I have to take annual leave during January as there isn't enough hours at work to go around all the staff so a spotting trip is usually planned and this year was no different. I took a look at my required list and Gatwick was going to be of the most benefit to me, yet as most of you will know this is probably the single most difficult airport in the country in terms of spotting locations. Matt Falcus provided the answer with his very encouraging review of the relatively new BLOC hotel located in the south terminal. Many of the "Aspire" rooms offer a view of the airport with no movements missed, that said it is still pot luck and there is a comments section during the booking process where you can request a room with an airport view - but it is only a request and guarantees nothing. Due to the short notice booking the room was more expensive than I would normally go for, so I had even more riding on this, but I can't imagine anyone stays for more than a night so I figured if I got there bang on check-in opening (4pm) I would get the pick of the rooms, plus most spotters are still in hibernation at this time of the year so I didn't think there would be a great deal of demand for such rooms.
Day One ~ Wednesday 11th January
I could see from the A1 that nothing much was happening at Gamston so it just served as a break from driving, I was surprised when G-FAVS turned up, landing on runway 34 due to the strong gail blowing across the main runway.
Retford Gamston Airport
EGNE
| REG | A/C TYPE | OPERATOR | NOTES |
| G-AXSI | Reims Cessna F172H Skyhawk | Private | |
| G-BOIG | Piper PA-28-161 Cherokee Warrior II | The Flight Centre 2010 Ltd | |
| G-BWEU | Reims Cessna F152 | Eastern Air Executive Ltd | |
| G-FAVS* | Piper PA-32-300 Cherokee Six | Cool Flourish Ltd | |
| G-SERE | Diamond DA42 Twin Star | Sere Ltd | |
| N32HF* | Piper PA-32RT-300 Cherokee Lance II | Private | |
| Diamond DA42 Twin Star | Unknown | Fuselage only |
I had intended to call in to one or two different airports to usual on my to and from London this year, unfortunately I had to drop plans to go to Southend before I'd even set off and I would later end up knocking Biggin Hill on the head as well due to time constraints. So Cambridge was the only deviation from normal, the attraction being a reported Rossiya 747, as it turns out there was two...bonus!
Going against the current trend of dropping the "International" from an airport name, Cambridge have added it and without just cause as far as I can tell. Still, better than following the trend of adding London in front, à la Oxford.
On my previous visit here I talked my way into a hangar, I was tempted to do so again but I simply couldn't be bothered! This was a common theme throughout the trip, once upon a time I would have walked from one side of an airport to the other just to log as little as a dumped Cessna fuselage - I must be getting old!
Cambridge International Airport
CBG | EGSC
| REG | A/C TYPE | OPERATOR | NOTES |
| 5629 | Lockheed Martin C-130J-30 Super Hercules | Royal Norwegian Air Force | UN markings |
| 84001/841* | Lockheed TP84 Hercules (C-130H) | Swedish Air Force | WFU - stored |
| 84003/843* | Lockheed TP84 Hercules (C-130H) | Swedish Air Force | WFU - stored |
| EC-LJC | Cessna 510 Citation Mustang | Sur Aviation | |
| EI-XLC* | Boeing 747-446 | Rossiya Airlines | Stored |
| EI-XLG* | Boeing 747-446 | Rossiya Airlines | Stored |
| G-AVWT* | Piper PA-28R-180 Cherokee Arrow | Private | |
| G-BAIG | Piper PA-34-200 Seneca | Mid-Anglia School of Flying | |
| G-BBZV | Piper PA-28R-200 Cherokee Arrow II | Private | |
| G-HEMC* | Airbus Helicopters EC145 (BK117) | Babcock MCS Onshore | East Anglian Air Ambulance |
| G-JASE | Piper PA-28-161 Cherokee Warrior II | Mid-Anglia School of Flying | |
| G-JMCL | Boeing 737-322SF | West Atlantic | |
| G-MASF | Piper PA-28-181 Cherokee Archer II | Mid-Anglia School of Flying | |
| G-TINK* | Robinson R22 Beta | Aeromega Helicopters (Cambridge Helicopters) | |
| N960DP* | Gulfstream G-IV | Corporate | |
| ZH880 | Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules C5 | Royal Air Force - 47 Sqdn | Special 100 year c/s |
| Fuselage | Unknown | Mostly scrapped on the western perimeter |
On to Stansted and I didn't bother too much with the airliners other than those that moved, I just blasted around the north side and left again. Two things struck me on arrival, first was two interesting Boeings clearly in storage plus a third from the same company, the phrase "robbing, thieving gypsies" came to mind, second was no Ryanair 737s in storage this winter. A miracle happened whilst I was walking around picking off the bizjets - a cop drove past and didn't stop to question my actions!
London Stansted Airport
STN | EGSS
| REG | A/C TYPE | OPERATOR | NOTES |
| 9H-PAM* | Boeing 737-33AQC | Maleth-Aero | |
| B-LDL* | Gulfstream G-V-SP (G550) | Success Lucky Ltd | Luton divert |
| C-GLPP# | Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 | Corporate | |
| EI-DAG | Boeing 737-8AS | Ryanair | |
| EI-DPF | Boeing 737-8AS | Ryanair | |
| EI-EKS | Boeing 737-8AS | Ryanair | |
| EI-ENS* | Boeing 737-8AS | Ryanair | |
| EI-EVT | Boeing 737-8AS | Ryanair | |
| EI-EXE | Boeing 737-8AS | Ryanair | |
| EI-FIF* | Boeing 737-8AS | Ryanair | |
| G-EZFW | Airbus A319-111 | easyJet | |
| G-SYNA | Embraer ERJ-135BJ Legacy 650 | Etlagh Aviation | Op by London Executive Aviation |
| G-TCSX* | Boeing 757-2K2 | TAG Aviation | |
| G-ZAPX | Boeing 757-256 | Titan Airways | |
| G-ZNSF | Gulfstream G-V-SP (G550) | ExecuJet UK | |
| HZ-AB3* | Boeing 727-2U5(A)(RE) | Al-Anwa Establishment | |
| HZ-SKY3* | Airbus A320-214CJ Prestige | Sky Prime Aviation | |
| LX-RCV | Boeing 747-4R7F | Cargolux Airlines International | |
| M-ELON* | Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300 | Burnbrae | |
| M-WIND | Gulfstream G-VI (G650) | Corporate | |
| N222NF* | Cessna 525A CitationJet CJ2 | Merak Aviation Inc | |
| N343DF* | Bombardier BD-700-1A11 Global 5000 | Parkview Aviation LLC | |
| N360SL* | Canadair CL-600-2B16 Challenger 601-3A | Corporate | |
| N755RA* | Bombardier BD-700-1A11 Global 5000 | Corporate | |
| N777AS | Boeing 777-24QER | Mid East Jet | |
| N880ZJ* | Bombardier BD-700-1A11 Global 5000 | Corporate | |
| N977JG* | Boeing 737-73Q BBJ1 | Corporate | |
| OE-FZC* | Cessna 510 Citation Mustang | GlobeAir AG | |
| T7-AZH# | Gulfstream G-IV-X (G450) | EAS Beirut | |
| VP-CEC | Boeing 737-9HWER BBJ3 | Mid East Jet | |
| VP-CPA* | Boeing 737-7AW BBJ1 | Mid East Jet | |
| ZS-NEX | Boeing 767-35DER | Aeronexus Corp |
When I arrived at Gatwick I parked in the long stay then got the free shuttle bus to the south terminal where the BLOC hotel is located, despite check-in not opening till 4pm I was in room 744 not long after 3 and I could finally breathe a sigh of relief as I was allocated a corner room so I had one window overlooking the final approach and another overlooking 85-90% of the airside area. Some of the north terminal stands aren't visible and the maintenance area is sort-of not visible yet you can see what you want if you know where to look. I only logged British and Irish stuff that I needed at Gatwick.
London Gatwick Airport
LGW | EGKK
| REG | A/C TYPE | OPERATOR | NOTES |
| A6-EEX* | Airbus A380-861 | Emirates | |
| B-8659* | Airbus A330-243 | Tianjin Airlines | |
| C-GFAT* | Airbus A310-304 | Air Transat | |
| CN-RGJ* | Boeing 737-86N | Royal Air Maroc | |
| CS-TTQ* | Airbus A319-111 | TAP Portugal | |
| D-ABLB | Boeing 737-76J | Germania | |
| EC-LQX* | Boeing 737-85P | Air Europa | |
| EC-MBU* | Airbus A320-214 | Iberia Express | Towed to maintenance area |
| EC-MIQ# | Airbus A319-111 | Vueling Airlines | |
| EI-DPN* | Boeing 737-8AS | Ryanair | |
| EI-FHA | Boeing 737-8JP | Norwegian Air International | |
| EI-FHG# | Boeing 737-8JP | Norwegian Air International | |
| EI-FHH# | Boeing 737-8JP | Norwegian Air International | |
| EI-FHJ* | Boeing 737-8JP | Norwegian Air International | |
| EI-FHL* | Boeing 737-8JP | Norwegian Air International | |
| EI-FJO* | Boeing 737-8JP | Norwegian Air International | |
| EI-FOT* | Boeing 737-8AS | Ryanair | |
| EI-LNI* | Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner | Norwegian Air Long Haul | |
| G-EZBP* | Airbus A319-111 | easyJet | |
| G-EZEN* | Airbus A319-111 | easyJet | |
| G-EZGF* | Airbus A319-111 | easyJet | |
| G-EZOJ* | Airbus A320-214 | easyJet | |
| G-EZOO* | Airbus A320-214 | easyJet | |
| G-EZOU* | Airbus A320-214 | easyJet | |
| G-EZPB* | Airbus A320-214 | easyJet | |
| G-EZPE* | Airbus A320-214 | easyJet | |
| G-EZPH* | Airbus A320-214 | easyJet | |
| G-EZPJ* | Airbus A320-214 | easyJet | |
| G-EZPN* | Airbus A320-214 | easyJet | |
| G-EZPU* | Airbus A320-214 | easyJet | |
| G-EZWJ* | Airbus A320-214 | easyJet | |
| G-GATM* | Airbus A320-233 | British Airways | |
| G-GATN* | Airbus A320-232 | British Airways | |
| G-GATP* | Airbus A320-232 | British Airways | |
| G-GATU* | Airbus A320-232 | British Airways | |
| G-JMAB* | Boeing 757-3CQ | Thomas Cook Airlines | |
| G-LERE* | ATR-72-212A (ATR-72-500) | Aurigny Air Services | |
| G-NRWY# | Boeing 737-8JP | Norwegian Air UK | |
| G-NSEY* | Embraer ERJ-195-200STD | Aurigny Air Services | |
| G-TCDH* | Airbus A321-211 | Thomas Cook Airlines | |
| G-TCDK* | Airbus A321-211 | Thomas Cook Airlines | |
| G-VROM# | Boeing 747-443 | Virgin Atlantic Airways | |
| G-VYGK* | Airbus Voyager KC2 (A330-243 MRTT) | AirTanker Services | Op for Thomas Cook Airlines |
| G-ZBAU* | Airbus A320-214 | Monarch Airlines | |
| LN-DYZ | Boeing 737-8JP | Norwegian Air Shuttle | |
| LN-LNG* | Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner | Norwegian Air Long Haul | |
| LN-LNL* | Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner | Norwegian Air Long Haul | |
| SP-ENR* | Boeing 737-8Q8 | Enter Air | |
| TC-JVH* | Boeing 737-8F2 | Turkish Airlines | |
| TF-AMV* | Boeing 747-412 | Air Atlanta Icelandic | Op for Med-View Airlines |
| VQ-BHN* | Airbus A320-214 | Aeroflot Russian Airlines | |
| YL-BBM* | Boeing 737-522 | Air Baltic | |
| OTT | |||
| EI-DYZ* | Boeing 737-8AS | Ryanair | |
| EI-ENA* | Boeing 737-8AS | Ryanair | |
Day Two ~ Thursday 12th January
London Gatwick Airport
| REG | A/C TYPE | OPERATOR | NOTES |
| A6-EOZ* | Airbus A380-861 | Emirates | |
| C-GSAT* | Airbus A310-308 | Air Transat | |
| C-FOGJ* | Boeing 767-338ER | WestJet Airlines | |
| CS-TMW* | Airbus A320-214 | TAP Portgual | |
| EC-JFH* | Airbus A320-214 | Iberia Express | |
| EC-LUN* | Airbus A320-232 | Vueling Airlines | |
| EI-FJJ* | Boeing 737-8JP | Norwegian Air International | |
| EI-FJM* | Boeing 737-8JP | Norwegian Air International | |
| EI-FOD* | Boeing 737-8AS | Ryanair | |
| G-CIXO* | Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner | Norwegian Air Long Haul | |
| G-GATR* | Airbus A320-232 | British Airways | |
| G-TUIJ* | Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner | Thomson Airways | |
| G-VAST* | Boeing 747-41R | Virgin Atlantic Airways | |
| G-VGEM* | Airbus A330-343X | Virgin Atlantic Airways | |
| LN-NID | Boeing 737-8JP | Norwegian Air Shuttle | |
| TC-AMP* | Boeing 737-82R | Pegasus Airlines | |
| TC-JVL* | Boeing 737-8F2 | Turkish Airlines | |
| TF-SON* | Airbus A321-211 | Thomas Cook Airlines | |
| YL-BBR# | Boeing 737-31S | Air Baltic |
I made my debut at Redhill on my way to Luton as like with Gamston it's right along the route and it would be pointless not calling. According to the internet the thing to do is go into London Helicopter Centre and ask for access and it will be granted, unfortunately though this company appears to be no-more, so I went into the excellent airfield café - one of the best I've seen, had a drink and asked the staff if they knew whether or not it was acceptable to go airside. Whilst they weren't 100% sure they were confident enough for me to do so with the intention of double checking with the first airfield worker I came across, so I left the cafe and turned left to walk down the hangar line, looking at Google Earth I should have turned right and done the single hangar next door first, and I had already read off most aircraft in the hangar directly behind the café through a window. The first hangar I came to was closed up, the second only had a couple of news helicopters in, and it was the third where I bumped into someone who advised I should have been wearing hi-viz (no-one else was otherwise I would have put it on anyway) and ring the tower to ask permission which in all likelihood would have been granted. The tower is at the opposite side of the airfield so I got the phone number of the website and rang it but no-one answered, it was starting to chuck it down quite heavily and I was pleased enough with what I'd got so I just abandoned the rest and carried on to Luton. One good thing about the website is it has live arrivals / departures including aircraft registrations so if you struggle to read off anything moving in the distance you can check online.
Redhill Aerodrome
KRH | EGKR
| REG | A/C TYPE | OPERATOR | NOTES |
| G-ABWP* | Spartan Arrow | Private | |
| G-AMUF* | de Havilland DHC-1 Chipmunk 21 | The Redhill Tailwheel Flying Club | |
| G-AWUT* | Reims Cessna F150J | Aerospace Resources Ltd | |
| G-BERA* | Morane Saulnier Rallye 150ST | Private | |
| G-BIUY* | Piper PA-28-181 Cherokee Archer II | Redhill Air Services | |
| G-BJWZ* | Piper L18C Super Cub | G-BJWZ Syndicate | |
| G-BMCN* | Reims Cessna F152 | Cristal Air Ltd | |
| G-BMKB* | Piper L21B Super Cub | Cubair Flight Training | |
| G-BMUO* | Cessna A152 Aerobat | Redhill Air Services | |
| G-BNEL* | Piper PA-28-161 Cherokee Warrior II | Private | |
| G-BOLV | Cessna 152 | Private | |
| G-BOSO* | Cessna A152 Aerobat | Redhill Air Services | |
| G-BPZB* | Cessna 120 | Cessna 120 Group | |
| G-BXHF* | de Havilland DHC-1 Chipmunk 22 | Hotel Fox Syndicate | Marked WP930/J |
| G-CBAL* | Piper PA-28-161 Cherokee Warrior II | CBAL Flying Group | |
| G-CDJF* | Mainair Flight Design CT2K | Private | |
| G-CDND* | Gulfstream American GA-7 Cougar | Private | |
| G-CGHB* | Nanchang CJ-6A Chujiao | Private | Marked 61367/37 |
| G-ETWO* | Guimbal Cabri G2 | European Helicopter Importers Ltd | |
| G-JANS* | Reims FR172J Rocket | Private | |
| G-KAOS* | Vans RV-7 | Private | |
| G-KSSA* | MD Helicopters MD902 Explorer | Specialist Aviation Services | Kent / Surry / Sussex Air Ambulance |
| G-LCFC* | Agusta A109S Grand | Ceilo Del Ray Co Ltd | Op by Elite Helicopters (Solent Helicopters) |
| G-LMBO* | Robinson R44 Raven | Thurston Helicopters | |
| G-MKAS* | Piper PA-28-140 Cherokee | 3G's Flying Group | |
| G-NIKK* | Diamond DA20-C1 Katana | Cubair Flight Training | |
| G-NPTV | Eurocopter AS355NP Twin Squirrel | Arena Aviation | |
| G-OMST* | Piper PA-28-161 Cherokee Warrior III | Mid-Sussex Timber Co Ltd | |
| G-PGGY* | Robinson R44 Clipper II | EBG Helicopters | |
| G-PPLL* | Vans RV-7A | Private | |
| G-RTMY* | Aerosport Ikarus C42 FB100 | Mike Yankee Group | |
| G-TAKE | Aérospatiale AS355F1 Twin Squirrel | Arena Aviation | |
| G-XARA* | CZAW PS-28 Cruiser | Andrew English PS-28 Group | |
| N916CD* | Cirrus SR22 | Private |
Luton was less caotic following the completion of recent construction works and unlike the previous development which included a high, solid fence going up near the Harrods ramp making spotting around that area much harder, this time it's gone in our favour as you're now much more up close and personal with the bizjets parked at the new Signature facility, and photos may even be possible on one or two. Also the new multi-storey has opened with the top level receiving rave reviews as a spotting location, though I didn't go myself. Most people have said they get approached by security up there but they are friendly and understanding of our hobby and do not move people on. For the number crunchers, this may prove a one-stop shop, you may be able to log the entire airport from up there, just go on foot and not by car as the prices are said to be extortionate!!
London Luton Airport
LTN | EGGW
| REG | A/C TYPE | OPERATOR | NOTES |
| 9H-ILZ* | Bombardier CL-600-2B19 Challenger 850 | VistaJet Malta | |
| 9H-SPA* | Gulfstream G-IV-X (G450) | Corporate | |
| 9H-VJL* | Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global 6000 | VistaJet Malta | |
| B-KCK* | Gulfstream G-V-SP (G550) | Corporate | |
| B-KEY* | Gulfstream G-VI (G650) | Metrojet Ltd | |
| CS-GLA* | Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global 6000 | NetJets Europe | |
| D-AZZA* | Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 605 | DC Aviation | |
| D-IAAB* | Embraer EMB-500 Phenom 100 | Arcus Air | |
| D-IVVB* | Cessna 525A CitationJet CJ2+ | Atlas Air Service | |
| EI-EBL | Boeing 737-8AS | Ryanair | |
| EI-FRE* | Boeing 737-8AS | Ryanair | |
| EI-FTC* | Boeing 737-800 | Ryanair | Note Boeing recently dropped customer codes |
| G-EZAI | Airbus A319-111 | easyJet | |
| G-EZAU | Airbus A319-111 | easyJet | |
| G-EZBG | Airbus A319-111 | easyJet | |
| G-EZFT | Airbus A319-111 | easyJet | |
| G-EZFY* | Airbus A319-111 | easyJet | |
| G-EZIP | Airbus A319-111 | easyJet | |
| G-EZIS | Airbus A319-111 | easyJet | |
| G-EZTA | Airbus A320-214 | easyJet | |
| G-EZUR* | Airbus A320-214 | easyJet | |
| G-GXLS | Cessna 560XL Citation XLS | London Executive Aviation | |
| G-IPAX | Cessna 560XL Citation Excel | Pacific Aviation | Op by Air Charter Scotland |
| G-JAGA | Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300 | London Executive Aviation | |
| G-KLNR | Hawker Beechcraft 400XP | Saxonair Charter | |
| G-LEAA | Cessna 510 Citation Mustang | London Executive Aviation | |
| G-LEAX | Cessna 560XL Citation XLS | London Executive Aviation | |
| G-SMSM* | Dassault Falcon 2000EX | London Executive Aviation | |
| G-TAWP | Boeing 737-8K5 | Thomson Airways | |
| HA-LPQ | Airbus A320-232 | Wizz Air | |
| HA-LWU | Airbus A320-232 | Wizz Air | |
| HA-LXE* | Airbus A321-231 | Wizz Air | |
| HA-LXH* | Airbus A321-231 | Wizz Air | |
| HA-LYM | Airbus A320-232 | Wizz Air | |
| HZ-SK5* | Gulfstream G-IV-X (G450) | Corporate | |
| LY-LTD* | Raytheon Hawker 800XP | Charter Jets | |
| M-CCCP* | Bombardier BD-700-1A11 Global 5000 | Heda Airlines | |
| M-DMBP* | Bombardier Learjet 40 | Ven Air | |
| M-HOME* | Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global 6000 | Corporate | |
| M-UNIS* | Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global Express | Lapwing Ltd | |
| M-WING* | Dassault Falcon 7X | GAMA Aviation | |
| N34HS* | Gulfstream G-V-SP (G550) | HS Arrow LLC | |
| N91LA* | Gulfstream G-V-SP (G550) | Aviation Leasing Co LLC | |
| N487C* | Dassault Falcon 7X | General Avileasing Inc | |
| N559X* | Gulfstream G-V-SP (G550) | American Express Travel Service Co Inc | |
| N721BS | Gulfstream G-IV | CFS Air LLC | |
| N737ER | Boeing 737-7CJ BBJ1 | BBJ One | |
| N793CG* | Dassault Falcon 900EX | Meridian Air Charter | |
| N815PA* | Bombardier BD-700-1A11 Global 5000 | Pinstripe Leasing LLC | |
| N910AF* | Gulfstream G-IV | AF Holdings LLC | |
| P4-SLK* | Embraer ERJ-135BJ Legacy 650 | Comlux KZ | |
| PH-LAU | Dassault Falcon 900EX | IQ Air BV | |
| T7-AZG* | Gulfstream G-VI-ER (G650ER) | Tyrolean Jet Service | |
| T7-BRE* | Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 | ACASS Canada | |
| T7-BSA# | Gulfstream G-IV-X (G450) | Saudi Oger Ltd | |
| VP-CCN* | Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global Express | Turbo Dragon Investments Ltd | |
| VP-CFO | Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global 6000 | Wings of Grace Ltd | |
| VQ-BZM | Gulfstream G-IV-X (G450) | Corporate |
The weather improved dramatically at East Midlands, literally right above the airport - if you drove out of the airport and turned left you turned into a clear afternoon with unlimited visibility, but turn right and it was heavy rain and sleet. I was toying with the idea of calling it a day here and booking into a hotel and logging the cargo traffic, but with the armageddon-like weather reports I figured I'd best get back home.
East Midlands Airport
EMA | EGNX
| REG | A/C TYPE | OPERATOR | NOTES |
| G-BOUK | Piper PA-34-200T Seneca II | Private | |
| G-FIND | Reims Cessna F406 Caravan II | RVL Group | |
| G-GDFF | Boeing 737-85P | Jet2 Holidays | |
| G-GDFU* | Boeing 737-8K5 | Jet2 Holidays | |
| G-JZHF | Boeing 737-8K2 | Jet2 Holidays | |
| G-RVLZ | Cessna 310R | RVL Group | |
| M-SPEK* | Beechcraft B350 Super King Air | Specsavers Aviation | |
| OY-CIU* | ATR-42-300 | Danish Air Transport | |
| OY-SRN* | Boeing 767-219ER(BDSF) | Star Air | |
| SE-MHE | British Aerospace ATP(F) | West Atlantic |
The trip overall has been very high yielding, there hasn't been nearly as much volume as a normal London run but because I based the trip on my needs rather than my desires I found almost everything was going in the book. I might repeat the trip over a longer timeframe in March, and get to those airports I had to drop this time around.