCKV | Reims/Cessna FRA150L Aerobat | Private | |
| G-BHCP | Reims/Cessna F152 | Eastern Air Executive | |
| G-BIOK | Reims/Cessna F152 | Northumberland Aircraft Maintenance | |
| G-BNPY | Cessna 152 | Private | |
| G-BRPV | Cessna 152 | Eastern Air Executive | |
| G-CCFS | Diamond DA 40D Diamond Star | Private | |
| G-EMPP* | Diamond DA 42M Twin Star | DEA Aviation | |
| G-HUMM* | Bell 407 | Century Aviation | |
| G-NHRJ* | Europa XS | Private | |
| N457GM | MD Helicopters 369E | Century Aviation | |
| N517FD* | Piper PA-32R-301 Saratoga II TC | Western Pride Construction LLC | |
| Diamond DA42 Twin Star | Unknown | Fuselage dumped |
Next, I made my debut at a GA field I've not been to previously, the prognosis was to expect a friendly airfield but not to expect airside/hangar access and this was about right. There are three hangars on the right as you drive in, but it might as well be six as they can open at the far end which is both inaccessible and invisible from landside. Only one hangar was open. I could have done better here to be honest but then again I could also have done a lot worse. I thought I was back at DTV at one point as the place was littered with ex-residents, including what I initially thought was PA-38 G-BOLF, much to my shock! Turned out the F was an E! There's also a brand new, all singing all dancing hospital just been constructed here, must be very handy for the air ambulance and very comforting for the pilots!!
Nottingham Airport
NQT / EGBN | 1105 - 1130
| REG | A/C TYPE | OPERATOR | NOTES |
| G-ASMS | Cessna 150A | Private | |
| G-ATWA* | Jodel DR1050 Ambassadeur | One Twenty Group | |
| G-AWTL* | Piper PA-28-180 Cherokee | Private | |
| G-AYAW | Piper PA-28-180 Cherokee | North East Flyers Group | |
| G-BGGI* | Piper PA-38-112 Tomahawk | Smart People Don't Buy Ltd | |
| G-BOLE* | Piper PA-38-112 Tomahawk | Smart People Don't Buy Ltd | |
| G-BUUE* | Slingsby T67M Firefly II | Private | |
| G-CYPM* | Cirrus SR22 | Private | |
| G-FLAV | Piper PA-28-161 Cherokee Warrior II | Flying Fox Aviation | |
| G-FOFO | Robinson R44 Raven II | Private | |
| G-GPSX* | Grob G115A | Swiftair Maintenance | |
| G-HANC* | Robinson R22 Beta | Private | |
| G-LNAC* | AgustaWestland AW169 | Specialist Aviation Services | Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance |
| G-NICC* | Cosmik EV-97 TeamEurostar | Pickup and Son Ltd | |
| G-UFOE | Grob G115 | Swiftair Maintenance | |
| G-VCJH | Robinson R22 Beta | Nedroc Ltd | |
| G-WPDE* | Airbus EC135 P2+ | South Western Helicopters (WPD Helicopter Unit) | |
| N44NE* | Cessna 414 Chancellor | Private | |
| N182GC* | Reims/Cessna F182Q Skylane | Private |
Next up was another first; Costock Heliport, home of East Midland Helicopters where phoning in advance gets you access. There were two visiting helicopters, and two hangars, one being home to East Midlands Helicopters themselves, whilst the adjacent one houses a maintenance company. The latter had four helicopters quite tightly packed in, it was amusing to see the sole engineer throwing a ball for his dog inside!! In light of the situation with our air ambulance moving to the 23 threshold, I queried their arrangement with East Midlands Airport, and essentially they're just about far enough away, they are located directly underneath the extended centreline, but only just within the control zone by half a mile. They have an arrangement that they can lift at their discretion so long as they remain under 1000ft and do not depart to the west.
Costock Heliport
1150 - 1205
| REG | A/C TYPE | OPERATOR | NOTES |
| G-DOFY* | Bell 206B Jet Ranger II | First Fence Ltd | Op by East Midlands Helicopters |
| G-EFON* | Robinson R22 Beta | East Midlands Helicopters | |
| G-EMHC* | Agusta A109E Power | East Midlands Helicopters | |
| G-EMHN* | Agusta A109S Grand | East Midlands Helicopters | |
| G-GACB* | Robinson R44 Raven II | Private | |
| G-IAJJ | Robinson R44 Raven II | O'Connor Utilities Ltd | |
| G-ISPH | Bell 206B Jet Ranger III | Blades Aviation (UK) LLP | Op by East Midlands Helicopters |
| G-MCAN* | Agusta A109S Grand | Cannon Air | Op by Castle Air |
| G-PMGG* | Agusta-Bell AB206A Jet Ranger | Private | |
| G-PTOO | Bell 206L-4 Long Ranger IV | Helicompany Ltd | Op by East Midlands Helicopters |
| G-REMH | Bell 206B Jet Ranger III | Flightpath Ltd | Op by East Midlands Helicopters |
| G-ROVY* | Robinson R22 Beta | Private |
Final stop of day one was East Midlands, I had a quick scoot around before settling at the crash gate that overlooks the whole airport as I was too early to check-in to the hotel, but as soon as the clock struck 2pm I was off to spot from the comfort of my room to pick off cargo movements into the early hours. I was considering the Premier Inn which was about the same price, but despite being much closer to the airport I get the impression other buildings would block any views. At the Travelodge if you just take numbers an airport facing room offers poor-to-average views of movements, you can see them just about well enough to comfortably log them.
East Midlands Airport
EMA / EGNX | 1235 - 2359
| REG | A/C TYPE | OPERATOR | NOTES |
| D-AALG* | Boeing 777-FZNLR | Aerologic | |
| D-AEAB* | Airbus A300F4-622R | EAT Leipzig | |
| D-AEAD | Airbus A300F4-622R | EAT Leipzig | |
| D-AEAO | Airbus A300F4-622R | EAT Leipzig | |
| EC-JKH | Embraer EMB-120ER Brasilia | Swiftair | |
| EI-DAG | Boeing 737-8AS | Ryanair | |
| EI-DCF | Boeing 737-8AS | Ryanair | |
| EI-DWK | Boeing 737-8AS | Ryanair | |
| EI-EBH | Boeing 737-8AS | Ryanair | |
| EI-EST | Boeing 737-8AS | Ryanair | |
| EI-GDM* | Boeing 737-800 | Ryanair | |
| EI-STO* | Boeing 737-43QSF | ASL Airlines Ireland | |
| F-GZTI* | Boeing 737-408SF | ASL Airlines France | |
| G-BODY | Cessna 310R | RVL Group | |
| G-CELG | Boeing 737-377 | Jet2.com | |
| G-CKAG# | Embraer ERJ-145EP | bmi regional | |
| G-COBO | ATR-72-500 | Aurigny Air Service | |
| G-CPEV | Boeing 757-236 | TUI Airways | |
| G-DAYP* | Hawker Beechcraft B350C Super King Air | Royal Air Force - 14 Squadron | Op by GAMA Aviation |
| G-DHLG | Boeing 767-3JHERF | DHL Air | |
| G-DHKI* | Boeing 757-28APF | DHL Air | |
| G-DHKM* | Boeing 757-223SF | DHL Air | |
| G-ECOD | Bombardier DHC-8-Q402 | Flybe | |
| G-ECOG | Bombardier DHC-8-Q402 | Flybe | |
| G-FDZT | Boeing 737-8K5 | TUI Airways | |
| G-GDFC | Boeing 737-8K2 | Jet2.com | |
| G-GDFE | Boeing 737-3Q8 | Jet2.com | |
| G-GDFO | Boeing 737-3U3 | Jet2 Holidays | |
| G-GDFP | Boeing 737-8Z9 | Jet2.com | |
| G-GNTF | Saab 340AF | Loganair | |
| G-JECK | Bombardier DHC-8-Q402 | Flybe | |
| G-JECM | Bombardier DHC-8-Q402 | Flybe | |
| G-JECY | Bombardier DHC-8-Q402 | Flybe | |
| G-JMCK* | Boeing 737-4D7SF | West Atlantic | |
| G-JMCO | Boeing 737-3T0SF | West Atlantic | |
| G-JMCS# | Boeing 737-4Y0SF | West Atlantic | |
| G-JMCT# | Boeing 737-3Y0SF | West Atlantic | |
| G-JMCZ | Boeing 737-4K5SF | West Atlantic | |
| G-JZHA# | Boeing 737-8K5 | Jet2 Holidays | |
| G-JZHE* | Boeing 737-8K2 | Jet2 Holidays | |
| G-RVLW* | Reims F406 Caravan II | RVL Group | |
| G-RVLZ | Cessna 310R | RVL Group | |
| G-TAAS | AgustaWestland AW109SP Grand New | Sloane Helicopters | Derbyshire/Leicestershire/Rutland Air Ambulance |
| G-TCDO* | Airbus A321-211 | Thomas Cook Airlines | |
| G-TCDY | Airbus A321-211 | Thomas Cook Airlines | |
| HA-FAZ# | Boeing 737-476SF | ASL Airlines Hungary | |
| M-JCBB | Gulfstream G-VI (G650) | J.C. Bamford Excavators | |
| M-SPEK | Beechcraft B350I Super King Air | Specsavers Aviation | |
| N351UP | Boeing 767-34AERF | UPS Airlines | |
| N913FD* | Boeing 757-28ASF | FedEx Express | |
| OE-IZF* | Airbus A320-214 | easyJet Europe | |
| OE-LQP# | Airbus A319-111 | easyJet Europe | |
| OE-LQX# | Airbus A319-111 | easyJet Europe | |
| OO-PRM* | Cessna 510 Citation Mustang | Air Service Liège | |
| OY-SRK | Boeing 767-204ER-BDSF | Star Air | |
| OY-SRU* | Boeing 767-36NER-BDSF | Star Air | |
| SE-MAI | British Aerospace ATP-F | West Atlantic | |
| SE-MAN | British Aerospace ATP-F | West Atlantic | |
| SE-MHF# | British Aerospace ATP-F | West Atlantic | |
| SE-MHG | British Aerospace ATP-F | West Atlantic | |
| SE-MHK# | British Aerospace ATP-F | West Atlantic | |
| TF-FIH | Boeing 757-208SF | Icelandair Cargo | |
| ZH004* | Britten-Norman BN-2T Defender T3 | Army Air Corps - 5 Regt (651 Sqdn) |
East Midlands (Day One) Photos
Day Two
Thursday 22nd February
Looking ahead the remaining two hours of cargo was just run of the mill stuff, I was getting tired so called it a day at midnight. With around four hours+ of driving to do today I didn't want to short myself on sleep so I delayed my itinerary by 2.5 hours with a 9.30am departure from East Midlands, including another quick scoot around to see if anything had changed, before moving on to the first stop of the day.
East Midlands Airport
0900 - 0930
| REG | A/C TYPE | OPERATOR | NOTES |
| 485* | Lockheed VC-130H Hercules | Royal Saudi Air Force - 4 Squadron | |
| EC-JQF* | ATR-72-211F | Swiftair | |
| G-BGGO | Reims/Cessna F152 | East Midlands Flying School | |
| G-BOTG | Cessna 152 | Donington Aviation | |
| G-GILB* | Cessna 510 Citation Mustang | Catreus | |
| G-OIMC | Cessna 152 | East Midlands Flying School | |
| SE-MAJ* | British Aerospace ATP-F | West Atlantic | |
| SE-MHD# | British Aerospace ATP-F | West Atlantic |
East Midlands (Day Two) Photos
Continuing the theme of firsts I made my debut at Turweston, which for just a GA field has some amazing architecture and landscaping work and is super friendly (more than can be said for the next location). Before I finished asking the "Do you allow airside access" question the tower controller replied with "Yes no problem whatsoever, we're a very spotter friendly airfield here, no need for hi-viz, just apply common sense and feel free to go in the hangars" - perfect!! This null and voids any possible reason a GA field could conceive to not permit access, if one can do it they all could.
Turweston Aerodrome
EGBT | 1105 - 1140
| REG | A/C TYPE | OPERATOR | NOTES |
| G-ASIT* | Cessna 180 | Private | |
| G-ASZB* | Cessna 150E | Akki Aviation Services | |
| G-AVLT* | Piper PA-28-140 Cherokee | Turweston Flying School | |
| G-AYJR* | Piper PA-28-140 Cherokee | Turweston Flying School | |
| G-BASL* | Piper PA-28-140 Cherokee | Akki Aviation Services | Stored, poor state. Recently r/r G-KALI but still wears G-BASL |
| G-BAXZ* | Piper PA-28-140 Cherokee | G-BAXZ (87) Syndicate | |
| G-BBLU* | Piper PA-34-200 Seneca | Private | Stored, poor state |
| G-BEZF* | Grumman AA-5 Traveller | The G-BEZF Flying Group | |
| G-BGOG | Piper PA-28-161 Cherokee Warrior II | Private | |
| G-BOKX* | Piper PA-28-161 Cherokee Warrior II | Turweston Flying Club | |
| G-BORK* | Piper PA-28-161 Cherokee Warrior II | Turweston Flying Club | |
| G-BXOX* | Grumman AA-5A Cheetah | Private | |
| G-BYHI* | Piper PA-28-161 Cherokee Warrior II | Private | |
| G-BZLC* | PZL-Koliber 160A | Private | |
| G-CCFC* | Robinson R44 Raven II | Hawker Aviation | |
| G-CGLT* | CSA SportCruiser | Private | |
| G-CIFY* | Piper PA-28-181 Cherokee Archer III | Private | |
| G-DINA* | Gulfstream AA-5B Tiger | Portway Aviation | |
| G-FEWG* | Fuji FA-200-160 Aero Subaru | Cirrus UK Training | |
| G-GCDA | Cirrus SR20 | Private | Engineless |
| G-GHZJ* | Socata TB9 Tampico | Private | |
| G-IILY* | Robinson R44 Raven | Twylight Management Ltd | |
| G-NJOY* | Piper PA-28-181 Cherokee Archer II | Private | |
| G-OBBO* | Cessna 182S Skylane | Private | |
| G-OVIV* | Breezer B600 | Private | |
| G-PAYD* | Robin DR400/180 Regent | Private | |
| G-RATE | Gulfstream AA-5A Cheetah | GRATE Flying Group | |
| G-RUES* | Robin HR100/210 Safari II | Private | |
| G-SHRN* | Schweizer 269C-1 | CSL Industrial Ltd | Op by Advanced Helicopters |
| G-ZOOL* | Reims/Cessna FA152 Aerobat | Private | |
| N85LB | Cessna 340A | Private | |
| N2366D* | Cessna 170B | Private | |
| N30593 | Cessna 210L Centurion | Private |
Of all the 'firsts' I was looking forward to Oxford the most, I was hoping for a bit of a haul here, whilst it's the sixth busiest business aviation airport in the UK, it has the fourth busiest FBO, handling around 5,500 BA movements per year. However !!! Things took a bad turn here, I'm not going to go into too much detail as I'm writing a piece for the Articles section of the website to be released with this report, but the gist is security collared me and may have exercised authority they do not have by recording details from my drivers licence and making me delete my photos (I used sleight of hand to save some - mainly because I was using the camera to log, so most photos weren't usable anyway - a double blow!). I thought I'd saved six, I was chuffed when I realised I'd saved 23, of which four were usable! They said they do not permit photos from the airport being uploaded to the Internet, after a lot of deliberation I've decided to obey their orders for the time being. When the dust settles I'll add them to the report. Not good enough Oxford!! I estimate I've traced around 85% of airframes I saw.
London Oxford Airport
OXF / EGTK | 1235 - 1310
| REG | A/C TYPE | OPERATOR | NOTES |
| 2-BLUE* | Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 601-3A | Volare Aviation | |
| 2-MATO* | Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 601-3A | Volare Aviation | |
| D-EAWW* | Piper PA-28R-201 Cherokee Arrow III | Private | |
| F-HERE | Cessna 510 Citation Mustang | Wijet | |
| G-BHGO* | Piper PA-32-260 Cherokee Six | Private | |
| G-BYCA* | Piper PA-28-140 Cherokee | Go Fly Oxford | |
| G-CKSB* | Airbus H135 T3 | Airbus Helicopters | |
| G-DSTN* | Bell 206L Long Ranger | Private | |
| G-FIAT* | Piper PA-28-140 Cherokee | Demero Ltd / Transcourt Ltd | |
| G-HAFT* | Diamond DA 42 Twin Star | Airways Aviation Academy | |
| G-HITL* | Airbus H125 | Elstree Ink Ltd | |
| G-HOLM | Eurocopter EC135 T2+ | Capital Air Services | |
| G-NEAU | Eurocopter EC135 T2+ | NPAS Carr Gate | |
| G-OXFB* | Piper PA-34-220T Seneca V | Oxford Aviation Academy | |
| G-OXFG* | Piper PA-34-220T Seneca V | Oxford Aviation Academy | |
| G-PCTW* | Pilatus PC-12/47E | Yellow Skies LLP | |
| G-RCAV* | Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 | GAMA Aviation | |
| G-RSXP* | Cessna 560XL Citation XLS+ | Catreus | |
| G-SPRE | Cessna 550 Citation Bravo | Xclusive Jet Charter | |
| G-UAVA | Piper PA-30-160 Twin Comanche B | Private | |
| M-AJOR* | AgustaWestland AW139 | Major Aviation | |
| VP-BJE* | Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 | Johnson Electric Holdings Ltd | |
| ZM528/28* | Airbus H135 Juno HT1 | Defence Helicopter Flying School | Op by Ascent Flight Training |
Oxford photos withheld - return in a few months if you're that desperate to see them!!
What was supposed to be my final debut of the trip was RAF Brize Norton, but I was concerned that I would only make 10% of what I could see, due to dark grey serials on battleship grey aircraft, coupled with difficult to find spotting spots if you haven't been before. The Oxford incident had completely knocked the wind out of my sails, so I abandoned the plan and headed straight for Luton, phoning Matt Falcus en route to vent my frustration at Oxford!
I checked in to the Holiday Inn Express at Luton and requested the usual apron-facing top floor room, which was granted thank goodness, but the airport were using the parallel taxiway whereas in the past everything has taxied around the aprons, so I missed some stuff, catching up with most of it the next day. After checking in I did the customary walk around the perimeter - as I had with Oxford, and guess what - a security van pulls up, but as soon as they realise what I'm up to drive off again without a single word being spoken! Take note Oxford - if it's good enough for Luton (an airport you wish you were!) and 99% of others it should be good enough for you!!
London Luton Airport
LTN / EGGW | 1500 - 2359
| SERIAL/CODE | A/C TYPE | OPERATOR | NOTES |
| 4X-CPX | Gulfstream G-IV-SP | Arkia Israel Airlines | |
| 9H-FCA* | Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global 6000 | Albinati Aviation | |
| 9H-FLN* | Bombardier BD-700-1A11 Global 5000 | Albinati Aviation | |
| 9H-GYB* | Hawker Beechcraft Hawker 900XP | Comlux Malta | |
| 9H-IBD# | Bombardier BD-700-1A11 Global 5000 | Private Jet Co Malta | |
| 9H-ILA# | Bombardier CL-600-2B19 Challenger 850 | VistaJet Malta | |
| 9H-VFE | Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 605 | VistaJet Malta | |
| 9H-VJE* | Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global 6000 | VistaJet Malta | |
| A7-CEI* | Bombardier BD-700-1A11 Global 5000 | Qatar Executive | |
| C-GDPF | Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global Express | I.M.P. Group Ltd | |
| C-GWLL* | Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 | Execaire / I.M.P. Group Ltd | |
| CS-DXX* | Cessna 560XL Citation XLS | NetJets Europe | |
| CS-LTA* | Cessna 680A Citation Latitude | NetJets Europe | |
| D-IAAW* | Embraer EMB-500 Phenom 100 | Arcus Air | |
| D-IEMO* | Hawker Beechcraft 390 Premier IA | Corporate | |
| D-IVVB | Cessna 525A CitationJet CJ2+ | Atlas Air Service | |
| EC-LTF* | Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global 6000 | TAG Aviation Spain | |
| EC-MAX | Airbus A320-214 | Vueling Airlines | |
| EI-DLI | Boeing 737-8AS | Ryanair | |
| EI-DPK | Boeing 737-8AS | Ryanair | |
| EI-EMN | Boeing 737-8AS | Ryanair | |
| EI-ENP* | Boeing 737-8AS | Ryanair | |
| EI-FOF* | Boeing 737-8AS | Ryanair | |
| G-CGSJ* | Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global Express | Abbeville Holdings Ltd | Op by GAMA Aviation |
| G-CIEL | Cessna 560XL Citation Excel | Enerway Ltd | Op by London Executive Aviation |
| G-ESNA* | Embraer EMB-550 Legacy 500 | Air Charter Scotland | |
| G-EZAC | Airbus A319-111 | easyJet | |
| G-EZAZ | Airbus A319-111 | easyJet | |
| G-EZBE* | Airbus A319-111 | easyJet | |
| G-EZBI | Airbus A319-111 | easyJet | |
| G-EZDZ | Airbus A319-111 | easyJet | |
| G-EZEB | Airbus A319-111 | easyJet | |
| G-EZFT | Airbus A319-111 | easyJet | |
| G-EZFZ | Airbus A319-111 | easyJet | |
| G-EZOT | Airbus A320-214 | easyJet | |
| G-EZPI* | Airbus A320-214 | easyJet | |
| G-EZRO* | Airbus A320-214 | easyJet | |
| G-EZRS* | Airbus A320-214 | easyJet | Delivery flight |
| G-EZUH* | Airbus A320-214 | easyJet | |
| G-EZUN | Airbus A320-214 | easyJet | |
| G-EZUZ | Airbus A320-214 | easyJet | |
| G-EZWA | Airbus A320-214 | easyJet | |
| G-EZWS | Airbus A320-214 | easyJet | |
| G-FJET | Cessna 550 Citation II | London Executive Aviation | |
| G-GAAL* | Cessna 560XL Citation XLS+ | London Executive Aviation | |
| G-GSVI* | Gulfstream G-VI (G650) | Executive Jet Charter | |
| G-JALS* | Cessna 560XL Citation XLS+ | Air Charter Scotland | |
| G-LEGC | Embraer ERJ-135BJ Legacy 600 | London Executive Aviation | |
| G-OOBB | Boeing 757-28A | TUI Airways | |
| G-PEPI | Embraer ERJ-135BJ Legacy 600 | London Executive Aviation | |
| G-SHUI* | Cessna 680A Citation Latitude | Air Charter Scotland | |
| G-SIRS | Cessna 560XL Citation Excel | London Executive Aviation | |
| G-SUGR | Embraer ERJ-135BJ Legacy 650 | Air Charter Scotland | |
| G-THFC | Embraer ERJ-135BJ Legacy 600 | Raz Air Ltd | Op by London Executive Aviation |
| G-UZHD* | Airbus A320-251N | easyJet | |
| HA-LPK | Airbus A320-232 | Wizz Air | |
| HA-LPW* | Airbus A320-232 | Wizz Air | |
| HA-LPY | Airbus A320-232 | Wizz Air | |
| HA-LWK | Airbus A320-232 | Wizz Air | |
| HA-LWS | Airbus A320-232 | Wizz Air | |
| HA-LXE | Airbus A321-231 | Wizz Air | |
| HA-LXR* | Airbus A321-231 | Wizz Air | |
| HA-LYQ | Airbus A320-232 | Wizz Air | |
| HA-LYR* | Airbus A320-232 | Wizz Air | |
| M-AGIK* | Dassault Falcon 900EX | Amboy Overseas | |
| M-ASRI | Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global Express XRS | YYA Aviation | |
| M-BHBH* | Gulfstream G-VI (G650) | Aerofinance Invest Corp | |
| M-OEPL* | Dassault Falcon 7X | Cloud Services | |
| M-YSIX* | Gulfstream G-VI-ER (G650ER) | Corporate | |
| N1DC* | Gulfstream G-V | Blue Star Management Services Corp | |
| N5MV | Dassault Falcon 900EX | Wing and Rotor Transportation Holdings | |
| N70PS* | Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global Express | American International Group Inc | |
| N100JS* | Dassault Falcon 2000LX | TVPX ARS Inc | |
| N112MY* | Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global 6000 | Corporate | |
| N310# | Gulfstream G-IV | CJJ Aviation LLC | |
| N650GU* | Gulfstream G-VI (G650) | MPM Financial LLC | |
| N651XA* | Gulfstream G-VI-ER (G650ER) | ARAMCO Associated Co | |
| N656TT* | Gulfstream G-VI-ER (G650ER) | Corporate | |
| N671LE | Gulfstream G-V-SP (G550) | AVN Air LLC | |
| N717MK | Bombardier BD-700-1A11 Global 5000 | Michael Kors Aviation | |
| N718MM* | Dassault Falcon 900EX | Corporate | |
| N838SC | Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global Express | Red Line Air LLC | |
| N889MR* | IAI Gulfstream G200 Galaxy | Clay Lacy Aviation | |
| N902MY* | Bombardier BD-700-1A11 Global 5000 | Corporate | |
| N970SG* | Gulfstream G-V-SP (G550) | TVPX ARS Inc | |
| OE-HUG* | Bombardier BD-100-1A10 Challenger 350 | International Jet Management GmbH | |
| OE-IJR# | Airbus A320-214 | easyJet Europe | |
| OE-IPE* | Gulfstream G-V-SP (G550) | Global Jet Austria | |
| OE-IVO# | Airbus A320-214 | easyJet Europe | |
| OE-LAI* | Gulfstream G-IV-X (G450) | Global Jet Austria | |
| OE-LIP | Airbus A319-115X(CJ) | Tyrolean Jet Service | |
| OE-LJG* | Airbus A319-115X(CJ) | MJet | |
| OE-LKD# | Airbus A319-111 | easyJet Europe | |
| OE-LKE# | Airbus A319-111 | easyJet Europe | |
| OE-LQI# | Airbus A319-111 | easyJet Europe | |
| OE-LQV# | Airbus A319-111 | easyJet Europe | |
| OO-SKY* | Cessna 525A CitationJet CJ2 | Sky Service | |
| OY-RUO* | ATR-42-500 | Danish Air Transport | |
| S5-SAD | Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global 6000 | Elitavia | |
| SP-HAX* | Airbus A321-211 | Small Planet Airlines Poland | |
| T7-PNI* | Embraer ERJ-135BJ Legacy 600 | Corporate | |
| VP-CZA* | Gulfstream G-VI | Corporate | |
| VQ-BLA | Gulfstream G-V-SP (G550) | Corporate | |
| VQ-BZM | Gulfstream G-IV-X (G450) | GainJet Aviation | |
| YR-BAS* | Boeing 737-430 | Blue Air | |
| OTT | |||
| EI-EBR* | Boeing 737-8AS | Ryanair | |
| G-BNLK | Boeing 747-436 | British Airways | |
| G-LCYU | Embraer ERJ-190-100SR | BA CityFlyer | |
| G-MEDL | Airbus A321-231 | British Airways | |
| G-XLEJ | Airbus A380-841 | British Airways | |
| G-XLEK | Airbus A380-841 | British Airways | |
| N348UP | Boeing 767-34AERF | UPS Airlines | |
| N647UA | Boeing 767-322ER | United Airlines | |
| TC-JJY* | Boeing 777-3F2ER | Turkish Airlines | |
| ZK-OKR | Boeing 777-319ER | Air New Zealand | |
Day Three
Friday 23rd February
In perhaps my laziest bit of spotting I noted most Wizz Air arrivals are between 7am and 8am which is too early for me, so I set an alarm for 7.25am and another for 7.50am, I poked my head out of the window, counted up how many were on the ground to trace later, then went back to sleep! When I eventually did get up it was just another walk around the perimeter before moving on to Birmingham. I was surprised at how many new biz were in after just a few hours.
London Luton Airport
1100 - 1245
| REG | A/C TYPE | OPERATOR | NOTES |
| 9H-AMY* | Bombardier CL-600-2B19 Challenger 850 | Air X Charter | |
| 9H-DTY# | Gulfstream G-VI (G650) | Elitavia Malta | |
| 9H-FCB* | Dassault Falcon 7X | Albinati Aviation | |
| 9H-VJP* | Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global 6000 | VistaJet Malta | |
| 9H-VJT* | Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global 6000 | VistaJet Malta | |
| 9H-YES* | Boeing 737-5Q8 | Air X Charter | |
| CS-CHA* | Bombardier BD-100-1A10 Challenger 350 | NetJets Europe | |
| CS-GLA | Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global 6000 | NetJets Europe | |
| CS-LAM | Bombardier BD-700-1A11 Global 5000 | NetJets Europe | |
| D-IPVD* | Cessna 525A CitationJet CJ2 | Prominent Gruppe | |
| G-BVMA | Beech 200 Super King Air | Dragonfly Aviation Services | |
| G-JAGA | Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300 | London Executive Aviation | |
| G-LEAX | Cessna 560XL Citation XLS | London Executive Aviation | |
| G-NOAH* | Airbus A319-115X(CJ) | Acropolis Aviation | |
| G-UZHA | Airbus A320-251N | easyJet Europe | |
| HA-LPR | Airbus A320-232 | Wizz Air | |
| HA-LPU | Airbus A320-232 | Wizz Air | |
| HA-LWO* | Airbus A320-232 | Wizz Air | |
| HA-LXS* | Airbus A321-231 | Wizz Air | |
| HA-LYA | Airbus A320-232 | Wizz Air | |
| HA-LYF | Airbus A320-232 | Wizz Air | |
| HA-LYJ | Airbus A320-232 | Wizz Air | |
| HA-LYT | Airbus A320-232 | Wizz Air | |
| HB-JRE | Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 605 | ExecuJet Europe | |
| N505PY* | Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300 | TVPX ARS Inc | |
| N626JE* | Gulfstream G-V | JWC Boylston LLC | Followed me to Birmingham - it won! |
| OE-IEN | Dassault Falcon 2000EX | Global Jet Austria | |
| P4-KUL | Embraer ERJ-135BJ Legacy 600 | Empire Aviation Group | |
| SE-DSP* | British Aerospace Avro RJ100 | Malmo Aviation | |
| TC-KHB* | Gulfstream G-IV-X (G450) | Corporate |
The plan for today was to drive more or less straight home with just a brief stop at East Midlands, however following some weekend plans collapsing I decided to extend and booked the excellent Birmingham Airport Travelodge. I probably should have aimed to get here sooner as it was in the back of my mind that they have some exotic flights around lunchtime, luckily I caught the Triple 7 as I was approaching the airport and the Air India Dreamliner and Emirates A380 were yet to come.
En-route to Birmingham whilst passing Delta Force Paintball, I was surprised to see a Jaguar staring back at me!
| XZ369/EU* | SEPECAT Jaguar GR3A | Delta Force Paintball Coventry | Royal Air Force - 6 Squadron markings |
Funny as hell flirtatious banter and innuendos between the tower controller and pilots during the evening:- if the controller looks anything like she sounds then Kelly Rohrbach has had a career change! The pilot upon being transferred to another frequency ended their conversation with "I'll have to come up there and see you some time" - I hope he follows up!
Birmingham Airport
BHX / EGBB | 1500
- 2359
| REG | A/C TYPE | OPERATOR | NOTES |
| A6-EOY* | Airbus A380-861 | Emirates | |
| D-ABQF* | Bombardier DHC-8-Q402 | Eurowings | |
| D-ABQG* | Bombardier DHC-8-Q402 | Eurowings | |
| D-AECB | Embraer ERJ-190-100LR | Lufthansa Cityline | |
| D-AGEN | Boeing 737-75B | Germania | |
| D-AGWA | Airbus A319-132 | Germanwings | |
| D-AIDI* | Airbus A321-231 | Lufthansa | |
| D-AILA* | Airbus A319-114 | Lufthansa | |
| D-AIPB | Airbus A320-211 | Lufthansa | |
| D-CTRI* | Gates Learjet 35A | Air Alliance | |
| D-CULT* | Dornier Do228-202K | Business Wings | |
| EI-DER | Airbus A320-214 | Aer Lingus | |
| EI-DVI | Airbus A320-214 | Aer Lingus | |
| EI-EMK | Boeing 737-8AS | Ryanair | |
| EI-EPG | Boeing 737-8AS | Ryanair | |
| EI-ESZ | Boeing 737-8AS | Ryanair | |
| EI-EVC | Boeing 737-8AS | Ryanair | |
| EI-EXF | Boeing 737-8AS | Ryanair | |
| EI-FAW* | ATR-72-600 | Aer Lingus Regional (Stobart Air) | |
| EI-FZF* | Boeing 737-800 | Ryanair | |
| EI-FZN | Boeing 737-800 | Ryanair | |
| EI-GDR* | Boeing 737-800 | Ryanair | |
| ES-LSB* | Saab 340A | Airest | |
| EZ-A779* | Boeing 777-22KLR | Turkmenistan Airlines | |
| F-HEPE | Airbus A320-214 | Air France | |
| G-ECOH | Bombardier DHC-8-Q402 | Flybe | |
| G-ECOI | Bombardier DHC-8-Q402 | Flybe | |
| G-ECOK | Bombardier DHC-8-Q402 | Flybe | |
| G-EZDM* | Airbus A319-111 | easyJet | |
| G-EZDS | Airbus A319-111 | easyJet | |
| G-FBEJ | Embraer ERJ-195-200LR | Flybe | "Welcome to Yorkshire" c/s |
| G-FBEL | Embraer ERJ-195-200LR | Flybe | |
| G-FBJB | Embraer ERJ-175-200STD | Flybe | |
| G-FBJH | Embraer ERJ-175-200STD | Flybe | |
| G-FBJJ* | Embraer ERJ-175-200STD | Flybe | |
| G-FBJK | Embraer ERJ-175-200STD | Flybe | |
| G-FDZS | Boeing 737-8K5 | TUI Airways | |
| G-FLBD | Bombardier DHC-8-Q402 | Flybe | |
| G-FLBE | Bombardier DHC-8-Q402 | Flybe | |
| G-JECL | Bombardier DHC-8-Q402 | Flybe | |
| G-JECR | Bombardier DHC-8-Q402 | Flybe | |
| G-JECZ | Bombardier DHC-8-Q402 | Flybe | |
| G-JMOS* | Piper PA-34-220T Seneca V | Private | |
| G-JZBC* | Boeing 737-800 | Jet2 Holidays | |
| G-JZBE* | Boeing 737-800 | Jet2 Holidays | |
| G-JZBH* | Boeing 737-800 | Jet2 Holidays | |
| G-JZHM | Boeing 737-800 | Jet2 Holidays | |
| G-JZHP* | Boeing 737-800 | Jet2.com | |
| G-JZHW* | Boeing 737-800 | Jet2.com | |
| G-KKEV | Bombardier DHC-8-Q402 | Flybe | |
| G-NIKO | Airbus A321-211 | Thomas Cook Airlines | |
| G-OOBA | Boeing 757-28A | TUI Airways | |
| G-OOBN | Boeing 757-2G5 | TUI Airways | |
| G-POLD* | Eurocopter EC135 T2+ | NPAS Birmingham | |
| G-PRPE* | Bombardier DHC-8-Q402 | Flybe | |
| G-PRPH* | Bombardier DHC-8-Q402 | Flybe | |
| G-RAJJ | British Aerospace 146-200 | Cello Aviation | |
| G-RJXD | Embraer ERJ-145EP | bmi regional | |
| G-TCDC | Airbus A321-211 | Thomas Cook Airlines | |
| HA-LPS | Airbus A320-232 | Wizz Air | |
| HB-ALQ# | ATR-72-202F | Zimex Aviation | |
| HB-IPV | Airbus A319-112 | Swiss International Airlines | |
| N626JE | Gulfstream G-V | JWC Boylston LLC | |
| OK-MEK | Airbus A319-112 | CSA Czech Airlines | |
| OO-SSC* | Airbus A319-112 | Brussels Airlines | |
| OO-SSU | Airbus A319-111 | Brussels Airlines | |
| P4-YAS* | Airbus A319-132 | Air Astana | |
| PH-BGM | Boeing 737-7K2 | KLM Royal Dutch Airlines | |
| PH-BXK | Boeing 737-8K2 | KLM Royal Dutch Airlines | |
| PH-EZB | Embraer ERJ-190-100STD | KLM Cityhopper | |
| SX-ATF# | Boeing 737-406 | GainJet Aviation | |
| SX-RFA | Boeing 757-23N | GainJet Aviation | |
| TC-JHZ* | Boeing 737-8F2 | Turkish Airlines | |
| UR-CQD* | Antonov An-26B | Vulkan Air | |
| VT-AND* | Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner | Air India | |
| YL-RAC* | Antonov An-26B | RAF-Avia Airlines | |
| YL-RAG* | Saab 340A | RAF-Avia Airlines | |
| ZE707* | British Aerospace 146 C3 (146-200QC) | Royal Air Force - 32(R) Squadron | |
| OTT | |||
| EI-GDF* | Boeing 737-800 | Ryanair | |
| G-EZUW* | Airbus A320-214 | easyJet | |
| G-JZHO | Boeing 737-800 | Jet2.com | |
Day Four
Saturday 24th February
Just a quick peek out of the window to note what had changed, after that a hearty fried breakfast before leaving.
Birmingham Airport
1000 - 1045
| REG | A/C TYPE | OPERATOR | NOTES |
| D-AIBC* | Airbus A319-112 | Lufthansa | |
| D-INDY* | Eclipse EA-500 | Corporate | |
| G-RJXG | Embraer ERJ-145EP | bmi regional | |
| HB-JZX* | Airbus A320-214 | easyJet Switzerland | |
| OE-LBU* | Airbus A320-214 | Austrian Airlines | |
| TC-JHT* | Boeing 737-8F2 | Turkish Airlines | |
| YR-BME* | Boeing 737-86N | Blue Air | |
| YR-BMG | Boeing 737-86N | Blue Air |
No Birmingham day three photos.
After leaving Birmingham the plan was originally to dog-leg to East Midlands for another very quick drive around before continuing home, I ended up binning this idea because after four days I'd run out of motivation, so I set the sat nav to take me direct home, but in a plot twist it seems this was the exact same route that would have taken me to East Midlands anyway, so the visit happened after all!
East Midlands Airport
1125 - 1135
| REG | A/C TYPE | OPERATOR | NOTES |
| EC-JXF | ATR-72-211F | Swiftair | |
| G-BMRF | Boeing 757-236SF | DHL Air | |
| G-BMRI* | Boeing 757-236SF | DHL Air | |
| G-LEAF | Reims F406 Caravan II | RVL Group | |
| N58JA* | Cessna 340 | Juliet Aviation Inc | |
| N947FD* | Boeing 757-236SF | FedEx Express | |
| OO-SKY | Cessna 525A CitationJet CJ2 | Sky Service | |
| TF-FIG | Boeing 757-23APF | Icelandair Cargo |
East Midlands (Day Three) Photos
Required: 205 Scrapes: 22
Not had so many scrapes since the last time I fell off a bike 20-odd years ago. Thanks for reading, sorry it's been a long report but I feel like it makes for a more entertaining and amusing read than perhaps some of my others might!
P.S. - Did I mention I'm upset at Oxford Airport??!!