British Grand Prix, Silverstone heliport photos 2009/2010
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206j - I will pass on your comments to the gentleman concerned, I am not sure he has been compared to a box of frogs before but I think it will make him smile. He was at the Silverstone briefing - much nearer to home 
John
John
Heliboy999 - great piccies! Good on you for uploading them all, many thanks.
PS re 'mad as a box of frogs' flying in with his R22 - what on earth is wrong with that?! If there are just the two of you and you don't want to stew in traffic for hours on end, what's the point in paying for a bigger ship? Makes perfect sense to me. There are too many heli-snobs out there, mostly non-owners I suspect.
As regards to 'mad as a box of frogs' having to be first in each year, I don't think that's quite right as I was! And in a R44 which, even though i bought one, I must agree is quite easily the ugliest heli in the world.
PS re 'mad as a box of frogs' flying in with his R22 - what on earth is wrong with that?! If there are just the two of you and you don't want to stew in traffic for hours on end, what's the point in paying for a bigger ship? Makes perfect sense to me. There are too many heli-snobs out there, mostly non-owners I suspect.
As regards to 'mad as a box of frogs' having to be first in each year, I don't think that's quite right as I was! And in a R44 which, even though i bought one, I must agree is quite easily the ugliest heli in the world.
To all the critics of the departure techniques.......
"Have you flown in and out of Silverstone?"
Then you will be familiar with the expression "Go Now!"
You will also be familiar with the requirement to be above 500ft as you pass the grandstand at the end of the FATO.
This forum used to be a place to ask questions, share experience and generally expand your knowledge. Every thread seems to eventually turn into a place for the armchair critics to question aircraft captain's decisions on the basis of a photo or third hand information.
In the words of the Krays "You're talking too loud and you ain't got nothing to say"
FNW
"Have you flown in and out of Silverstone?"
Then you will be familiar with the expression "Go Now!"
You will also be familiar with the requirement to be above 500ft as you pass the grandstand at the end of the FATO.
This forum used to be a place to ask questions, share experience and generally expand your knowledge. Every thread seems to eventually turn into a place for the armchair critics to question aircraft captain's decisions on the basis of a photo or third hand information.
In the words of the Krays "You're talking too loud and you ain't got nothing to say"
FNW
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Do the likes of Bond/Bristow/CHC and BIH not supply any aircraft anymore for the Silverstone weekend ? Remember years gone by with fleets of 332's, 61's but the largest a/c that seems to be there now is a 76. Is this the operators decision or just a lack of demand for a/c this size ?
NST
NST
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Ref Bristow CHC etc. In 2001 they had a backlog on the NS due to weather and pulled all their aircraft from the event with a couple of days to go. Operators who had signed charter agreements were left in a lot of trouble with no financial comeback. Fortunately there has been little need for the NS operators since, and as an ex NS pilot who happily flew Silverstone in S61s now on the on shore side of the fence and someone who got caught out by what happened in 2001 a lot of trust was lost.
Quiet year this year, although a trip to the advisory hold at about 16:30 made me think a bit.
Never ceases to amaze me how the flow is controlled the way it is and how all the pilots and ground crews manage to keep their humour in the conditions. I spent 20 minutes in our terminal watching the boys and girls work their socks off and managing to still smile as they held open doors and helped with starps.
Quiet year this year, although a trip to the advisory hold at about 16:30 made me think a bit.
Never ceases to amaze me how the flow is controlled the way it is and how all the pilots and ground crews manage to keep their humour in the conditions. I spent 20 minutes in our terminal watching the boys and girls work their socks off and managing to still smile as they held open doors and helped with starps.
The Pictures are back up again, Photobucket now sorted.
Sorry, had to upgrade the photobucket account as too much viewing cost money.lol
Hope you can see all the pictures again.
HB999
Hope you can see all the pictures again.
HB999
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Lovely pictures and thanks for going to the trouble of sharing.
The other reason why helicopter movements are down is that they improved the road system into Silverstone which meant less people got fed up with stewing the traffic jam for hours on end vying to sell their in-laws in order to fly in.
Then the prices Silverstone charge are eyewatering.
If one is worried about Flight Safety you should look outside Silverstone because there used to be a couple of choking points which I always thought are more than interesting.
Well done on everyone for getting the job done.
The other reason why helicopter movements are down is that they improved the road system into Silverstone which meant less people got fed up with stewing the traffic jam for hours on end vying to sell their in-laws in order to fly in.
Then the prices Silverstone charge are eyewatering.
If one is worried about Flight Safety you should look outside Silverstone because there used to be a couple of choking points which I always thought are more than interesting.
Well done on everyone for getting the job done.
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FloaterNorthWest
IMHO there's force in what you say except that you overstate it.
The forum is still a a place to ask questions, share experience and generally expand knowledge. Not every thread ends up that way.
I still read the forum regularly, although not as closely as I used to in the 7 years I was the Mod, and my impression is that the particular aspect you criticise is no worse than it used to be.
.
This forum used to be a place to ask questions, share experience and generally expand your knowledge. Every thread seems to eventually turn into a place for the armchair critics to question aircraft captain's decisions on the basis of a photo or third hand information.
The forum is still a a place to ask questions, share experience and generally expand knowledge. Not every thread ends up that way.
I still read the forum regularly, although not as closely as I used to in the 7 years I was the Mod, and my impression is that the particular aspect you criticise is no worse than it used to be.
.
HB999
If it gets silly with cost, let me know you can put the photos on one of the commercial (fast) boxes I've got for free, I tried to do what you have achieved a few years ago but I clearly lack the creative eye, my photos were rubbish.
Well done, see you soon.
GS
If it gets silly with cost, let me know you can put the photos on one of the commercial (fast) boxes I've got for free, I tried to do what you have achieved a few years ago but I clearly lack the creative eye, my photos were rubbish.
Well done, see you soon.
GS
Thanks for the offer Veeany. I am working on my own gallery site and will host them all on there eventually, thankyou for the offer though.
I just wish i could have stayed for the departures, I think there could have been some really amazing shots to be had, still.... feet up in the office with a cup of tea at 16.30 on a Silverstone day was a real bonus!
HB999
I just wish i could have stayed for the departures, I think there could have been some really amazing shots to be had, still.... feet up in the office with a cup of tea at 16.30 on a Silverstone day was a real bonus!
HB999
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Didnt see the 92 there or doesnt the owner go to the motor racing. Great pics by the way, I like looking at the various paint schemes to see what works and what doesnt. Like the EC120 with the blue and silver copy of the Swiss machine and the red, yellow and black AS350 - that was nice also.
Also couple of questions for you guys, why the hell is it so expensive to operate in and out of there. Thats about $1500 nzd which is crap.
Also whats the heliport like at the new track they will be moving to and will all operators get screwed with landing fees there as well.
Ned
Also couple of questions for you guys, why the hell is it so expensive to operate in and out of there. Thats about $1500 nzd which is crap.
Also whats the heliport like at the new track they will be moving to and will all operators get screwed with landing fees there as well.
Ned
