Hi all,
After a great few days scenic touring around Scotland, the wife was now ready to go home and let me carry on with more serious spotting and less sight-seeing. So I said goodbye to her at Inverness and sent her packing on one of those train things.
It was now one man and his dog time and a short drive to Aberdeen/Dyce for some helicopter action!
After parking up on waste ground (57.205643, -2.195452), it is just a short walk to the mound area (57.204497, -2.195949) which affords great views across the airport and allows you to monitor all movements. I didn’t receive any attention from security but then I stayed away from the fence at all times. It’s also a great off-road area for your dog if you have one with you and I kept mine constantly chasing ball.
I spent a few hours here and the rain just managed to hold off. This is important as there is no shelter at this spot or any facilities to speak of.
Aberdeen/Dyce
My photographs for here can be seen at;
https://www.flickr.com/photos/62861611@N08/albums/72177720295539172
XZ372/FV, SEPECAT Jaguar GR.3A, Ground Instruction, United Kingdom (S139)
(ZA110), BAe Jetstream T.2, Ground Instruction, United Kingdom (248)
2-SALE, Diamond Aircraft DA62 (62.069)
5N-BWE, Sikorsky S-92 A, Bristow Helicopters Nigeria (920288)
EI-FPP, Bombardier CRJ 900 LR NG, Scandinavian Airlines System (15435)
EI-GEF, Bombardier CRJ 900 ER NG, Scandinavian Airlines System (15244)
G-CGCI, Sikorsky S-92 A, Bristow Helicopters (920103)
G-CICH, Sikorsky S-92 A, Bristow Helicopters (920209)
G-CLGF, Sikorsky S-92 A, Bristow Helicopters (920270)
G-CLHW, Sikorsky S-92 A, Bristow Helicopters (920105)
G-EMEC, Airbus Helicopters EC175 B (H175), CHC Scotia (5031)
G-EMED, Airbus Helicopters EC175 B (H175), CHC Scotia (5039)
G-EMEE, Sikorsky S-92 A, CHC Scotia (920158)
G-EUPO, Airbus A319 131, British Airways (1279)
G-EZTH, Airbus A320 214, easyJet Airline (3953)
G-IACA, Sikorsky S-92 A, Bristow Helicopters (920050)
G-IACD, Sikorsky S-92 A, Bristow Helicopters (920065)
G-IACE, Sikorsky S-92 A, Bristow Helicopters (920066)
G-JMCP, Boeing 737 3T0SF, West Atlantic UK (23578)
G-LGNB, Saab 340 B, Loganair (340B-216)
G-LGNG, Saab 340 B, Loganair (340B-327)
G-LGNJ, Saab 340 B, Loganair (340B-173)
G-LGNK, Saab 340 B, Loganair (340B-185)
G-LGNM, Saab 340 B, Loganair (340B-187)
G-LMRC, Avions de Transport Regional ATR 42 500, Loganair (480)
G-LMSA, Avions de Transport Regional ATR 42 600, Loganair (1213)
G-MAJT, British Aerospace Jetstream 41 -01, Eastern Airways (41040)
G-MAJY, British Aerospace Jetstream 41 -01, Eastern Airways (41099)
G-MCSB, Sikorsky S-92 A, Babcock MCS Offshore (920281)
G-MCSF, Airbus Helicopters EC175 B (H175), Babcock MCS Offshore (5023)
G-MCSI, Sikorsky S-92 A, Babcock MCS Offshore (920304)
G-MCSJ, Sikorsky S-92 A, Babcock MCS Offshore (920297)
G-MCSM, Airbus Helicopters EC175 B (H175), Babcock MCS Offshore (5046)
G-MCSO, Airbus Helicopters EC175 B (H175), Babcock MCS Offshore (5048)
G-MRLI, Sikorsky S-92 A, Bristow Helicopters (920056)
G-NHVA, Airbus Helicopters EC175 B (H175), NHV Helicopters (5042)
G-NHVG, Airbus Helicopters EC175 B (H175), NHV Helicopters (5008)
G-NHVI, Airbus Helicopters EC175 B (H175), NHV Helicopters (5010)
G-NHVU, Airbus Helicopters EC175 B (H175), NHV Helicopters (5004)
G-RJXH, Embraer ERJ-145 EP, Loganair (145442)
G-SAJH, Embraer ERJ-145 EU, Loganair (145134)
G-SAJJ, Embraer ERJ-145 EP, Loganair (145142)
G-SAJT, Embraer ERJ-135 ER, Loganair (145376)
G-SASD, Beech King Air B200C (BL-151)
G-VINI, Sikorsky S-92 A, Babcock MCS Offshore (920220)
G-WNSE, Sikorsky S-92 A, CHC Scotia (920190)
G-WNSF, Sikorsky S-92 A, CHC Scotia (920046)
G-WNSG, Sikorsky S-92 A, CHC Scotia (920058)
G-WNSL, Sikorsky S-92 A, CHC Scotia (920241)
G-WNSP, Eurocopter EC225 LP, CHC Scotia (2707)
G-WNST, Sikorsky S-92 A, CHC Scotia (920216)
G-WNSU, Sikorsky S-92 A, CHC Scotia (920229)
G-WNSV, Sikorsky S-92 A, CHC Scotia (920057)
LN-RDV, Bombardier DHC-8 402, Wideroes Flyveselskap (4054)
LN-WFO, Bombardier DHC-8 311Q, Wideroes Flyveselskap (493)
OO-MBP, Pilatus PC-24 (182)
PH-EZD, Embraer EMB-190 STD, KLM cityhopper (19000279)
TF-BBO, Boeing 737 46BSF, Bluebird Nordic (24573)
It was now time for a pre-arranged visit to Insch. After being offered a nice cup of tea and then chatting for a bit, the airfield owner showed me around all that was present. He is very sensitive about photographs ending up on the internet, so to put him at ease, I didn’t take any.
Please bear this in mind if you do go as he is very happy to let spotters go around otherwise – we just don’t need anybody spoiling it with regards to the photograph thing.
Insch
G-AIJT, Auster Aircraft Auster J/4 Archer (2075)
G-AISS, Piper J-3 C-65 Cub (12077)
G-AKTS, Cessna 120 (11875)
G-APFV, Piper PA-23 Apache 160 (23-1686)
G-APMH, Auster Aircraft Auster J/1U Workmaster (3502)
G-ARWR, Cessna 172C Skyhawk (49172)
G-AVIB, Reims/Cessna F150G (0180)
G-AWUE, S.A.N. Jodel DR.1050 (299)
G-BALK, SNCAN Stampe SV-4 C (387)
G-BFMH, Cessna 177B Cardinal (17702034)
G-BKRK, SNCAN Stampe SV-4 C (57)
G-BXCG, Amateur Built Jodel DR.250 Capitaine (PFA 299-13146)
G-CBKL, Raj Hamsa X-Air 582(1) (BMAA/HB/203)
G-CBKM, Mainair Sports Mainair Blade 912 (1310-0102-7-W1105)
G-CBNF, Rans Courier S-7 (PFA 218-13762)
G-CCJN, Rans Coyote II S-6ES (PFA 204-13575)
G-CDTO, P & M Aviation Quik GT450 (8149)
G-CENH, Tecnam P.2002 Sierra EA (PFA 333-14564)
G-CGXT, Amateur Built Midgie (MID-01)
G-CJRS, BRM Bristell NG5 Speed Wing (LAA 385-15406)
G-EEPJ, Amateur Built Pitts Special S-1S (PFA 009-11557)
G-GMIB, Robin DR.500 200i President (0002)
G-JONY, Cyclone Airsports AX2000 HKS (7503)
G-MWVH, CFM Shadow Series CD (181)
G-OANN, Zenith Zenair Zodiac CH 601 HDS (PFA 162-12932-2)
G-RKKT, Reims/Cessna FR172G Rocket (0225)
Strange and protracted visit here but friendly enough as most gliding fields usually are. I had pre-advised that I would be visiting but I was allocated a club member that was ultra cautious about safety and he was worried about the returning gliders and was reluctant to cross over the field to where the hangars area. Anyhow after a lot patience on my part and engaging in glider chat, he slowly warmed up to me. It took my wife years to be fair to this bloke 🙂
Aboyne
My photographs for here can be seen at;
https://www.flickr.com/photos/62861611@N08/albums/72177720295542379
BGA1131/BPS, Slingsby T.49 B Capstan (1399)
(G-BAHP), Volmer Jensen VJ-22 Sportsman Amphibian (PFA 1313)
G-BCBJ, Piper PA-25 235 Pawnee C (25-5544)
G-BFSD, Piper PA-25 235 Pawnee D (25-7656084)
G-BMSE, Valentin Taifun 17E (1082)
G-BXSP, Grob G 109B (6335)
G-BYHT, Robin DR.400 180R Remorqueur (811)
G-CFOB/FOB, Schleicher ASW 15 B, BGA3432 (15340)
G-CFVH/246, Rolladen-Schneider LS7, BGA3555 (7067)
G-CFWE/FWE, PZL-Bielsko SZD-50-3 Puchacz, BGA3576 (B-1984)
G-CHNW/220, Schempp-Hirth Duo Discus, BGA4081 (25)
G-CHTM/Z8, Rolladen-Schneider LS8 18, BGA4190 (8036)
G-CHXH/HXH, Schempp-Hirth Discus b, BGA4283 (573)
G-CIAI/A1, Schempp-Hirth Arcus T, BGA5738 (40)
G-CICY/ICY, PZL-Bielsko SZD-50-3 Puchacz, BGA5763 (B-1880)
G-CIKH, Aeropro EuroFox 914 (44714)
G-CIOO, Vans RV-7 (70913)
G-CKMZ, Schleicher ASW 28 18E, BGA5216 (28716)
G-CKOI/170, Sportine Aviacija LAK-17 AT, BGA5250 (183)
G-CKTK, Denney Kitfox Mk.IV-1200 (LAA 172A-14404)
G-CLLL, Schleicher ASG 29 27-18E, BGA5749 (29668)
G-CLVO/LVO, Allstar PZL SZD-54-2 Perkoz (542.A.18.022)
G-CLYE/LYE, Rolladen-Schneider LS4 a (4548)
G-CVZT/V2T, Schempp-Hirth Ventus 2c T, BGA4664 (39/129)
G-DCMS/602, Glasflugel H201B Standard Libelle, BGA1667 (234)
G-DCMW/165, Glasflugel H201B Standard Libelle, BGA1661 (242)
G-DCWD/CWD, Slingsby T.59 D Kestrel, BGA1857 (1835)
G-DETZ/20, Schleicher ASW 20 CL, BGA2951 (20730)
G-ODUO, Schempp-Hirth Duo Discus, BGA4113 (29)
G-SMKR, Aeropro EuroFox 912S(1), BGA4783 (53217)
G-XWON/S8, Rolladen-Schneider LS8 18 (8305)
I don’t have a love for doing farm strips, as there is usually very little reward, very real risk of upsetting somebody and so I don’t usually bother with them. As I don’t get to this part of the world that often, I gave Pittrichie Farm/Whiterashes a go as my research showed that I should be be able to drive up to the hangar without going though people’s properties, farmyards and the like. It was a complete waste of time as the hangar was shut and looked spotter proof – I did not test that theory.
Another pre-arranged visit and it is needed here. If you turn up and nobody is around, I would think you might come away with a blank as everything is hangared away.
Very friendly here with another offer of a cup of tea before proceeding which was gratefully accepted. Jet got a tour here too. They are in the early stages of setting up a small museum to tell the story of RAF Peterhead and its part in WW2.
Peterhead/Longside
My photographs for here can be seen at;
https://www.flickr.com/photos/62861611@N08/albums/72177720295543246
G-ATCC, Beagle A.109 Airedale (B.542)
G-BFID, Taylor JT-2 Titch (PFA 060-10311)
G-BYRE, Rans Sakota S-10 (PFA 194-11729)
G-CCRI, Raj Hamsa X-Air 582(5) (BMAA/HB/354)
G-CFCE, Raj Hamsa X-Air Hawk (PFA 340-14751)
G-CKZH, Vans RV-12 (120921)
G-DUDI, RotorSport UK MTO Sport (RSUK/MTOS/030)
G-EIKY, Europa Aviation Europa (PFA 247-12634)
G-GCEA, P & M Aviation Quik GT450 (8209)
G-HAAR, Aeropro EuroFox 912(S) (52017)
G-NMRV, Vans RV-6 (22879)
G-ONIC, Evektor-Aerotechnik EV-97 Sportstar (2011-1503)
G-ONIG, Murphy Aircraft Murphy Elite (PFA 232-14042)
G-TTOM, Zenith Zenair Zodiac CH 601 HD (LAA 162-15088)
G-ZIPA, Rockwell Commander 114 A (14505)
Finished the day back near Aberdeen/Dyce ready for another helicopter bash, the next morning….