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Essex

By Chris Smith

I went to visit my sister for a few days ahead of Christmas who lives near Southend, and naturally I saw an opportunity to visit plenty of places during the trip. It would have been very easy to just "do the usual" Stansted/Luton/East Midlands etc and sure enough there was some of that, but since I was near the sea, I decided to push the boat out a bit.
 
Day One
Sunday 11th December
 
I learned early on in my spotting career that tight schedules take the fun away but with darkness descending around 3pm I thought it would be unavoidable on the trip down, and sure enough I did end up dropping visits to North Weald and Stapleford, luckily however I was able to fit them in elsewhere rather than abandon them completely.

Gamston provided the usual break in driving. My old oppo on baggage at Teesside until a couple of months ago worked here previously, unfortunately he no longer has any contacts otherwise airside access would have been attempted! It was surprisingly busy given it was a Sunday morning coupled with my arrival 20 minutes before it was due to open. I started to realise weather was going to be an issue here, something engine running in the distance couldn't be seen because of the thick fog.
 
Retford Gamston Airport
EGNE
9H-DGB Diamond DA 42 M-NG Guardian DEA Aviation  
G-BHOZ Socata TB9 Tampico Private  
G-DJET Diamond DA 42 Twin Star DEA Aviation  
G-DMNG Diamond DA 42 M-NG Guardian DEA Aviation  
G-IRJE Diamond DA 62 SERE Ltd (IAS Medical)  
G-PHOR Reims Cessna FRA150L Aerobat Private  
G-PHUN Reims Cessna FRA150L Aerobat Private  
G-VLTT Diamond DA 42 Twin Star Private  
G-ZATG Diamond DA 42 M Guardian Airtask Group  
N242CV Diamond DA 42 NG Twin Star Private (Carole Vorderman)  
 
Both of Peterborough's airports were visited; but by now the fog was really closing in with almost zero visibility. At Sibson, last time they gave me a key to the hangars and let me crack on!! No such luck this time they only let me look in the one underneath the tower, and none of the occupants were needed. They'd written the day off and were soon heading home so I got there just in time.
 
Peterborough Sibson Airfield
EGSP
G-BAXU Reims Cessna F150L Peterborough Flying School  
G-BAXY Reims Cessna F172M Skyhawk Peterborough Flying School  
G-BEKN Reims Cessna FRA150M Aerobat Peterborough Flying School  
G-HIVE Reims Cessna F150M Peterborough Flying School  
 
Similar situation at Conington, in the past they've let me go out on my own and wander around, today I had to be escorted. It was quiet compared to previous visits but they were seeing the day through in the hope the weather cleared. Only G-DECE was a scrape, I'd seen it before at Blackbushe in 2012 as G-DHGS.
 
Peterborough Business Airport
EGSF
G-BGAE Reims Cessna F152 Aerolease Ltd  
G-BGKU Piper PA-28R-201 Cherokee Arrow III Aerolease Ltd  
G-BGNT Reims Cessna F152 Aerolease Ltd  
G-BNJB Cessna 152 Aerolease Ltd  
G-BOZI Piper PA-28-161 Cherokee Warrior II Aerolease Ltd  
G-DECE Robinson R22 Beta HeliMech Ltd  
G-ECGC Reims Cessna F172N Skyhawk Private  
G-RAFC Robin R2112 Alpha RAF Charlie Group  

 
Cambridge was a complete waste of petrol, it's out of the way and was the worst affected by fog thus far, with nothing other than a few tins visible, luckily most of them went in the book. To save a wasted trip, I tried my luck asking for any form of access in Cambridge Aero Club, but no joy! Luckily five out of seven went in the bag. On my first ever visit here a few years ago there was a lane leading to houses that looked over the entire airport on the southern perimeter, then on my next visit the presumably sick-of-spotters residents had put up a large fence blocking any view. Now, some business units have been built immediately west of these houses that should afford an even better overview of the airport - I didn't try mind as it would have been pointless in the fog.
 
Cambridge City Airport
CBG / EGSC
G-BBZV Piper PA-28R-200 Cherokee Arrow II Private  
G-BFWB Piper PA-28-161 Cherokee Warrior II Mid-Anglia School of Flying  
G-CLNA Cessna 152 Brinkley Aviation  
G-CLNB Cessna 152 Brinkley Aviation  
G-CLNC Cessna 152 Brinkley Aviation  
G-ORDM Cessna 182T Skylane The Cambridge Aero Club  
N246FA Cirrus SR20 Private  
 
Stansted I hoped my luck would change, as I was almost there when suddenly the fog just cleared. Ironically I could have done with it hanging around a bit longer as it would have kept me concealed whilst sneaking around the north side, given being a Sunday there was less activity and cars around so less opportunities to stop and write down regs etc without being noticed, as the Police are usually fairly on the ball and sure enough both them and security were driving around the area at the same time as me. In the end I used the voice record feature on my phone and read out regs as I passed the relevant areas. I took a sizeable risk by actually driving through the raised barrier into the Inflite car park and it bagged me the Lineage and A319CJ. No sign of a Kuwait A338 or Kazakhstan Border Guard C295 reported as being on site. I briefly went to the Belmer Road viewing area before doing a final lap of the north side then called it a day.
 
London Stansted Airport
STN / EGSS
111 Lockheed VC-130H Hercules Royal Saudi Air Force  
65001 Embraer ERJ-135BJ Legacy 650 Kazakhstan Border Guard  
9H-MAC Boeing 737-548 Comlux Aviation Malta  
9H-QBD Boeing 737-8AS Malta Air  
9H-VUC Boeing 737-8MAX-200 Malta Air  
9M-III Boeing 737-82Z BBJ2 Sultan of Johor  
A6-EQJ Boeing 777-300ER Emirates  
B-2073 Boeing 777-F1BLRF China Southern Airlines  
CN-SHS Embraer ERJ-190-100ECJ Lineage 1000 Dalia Air  
CS-PHB Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300 NetJets Europe  
D-APGS Airbus A319-115(CJ) K5-Aviation  
D-CJMS Pilatus PC-24 Platoon Aviation (Volkswagen Air Service)  
EI-DHC Boeing 737-8AS Ryanair  
EI-ENJ Boeing 737-8AS Ryanair  
EI-EVM Boeing 737-8AS Ryanair  
EI-HGH Boeing 737-8MAX-200 Ryanair  
EI-HGL Boeing 737-8MAX-200 Ryanair  
ER-AXL Airbus A319-112 Air Moldova  
G-GBNI Airbus A321-253NX(LR) Titan Airways  
G-NEWG Boeing 737-76N TAG Aviation Stansted (2 Excel Aviation)  
G-POWH Boeing 757-256 Titan Airways  
G-POWU Airbus A321-211 Titan Airways  
G-RUKH Boeing 737-8AS Ryanair UK  
G-ULFM Gulfstream G-IV-X (G450) Pen-Avia  
HB-JBE Airbus A220-300 Swiss International Airlines  
LX-JFE Pilatus PC-12/47E NG Jetfly Aviation  
M-ABJA Bombardier Learjet 45 Aviation Finance and Leasing Ltd (Ryanair)  
M-ABRB Bombardier Learjet 45 Aviation Finance and Leasing Ltd (Ryanair)  
M-AGMA Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global Express XRS Sugar Mama Ltd  
N324CH Boeing 737-7ET BBJ1 Crescent Heights  
N517DW Gulfstream G-V-SP (G550) Colleen Corp  
N669GD Gulfstream G-VII (G600) Morgan Stanley Management Services II Inc  
N691GD Gulfstream G-VI-ER (G650ER) Cove Aviation  
N770BB Boeing 757-2J4 Yucaipa Companies LLC  
N865FD Boeing 777-200LRF FedEx Express  
OE-IAC Boeing 737-4M0SF ASL Airlines Belgium  
OK-OSK Cessna 680 Citation Sovereign Air Bohemia  
OK-SWE Boeing 737-8MAX Smartwings  
SP-RSA Boeing 737-8AS Buzz  
SP-RSF Boeing 737-800 Buzz  
SP-TTA Hawker Beechcraft Hawker 400XP Smart Jet  
SX-AQG Cessna 560XL Citation XLS Karatzis Group  
T7-0302 Gulfstream G-V-SP (G550) Corporate  
TC-RBR Airbus A321-251N Pegasus Airlines  
TC-RBT Airbus A321-251N Pegasus Airlines  
TF-AMH Boeing 747-48EM Air Atlanta Icelandic  
VQ-BWM Boeing 747-406M JetOneX  
       
Day Two
Monday 12th December
 
A complete wash-out! Snow stopped play! Planned today were visits to two new locations for me, Damyns Hall and Thurrock, the latter being the closest of any of the planned visits to my sisters house, so it was easy enough to squeeze it in later on in the trip, Damyns Hall was a write-off however.
       
Day Three
Tuesday 13th December
 
The day began with a planned visit to Norwich being canned; I couldn't justify a near five-hour round trip for the sake of an hours worth of spotting tops. Instead I went to the much closer Southend, which has declined considerably since my one and only previous visit on 28th June 2012. It's my favourite kind of airport with a complex layout; you can turn down an obscure alley and discover a new cache of aircraft. Unfortunately with such heavy investment in the commercial operation, the more interesting areas are in a state of neglect in places. I got chased from one area here, luckily not before I'd got what I needed, the guy was by no means rude but his tone could certainly have been better.
 
London Southend Airport
SEN / EGMC
FAB-108 British Aerospace Avro RJ70 Bolivian Air Force / TAM Bolivia  
G-ATEX Victa Airtourer 100 Private  
G-AVNO Piper PA-28-180 Cherokee November Oscar Flying Group  
G-AVRZ Piper PA-28-180 Cherokee C RZ Group  
G-AVWM Piper PA-28-140 Cherokee G-AVWM Group  
G-BMXC Cessna 152 MK Aero Support  
G-BOLW Cessna 152 G-BOLW Group  
G-BOTF Piper PA-28-151 Cherokee Warrior G-BOTF Group  
G-BSVM Piper PA-28-161 Cherokee Warrior II EFG (Flying Services) Ltd  
G-BSZO Cessna 152 G-BSZO Group  
G-BXSE Cessna 172R Skyhawk MK Aero Support  
G-CCAV Piper PA-28-181 Cherokee Archer II Alpha Victor Group  
G-HUFF Cessna 182P Skylane Cousins Holdings Ltd  
G-JOTC British Aerospace 146-300QT AERS ex Jota Aviation
G-OTTK Piper PA-28-180 Cherokee E TK2 Flying Group  
G-MPRL Cessna 210M Centurion Mike Stapleton and Company Ltd  
G-THSL Piper PA-28R-201 Cherokee Arrow III Private  
M-SAXY Pilatus PC-12/45 Saxon Logistics Ltd  
N95TA Piper PA-31-310 Navajo B High Flyers Aviation Inc  
N2121T Gulfstream American AA-5B Tiger Private  
VH-AHL/6 Hawker Siddeley HS.748-2 Private ex Royal Australian Air Force
VH-AMQ/3 Hawker Siddeley HS.748-2 Private ex Royal Australian Air Force
VP-COM Cessna 500 Citation I Corporate  
 
I managed to tag Thurrock onto the end of today after binning it yesterday, but being in the back of beyond the roads were still affected by ice and snow, and any sane person would have turned around and given up. Reports online suggest it is not a friendly place, they're a very private airfield and wish to remain so. On reaching, there was no sign of anything resembling a clubhouse, so I just picked a few off through the hedge, happily, the lot were needed!
 
Thurrock Airfield
EGMT
G-AWSL Piper PA-28-180 Cherokee D Private  
G-BFRS Reims Cessna F172N Skyhawk Aerocomm Ltd  
G-BGLO Reims Cessna F172N Skyhawk Private  
G-BOOL Cessna 172N Skyhawk Falcon Flying Services  
G-KIMK Partenavia P68B Victor Private  
 
Day Four
Wednesday 14th December
 
What should have been a 90-minute journey turned into 2hr 20m of traffic hell, but worth it as Lydd is something of a dark horse, with four or five packed hangars all closed sadly, but still more than I expected parked out. I tried my luck for access in the quaint terminal/aero club building and whilst I was unsuccessful, they indicated an advanced request might have yielded fruit.
 
Lydd London Ashford Airport
LYX / EGMD
G-BBNT Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain Gulfjet Aviation  
G-BRUD Piper PA-28-181 Cherokee Archer II Falcon Flying Services  
G-BTKT Piper PA-28-161 Cherokee Warrior II Falcon Flying Services  
G-CCHL Piper PA-28-181 Cherokee Archer III Archer Three Ltd  
G-CDMA Piper PA-28-151 Cherokee Warrior Falcon Flying Services  
G-FABA Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain Gulfjet Aviation  
G-INTV Aérospatiale AS355F2 Twin Squirrel A2B Heli (Charters)  
G-LYDF Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain Gulfjet Aviation  
G-MCGE Sikorsky S-92A HM Coastguard (Bristow Helicopters)  
G-OTGA Piper PA-28R-201 Cherokee Arrow III TG Aviation  
G-STHA Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain Atlantic Bridge Aviation (Lydd Air)  
G-VIPU Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain Gulfjet Aviation  
G-XLXL Robin DR400/160 Chevalier Private  
ZZ514 AgustaWestland AW159 Wildcat HMA2 Royal Navy (Fleet Air Arm) - 825 NAS  


 
Headcorn was the first of three stops on my route back to Essex, but due to the snow all was shut up. This place must come alive on a good day as there are many aviation companies based here.
 
Headcorn Aerodrome
EGKH
G-ATOI Piper PA-28-140 Cherokee Rayham Ltd  
G-ATWJ Reims Cessna F172F Skyhawk Shenley Farms (Aviation) Ltd  
G-AVIS Reims Cessna F172H Skyhawk Private  
G-BJOV Reims Cessna F150K G-BJOV Flying Group Wreck
G-BMFD Piper PA-23-250 Aztec F Acquisition 395372709 Ltd  
G-BNYL Cessna 152 Private  
G-BPME Cessna 152 Free-Air Ltd  
G-KEYS Piper PA-23-250 Aztec F Acquisition 395372709 Ltd  
G-SKKY Cessna 172S Skyhawk Skytrek Air Services  

 
I mistakenly thought Rochester had a hard runway, but it's a grass airfield, as such snow had stopped play again. It must have a very high opinion of itself, the infrastructure and branding are akin to a commercial airport, in fact, it had a bigger "terminal" and hangars than Lydd did!
 
Rochester Airport
RCS / EGTO
G-BFBE Robin HR200/100 Club Private  
G-BIKE Piper PA-28R-200 Cherokee Arrow II Private  
G-BOXJ Piper L4H Cub Private Marked 479897/JD
G-BRGI Piper PA-28-180 Cherokee E Private  
G-BTFC Reims Cessna F152 Private  
G-BUEG Cessna 152 Private  
G-BZDH Piper PA-28R-200 Cherokee Arrow Private  
G-CBGW Thruster T600N 450 CBGW Group  
G-CDCW/3 Escapade 912(1) Private  
G-CISO Cessna 150G Enterprise Purchasing Ltd  
 
Biggin Hill was the one I was both looking forward to and also a little wary of. My one previous visit here was on 19th October 2012 when I was lucky enough to fly in a Blink Mustang to Luton on an empty leg, I was invited by some of the Geordie spotters and it worked out about £75pp if memory serves. Unfortunately I was heavily fatigued due to late work/early morning and wasn't very good company on the day, they cut me out of the subsequent magazine articles and reports they had published and never invited me on a trip again, perhaps understandably so. Anyway on that occasion we weren't able to visit the south/east sides of the airport, only the terminal side. Today was the reverse, I couldn't get to the terminal as there is a manned gate, and whilst the southern/east sides does have a barrier, the Internet advised me to drive through it all the same all the way around to the Heritage hangar, although cautioned that security are on the ball and jump on anyone not meant to be there, but you can't not try! The barrier as it happened was raised anyway, and I didn't stop anywhere for any length of time, once again using my phone as a dictaphone and reading out registrations. You need two things here, 1) a second person and 2) time, with the latter, you could probably duck and dive into various nooks and crannies that would afford a view over to the terminal side. If Southend is an example of an airport whose ancilliary area has been neglected, Biggin Hill demonstrates what can be achieved if such an area is looked after. Two large hangars have been constructed since my last visit, one next to the terminal and one on the east side, I believe both are used by Bombardier - certainly the east one is. G-LATO is a curious case; both the airframe and aircraft type are more or less brand new, yet it has been cancelled by the CAA and did appear from a distance to be in the early stages of neglect from being derelict, but could be wrong.
 
London Biggin Hill Airport
BQH / EGKB
9H-WIT Pilatus PC-12/47E NG Nextgen Aviation  
BAPC.431 Supermarine Spitfire IA (replica) Royal Air Force - 92 Squadron Gate Guard - marked K9998/QJ-K
BAPC.477 Hawker Hurricane (replica) Royal Air Force - 32 Squadron Gate Guard - marked P2121/GZ-L
D-ABEY Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 605 Imperial Jet Europe  
F-HJFP Pilatus PC-12/47E NG Get1Jet  
G-BANX Reims Cessna F172M Skyhawk Oakfleet 2000 Ltd  
G-BCCY Robin HR200/100 Club Private  
G-BSVM Piper PA-28-161 Cherokee Warrior II EFG (Flying Services) Seen at Southend
G-BTNH Piper PA-28-161 Cherokee Warrior II Falcon Flying Services  
G-CLFY Piper PA-28-181 Cherokee Archer II G-CLFY Group  
G-CSPT Gippsaero GA8-TC 320 Airvan Downlock Ltd  
G-ENNA Piper PA-28-161 Cherokee Warrior II Falcon Flying Services  
G-GFZG Piper PA-28-140 Cherokee E GUAR Flying Group  
G-HIRE Gulfstream American GA-7 Cougar Private  
G-ILZZ Piper PA-31-310 Navajo Private  
G-LATO Textron 680A Citation Latitude Zenith Aviation  
G-LEME Piper PA-28-181 Cherokee Archer II Private  
G-OALD Socata TB20 Trinidad Gold Aviation  
G-RODD Cessna 310R Alpha Properties (London) Ltd  
G-SROY Piper PA-28-180 Cherokee Falcon Flying Services  
G-VANU Piper PA-28RT-201T Turbo Cherokee Arrow IV Falcon Flying Services  
G-VTLY Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global 6000 Gama Aviation  
M-ACPT British Aerospace 125-1000B Remo Investments Ltd (Gama Aviation)  
M-DSML British Aerospace 125-800B St Francis Group (Aviation) Ltd  
N55EU Cessna P210N Centurion Private  
N114WG Westland 30-100-60 Wessex Aviation  
OE-IOY Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 Air Nimbus  
OH-JFM Pilatus PC-12/47E NG Hendell Aviation  
VT-EKT Westland 30-100-60 Wessex Aviation  
XX414 Westland Gazelle AH1 ex Army Air Corps  
ZS-AKF Bombardier BD-100-1A10 Challenger 350 Fireblade Investments Ltd  
       
Day Five
Thursday 15th December
 
Today the snow benefited me for a change! Stapleford was closed because of it but with nothing flying that meant I could have a prolonged conversation with the tower controller Bob and fire officer Nick, who after allowing me limited airside access were then able to provide the registrations of aircraft visible but not readable, which probably doubled the log! Very friendly place.
 
Stapleford Aerodrome
EGSG
F-GITZ American General AG-5B Tiger Private  
G-AZOL Piper PA-34-200 Seneca I Stapleford Flying Club  
G-BFFW Reims Cessna F152 Stapleford Flying Club  
G-BGAA Cessna 152 PJC (Leasing) Ltd  
G-BHYR Reims Cessna F172M Skyhawk G-BHYR Group  
G-BKLO Reims Cessna F172M Skyhawk Stapleford Flying Club  
G-BMTB Cessna 152 Stapleford Flying Club  
G-BNUT Cessna 152 Stapleford Flying Club  
G-BPWE Piper PA-28-161 Cherokee Warrior II Warrior BPWE Ltd  
G-BTGY Piper PA-28-161 Cherokee Warrior II Stapleford Flying Club  
G-BTLP Grumman AA-1C Lynx Partlease Ltd  
G-BTRK Piper PA-28-161 Cherokee Warrior II Stapleford Flying Club  
G-BYHH Piper PA-28-161 Cherokee Warrior III Stapleford Flying Club  
G-BYMJ Cessna 152 Stapleford Flying Club  
G-BYOB Slingsby T67M-260 Firefly Stapleford Flying Club  
G-BYYO Piper PA-28R-201 Cherokee Arrow III Stapleford Flying Club  
G-CEOG Piper PA-28R-201 Cherokee Arrow III Private  
G-CEYH Cessna 152 Stapleford Flying Club  
G-CHAS Piper PA-28-181 Cherokee Archer II G-CHAS Flying Group  
G-GAZA Aérospatiale SA341G Gazelle I The Auster Aircraft Company  
G-GOXL Aérospatiale AS355F2 Twin Squirrel Excel Charter  
G-HFCT Reims Cessna F152 Stapleford Flying Club  
G-HILO Rockwell Commander 114 Alpha-Golf Flying Group  
G-ISMC Reims Cessna F152 Stapleford Flying Club  
G-JAKS Piper PA-28-160 Cherokee Private  
G-JSFC Tecnam P2008-JC Stapleford Flying Club  
G-MPLE Cessna 182T Skylane Private  
G-OPAM Reims Cessna F152 PJC (Leasing) Ltd  
G-PASH Aérospatiale AS355F1 Twin Squirrel Excel Charter  
G-PJCC Piper PA-28-161 Cherokee Warrior II PJC (Leasing) Ltd  
G-SACI Piper PA-28-161 Cherokee Warrior II PJC (Leasing) Ltd  
G-TSFC Tecnam P2008-JC Stapleford Flying Club  
G-VITE Robin R1180T Aiglon G-VITE Flying Group  
G-WAMS Piper PA-28R-201 Cherokee Arrow III Stapleford Flying Club  
G-ZANY Diamond DA 40D Diamond Star Altair Aviation  
N321KL Mooney M20J-201 Private  
N928HW Rockwell Commander 114B Private  
 
At North Weald the barrier was raised so I just assumed protocol had not changed and followed the road all the way around to the flying club at 20mph with my hazards on, I did start to wonder if I should have stopped and informed them of my intentions, but on leaving they raised the now lowered barrier for me without questioning what I'd been up to. North Weald was also snow closed but I don't recall ever seeing quite so many parked out here before, so result!
 
North Weald Airfield
EGSX
BAPC.346 Hawker Hurricane (replica) Royal Air Force Gate guard - marked V7313/US-F
G-AZDG Beagle B121 Pup 2 Private  
G-BBZH Piper PA-28R-200 Cherokee Arrow Private  
G-BFDI Piper PA-28-181 Cherokee Archer II Skyback Ltd  
G-BHMG Reims Cessna FA152 Aerobat North Weald Flying Group  
G-BIJW Reims Cessna F152 Falcon Flying Services  
G-BJAJ Gulfstream American AA-5B Tiger Grade Digital Ltd  
G-BKIT Socata TB9 Tampico Kit Flying Group Ltd  
G-BLUV Grob G109B 109 Flying Group  
G-BNZM Cessna T210N Turbo Centurion Private  
G-BPCL Scottish Aviation Bulldog 128 121 Group Marked HKG-6
G-BRCD Cessna A152 Aerobat North Weald Flight Training  
G-BRKC Auster 5J1 Autocrat Private  
G-BSFR Cessna 152 Falcon Flying Services  
G-BTDV Piper PA-28-161 Cherokee Warrior II Falcon Flying Services  
G-BWSG BAC Jet Provost T5 Private Marked XW324/U
G-BWSV Yakovlev Yak-52 Private Marked 43
G-BWTW Mooney M20C-21 AT Aviation Sales Ltd  
G-BYCT Aero L-29 Delfin G-BKOU/2 Ltd  
G-CEEN Piper PA-28-161 Cadet North Weald Flight Training  
G-CEVM Tecnam P2002-EA Sierra Private  
G-CGDW CSA PS-28 Cruiser Onega Ltd  
G-CGLR CSA SportCruiser Private  
G-CIUM Piper PA-12 Super Cruiser Private  
G-CIUU Reims Cessna F152 North Weald Flight Training  
G-CKSC CSA SportCruiser Czechmate Syndicate  
G-CKZL Piper PA-28RT-201 Cherokee Arrow IV Magna Carta Aviation  
G-CSCS Reims Cessna F172N Skyhawk Private  
G-GIRY American General AG-5B Tiger Romeo Yankee Flying Group  
G-GLED Cessna 150M Westminster Academies Ltd  
G-LALA Reims Cessna FA150K Aerobat Private  
G-LOMN Cessna 152 North Weald Flying Group  
G-LUND Cessna 340A Corporate Derelict
G-MELL CZAW SportCruiser Private  
G-MIGG PZL-Mielec Lim-5 Private Marked 1211
G-NWFT Reims Cessna F172N Skyhawk North Weald Flight Training  
G-OALI Aérospatiale AS355F1 Twin Squirrel Private  
G-ONAV Piper PA-31-310 Navajo C Panther Aviation  
G-OSAI Piper PA-28-181 Cherokee Archer II Falcon Flying Services  
G-RORI Folland Gnat T1 Heritage Aircraft Ltd Marked XR538/01
G-ROWA Aquila AT01 Private  
G-SAMZ Cessna 150D Private  
G-SLYR Folland Gnat T1 Heritage Aircraft Ltd  
G-SMON Cessna A152 Aerobat North Weald Flying Group  
G-SMRS Cessna 172F Skyhawk Private  
G-TTAT Savannah VG Jabiru(1) Private  
G-VDIR Cessna T310R Private Derelict
N14MT Cessna TR182 Skylane RG II Private  
N17UK Cirrus SR22 Private  
N473DC Douglas C-47A Skytrain Dakota Heritage Inc Marked 2100882/3X-P
N44914 Douglas C-54Q Skymaster C-54 Master Society Marked 44-42914
XX841 SEPECAT Jaguar T4 Heritage Aircraft Ltd  
       
I felt Luton was a touch on the quiet side but Dave Rose was going south as I went north and reported a couple of hours after I'd been that it was busy again. I followed my usual M.O. of parking in the long stay, but I missed the shuttle bus and they are reportedly every 20 minutes, so decided to walk super fast around to Signature Flight Support near the Holiday Inn Express before heading back via all the usual spots. During this time two busses passed me so certainly more frequent than advertised, made all the more annoying when I missed the free hour by a single minute and had to stump up £5 for parking!! Both Southend and Luton are the latest to introduce a red route, luckily in the case of Luton it's only partial and doesn't really affect anything. These 9H- registrations are getting silly now.
 
London Luton Airport
LTN / EGGW
9H-649FX Gulfstream G-VI-ER (G650ER) Flexjet Malta  
9H-AMO Gulfstream G-IV-X (G450) Elitavia Malta  
9H-EDT Bombardier BD-100-1A10 Challenger 350 Air Charter Scotland Europe  
9H-IRL Cessna 560XL Citation Excel Corporate  
9H-VJR Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global 6000 VistaJet Malta  
9H-XOC Cessna 560XL Citation XLS Xojet Malta  
9H-SPEED Embraer EMB-550 Praetor 600 Comlux Aviation Malta  
CS-DXK Cessna 560XL Citation XLS Executive Jet Management Europe  
CS-GLI Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global 6500 NetJets Europe  
D-AHRT Dassault Falcon 900LX Heron Aviation  
D-CJMS Pilatus PC-24 Volkswagen Air Service (Platoon Aviation)  
D-ILHA Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1+ Lufthansa Flight Training  
EI-DCL Boeing 737-8AS Ryanair Dreamliner c/s
EI-DLY Boeing 737-8AS Ryanair  
EI-EKF Boeing 737-8AS Ryanair  
EI-EKW Boeing 737-8AS Ryanair  
G-EZWL Airbus A320-214 easyJet  
G-JHEX Cessna 550 Citation Bravo Jardine Norton Aviation (Dragonfly Aviation Services)  
G-OJFA Pilatus PC-12/47E NG Ravenair (Jetfly Aviation)  
G-SMHA Dassault Falcon 7X Jet Concierge Club  
G-ULFM Gulfstream G-IV-X (G450) Pen-Avia Seen at Stansted
G-UZHX Airbus A320-251N easyJet  
G-WUKD Airbus A320-232 Wizz Air  
G-WUKF Airbus A320-232 Wizz Air  
G-WUKI Airbus A321-231 Wizz Air  
HB-JKV Dassault Falcon 8X Malaysian Jet Services (ExecuJet Europe)  
HB-JTZ Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 650 ExecuJet Europe Reported as impounded
M-KING Bombardier Learjet 40 Kings Leisure Ltd  
M-OEPL Dassault Falcon 8X Cloud Services Ltd  
M-RTFS Dassault Falcon 7X Panther Jets  
M-SSML IAI Gulfstream G200 Galaxy Shimali Ltd  
M-TINK Dassault Falcon 8X Velut Ltd  
N7JP Gulfstream G-VI (G650) Penske Media Corp  
N14KL Gulfstream G-VII (G600) Corporate  
N152QS Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global 6000 NetJets International  
N167TV Gulfstream G-IV-SP (G400) Jaydak LLC  
N605CL Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 605 Aristedes Properties LLC/The Limited Brands  
N651MP Gulfstream G-VI-ER (G650ER) MPT Development Services Inc  
N653FX Gulfstream G-VI (G650) Flexjet  
N676GD Gulfstream G-VI-ER (G650ER) HP Inc  
N751QS Bombardier BD-100-1A10 Challenger 350 NetJets International  
N900LS Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global 6000 VS Service Company LLC  
N904DS Gulfstream G-VI-ER (G650ER) DSWA LLC  
N1955Q Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global 6000 GMDair Corp  
OE-FHK Cessna 510 Citation Mustang GlobeAir  
OE-LIM Gulfstream G-V-SP (G550) Avcon Jet  
OK-EMA Cessna 680 Citation Sovereign Smartwings  
P4-RED Pilatus PC-24 Aviation Horizons  
S5-BBG Cessna 550 Citation II Aero Medical Italia  
SX-WEB Airbus A320-251N Sky Express  
VP-BVV Boeing 737-73U BBJ1 GainJet Ireland  
YR-TYA Cessna 560XL Citation XLS Toyo Motor Group  
YU-PEE Embraer ERJ-135BJ Legacy 600 Air Pink  
 
My luck finally turned at Cranfield when I found myself in the company of 13 BAe 146/ARJs! But wouldn't you know it there's 14 on site! I've accounted for all of them bar one all-white example which can only be one of G-OFOM or M-ABOT, trouble is, both of those wear liveries. Due to construction in recent years the layout at Cranfield has been simplified, no more parking up and walking for miles into hidden areas, it's now pretty much a straight line with maybe three or four stops either side of the hangars.
 
Cranfield Airport
XUD / EGTC
G-ATHR Piper PA-28-180 Cherokee C Azure Flight Training Centre  
G-BADJ Piper PA-23-250 Aztec E Private  
G-BDGM Piper PA-28-151 Cherokee Warrior Private  
G-BNGT/42 Piper PA-28-181 Cherokee Archer II Private  
G-BNNY Piper PA-28-161 Cherokee Warrior II Falcon Flying Services  
G-BRTX Piper PA-28-151 Cherokee Warrior Private  
G-BRUX Piper PA-44-180 Seminole Private  
G-BSXA Piper PA-28-161 Cherokee Warrior II Falcon Flying Services  
G-BWWW British Aerospace Jetstream 31 BAE Systems (Operations)  
G-CTCB Diamond DA 42 Twin Star L3 CTS Airline and Academy Training  
G-CTSA Diamond DA 40 NG Diamond Star L3 CTS Airline and Academy Training  
G-CTSC Diamond DA 40 NG Diamond Star Escola de Aviacao Aerocondor  
G-CTSM Diamond DA 40 NG Diamond Star Escola de Aviacao Aerocondor  
G-CTSP Diamond DA 40 NG Diamond Star Escola de Aviacao Aerocondor  
G-CTST Diamond DA 40 NG Diamond Star Escola de Aviacao Aerocondor  
G-DLAL Beech E90 King Air Penylan Ltd  
G-DOCB Boeing 737-436 British Airways  
G-ETPK British Aerospace Avro RJ70 QinetiQ  
G-LHXA Diamond DA 42 NG Twin Star L3 CTS Airline and Academy Training  
G-LHXB Diamond DA 42 NG Twin Star L3 CTS Airline and Academy Training  
G-LHXC Diamond DA 42 NG Twin Star L3 CTS Airline and Academy Training  
G-LHXD Diamond DA 42 NG Twin Star L3 CTS Airline and Academy Training  
G-NFLA British Aerospace Jetstream 31 Cardiff University  
G-NFLB Saab 340B Cranfield University  
G-JOTR British Aerospace Avro RJ85 Jota Aircraft Leasing  
G-JOTS British Aerospace Avro RJ100 Jota Aircraft Leasing  
G-OFOA British Aerospace 146-100 Formula One Management  
(G-OFOM) British Aerospace 146-100 Executive Jet Support  
G-SMLA British Aerospace 146-200 Jota Aircraft Leasing  
G-TZII Thorp T-211(B) Private  
G-WEFX British Aerospace Avro RJ100 Airbus Exo Alpha  
(M-ABOT) British Aerospace Avro RJ100 Eastgate Investments LLC  
N146QT British Aerospace 146-300QT Everts Air Cargo  
N246QT British Aerospace 146-300QT Everts Air Cargo  
N346QT British Aerospace 146-300QT Everts Air Cargo  
N899AE Beech 99 Airliner Skydive UK  
SP-KWN British Aerospace Jetstream 31 Unknown  
VH-HZU British Aerospace 146-200QC C3 Pionair Australia  
VH-IJZ British Aerospace 146-200QC C3 Pionair Australia  
VH-SJE British Aerospace 146-300QT Pionair Australia  
XS458/T English Electric Lightning T5 Private  
 
East Midlands was very quiet, the highlight was B733 LZ-EBB just out of the paintshop, DR reported a Spicejet Cargo B738 when he passed through, odds are it replaced EBB in the hangar. Been a while since I did a nightshift bulb spotting cargo planes here, there have been plenty of changes and a lot went in the bag, although overall I would say it has become less varied.
 
East Midlands Airport
EMA / EGNX
A9C-DHS Boeing 767-323ER(BCF) DHL International Aviation ME  
C-FPIJ Boeing 767-33AER(BDSF) Cargojet Airways  
EC-NHF Boeing 757-223(PCF) Cygnus Air  
EI-DCY Boeing 737-8AS Ryanair  
EI-DGU Airbus A300F4-622R DHL Worldwide Express (ASL Airlines Ireland)  
EI-EKT Boeing 737-8AS Ryanair  
EI-EXD Boeing 737-8AS Ryanair  
EI-OZL Airbus A300F4-622R DHL Worldwide Express (ASL Airlines Ireland)  
EI-STH Boeing 737-429SF ASL Airlines Ireland  
EI-STJ Boeing 737-490SF ASL Airlines Ireland  
G-BMRD Boeing 757-236SF DHL Air  
G-BMRJ Boeing 757-236SF DHL Air  
G-CLNK ATR 72-211F West Atlantic UK  
G-DHLA Boeing 767-323ER(BDSF) DHL Air  
G-DHLX Boeing 777-200LRF DHL Air  
G-FIND Reims Cessna F406 Caravan II RVL Aviation  
G-GDFW Boeing 737-8K5 Jet2 Holidays  
G-JMCM Boeing 737-3Y0SF West Atlantic UK  
G-JZBD Boeing 737-800 Jet2 Holidays  
G-JZHD Boeing 737-808 Jet2 Holidays  
G-LSCW Gulfstream G-V-SP (G550) Langley Aviation (Jet Concierge Club)  
G-NPTE ATR 72-211F West Atlantic UK  
G-NPTF ATR 72-202F West Atlantic UK  
G-NPTX Boeing 737-4C9SF West Atlantic UK  
LZ-EBB Boeing 737-3H4 Electra Airways  
N110FE Boeing 767-3S2ERF FedEx Express  
N226CY Boeing 767-383ER(BDSF) ABX Air  
N354UP Boeing 767-34AERF UPS Airlines  
N859FD Boeing 777-FS2LRF FedEx Express  
N916FD Boeing 757-27BSF FedEx Express  
OE-LNC Boeing 757-28A(PCF) DHL Air Austria  
OH-WIW Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 650 Jetflite  
OY-SRK Boeing 767-204ER(BDSF) Star Air  
OY-SRN Boeing 767-219ER(BDSF) Star Air  
TC-MCC Airbus A300F4-622R MNG Airlines  
       
Day Six
Friday 16th December
 
Just the usual circuit of the airport before heading for home, EI-SEV was in the circuit along with G-CORS, on the ground LEAF and SP-DLV were noted.
 
East Midlands Airport
C-GAJG Boeing 767-323ER(BDSF) Cargojet Airways  
D-AALJ Boeing 777-F6NLRF AeroLogic  
EC-IXO Boeing 737-883(BDSF) DHL Worldwide Express (Swiftair)  
EI-SEV Boeing 737-73S Ryanair  
G-CORS Noorduyn AT-16 Harvard IIB Rolls-Royce PLC Marked KF183
G-DHLE Boeing 767-3JHERF DHL Air  
G-LEAF Reims Cessna F406 Caravan II RVL Aviation  
LZ-CGC Boeing 737-85F(SF) Cargoair  
LZ-CGQ Boeing 737-3Y5(SF) Cargoair  
N361UP Boeing 767-34AERF UPS Airlines  
OE-LNF Boeing 757-236SF DHL Air Austria  
OE-LNI Boeing 757-28A(PCF) DHL Air Austria  
OE-LNR Boeing 757-223(PCF) DHL Air Austria  
SP-DLV Cessna 525 CitationJet Bartolini Air  
       
Overflights
CS-PHM Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300 NetJets Europe 14/12 ex LCY
G-LCAA Embraer ERJ-190-100SR BA CityFlyer 14/12 into LCY
G-LCYM Embraer ERJ-190-100SR BA CityFlyer 14/12 into LCY
G-LCYO Embraer ERJ-190-100SR BA CityFlyer 14/12 into LCY
G-LCYS Embraer ERJ-190-100SR BA CityFlyer 14/12 into LCY
G-PKHA Pilatus PC-12/47E NG Ravenair 16/12 ex LBA
G-RMBH Leonardo AW109S Trekker Harpalion Flight Assets (Apollo Air Services) 15/12 ex Elstree
LX-LGN Bombardier DHC-8-Q402NG Luxair 12/12 ex LCY
LX-VCI Boeing 747-8R7F Cargolux Airlines International 14/12