"the Bovingdon 222 radial for 09L"
 

Ohh Dear, massive thread creep, apologies,

Showing my age now:

AD 2-EGLL-7-7 Initial Approach Procedures ILS Rwy 09L/09R (without RADAR Control) (8th Oct 1998) (When I moved into ImaTowers)

"Leave BNN on BNN VOR R222 maintaining 7000' At BNN d4 commence descent to 2500' At BNN d15 turn left to intercept ILS localiser course. Continue approach as detailed on the Instrument Approach Chart"

(The new chart is different now)

Going back in the closet now

Imagegear

STS Enterprise at Stansted June 5th 1983 ....

http://www.airliners.net/open.file/0540359/M/

ImageGear.... Yes, that's the published procedure which is never used because everything is under radar control. Usual procedure is to leave Bovingdon heading 240 (or thereabouts). In my 31 years as a Heathrow Radar controller I only ever saw one, maybe two, examples of aircraft flying the proecdural approach which you outlined.

TheOddOne.. .... and a formation of Daks down 27R when the "press" were waiting at Harrow and a Sea Fury (or the like) barrel rolling up 05... They were the days. Oh yes - I did a Short Sandringham down 09L at zero feet.. turned left over the M4 and just about cleared the traffic....

For those of you in need of a "fix"....

http://www.mossie.org/sounds/mosquito_flypast.mp3

jp1
 

Talking of Spitfire displays, the best sight I have ever witnessed was in '97 in my back garden...

In the kitchen and the almighty sound of a Merlin powering overhead, rushed out into the garden but too late. 2 minutes later another pass, this time I am ready and see a Spitfire banking at almost 90 degrees about 300 feet (maybe less) at the end of the garden, you could just feel the engine pulling the aircraft round a very high g turn. Rushed to the front of the house and see the rest of the fly past. Another 2 passes, (what a treat and this time probably lower!), now motorists are pulling over and getting out of their cars, as well as other residents coming out to stand on the pavement and see the show.

I'm pretty sure this was a privately owned Spitfire, simply for the stress that the aircraft was put under and the CAA rules that were broken!! I know the general public on the ground are extremely bad and judging heights of aircraft, but several years gliding told me that those turns were lower than my turns onto final.

This all happened over Frimley Green on a late summer evening in July just at dusk, the circuit probably just clipped the North West of Farnborough. I always imagined it was a salute to a former BoB Spit pilot. I believe one was living in Farnborough.

It would be nice to know the reason for the display, these things just do not happen over highly dense residential areas.

Fred Creep again
 

Phil, (puts on wellies and green barbour jacket), the prevailing winds in the uk in general terms means a 70% westerly and 30% easterly useage. I.e. 70% of the time they depart to the west and arrive from an easterly direction, and the remaining 30% of the time its the other way round. NB I used to do noise and track issues in a former life. Heathrow has an agreement for environmental reasons that can skew the figure even further to a westerly bias, as HD mentions. If you are going to film and want a rule of thumb :ok: test before setting off, the following will apply in most cases.
Have a look at the BBC weather forecast, if the London area is underneath a 'Low' pressure system, this will favour the normal westerly departures. If however it is underneath a 'High' then you have a good chance they will be taking off towards London, 'Cranford' agreement permitting. A high pressure is usually quite stable so you may get a good few consecutive days of easterlies. Hope that helps.
js

On the way back from Filton to Abingdon in a Bulldog, I came across a Spitfire near Lyneham. A quick couple of turns with him and a final waggle.....

He was waiting for the '10 bringing Jackie Mann back from Beirut.

I'm sure Jackie would have been amused by our illicit doggers! Especially as the Spitfire chap was a VSO!

Just been to a friends house over at Scampton & had a BBMF Spitfire take several passes over the place (1300 ish). Beautiful sight, topped off with my kids waving at the Spitfire mate during a slow pass for which he returned the wave with a wing waggle.

Made their day mate, thankyou.

You're not wrong:)

2 Spits again
 

Spotted over Portsmouth approx 1425 16 Sep, low flypast, anyone know if there was anything going on in that area on Saturday?

C-47 at Arnhem
 

I attended the commemoration at Oosterbeek yesterday. Hearing and seeing the C-47 pass overhead at low level... just brilliant !

The whole weekend was very humbling.

some special sounds for Spit fans .... what do you think of the flying? ....

http://youtube.com/watch?v=A95tD9iZKkc

I enjoyed the C-47 that went past AA Towers (on the way home to Coventry?) yesterday evening - Arnhem Day - The Day for those of us who like to land under silken canopies :E

I'd like to add my thanks for the chap who flew over Newark on the 10th. Always very moving and great to hear as well as see :ok: .

Ginger ;)

Flypasts
 

Chaps a few LL passes over Sleaford on your way home would not go a miss. The wife loves the sound of those Merlins!:D

Sleaford is difficult because of the north airfield at Cranwell, but I ve recovered via holdingham at times. Last trip on the Lanc for me on Sunday, so the jolly scotsman should get a fly by at about 3.45.

Flypasts
 

Thanks bwfg3 we'll be out in the garden:ok: