P&V west v east

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tankbuster
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Joined: Sun 17 Jul 2011, 5:04 pm

P&V west v east

Post by tankbuster »

I have always used P&V west because I liken to photograph aircraft in flight rather than taxying on the ground.
Like others I was watching the wind pattern overnight and assumed it would mean a 09 day.
I thought I'd try west as I had to pass it and when I arrived sometime before gates open, I swear there more people in the queue that are normally in the enclosure on a normal day.
I hung around but by the time the gates opened the queue was double the length. I thought about it, decided there were more people than I was happy with and headed east. That way I thought I would be able to get the flight shots and there might be a bit more space.
Despite large numbers of cars in the car park I walked straight in about 8 and still managed to find a space at the front much to my surprise.
Then came the hammer blow. We were all right with our weather forecast but wrong with how ATC would interpret it. I was occupying a space in east when there was somebody in west who was wishing they were occupying my space in east.
I'm very glad I didn't follow my first instinct to take over and that I didn't drive back to west because apparently they shut the gates due to over population.
Be grateful I thought, you have a space at the front of east that apparently grown men have been known to fight over.
I enjoyed the day but I really missed the flying shots and I assume that there were lots of people in West who were wishing that they hadn't changed from their usual P&V.
East had some good points, lots of space to move around, good views of landing a/c that in west are normally a very distant blur, excellent close ups of a/c leaving static east and good views of the spares and other items that were hidden from view upon the south side on display days.
There were some heavies that used 09 but it was noticeable that flight shots were more difficult than at the west end, because a) almost under the runway extension, b) rate of climb seemed greater than 27 departures
I'm pleased I had the chance to try P&V east in relative comfort but given a normal 27 day I will return west next year.
I'd be interested to know how accidental west virgins felt about their day compared to their usual P&V east.
Trevor C
recent and not so recent pictures here https://trevorc28a.wixsite.com/trevspics

FGR2
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Joined: Mon 15 Sep 2008, 11:12 am

Re: P&V west v east

Post by FGR2 »

Always do P&V West until today.

Thought they would be on 09, as Heathrow were on 09, so went East.

Soon found out that they were using 27, three of us asked to swap just after the Voyager left, but was told West was full :(

We were disappointed to say the least.
In those circumstances East is a dead loss, and it stunk like the toilets hadn't been emptied for days.

I doubt I will bother editing up any of the photos from today, they are heat hazy, taxiing/take off roll shots, the sort of simple stuff that a chimp with an iPhone could take :(

It really wasn't worth the effort, I left at around 1330, and saw the second U2 from the car park. I wonder whether, now that people go through security, whether RIAT will look at laying on busses a setting up a proper area alongside FRIAT in the showground, as it seems to be quickly outgrowing these small areas at each end.

farnboroughrob
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Joined: Fri 05 Jun 2009, 8:31 am

Re: P&V west v east

Post by farnboroughrob »

I have always done east but might be tempted by the west next year as enjoyed seeing the few departures that came from that direction. Whats the walk from the car park like in west and can you see any of the static areas like you can from east?

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tankbuster
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Re: P&V west v east

Post by tankbuster »

farnboroughrob wrote:I have always done east but might be tempted by the west next year as enjoyed seeing the few departures that came from that direction. Whats the walk from the car park like in west and can you see any of the static areas like you can from east?


Park right outside the gate and you are just west of the end of the static
Trevor C
recent and not so recent pictures here https://trevorc28a.wixsite.com/trevspics

MC hammer
Posts: 264
Joined: Fri 14 Aug 2009, 8:02 pm

Re: P&V west v east

Post by MC hammer »

FGR2 wrote:Always do P&V West until today.

Thought they would be on 09, as Heathrow were on 09, so went East.

Soon found out that they were using 27, three of us asked to swap just after the Voyager left, but was told West was full :(

We were disappointed to say the least.
In those circumstances East is a dead loss, and it stunk like the toilets hadn't been emptied for days.

I doubt I will bother editing up any of the photos from today, they are heat hazy, taxiing/take off roll shots, the sort of simple stuff that a chimp with an iPhone could take :(

It really wasn't worth the effort, I left at around 1330, and saw the second U2 from the car park. I wonder whether, now that people go through security, whether RIAT will look at laying on busses a setting up a proper area alongside FRIAT in the showground, as it seems to be quickly outgrowing these small areas at each end.


I think that is a great idea. I said as much to my mates as we stood in P&V west on Thursday. You could park on the ample concrete at the west end, be escorted across the taxiway in large groups, say before 08-30 and then walk to an area towards where the grandstand is. I would be tempted back on a Monday, having not done so for a few years now, and be prepared to pay a little extra for the wheels up shots that would be possible. No great need to be right at the front either.
I can't see that it would adversely affect FRIAT packages, I'm sure they would sell out regardless. More income for RIAT, better shots for photographers and more space in park and view, everyone's a winner. You might not need to get there at some ridiculous hour also.

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play it cool
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Re: P&V west v east

Post by play it cool »

Always do P&V West but as others have done, assumed the runways would be switched today so headed to unknown territories (P&V East). Asked the fella selling the tickets which runway was being used, he didn't know, and once inside I found out that it was 27, so we got back in the car and shot over to P&V West. Once there it became apparent the car park was very busy, and at the entrance people were being turned away (by this time it was about 08:45). I did wonder whether we'd get in (ultimately, if it was full to capacity then we shouldn't have?) but they let us in, thankfully.

We got our usual spot, and it was business as usual, save for a couple of heavies departing the opposite way. Shame some of the stuff climb so early, but most were fine. Thankfully the USA C-17 left 2 hours earlier than scheduled as my son had been insisting we stayed for that. :sweat:

Anyway, another enjoyable departures day and thankfully great weather. We're staying on in the Cotswolds until Friday, to keep SWMBO sweet, but much to her dismay we're having another detour back tomorrow to see if either bomber are still around to depart. :biggrin:

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