DTVMovements Night Shoot
Report by Chris Smith
Air Traffic Control
Not a trip report per se but following the success of our debut "Nightshoot" event on Friday 9th March we have collated as many of the photos as possible below.
The event was conceived as a belated ten year celebration of the DTVMovements website which launched in March 2007. We were capped at 30 tickets by Durham Tees Valley Airport and whilst sales were slower than I would have liked, we did sell out a couple of weeks beforehand and even managed to accommate one extra who asked to be placed on a reserve list should anyone withdraw.
My main concern was whether or not the local enthusiast population would be interested enough in a photography event featuring aircraft they see on a weekly or more basis; Dave shared the concern and my hope was that being able to photograph them in a controlled environment at night under floodlights coupled with the pot luck gamble of potential visiting aircraft would be enough. As it turned out, the local enthusiast population largely did not go for it, with a few regulars not on the guest list:- we would be keen to learn if there is a common reason - is it the fact that it's only residents as suggested above? Did the price put you off (on hindsight it was never going to be free, we should have made this more clear when probing potential interest prior to confirming the event). Those who were there did appear to be seasoned enthusiasts so I can only assume we attracted people from far and wide. Spectators from within the FoDTVA group made up the rest and air crew took the total number up to about 40.
Photographers preparing their
shots
Our webmaster at work
I think all three of us updaters were surprised at just how much it was enjoyed and appreciated by both those attending and ourselves, and very early on in the evening it became clear that a follow-up is guaranteed and it will probably become an annual occurance going forward. We tried unsuccessfully to arrange ATC visits, something we can hopefully introduce next time, we were also offered a donut stall which I started craving half way through the event! If we can find a way to get it airside it will be another welcome addition next time around!!
Dave checking one of the
floodlights
Hangar 360 wonderfully lit up
I would like to thank both Daves for not only entertaining the idea of a nightshoot, but for allowing it to double up as a 10th anniversary celebration of this website; and for assisting with planning and preparation. Thanks also to Joseph Parr Ltd for providing the floodlights; to Durham Tees Valley Airport in particular Operations Manager Steve Land for not only accommodating us but for allowing us more or less carte blanche, the Friends group for allowing us use of their ticketing agent and bank account as well as assistance on the evening and finally a thanks to the air operators and aircraft owners; whilst we photographed all aircraft on site that we could access, thanks in particular must go out to Cobham Aviation Services, Thales Flight Inspection and Scenic Air Tours North East for providing their aircraft and personnel on the evening, Hangar 3 West Chairman John Elliott as well as the owners of G-AKDN, G-BCPG, G-GOBD, G-MUMY and G-STEA.
Photos
(in surname alphabetical order)