What did Gatwick used to look like
PAXboy Are you referring to the BCal S61 Helicopter shuttle service to Heathrow ca 1976?
I positioned on it a few times when we were operating a DC8 out of LHR and we were bussed out to the Cargo Shed/Private Aviation Terminal area where the chopper was parked..
I positioned on it a few times when we were operating a DC8 out of LHR and we were bussed out to the Cargo Shed/Private Aviation Terminal area where the chopper was parked..
The joint BA/BCal Airlink service operated between LHR and LGW from 1978 to 1986, with the S-61N G-LINK actually being owned by the BAA. It ceased shortly after the M25 link between the two airports was completed.
I only flew it once, I seem to recall that it departed from an area adjacent to where the cargo tunnel emerges in the Central Area at LHR, but I don't recall where it terminated at LGW.
Interesting article on it here: Gatwick/Heathrow Airlink 1978-1986 | A collection of articles from a 36 year career in aviation.
I only flew it once, I seem to recall that it departed from an area adjacent to where the cargo tunnel emerges in the Central Area at LHR, but I don't recall where it terminated at LGW.
Interesting article on it here: Gatwick/Heathrow Airlink 1978-1986 | A collection of articles from a 36 year career in aviation.
The S61 was painted in BCal colours when we used it in 1978. Always travelled from LGW to LHR, never the other way round as FDT wasn't being eaten into and the taxi was cheaper!
At Gatwick the Airlink operated from Stand 1. Callsign was "Link One" northbound and "Link Two" on return from Heathrow. After the last flight of the day, it would normally hop over the railway line to the BAH maintenace hangar (not far from the Beehive), and return to stand early next morning.
Last edited by spekesoftly; 28th Oct 2016 at 10:34.
Paxing All Over The World
I never rode on it but my Unlce and Aunt in Surrey lived under the flight path and cursed it roundly. As I watched (and heard) it rattle overhead, I did not say that I would loved to have been on it! I believe 'Gatlink' came from the registration. I understood that BAA thought the M25 motorway would take all the paxs and did not reapply for the license. By the time it was clear that the M25 couldn't - there was opposition to reopening the route. I sit to be corrected and haven't got time to read the linked articles at the moment.
I think it was restricted to VFR only? How many rotations did it do each day?
I think it was restricted to VFR only? How many rotations did it do each day?
Weather permitting, flights were normally VFR* at 2,400' QNH (just below the base of the London TMA), but the Link helicopter was also IFR capable when required, using both Decca moving map and ILS. Normal schedule was ten return flights daily.
(* - SVFR in the Heathrow Control Zone, which was Rule 21 Controlled Airspace, equivalent to Class A today)
(* - SVFR in the Heathrow Control Zone, which was Rule 21 Controlled Airspace, equivalent to Class A today)
In bad weather the link used ILS down to 300m rvr at both Heathrow and Gatwick.
There was also a Decca approach using higher minima and when Gatwick were using 8L occasionally whilst the main runway was worked on the Link could sometimes land when nothing else could due to the VOR minima being higher than the Decca.
The end came following a lengthy enquiry when new routes were approved. Unfortunately the then transport secretary Nicholas Ridley chose not to follow the enquiry recommendations and did not give approval.
Complaints about the link continued years after its demise since part of the route was along the helilanes and of course most traffic was still there!
There was also a Decca approach using higher minima and when Gatwick were using 8L occasionally whilst the main runway was worked on the Link could sometimes land when nothing else could due to the VOR minima being higher than the Decca.
The end came following a lengthy enquiry when new routes were approved. Unfortunately the then transport secretary Nicholas Ridley chose not to follow the enquiry recommendations and did not give approval.
Complaints about the link continued years after its demise since part of the route was along the helilanes and of course most traffic was still there!
A relatively recent 1984 photo of the Gatwick ramp taken from an Air Europe B757.
Things were so much more interesting back in the early '80s - although the drive to Gatwick from British West Oxfordshire was a bit of a nightmare before the south-western section of the M25 was completed in Summer 1985. Back then, you could drive right up to the front of the terminal, drop off your passengers, then drive to the nearby car park...
I certainly recall seeing the Heathrow-Gatwick helicopter nipping along whilst I took the rather tortuous route suggested by the Daily Telegraph Freight Transport Association Ltd.'s map...
Since then, the M25 has become very badly congested, despite the additional lanes. So the concept of it being the default Heathrow - Gatwick link isn't always the best idea. If only they'd built the M31 to link the M4 to the M3 and on to the M25 at J10!
Time to study a direct rail link?
But back to the AirLink - oh, those lovely Caledonian girls!
I certainly recall seeing the Heathrow-Gatwick helicopter nipping along whilst I took the rather tortuous route suggested by the Daily Telegraph Freight Transport Association Ltd.'s map...
Since then, the M25 has become very badly congested, despite the additional lanes. So the concept of it being the default Heathrow - Gatwick link isn't always the best idea. If only they'd built the M31 to link the M4 to the M3 and on to the M25 at J10!
Time to study a direct rail link?
But back to the AirLink - oh, those lovely Caledonian girls!
Last edited by BEagle; 30th Oct 2016 at 08:45.
Paxing All Over The World
When the (allegedly) popular BCal 'Caledonian Girls' adverts originally ran, I thought them naff. The girls were simpering in an out of date manner. The whole campaign was ghastly.
Airwick Gatport
As radio 2 would once have had it. Mum, slightly deaf but refusing to wear hearing aids misheard it as airwig Gatport and wouldn't fly without insect repellent onhand.
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: haywards heath
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Obviously Paxboy has a thing against Bcal and the Airlink.Having escorted various deportees to LHR on the S61 whilst working for Bcal I thought flying in it was great fun.
Swimming pool owners in the Esher/Oxshott area probably did't.
You had to work for Bcal to really appreciate " Caledonian Girls "As I recall the passengers loved it.
The catchphrase " we never forget you have a choice" did however cause a certain amount of angst when things went awry, which they did on a regular basis.
Of course it all went wrong in with Lord King/Maggie Thatcher route swap stitch up.
Goodbye South America hello Saudi Arabia leading to the BA takeover in 87.
Swimming pool owners in the Esher/Oxshott area probably did't.
You had to work for Bcal to really appreciate " Caledonian Girls "As I recall the passengers loved it.
The catchphrase " we never forget you have a choice" did however cause a certain amount of angst when things went awry, which they did on a regular basis.
Of course it all went wrong in with Lord King/Maggie Thatcher route swap stitch up.
Goodbye South America hello Saudi Arabia leading to the BA takeover in 87.
One of my most memorable trips, over 30 years ago now, involved the Airlink from Heathrow to Gatwick to connect with the BCal DC-10 flight to San Juan, with the final leg being the short hop to Tortola on the scheduled DC-3 service.
Those were the days ...
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Lancing, Sussex
Age: 92
Posts: 255
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Visited Gatwick as an ATC cadet from school in (probably) 1946.
The "Beehve" was the only terminal building then, airfield primarily grass.
There was a B24 Liberator on site, unservicable and some way from the runway. Us cadets climbed in, too many aft of the C of G and it tipped up..
The "Beehve" was the only terminal building then, airfield primarily grass.
There was a B24 Liberator on site, unservicable and some way from the runway. Us cadets climbed in, too many aft of the C of G and it tipped up..