PLANE SPOTTING?!?!?!?!

[ALSA]

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.

[Hagar]

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.

[xFLAMESx]

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]

[Mr. Bones]

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

[Iroquois]

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.

[jrpilot]

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???

[xFLAMESx]

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]

[Hagar]

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.

[Fozzer]

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

[Hagar]

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.

[Fozzer]

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...!

[Hagar]

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.