What day are you arriving?

[Trevster]

With the show now confirmed for 2012 and people starting to make their travel arrangements, what day are you actually arriving in the area (not necessarily when you start your journey there!). For those that live locally and don't need to travel, what day will be your first out spotting (i.e. do you have the Thurs/Fri/both off for arrivals or will you only be attending on the Saturday)?

[Ryand19]

Normally leave glasgow with my uncle around 6:30-7:00 on the Friday morning and arrive just as the gate is opening.

[tomcatforever]

Travel up from South Lincolnshire on Thursday takes around 8 hours Friday down the beach end, Saturday on base and travel back on Sunday

[Trevster]

Travel up from South Lincolnshire on Thursday takes around 8 hours Friday down the beach end, Saturday on base and travel back on Sunday

Friday on the beach here also - but across on the South Sands as opposed to the runway end itself...

[tomcatforever]

How easy is it to get to? Also what's the photography like? I don't take photos but go with 3 people that do. So they are always looking for new places etc

I love the Beach end but the 25ish min walk getting there is a bit annoying

[Trevster]

Very easy, lots of free parking but you can't bring the car right up to the top end any more due to them trying to protect the dunes further up so be prepared for a 10/15 minute walk depending on your pace (it's flat though!).

I only have a 300mm lens so getting anything coming straight in on 27 with anything less will give you a nice dot in the centre of the picture. Bigger lenses shouldn't have any problem. Last year a number of aircraft did join the circuit straight over the beach (smaller, slower arrivals) so you can get some good shots of those while those that do practice displays will be overhead or just to the south regularly. Anything arriving on runway 09 and you're screwed...

Only other difficulty can be the light.

Here's a few examples from last year in crappy conditions (all unedited other than resized,not cropped, to meet forum rules):

Chinook arriving from 09 end:


Tornado Approach to 27:


F-16 displaying overhead:

[Unknown74]

Due to work commitments I can only really get to the show itself on the Saturday but if I'm really lucky I might be able to get to Arrivals and practice on the Friday. The ultimate dream would be Thursday (if there are any large Americans attending), Friday and Saturday, would be pushing it a bit for the Monday as well.

[fastjetfan]

Well I will be travelling on thursday and stay in Dundee for a change and go home on the sunday.

[In a Maze]

Coming over from Belfast on Friday.

[stratocaster]

I will be there on the day of the show,but am hoping to get up for arrivals either Thursday or Friday.Another pleasant drive up to Leuchars!

[tomcatforever]

Very easy, lots of free parking but you can't bring the car right up to the top end any more due to them trying to protect the dunes further up so be prepared for a 10/15 minute walk depending on your pace (it's flat though!).

I only have a 300mm lens so getting anything coming straight in on 27 with anything less will give you a nice dot in the centre of the picture. Bigger lenses shouldn't have any problem. Last year a number of aircraft did join the circuit straight over the beach (smaller, slower arrivals) so you can get some good shots of those while those that do practice displays will be overhead or just to the south regularly. Anything arriving on runway 09 and you're screwed...


Tornado Approach to 27:

Thanks for the info mate, will look into it for September I would have been stood just off frame of that photo Bloody cold down that beach end

[stratocaster]

Looking to get to arrivals for Thursday,now confirmed I have that day added to my holidays!

[Trevster]

Up to Edinburgh on the Thursday, St Andrews for arrivals on the Friday. Hotel booked for the two nights just (again).

[Unknown74]

Plan is (weather permitting) travel up from home in Edinburgh on Friday stay for a few hours watch some arrivals and practice return home then early rise for the Airshow on Saturday.

[Trevster]

Where you both heading for arrivals or goin to see what the wind direction dictates?

[Altaich]

Thursday evening

[dconnery1966]

Thursday night cant wait
all the best Dougie

[stratocaster]

Would West Sands road in St Andrews be any good for getting arrivals? or are there better places,was thinking Tentsmuir,but looks like that could be a bit of a fyke getting there!

[Trevster]

Pics above were taken from the tip of West Sands last year - depending on lens, good for arrivals on 27, not so good for 09.

[stratocaster]

Cheers!,will check it out and take a gamble!

[Trevster]

I'll be on there on the Friday with the UKAR Key fob hanging from my camera bag...

[stratocaster]

may be there both Thursday and Friday,you can't help but notice the diesel clatter from the car!!

[Trevster]

[stratocaster]

Will probably see you and others there! It'll be camera and camcorder set up and scanner on for a bit of forewarning,let's just hope the weather plays fair and I don't have to dodge into the car for shelter! Checked the area out and looks like I can drive all the way to the turning point at the end,Ace!

[Trevster]

Have they opened it back up? Was closed last year to help prevent damage to the area - 5/10 minute was was required...