Aberdeen 31 August 2021

With it still being almost impossible to leave the country due to the pandemic, I decided on a trip to Aberdeen as my main trip for 2021. 

Aberdeen is somewhere that I have wanted to go to for some time, in view of the extensive helicopter activity that the airport is famed for, and I was also hoping to catch up with the Loganair fleet and hopefully see a couple of new Wideroe Dash Eights as well. A BA A319 delivered me safely on the early evening of the bank holiday, and before leaving for my hotel in the city centre, I scouted out a couple of spotting areas near the terminal. 

It was an early start the next morning, and after picking up my car, I settled down for a day's spotting at 0830. However, half an hour later, a police car arrived, and it's occupants moved onto an area near the Loganair hangar which offered a good view across the airport. 

So what did I see?

Loganair kept coming and going all day, and it was great to see their ATR-72s:

And a particularly welcome visitor was Eastern's G-IACY, the first time I had seen one of the carriers ATR-72s:

And Wideroe provided me with three Dash Eights operating to/from Norway: 

But it was the helicopters that I wanted to see, and I soon took a shine to the attractive livery of the Babcock machines:

Although one was painted in this 'Rescue' livery:

The S-92 was a popular type, and CHC Scotia provided several:

As did Bristows:

While relative newcomer to Aberdeen, NHV, operated several EC175s:

And amid all of the offshore supply helicopters, was this Coastguard version:

I put in over 12 hours at the airport, leaving just after 7pm at the end of what had been a slow, but very interesting day. Here is what I saw:

D-CGGG     Learjet 31A                                         Jetcall Gmbh

EI-FPU     Bombardier/Canadair CRJ-900NG SAS-Scandinavian Airlines System

EI-FPV     Bombardier/Canadair CRJ-900NG SAS-Scandinavian Airlines System

EI-GXK       Boeing 737-800WL                         Ryanair

G-BMIX     SOCATA TB-20 Trinidad                 Falcon Flying Group

G-BPKM      Piper PA-28-161 Warrior II

G-CGCI     Sikorsky S-92A                                 Bristow Helicopters

G-CGMC     Embraer 135                                 Eastern Airways

G-CICH     Sikorsky S-92A                                 Bristow Helicopters

G-CKXL     Sikorsky S-92A                                 Bristow Helicopters

G-CLGF     Sikorsky S-92A                                 Bristow Helicopters

G-CLHW     Sikorsky S-92A                                 Bristow Helicopters

G-CLNH     Sikorsky S-92A                                 CHC Scotia Ltd

G-EMEC      Airbus EC175B/H175                         CHC Scotia Ltd

G-EMEE     Sikorsky S-92A                                 CHC Scotia Ltd

G-EUPU     Airbus A319-131                                 British Airways

G-EUYF     Airbus A320-232                                 British Airways

G-EZOT     Airbus A320-214SL                         easyJet

G-FBXA     ATR 72-600                                         Loganair

G-FBXB     ATR 72-600                                         Loganair

G-GNTB     Saab 340A(F)                                 Loganair

G-IACA     Sikorsky S-92A                                 Bristow Helicopters

G-IACD     Sikorsky S-92A                                 Bristow Helicopters

G-IACY     ATR 72-600                                         Eastern Airways

G-JMCO     Boeing 737-3T0(SF)                         West Atlantic UK

G-JMCU     Boeing 737-301(BDSF)                 West Atlantic UK

G-LGNB     Saab 340B                                         Loganair

G-LGNI     Saab 340B                                         Loganair

G-LGNK     Saab 340B                                         Loganair

G-LMRB     ATR 42-512                                         Loganair

G-MACR     Cirrus SR22T Turbo

G-MAJT     British Aerospace Jetstream 41         Eastern Airways

G-MAJZ     British Aerospace Jetstream 41         Eastern Airways

G-MCGM     AgustaWestland AW189                 Bristow Helicopters

G-MCSB     Sikorsky S-92A                                 Babcock Offshore 

G-MCSC     AgustaWestland AW139                 Babcock Offshore 

G-MCSF     Airbus EC175B/H175                         Babcock Offshore 

G-MCSG     Airbus EC175B/H175                         Babcock Offshore 

G-MCSH     Airbus EC175B/H175                         Babcock Offshore 

G-MCSH     Airbus EC175B/H175                         Babcock Offshore 

G-MCSK     Sikorsky S-92A                                 Babcock Offshore 

G-MCSM     Airbus EC175B/H175                         Babcock Offshore 

G-MCSN     Airbus EC175B/H175                         Babcock Offshore 

G-MCSP     Airbus EC175B/H175                         Babcock Offshore 

G-NHVF     Eurocopter EC175B                         NHV Helicopters Ltd

G-NHVG     Airbus EC175B/H175                         NHV Helicopters Ltd

G-NHVI     Airbus EC175B/H175                         NHV Helicopters Ltd

G-NHVJ     Airbus EC175B/H175                         NHV Helicopters Ltd

G-NHVV     Eurocopter EC175B                         NHV Helicopters Ltd

G-PDGV     Partenavia P.68TC                         Ravenair Aircraft Ltd

G-ROOK     Reims/Cessna F172P Skyhawk         Rolim Ltd

G-SAJH     Embraer 145                                 Loganair

G-SAJO     Embraer 145                                 Loganair

G-SAJR     Embraer 135                                 Loganair

G-SAJT     Embraer 135                                 Loganair

G-SAJU     Embraer 135                                 Loganair

G-SASD     Beech B200C King Air                 Gama Aviation (UK) Ltd

G-TTND     Airbus A320-251N                         British Airways

G-VINF     Sikorsky S-92A                                 Babcock Offshore 

G-WNSE     Sikorsky S-92A                                 CHC Scotia Ltd

G-WNSF     Sikorsky S-92A                                 CHC Scotia Ltd

G-WNSG     Sikorsky S-92A                                 CHC Scotia Ltd

G-WNST     Sikorsky S-92A                                 CHC Scotia Ltd

G-WNSU     Sikorsky S-92A                                 CHC Scotia Ltd

G-WNSV     Sikorsky S-92A                                 CHC Scotia Ltd

LN-RDV     De Havilland Canada DHC-8-402 Wideroe

LN-RDZ     De Havilland Canada DHC-8-402 Wideroe

LN-WDH     De Havilland Canada DHC-8-402NG Wideroe

OY-NCW     Dornier 328-300 Jet                         Sun-Air of Scandinavia A/S

PH-EXM     Embraer 175                                 KLM Cityhopper

PH-EZN     Embraer 190                                 KLM Cityhopper

XZ372     SEPECAT Jaguar GR.3A                 Aberdeen Airport

ZA110     Scottish Aviation Jetstream T.2         Aberdeen Airport

Shoreham, 28th August, 2021

After the excitement of my trip to Deanland, I decided to visit Shoreham to see what was going on there.

An eventful drive down saw me having to avoid the large number of Brighton and Hove Albion supporters who were walking along the A26 on their way to the Amex stadium to watch their match against Everton. 

When I arrived, I drove along the road on the 'terminal' side of the airport, noting what I could see between the buildings, and then noted the rest from the access road. Viewing has really deteriorated here since it became impossible to park on the side of the approach road and watch the comings and goings. 

Colibri G-IACL was the largest helicopter present:

Twin Comanche N7EY departed:

And Cub G-BBYB was looking particularly lovely!

Here is the log: 

G-AMNN De Havilland DH.82                             Tiger Moth
G-AXNN Beagle B.121 Pup 2                     Gabrielle Aviation Ltd
G-BBYB Piper PA-18-95 Super Cub
G-BEMW Piper PA-28-181 Cherokee Archer     Touch And Go Ltd
G-BFRV Reims/Cessna FA152 Aerobat II     Solo Services Ltd
G-BKRA North American T-6G-NH Texan     First Air Ltd
G-BLMR Piper PA-18 Cub
G-BNNY Piper PA-28-161 Warrior II             Falcon Flying Services
G-BNZB Piper PA-28-161 Cherokee Warrior    Falcon Flying Services
G-BNZZ Piper PA-28-161 Cherokee Warrior
G-BOTN Piper PA-28-161 Cherokee Warrior    Flying Time Ltd
G-BPPE Piper PA-38-112 Tomahawk
G-BSDZ Enstrom 280FX Shark                     One Parking Solution Ltd
G-BSXA Piper PA-28-161 Cherokee Warrior    Falcon Flying Services
G-BTKT Piper PA-28-161 Cherokee Warrior    Western Air (Thruxton) Ltd
G-BUUA Slingsby T.67M Firefly Mk II             Heartland Aviation Ltd
G-BZVB Reims/Cessna FR172H Rocket     Roger Douglas Buckingham
G-CCKH Diamond DA40D Star                     Flying Time Ltd
G-CCZZ Evektor EV-97                                     TeamEuroStar
G-CDMA Piper PA-28-151 Cherokee Warrior    Falcon Flying Services
G-CEZR Diamond DA40D Star                     Flying Time Ltd
G-CHIP Piper PA-28-181 Cherokee Archer
G-CLDN Best Off SkyRanger Swift 912(1)
G-CLUH Piper PA-28-180 Cherokee             Advance Guarding Ltd
G-DOSB Diamond DA42M Twin Star             Acrobat Ltd
G-EKKL Piper PA-28-161 Cherokee Warrior
G-FLOE Robinson R66 Turbine                     Countyclean Holdings Ltd
G-FTAB Piper PA-28-161 Cherokee Warrior    Flying Time Ltd
G-OCCF Diamond DA40D Star                     Flying Time Ltd
G-OCCG Diamond DA40D Star                     Flying Time Ltd
G-OCCN Diamond DA40D Star                     Flying Time Ltd
G-OORV Van's RV-6
G-RAVN Robinson R44 Raven                     Flying Lobster Aviation Ltd
G-SHRK Enstrom 280C-UK Shark             Shark Helicopters Ltd

N7EY       Piper PA-30 Twin Comanche
N7NP Hughes 369E (MD-500E)             Eastern Atlantic Helicopters

Kittyhawk Farm, 28th August, 2021

During my flight from Deanland, we did a touch and go at the rather splendidly named Kittyhawk Farm. 

There was only one aircraft outside and visible - this must be the fastest spotting I have ever done!

G-HEVR Comco-Ikarus C42 FB80

G-JKPF Cessna 172S Skyhawk SP G-JKPF Group

Deanland, 28th August 2021

I visited Deanland to investigate the Flying Club down there and to try out the C-42.

I found a friendly welcome, and enjoyed trying out the C42 as well. however, admission is only via a locked gate, so I'm not sure a casual visitor would enjoy such a welcome.

Here is what I saw:

G-BCIV         Beagle B.206R Basset CC.1

G-BTYT         Cessna 152
G-CIWB         Van's RV-6
G-HEVR         Comco-Ikarus C42 FB80
G-ICDM         Jabiru UL450 Calypso
G-MCRO         Dyn Aero MCR01

Fairoaks, 15th August, 2021

My final stop of the day was Fairoaks. It is always good to see a light aircraft from Guernsey such as 2-LANE:

And amongst the PC-12s was Baron N266EA:

A good stop to end the day - here is the log:

2-LAND Rockwell International Commander 114-B
2-YELL Piper PA-28R-201 Cherokee Arrow
G-BDSB Piper PA-28-181 Cherokee Archer
G-BFOE Reims/Cessna F152
G-BGIB Cessna 152
G-BIOB Reims/Cessna F172P Skyhawk
G-BJCW Piper PA-32R-301 Saratoga SP
G-BXWO Piper PA-28-181 Cherokee Archer
G-BYFA Reims/Cessna F152
G-ELZY Piper PA-28-161 Cherokee Warrior
G-EVTO Piper PA-28-161 Cherokee Warrior
G-FLXI Pilatus PC-12/47E
G-GASP Piper PA-28-181 Cherokee Archer
G-JOYZ Piper PA-28-181 Cherokee Archer
G-KARE Pilatus PC-12/47E
G-LKVA Tecnam P2010 Ptwenty - Ten
G-MCOX Fuji FA-200-180AO Aero Subaru
G-RATV Piper PA-28RT-201T Turbo Arrow IV
N1FD SOCATA TB-200 Tobago GT
N266EA Raytheon 58 Baron
N412MD Pilatus PC-12/45
N677CD Cirrus SR22
N866C Cirrus SR22

Farnborough, 15th August, 2021

 From Blackbushe it is only a very short drive to Farnborough, and I set up camp for a couple of hours to watch the biz jets come and go. 

The highlight was this very attractive Airbus owned by the Azerbaijan Government:

This based Global was arriving from Athens:

I have always liked the Challenger 350 - SE-RNR came in from Perugia:

A worthwhile stop - here is the full list:

4K-8888 Airbus A319-115 ACJ                         Azerbaijan Government
9H-ILZ Bombardier/Canadair Challenger 850 Vistajet Malta
9H-VCF Bombardier Challenger 350                 Vistajet Malta
9H-VCF Bombardier Challenger 350                 Vistajet Malta
C-FMDN Gulfstream G150                                 Sunwest Aviation Ltd
CS-CHG Bombardier Challenger 350                 NetJets Transportes Aereos
CS-DXD Cessna 560XL Citation XLS                 NetJets Transportes Aereos
CS-LTN Cessna 680A Citation Latitude         NetJets Transportes Aereos
CS-PHE Embraer 505 Phenom 300                 NetJets Transportes Aereos
D-AJET Embraer 135BJ Legacy 650                 Air Hamburg

D-ALEX Airbus A319-115SL ACJ                         K5-Aviation
G-OOEG Bombardier Challenger 350                 Catreus AOC Ltd
G-RWPJ Cessna 560XL Citation XLS                 Catreus AOC Ltd
G-SIRS Cessna 560XL Citation Excel                 London Executive 

G-SKAL Cessna 560XL Citation XLS                 Catreus AOC Ltd
G-THFC Embraer 135BJ Legacy                         London Executive
G-VTLY Bombardier Global 6000                         Gama Aviation 
HB-VPO Embraer 505 Phenom 300                 Air Glaciers SA
JY-ABC Embraer 135BJ Legacy                         Arab Wings
LX-PCB Pilatus PC-24                                         Jetfly Aviation 

M-TINK Dassault Falcon 8X                                 Velut Ltd
N600EB Gulfstream GVII-G600                         Bank of Utah 

N650AN Gulfstream G650ER                         AAAJ Holdings
N94924 Gulfstream G550                                 94924 LLC
OE-GSE Learjet 60                                         Avcon Jet AG
OE-HOP Gulfstream 200                                 Avcon Jet AG
OE-LRR Dassault Falcon 7X                                 Avcon Jet AG
OH-WII Bombardier Challenger 604                 JetFlite OY
OY-SWO Dassault Falcon 2000S                         Blackbird Air 
SE-RNR Bombardier Challenger 350                 EFS European 
T7-AAA Bombardier BD700 Global Express XRSEmpire Aviation Group
T7-DNK Bombardier Challenger 350                  LuxAviation
VP-BCT Gulfstream G650                                 Gama Aviation 

Blackbushe, 15th August, 2021

After leaving Popham early, I decided to call at a few fields on the way home. 

Blackbushe was my first stop, and a very worthwhile one too! Biz Jets are becoming a regular part of the scene here, and it is very common now to see a light jet, such as Eclipse 2-JSEG:

However, the visit was more than justified by Falcon 50 M-CICO, the first 'heavy' biz jet I have seen at the airfield:

Here is my log:

2-JSEG Eclipse EA500
G-ATEF Cessna 150E
G-AVSF Piper PA-28-180 Cherokee
G-BBRC Fuji FA-200-180 Aero Subaru
G-BCIR Piper PA-28-151 Cherokee Warrior
G-BICW Piper PA-28-161 Warrior II
G-BOFW Cessna A.150M
G-BOJI Piper PA-28RT-201 Cherokee Arrow
G-BPBM Piper PA-28-161 Warrior II
G-BXHA De Havilland DHC-1 Chipmunk
G-BXTS Diamond DA20-A1 Katana
G-BZEA Cessna A.152
G-BZEB Cessna 152
G-CDTX Reims/Cessna F152
G-CICG Comco-Ikarus C42 FB80
G-CLAC Piper PA-28-161 Warrior II
G-DANL Beech 76 Duchess
G-DEVS Piper PA-28-180 Cherokee B
G-EGLK Czech Aircraft Works PS-28 Cruiser
G-ESSL Cessna 182R Skylane/Porche FTB
G-FFFC Cessna 510 Citation Mustang
G-FLXY Piper PA-28-181 Archer DX
G-FPSA Piper PA-28-161 Warrior II
G-JACH Piper PA-28-181 Cherokee Archer
G-JEOL Slingsby T.67C Firefly-3
G-JJAN Piper PA-28-181 Cherokee Archer
G-LKSM Sonaca S200
G-MASS Cessna 152
G-PDSI Cessna 172N Skyhawk
G-RAAM Piper PA-28-161 Cherokee Warrior
G-VRRV Van's RV-12
M-CICO Dassault Falcon 50EX
N115MD Commander Aircraft Company Commander 114TC
N1407J Rockwell International Commander 112A
N147LK Cirrus SR22 GTS
N799DS Diamond DA40 Star
N9432B Cessna 175

Popham, 15th August, 2021

The Popham Microlight Fair has long been one of my favourite events, and one that can potentially produce a huge log. Unfortunately, it was cancelled in 2020 due to the pandemic, and in 2021 was moved to August rather than its traditional Mayday bank holiday date. 

I was unable to attend on the Saturday, but I drove into the airfield on the Sunday with a real sense of excitement. My electronic ticket got me in, and I was soon logging the based aircraft before the arrivals started in earnest. 

This CTSW was one of the first in the book:

Along with this patriotic weight shift:

The exhibition area contained this lovely Vixxen:

Along with this equally well painted EuroFox:

Unfortunately, arrivals were well down on what was expected, and the large number that had visited the day before. No doubt this was due to the strong cross wind, that resulted in conditions being - despite the summer date - fairly cold place. One of the aircraft that did make the journey though was this attractively painted C42: 

Despite the low turnout, it was still a worthwhile visit - here is the log:

G-A5-1 Halley Apollo Delta Jet 2
G-AIKE Taylorcraft Auster AOP.V
G-ATYS Piper PA-28-180 Cherokee C
G-AVEM Reims/Cessna F150G
G-AVNW Piper PA-28-180 Cherokee C
G-AWYJ Beagle B.121 Pup 1
G-AXJH Beagle B.121 Pup 2
G-AZCU Beagle B.121 Pup 1
G-AZEY Beagle B.121 Pup 2
G-BADH Slingsby T.61 Falke
G-BASH Grumman-American AA-5 Traveler
G-BAYP Cessna 150L Commuter
G-BCEP Grumman-American AA-5 Traveler
G-BDVC Piper PA-17 Vagabond
G-BJBW Piper PA-28-161 Cherokee Warrior
G-BNRY Cessna 182Q Skylane
G-BPPZ Taylorcraft BC-12D Twosome
G-BRBI Cessna 172N Skyhawk
G-BSRH Pitts S-1C
G-BTOO Pitts S-1C
G-BUAO Luscombe 8A Silvaire
G-BVNU FLS Aerospace Sprint Club
G-BXGP De Havilland DHC-1 Chipmunk Mk.22
G-BYTI Piper PA-24-250 Comanche
G-BZRV Van's RV-6
G-BZSS Pegasus Quantum 15-912
G-CCNG Flight Design CT2K
G-CDDK Cessna 172M Skyhawk
G-CDKI Best Off SkyRanger 912S(1)
G-CDMS Comco-Ikarus C42 FB80
G-CDPZ Flight Design CT2K
G-CDRO Comco-Ikarus C42 FB80
G-CDVI Comco-Ikarus C42 FB80
G-CDXI Cessna 182P Skylane
G-CDZU ICP MXP-740 Savannah
G-CEDV Evektor EV-97 TeamEuroStar UK
G-CEWT Flight Design CTSW
G-CFDO Flight Design CTSW
G-CFRT Evektor EV-97 TeamEuroStar
G-CHJG Evektor EV-97 TeamEuroStar UK
G-CHVS ICP MXP-740 Savannah XLS Jabiru (1)
G-CIGG P&M QuikGTR
G-CJAP Comco-Ikarus C42 FB80
G-CJIT Comco-Ikarus C42 FB100 Bravo
G-CJTC AutoGyro Europe/Rotorsport UK Calidus
G-CKIZ EuroFly Minifox
G-CKYL Comco-Ikarus C42 FB80
G-CLHZ Europa Aviation Europa XS
G-CLKB Cessna 172N Skyhawk
G-CLLA Best Off SkyRanger Swift 912(1)
G-CLOU Flylight Skyranger Nynja
G-CLSC Evektor SportStar
G-DEEZ Denney Kitfox 3
G-DENC Reims/Cessna F150G
G-DPRV Van's RV-7
G-EGHW Bolkow 209 Monsun 150FV
G-EOID Aeroprakt A-22L Foxbat
G-FOXW Aeropro EuroFox 3K
G-GTFC P&M QuikR
G-HATH TechProAviation HV100 Merlin 100 UL
G-HMHM AutoGyro Europe/Rotorsport UK MTOsport
G-JAYD Europa Aviation Europa XS
G-JJMM Magni M-24C Orion
G-JUGS AutoGyro Europe/Rotorsport UK MTOsport
G-KBOJ AutoGyro Europe/Rotorsport UK MTOsport
G-KTCH Magni M-16C Tandem Trainer
G-KUPP Flight Design CTSW
G-LEPR Aeropro EuroFox 3K
G-LNDA BRM Aero Bristell NG5 Speed Wing
G-LPIN Pegasus QuikR
G-MFUX EuroFly Minifox
G-MVFJ Thruster TST Mk 1
G-MVMI Thruster TST Mk1
G-MYYB Pegasus Quantum 15
G-MZHS Thruster T600T
G-MZSP Spacek/SD Planes SD-1 Minisport
G-NALD Aeroprakt A-32
G-NEON Piper PA-32-300B Cherokee Six
G-NLEE Cessna 182Q Skylane
G-OGRN Pipistrel Virus SW128 (Velis Electro)
G-OOGY Pegasus QuikR
G-OONY Piper PA-28-161 Cherokee Warrior
G-OTAL ARV ARV1 SUPER 2
G-OVIR Pipistrel Virus SW121
G-PAFF AutoGyro Europe/Rotorsport UK MTOsport
G-RVNS Van's RV-4
G-RVSG Van's RV-9A
G-SCCZ Czech Aircraft Works Sportcruiser
G-SJMW Spacek/SD Planes SD-1 Minisport
G-SUMO Best Off SkyRanger Nynja 912S(1)
G-TERY Piper PA-28-181 Archer II
G-TPAL Pegasus Quik GT450
G-VIXY Aeroprakt A-32
G-YAKF Yakovlev Yak-52
G-YROF Magni M-22C Voyager
G-ZEVS Reims/Cessna F172H Skyhawk
N71CW Cessna 180E