Simviation Forums

Hi,

Is plane spotting illegal in the uk?

Is it me or does every airport try their hardest to get rid of plane spotters!? i went to exeter the other day and i got "moved on" by security three times! Once i was sat in a short stay carpark paid for the parking ticket and everything and was told i was wasting space for people who "needed" the space when there was clearly about 20 other spaces! second i was in a layby at the end of the runway lol Brilliant veiw then got moved on because it was too dangerouse because of the bad winds (which is fair enough) the i parked about a 1/4 of a mile down the road and got moved again! by which time i decided to pack up and go home .

To get to the point is there laws saying you cant do it????

Thanks!

sam.

Hi Sam. No, plane spotting is not illegal but security has obviously been tightened up since 9/11. It depends on the type of aircraft you're interested in. Security is tightest around the larger airports & they're not too keen on anyone hanging around outside the designated areas. Many airports welcome spotters & have special viewing areas. Some have found this can actually help with the security. Being there on a regular basis the spotters can often notice things that look suspicious & warn the authorities.

I have no such problems at the smaller airfields like my local one at Shoreham. There are also many air displays & events you can visit almost every weekend throughout the season. Check out some of my topics in the Photos section to see what I get up to on most weekends.

I found out Heathrow (although miles from you) has got a designated area - so does Gatwick (again miles away from you) but Gatwick CHARGES you for it!
Got my bag searched last time I went to Heathrow

[glb]Thanx. Carl[/glb]

spotters at Heathrow now get an ID so the security can identify them. with this, spotters can also help the security when necessary.

If you want to spot planes without trouble, try going to a local airfield. You can just walk right in and most of the time nobody notices you. There's also a much wider variety of aircraft and you can get a lot closer to them.

The local airfield near me has a nice deck right on the edge of the GA visitors parking and fueling area. Lots of great stuff to see there.

Does anyone know of what to use when spotting aircraft...since i live close to an airport but don't go there unless I am flying out...what can I use to spot aircraft flying over my house at 10,000 feet to 30,000+ feet???

VERY strong glasses? ?
I think a pair of binoculars would do the trick, though they would have to be fairly powerful for those kind of alititudes.
Maybe a telescope.
I've never had to try - I live next to an airport

[glb]Thanx. Carl[/glb]

Carl beat me to it. I was going to suggest an astronomical telescope.

Seriously, I haven't done any spotting since I was knee-high to the proverbial gnat. All I had was a low powered telescope suitable for light aircraft at an altitude of 1,000 feet or less. Things have changed a lot since my day & spotters seem to have all sorts of expensive high-tech equipment. An airband radio might be your best bet.

The owners of my local airfield, (Shobdon EGBS), are paranoid,

After 50 years of visiting the airfield it has now become a rather un-welcoming place....as even the staff agree... ...!

So much for modern times, and a society driven by insurance claims... ...!

Cheers all...!

Paul.

P.S. This situation had nothing to do with the aftermath of 9/11, but purely to do with the CAA and insurance policy stipulations regarding public safety.... ... ... ...!
...Buggar.... ...!

Sorry to hear that Paul. Just to make you jealous I took this at Shoreham yesterday. I'm not sure how long it will remain like this. There is talk of realigning the runway to take bigger jets & building a new terminal on the other side of the airport. Personally I shall be sorry to see that but I suppose it's the price of "progress". I've been visiting Shoreham Airport since I was knee-high to a gnat. I got my first job in aviation here in 1960 & it's always been like a second home to me. Better make the most of it while I still can.

Hi Doug...!
Fantastic photo'...!
Either you were allowed into the tower, or you were sat on top of the restaurant.... ...!
I see you've got one of those "signs" on the fencing as well...."Do not enter without permission"...!
..."Go away..."...??
LOL...LOL...LOL.. ...!

Looked like a lovely day... ...!

Cheers Doug... ...!

Paul.

P.S. ..looks like I could do with a few more "mega-pixels" in my camera... ... ... ...!
LOL...!

Hi Doug...!
Fantastic photo'...!
Either you were allowed into the tower, of you were sat on top of the restaurant.... ...!
I see you've got one of those "signs" on the fencing as well...."Do not enter without permission"...!
..."Go away..."...??
LOL...LOL...LOL.. ...!

Looked like a lovely day... ...!

Cheers Doug... ...!

Paul.

P.S. ..looks like I could do with a few more "mega-pixels" in my camera... ... ... ...!
LOL...!

Thanks Paul. It's not a great shot but shows what it's like. The sign actually says No Smoking. I'm not allowed on the airfield itself these days unless accompanied by a pilot or aircraft owner & wearing a fluorescent vest. They also put a fence round it some years ago. It's only a small fence & it helps keep the idiots off. In the old days it was possible to walk right across it. I could tell you a few stories about mushroom pickers. LOL

It was a nice day. Much better than it is right now. LOL
I took the shot from some steps leading up to the 2nd floor of the terminal above the restaurant. Right outside the office of a local flying club. My company had its main office here back in the 70s.