Watching planes take off...

Hiya

Wold it be really geeky to park on the A3044 and watch the planes take off over me? They're flying out westward and generally I guess they're going from the north runway. Is this an acceptable spot to watch the from or will we be moved on.

I'm in one of those moods where I fancy the roar of a 747 above me..

Dean

[HighFlyer]

If it makes you geeky then call me Mrs Geek! LOL

Ive been to all four London airports at one time or another purely to watch the planes take off! Given up with Luton and Stansted as there is nothing like seeing a 744 (particularly a VS 744) climbing the skies! I think its because they are so large that it always looks like it wont quite make it!

I remember being upstairs at either LGW or LHR (cant remember which) and it was like a reunion of the train spotters club, we were all there plane spotting LOL

So ... your not alone

I've only done it once!!

The day after the first V-flyer meeting @Heathrow..
I had some time to kill and it was a really hot day..

I wasn't alone either!!

I had my little moment of geek pleasure in the village of longbrook right at the end of the runway. Saw G-VHOT take off, it is quite impressive when they are that close. I'm impressed how the 747's have only just taken off at that point and all the little planes are already high in the sky.

Dean

No problem in parking, as long as you are off the road.
Oh and dont use stepladders to watch. Apparently they are forbidden under BAAA by laws

Ok i hold my hands up your not alone when ever i'm up in LON i divert past LHR home to have a quick fix.

The best time was when concorde used to take off and i'd get as close to the end of the runway so i could feel the power and rumble of those RR jets, make me go funny just thinking about it now:D

But dont get me wrong the next best thing is a 744 on take off buteven better when vs 744 landing on a mistey morning with the sun just breaking through it shows that silver off nice.

God now i am sounding like a geek:D

Cheers

Phil

Revel in it. You're amongst friends...

Dean

747, does anyone else think the noise is a bit "girly" for such a big aircraft? it seems to whine as it takes off compared to other aircraft.

Every time I drive along M4/M24 around LHR and see planes taking off, I feel a little pang of jealousy and a wish that I was taking off somewhere.

OK - I can just about see the attraction of planes - but I'd rather be on one than watching but........... can someone let me into the secret about trains? Is it just a guy thing? This week I've had the pleasure (?) of being at Wigan NW 6 times, Carlisle twice and Crewe twice - and as usual the train spotters are everywhere! Some really high tech kit as well, not just pad and pencil. Don't see any at Euston though. And yes, as you'll have spotted (ha! ha! no pun intended) this is the Virgin West Coast Mainline service!

Trains, They used to be fun to watch in steam days, as most of the loco classes tended to stay in designated areas within the regions, so it was a bonus (for me ) to see a 64B (haymarket) A3 in London. Rare as hens teeth.
It lost all of thise when i was at Inverness in the mid 80's with my lad, Who has the transport bug, and saw a london based engine there. Very common apparently, and now all the loco classese eing whittled down its just like Heathrow with all the airbus landings!!!!!

quote:Originally posted by AlanA
747, does anyone else think the noise is a bit "girly" for such a big aircraft? it seems to whine as it takes off compared to other aircraft.

It's not the noise of them and yes i can see where your coming from but its how something so big and heavy gets off the ground.

Cant wait to see an A380 toff/land:)

Cheers

Phil

I still won't belive it'll get off the ground!

Dean

well they started on no's 7 & 8 and the first test flight will be in 2005:)and last a year ready in time for there first commercial flight scheduled with SQ in 2006.

Cheers

Phil