Heathrow Plane Spotting
Posted: Sun, 7 Sep 2008, 12:18:00, GMT | 6116 views | Commented on: Sunday, October 25, 2009
We were a bit geeky on Saturday, and went to Heathrow with some friends to watch and take pictures of planes. Troy and I were quite amused that on one of the few weekends where neither of us had any travel plans, we managed to still wind up at Heathrow!
There are a few good websites with details on best locations where you can do the Plane Spotting at Heathrow. Troy and I did two things in particular that made the adventure particularly fun. We printed out the Arrival and Departures from Heathrow before heading there (see FlightStats). The other thing was to bring a radio scanner where we could listen to air traffic control. Combining these two things, it was really cool to hear ATC clear planes for take off or landing, and then watch them physically. (And "cool" in that geeky way again!) I also feel like I need to call out for the formal record that we don't normally do this (never before, in fact). But having done it once, I'll wait for a super nice weather day next time, and time the visit to coincide with the Airbus A380, which I've never seen up close. Fun times.
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Richard (81.106.67.6) from London says: I wonder if anyone could help me, as I'm new to plan spotting I am trying to find out if there is a site that show you plan markings, that way I can work at where its going or coming from and maybe get myself a better pair of binoculars. Thank You Richard (posted Sunday, October 25, 2009)
Mark (92.233.75.221) from London says: Enter your comment here (no HTML allow Mertyle avenue is the grass field beside 27 left. Cains Lane is the next road down that is used by Spotters for reading of Numbers as both 27l/r are visible. Not much is usable on the north side on weekdays on weekends the heathrow acadamey carpark is open to spotter pay and display with McDonalds acros the main outer perimeter roadA4 (posted Monday, September 14, 2009)
Mick (217.43.130.208) from Leicester says: Hi TEE thanks for the info (posted Thursday, May 07, 2009)
Tee (86.1.65.192) from London says: Hi Mick- there are a bunch of sites for live arrival/departure lists, such as http://www.flightstats.com/go/Airport/airportDetails.do?airport=LHR and even on http://www.heathrowairport.com also. For future flight lists, you'd need to source that through OAG or a similar company. Check out http://www.travelplan.com/Product-Information/Airline-Flight-Schedules.cfm as one company that offers a free trial for scheduled flights in/out of LHR. (posted Thursday, May 07, 2009)
Mick (217.43.130.208) from Leicester says: does anyone know where i can get a copy of heathrows saturday timetable on the internet. i need the copy today as after today i will be in the london area with no access to the net. (posted Thursday, May 07, 2009)
Tee (213.199.128.149) from London says: Great question on the postcode and I'll find it next time I'm out there. We didn't have a specific place already picked out - instead we drove along the perimeter roads and found some side streets that had an open field right under the landing path. If you look at an online map around Heathrow, you can see some areas that are good candidates. I think the A30 was one of the roads we drove on to find some good locations. If I find some specific post codes, I'll post them up here also. (posted Thursday, April 23, 2009)
daron (77.86.22.8) from leicester says: I drive past heathrow lots, trying not to crash as the planes go overhead. What is the postal address of where to park and spot these birds take off. Cheers (posted Thursday, April 23, 2009)
Anonymous writes: “is there something geeky about fishing?? is there something geeky about train spotting?? for some going out to the local airport and watching planes takeoff and land is akin to going to your favorite river or creek and tryin to catch fish. I have had people say that planespotting is a weird hobby, i then say to them "what is your passion?? what ever it might be it tends to change their minds somewhat. I love to go to the airport and the challenge is to identify airplanes i dont see much, or ever.I am from colorado in the united states, and every where i go i try to go to the local airports to spot some cool planes. so I dont think planespotting is geeky. (posted Sunday, February 08, 2009)
Andy writes: Wow! I used to visit Hatton Cross once a week when I was in London... Looks like you guys were spotting the aircraft approaching 27L. The landing runway usually changes to 27R after 3pm. See my pics here: http://www.airliners.net/search/photo.search?photographersearch=Andy%20Zhang&distinct_entry=true (posted Sunday, November 16, 2008)
36 writes: Looks like Castle Island in Bahstin Ha Ba mate! (posted Friday, September 05, 2008)