A Heathrow Question

[airgirl]

I wonder whether anyone can help me, but in these sad times of terrorism and such like I quite understand if the mods want to remove this or lock it.

We have got friends who are flying out of Heathrow later this month on Singapore Airlines A380 to Sydney. They are a middle aged couple who have never flown in their lives so this is going to be a pretty spectacular first flight for them to say the least. We are hoping to go up to Heathrow and take some photos of the aircraft taking off and I was therefore wondering whether anyone could point us in the right direction of good vantage points close to the airport where we could get to with the car so that I can take some photos of their departure.

As I said, I fully realise that this may not be the kind of thread people want to respond to but any help would be much appreciated.

I have to say that I am delighted for them as they are a couple who have to scrimp and scrape to make ends meet and have been given the trip by a family member who is getting married. I cannot think of anyone who deserves it more - but boy am I jealous !!!!

[JEM60]

I believe that the roof of one of the central car parks is a good spot. I am sure that the nice people on this site, with more knowledge of your requirement than I, will point you in the right direction:) If not, please post again, and I will try and give you more information. John.

[HEATHROW DIRECTOR]

Flying to Singapore is not too costly so don't be jealous - join them!

Photographing their aeroplane depends on a number of variables - primarily which runway is in use for take-offs. If they are taking off towards the west, they swap the two runways at 3pm each day. Taking off towards London, they will almost certainly use the southern runway.

Might be an idea to post the date of their flight later in the month so that someone can give you more precise information..

[Hartington]

I'm not sure the car parks are a good idea. I believe they are monitored so you might get a visit and request to leave before you've managed to take the photo!

The other thing to bear in mind is your camera. Most aircraft, even the A380, climb pretty quickly these days. Most of the viewing spots around the airport would need a lot of zoom to avoid having the aircraft (even as one as big as the A380) being little more than a dot.

[British Grenadier]

And T2 car park is now shut due to the demolition of T2 , Hatto cross can be good but as the others say depends on departing runway , good luck .. :ok:

[Skipness One Echo]

There are a number of good spots around the perimeter. Your best bet I would suggest is Terminal 5. Go up have a coffee, and depending on what runway they are departing from, outside the departure levels up stairs is quite useful for a basic pic.

[NWSRG]

If the northern runway is in use (9L / 27R) then the car park of the Renaissance Hotel is pretty good. For a 27R departure, you'll get the chance to take some shots as she spools up. Not sure what the hotel thinks of spotters officially, but I've often seen folk with cameras poised in the car park.

Also, BAA publish the runway in use on an annual basis. Weather might cause this to change, but otherwise, it is reliable.

The landing runways are published here...http://www.baa.com/assets/Internet/Heathrow_noise/Assets/Downloads/Statics/Heathrow_RunwayAlternation.pdf

So the other runway (in the same direction!) should be the departure runway.

Hope this helps!

[One9iner]

I say print out a good quality google/airliners image of the sing. 380 on good quality paper and claim it as your own! If they're as old as you explain they'll be fooled easy!!! :D

[Geezers of Nazareth]

And remember, some days there are two Singapore A380 flights - one in the morning and one in the evening. If they're on the evening departure then it will be dark by the time the flight takes-off, so you won't be able to get a photo anyway.

[airgirl]

One9iner, just because our friends happen to be middle aged does not mean they are stupid!!

Geezers of Nazareth, I have alrady done my homework on that one and they are on the morning flight.

Their flight is 1055 on Friday 19 February and having had a look at the runway schedules I am assuming that the departure runway will be 27L but would be greatful if someone of better knowledge of LHR operations than I have got could confirm that for me.

Looking forward to a different aspect of aviation photography to my usual stuff.

[Leonard320]

Hi

I've checked the schedule and it will defiently be 27L if they are using that runway on the day. Im sure someone else can confirm but if the winds are less than 5 kt, 27L will be the runway in use. If the winds are easterly the departure runway should be 09R.

Plane-mad.com offers a spotting guide, however from my limited LHR knowledge 27L/09R is one of the trickier runways to get photos.

If 09's are in use you may get a shot from the Hatton Cross area or Caines Lane. With 27's Caines Lane will offer views of the line up, all be it through a fence and no real scope for a photo.

Im sure a LHR local will have far better ideas than this but this is guide from a non LHR local.

Thanks
Ben Leonard

[Juliet Sierra Papa]

If they're as old as you explain they'll be fooled easy!!!

One9iner, sounds to me like you need to get a bit older and Wisen up.