LBA viewing locations

[scamptonboy]

682ft AMSL

My own favourite memory from pre-extension LBA days was the green telephone exchange box at the end of 15.

ahh the good old days.....15 departures were the dogs K**B as a youth, especially the B737-2 or 1-11 blast offs. Clinging onto the fence for dear life whilst balancing yourself on the GPO box.

Scamps

[Leezyjet]

Flightrider

I too remember that, except the 60's bits. I remember that BD DC-9 very very well, I was up that footpath I mentioned in an earlier post watching that and I have it on video somewhere at my folks place. I'll have to try and dig it out next time I go home and get it on Utoobe or something.

I also remember seeing a Monarch 757 come in BEFORE the extention was built. At the time it was the biggest a/c to have visited LBA. Got pis of that at my folks place from the terminal building. It is also the first a/c that I can actually remember seeing with 4 wheels on the main gear

On a BY 732 flight into LBA as a youngster one very stormy day with lightning all around and the a/c bumping around all over the place. That was back in the days when flying was a real luxury and not that many people did it. The cabin was eerily silent as that little 737 was bouncing around, and as we were about to land, my Dad (who used to fly l/haul regularly back then)shouts out " Don't worry - if it goes wrong there is a cemetary at the end of the runway".

Once went up to the bomb holes one summer evening with a couple of friends on our bikes, and climbed over the fence to play in that old burnt out wreckage that used to be next to the boundary fence - what a/c was that BTW - any reg/type info ?.

Is the Tut 'N' Shive still open in Yeadon, bottom of "The Steep"?

Rick, last time I in Yeadon, it was still there but was called the "Tut 'N' Shive Too". Was quite innovative back in the day when it first opened with the toilets for seats !!. My neice and her other half now live in Yeadon and frequent "The Aviator" on the High Street, where the cinema used to be. Not been myself yet, but the say it is pretty good and does good food too.

[Mooncrest]

Oh, happy days. I too have many fond memories of perching precariously on the GPO boxes at the end of 15 whilst the 737s revved up for takeoff. Hanging on for dear life was all part of the thrill until the day I WAS blown off the drystone wall across the road by such a departure. I played it a bit safer after that. Occasionally, you'd get some interfering a**e trying to spoil the occasion, usually an airport copper or a particularly nigglesome middle aged member of the public with a few anatomical issues, an annoying tone of voice and a rude patronising manner toward anyone who didn't jump when he commanded. Silly old b*****d. Regulars probably know who I mean.

Strangely enough, the Britannia pilots didn't seem to mind...

I have a few photos of that 757 on its debut. Drew quite a crowd it did. Sad to think it's now on its last season with Monarch. Oh well

Oh by the way, recommend avoid the T&S. Just a personal opinion but there are better pubs in Yeadon.

[DX Wombat]

any particular reason it is known by the local constabulary? are you likely to get clamped or questioned? or has it got more of an 'adult' reputation?

Sorry I've only just managed to return to this thread. The hill is apparently known officially as Pine Tree Hill and, as someone else has remarked, I have never seen a pine tree, even a dead Christmas tree, there. The Police do Patrol it and certainly keep it under observation as they are trying to stop the idiots who hurtle around it at stupid speeds endangering the lives of those who just want to sit peacefully watching the comings and goings, not to mention causing a noise / fumes nuisance and tearing up what remains of the grass areas. I happen to know about the name becasue I was sitting there one evening using my radio (I have an Amateur Radio Licence) when a Police 4WD hove into view. They had come, amongs other things such as a security check, to try to catch the little perishers on bikes who had been making life a misery for the rest of us. Needless to say the little dears had vanished so they conducted a security check - all very polite, cheerful and good natured. I thought they wanted to speak to me because was using my radio but they hadn't even noticed it! Instead the two or three of us remaining all had official notices handed out to us to say why we had been asked if they could look in the car boot. I was apparently stopped and searched under the Prevention of Terrorism Act. As I said, there was nothing sinister or nasty about it and it has given my friends something to laugh about ever since. Parking and driving is now very restricted up there with an official notice marking the place you are not supposed to venture past in a vehicle.
Flightrider - thank you for the information You learn something every day.

[LN-KGL]

scamptonboy
Another option would be to park up by multiflight cafe which is open to the public and serves tea, coffee and fairly good food albeit a little pricey. Turn off to the right about 100 Yds before the A658 tunnel road as you travel from Yeadon (should be signposted anyhow) under the Rwy.

During one of our visit to LBA three years ago or so we left our parked at Multiflight Cafe. We walked back to Victoria Avenue (A658) and continued along the fence in the direction of the tunnel and found a stone bench that was perfect to use to get a view over the fence. At that day runway 32 was used and this is an example of shots that can be taken from that bench.



During our short visit in August 2006 was a different piece of cake. Our team came in from Amsterdam on the evening of the 8th and we all went strait to bed at the nearby Travelodge hotel shortly before midnight. The next morning I woke shortly before seven, and the only noice I could hear was birds singing and the odd police truck whooshing by. Since the telly didn't work on my room I powered up my portable DAB radio and there it was "24 suspected arrested in and around London for an alleged terrorist plot to detonate liquid explosives carried on board several airliners travelling from the United Kingdom - and all UK airports closed". All three of us decided not to get near any airport that day, but first had to get some breakfast and fetch our rental car at the airport. It was no waiting time to get a proper English breakfast in one of the airport facilities at LBA, and after breakfast we got our car and headed off for the Heartbeat country. That we made a detour past Linton-on-Ouse on our way up to Goathland and on our way down again paid a short visit to the Yorkshire Air Museum at Elvington is a whole different story - one time aviation anorak ....

If you are interested, I shot some photos out the hotel room window at LBA that morning and have stitched them together to a panoramic view. Here is the link to LBA in silent mode: http://www.plane-spotter.com/Jpegs/E...A_panorama.jpg

Kurt

[Flightrider]

I'm 99% sure that the old wreck on the south side was a Vickers Varsity. The only other thing which I think it could have been was an Avro Anson but I think it was a bit big for that. Rumours of G-DASI, the old Air UK shed, taking over the role were grossly exaggerated.

On the subject of being at the end of the runway, does anyone recall the British Island 1-11-500s blasting off 14 to Palma and Mahon every Friday and Saturday afternoon in the Intasun and Arrowsmith days? That was always a good laugh, not least watching it stagger down the valley trying to gain height and leaving Leeds quivering in its wake. That was, of course, after soaking anyone standing near the end of 14 with the de-min water injection at the start of the take-off roll. There were a couple of those who very nearly brought a whole new meaning to the phrase "we've captured the localiser".

[fawcettjones]

LBA viewing.

The best location for runway 32 landings is just off Scotland Lane. A public footpath leads to the approach light columns and you are perhaps 100' below the aircraft. You also have great photo opportunities at this location. Aircraft can be seen approaching fron the south east over the Leeds district of Cookridge.
From the A 658 (Bradford/Harrogate) roundabout travel beyond the terminal until you get to the "T" junction. Turn right onto Scotland Lane. Be aware that taxis use this route at speed!
Travel aprroximately a mile and you will see a signpost for a public footpath. Park on the left and walk up the hill.

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?ie=UTF...26908&t=h&z=15

[ILS32]

If my memory serves me right,the first jet aircraft to land at the LBA was a BAC 111 bringing Leeds United back from a European Fairs Cup game.
I think it was an Aer Lingus Aircraft.

DX Wombat

Yeadon Moor top is known as Plain Tree Hill and not Pine Tree.

ILS32

[BYALPHAINDIA]

Flightrider, Your'e 100% right.

It was a Vickers Varsity that was parked there for years.

I think it finally dissapeared around 1992??

I think the 1st 1-11 was an EI machine??

[Midland 331]

FWIW, I remember a LHR-MME DC9 diverting in there, pre-extension.

Leeds was "out" when other places were open, but, conversely, when fog had closed other airfields, Leeds was high enough to be out of it, and open!

r

[Leezyjet]

fj,

I have to disagree. That spot off Scotland Lane is only ok if you only want to see the bottom of the a/c flying over your head, and very limited side on views but for full side on shots is not very good.

On the Google Map, where it says "Yeadon Moor Road" just off Bayton Lane, this is where you can park to get on the track I mentioned. You can see it if you zoom in, it is along the line of the hedgerow that runs around the peri fence. If you follow the track futher to the end, it will take you past the approach lights (it's the path that is in between the 2 fences at the location you mentioned - that is frustrating as you cannot get onto it from there) and back onto Scotland lane a bit further along from your spot.

[DX Wombat]

Yeadon Moor top is known as Plain Tree Hill and not Pine Tree

Trust Plod to give me incorrect info!