Post by viscount on Apr 6, 2013 14:05:30 GMT 1
Beautiful sunny day with very little cloud and a light breeze varying between easterly and north westerly. Chilly edge to the breeze, but very pleasant stood in the field at Barlow's Lane watching the helicopters. Numbers slightly down this year with only 22 plus the Police helicopter, with around 39 movements also slightly down on last year.
At peak I counted 24 spotters/photographer lined up, plus Sergai. One of our number did manage to run foul of a resident over car parking position, while another local resident spent many minutes telling me the best place to photograph the horses during the race and was somewhat disconcerted to find we were only there for the helicopters, with little interest in the horses, indeed would be home to watch the Race on tv! The Community Police, on their Mountain Bikes, once again came across for a chat to check us over, but after several years now seem to accept us as genuine and not undercover protestors.
Even though the light breeze was variable, the Aintree ground controller insisted on using 09 (with the flight path further away from us), however a number of helicopter pilots in quieter periods requested 27, unfortunately the controller did not take the hint!
So, in the sequence noted landing, with call-sign and times:
My 4th consecutive year on Saturday morning in Barlow's Lane field. By my reckoning:
2013 22 helicopters, 39 inbound movements
2012 26 helicopters, 42 inbound movements
2011 23 helicopters, 35 plus a few more inbound movements before I got there
2010 23 helicopters, 40 inbound movements in ideal weather conditions
2009 27 helicopters noted.
So, 2012 is the poorest year for a while, but not nearly as bad as it seemed while waiting! The even flow of past years was not apparent this year, with long spells of inactivity and one frantic burst of movements around 1100. Also this year a couple of helicopters left it until quite close to the closure dead-line before arriving.
Mainly as a direct result of the reports, photos and directions placed on nwan forum, the number of enthusiasts in Barlow's Lane field has increased from 8 in 2010, to 17 in 2011, to 18 in 2012 and this year a count of 24, with several 'regulars' missing. Indeed this year, it was pointed out that there were more aviation enthusiasts to be seen than helicopters!
At peak I counted 24 spotters/photographer lined up, plus Sergai. One of our number did manage to run foul of a resident over car parking position, while another local resident spent many minutes telling me the best place to photograph the horses during the race and was somewhat disconcerted to find we were only there for the helicopters, with little interest in the horses, indeed would be home to watch the Race on tv! The Community Police, on their Mountain Bikes, once again came across for a chat to check us over, but after several years now seem to accept us as genuine and not undercover protestors.
Even though the light breeze was variable, the Aintree ground controller insisted on using 09 (with the flight path further away from us), however a number of helicopter pilots in quieter periods requested 27, unfortunately the controller did not take the hint!
So, in the sequence noted landing, with call-sign and times:
G-KLNK EC.135 P2+ unknown.... 0910
G-GMCM AS.350B3 Squirrel National 22 0943 total 7 visits from Knowsley & a site to the north, final dep 1135
G-PACO Sikorsky S-76C National 71 1009 total 8 visits from Knowsley, final dep north-west 1207
G-MDPI Agusta A.109A II National 03 1051-1054 then again 1125 and shut-down; operating in from Barton
G-CCYG Robinson R.44 National 42 1051-1053 but did not return
G-OPAH EC.135 T2 National 70 1058
G-SPVK AS.350B3 Ecureil National 25 1059-1105 and returned 1145 and shut-down
G-ZIPE Agusta A.109E National 32 1100
M-ONTY Sikorsky S-76C M-ONTY 1100
G-HOLM EC.120B Colibri National ?? 1101
G-IOOZ Agusta A.109S National 65 1102
G-EMHC Agusta A.109E National 05 1126
G-REMH Bell 206B Jet Ranger National 29 1134
EI-LAD Robinson R.22 National 40 1151 from LJLA
G-OMDR A-B.206B Jet Ranger G-OMDR 1155
G-GRZZ Robinson R.44 National 41 1157-1159 & returned 1219 and shut-down
G-LECA AS.355F Twin Squirrel Orange 1 night stop, lifted 1159-1203 & again 1246-1315, camera ship.
G-EVIP Agusta A.109E National 02 1233
G-MAOL Agusta AW.109S National 04 1237
EI-WAV Bell 430 EI-WAV 1256 positioned in empty to depart with pax after the races
G-WOFM Agusta A.109E National 47 1257
G-CEYF EC.135 T1 National 31 1305
.
Also: G-CPSH EC.135 'Police 21' overhead 1256 until after I left at 1320. Appeared to arrive from the NW,
so from Preston?
While: North Wales Air Ambulance EC-135 G-WASS landed at Fazakerly Hospital 1031 and departed around 1055,
unseen, behind us through the trees.
Not seen: Robinson R.44 G-PIXL while I there 0920-1320, although I gather it was around earlier in the week.
Also not seen: A Hot Air Balloon was due to be inflated between races during the afternoon - in the shape of
a pair of pants, sponsored by one of Betting organisations.
My 4th consecutive year on Saturday morning in Barlow's Lane field. By my reckoning:
2013 22 helicopters, 39 inbound movements
2012 26 helicopters, 42 inbound movements
2011 23 helicopters, 35 plus a few more inbound movements before I got there
2010 23 helicopters, 40 inbound movements in ideal weather conditions
2009 27 helicopters noted.
So, 2012 is the poorest year for a while, but not nearly as bad as it seemed while waiting! The even flow of past years was not apparent this year, with long spells of inactivity and one frantic burst of movements around 1100. Also this year a couple of helicopters left it until quite close to the closure dead-line before arriving.
Mainly as a direct result of the reports, photos and directions placed on nwan forum, the number of enthusiasts in Barlow's Lane field has increased from 8 in 2010, to 17 in 2011, to 18 in 2012 and this year a count of 24, with several 'regulars' missing. Indeed this year, it was pointed out that there were more aviation enthusiasts to be seen than helicopters!
Regards Beemer. 
