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Post by viscount on Apr 5, 2014 14:54:25 GMT 1
Poorest weather at Aintree on a Grand National Saturday morning for at least 5 years. Cloudy with patchy drizzle and short bursts of rain with a gentle breeze from the south east. A group of 16 nwan spotters congregated on the Barlow's Lane field to watch the morning's activities, arriving from points as far apart as Preston, Warrington and Runcorn. Numbers of helicopters a few down on recent years, but the number of landings slightly up. After the morning's arrivals the weather dried up for the afternoon racing, with odd patches of blue showing through the cloud by late afternoon.
Call-sign Regn. HelicopterType Landing time and comments
Arena 3 G-JESE AS.355F Ecureuil Photo-ship, had night stopped, first sortie commenced 1315
National 24 G-GMCM AS.350B Ecureuil 0950, a total of 8 inbounds, last landing 1246
National 62 M-YMCM Bell 429 1000, a total of 10 landings, last landing 1236.
National 27 G-TOYZ Bell 206 Jet Ranger 3 landings at 1005 & 1147
National 32 G-OPAH Eurocopter EC.135T2 landings at 1015 & 1158
National 02 G-MDPI Agusta A.109A landings at 1025 & 1105
National 04 N64EA Agusta A.109A 1048
National 41 G-FCUM Robinson R.44 1102, a total of 4 landings, last landing 1257
National 60 M-ONTY Sikorsky S-76C landings at 1106 & 1310
National 26 G-MSPT Eurocopter EC.135T2 1113
National 20 G-DCAM AS.355NP Ecureuil landings at 1125 & 1153
National 63 G-URSA Sikorsky S-76C 1125
Rainbow 1R G-XXEB Sikorsky S-76C 1127
National 07 G-PBWR Agusta A.109S 1136
National 40 G-OGJC Robinson R.44 landings at 1138 & 1211
National 25 G-SENS Eurocopter EC.135T2 1209
National 64 G-WINV Eurocopter EC.155B1 1223
National 01 G-MCAN Agusta A.109S Grand 1233
National 65 N430PR Bell 430 1235
Police 04 G-CPAO Eurocopter EC.135P2 Police, overhead 1237 on, still circling 1320
This makes a log of 19 different visiting helicopters and 43 landings - this compares with 22 different helicopters and 39 landings in 2013. Plus the Police helicopter both years.
First landing of the morning 0950, last arrival 1310. Two Manx and two Americans, but no Irish this year (regular R.44 EI-LAD and Bell EI-WAV last year). Landings were all on the more distant approach to 09, just two used 27, G-MCAM and the second landing by M-ONTY. Not a bad morning, but we have seen better, in terms of both helicopters numbers and brighter weather. My photos are all a shade dark, owing to the cloudy, dull conditions. As a general rule: right to left are landing and are distant so considerably cropped (unless stated in the caption); from left to right are departing and closer to those watching in Barlow's Field.
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Post by viscount on Apr 5, 2014 16:22:19 GMT 1
 AS.350B Ecureuil G-GMCM provided a passenger' shuttle, with 8 inbound trips  Bell 429 M-YMCM was also involved in a 'shuttle' of passengers, with 10 inbound trips  Jet Rangers are not a frequent sight at Aintree, G-TOYZ made a double trip  While the numbers of Jet Rangers decrease, the Eurocopter designs increase in number. An attractive scheme on G-OPAH an EC.135T2  One of a number of Agusta A.109s, G-MDPI was another helicopter making a double run, with two loads of passengers  American registered Agusta A.109A N64EA.  Liverpool based Robinson R.44 G-FCUM is a Grand National Day regular, this year making four trips inbound  Eurocopter EC.135T2 G-MSPT  AS.355NP Ecureuil 2, G-DCAM was another helicopter seen twice during the morning |
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Post by viscount on Apr 5, 2014 16:40:33 GMT 1
 Sikorsky S-76C, G-URSA  A little bit distant, this is Sikorsky S-76C G-XXEB with Princess Anne inbound  Agusta A.109S G-PBWR on approach  EC.155B1 G-WINV on a rather distant approach  While Agusta A.109S G-MCAN provided a good shot for photographers as the pilot elected to land on 27, right past our noses.  However the following helicopter elected for the more distant 09 approach, N430PR is a Bell 430 (big clue in the registration!)  On its second visit of the day, sneaking in right on the final landing deadline, Sikorsky S-76C also opted for 27, landing past our noses.  Finally the shot I was offered good money not to post. Would you buy a second hand car from any of these - mind you they are more likely to sell you a picture of a helicopter! Indeed I expect some will be along shortly with their offerings, I'm surprised that I got mine posted first! |
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Post by urgentemente on Apr 5, 2014 16:43:13 GMT 1
Nice pics, great to finally get there when the rest of the 'gang' were around, nice having a quick chat with you at the end as well Viscount.
G-OPAH's paint looks good in motion as it changes colour from that pinky tone to green as it passes (chromatic paint or similar paint tech?)
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Post by hawk88 on Apr 5, 2014 16:58:21 GMT 1
Whe do all the helicopters depart
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Post by Beemer on Apr 5, 2014 17:57:00 GMT 1
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Post by viscount on Apr 5, 2014 18:01:07 GMT 1
The helicopters depart Aintree any time after the last Grand National Race horses is clear of the race track until 1900 hours (presumed local) although not 10 minutes before/after/during the last two races of the Saturday Card at Aintree. Details regarding the helipad at Aintree and public viewing area for Grand National Meeting helicopters: www.derbosoft.proboards.com/thread/14649/aintree-race-course-helipad-aprilIncluding a link to the official helipad operator's site. |
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Post by Beemer on Apr 5, 2014 18:33:59 GMT 1
Most of the helicopters are departing South o/h the LPL at Runcorn as I type now @ 18:30hrs. Regards Beemer.
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Post by urgentemente on Apr 5, 2014 18:57:33 GMT 1
Just had Monty go right over the house flying low about 5 mins ago, and National 20 left about 2 mins ago,can't be many left now.
National 24 leaving, National 41 inbound to pickup 2 more.
EDIT:
It's now 19:30 BST, and there's still a few departing, so either i) it's 19:00 UTC/GMT time for the cutoff, or b) they're flexible until everyone has left ! I seem to remember last year hearing Aintree Radio signing off ,but I can't remember what time it was (just that it was substantially nicer weather in the evening than it is now..)
National 65 about to leave (19:34)
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Post by tony1965 on Apr 5, 2014 20:07:15 GMT 1
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Post by Barfluer on Apr 5, 2014 22:23:49 GMT 1
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Post by Barfluer on Apr 5, 2014 22:33:40 GMT 1
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Post by viscount on Apr 5, 2014 23:02:43 GMT 1
So I see that there was at least one additional 'new' helicopter in the evening that was not present during the morning, G-OCFD Jet Ranger 3. Where there any others?
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Post by urgentemente on Apr 6, 2014 1:31:30 GMT 1
Nice pics barfluer, did you take those from within the heli area again?
I was originaly planning on heading back to the viewing spot this evening to watch them leave, but ended up just watching from the bedroom window with the scanner on.
Even tho it's a fairly simple scheme, I really like G-SENS , the black cabin area against the plain white and that orange swirl look great.
I always feel a tinge of 'meh' when the last of them have left on a Saturday evening, after 3 days of them buzzing overhead, it always seems a long way off until they're back again.
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Post by ian531 on Apr 6, 2014 10:13:17 GMT 1
Good to see everyone again.
My shots are just the same as everyone else (but not as good!) so I won't post more of the same
I wonder when the other Jetranger sneaked in? It's not on any of the lists from the previous days.
Shame that all the images of G-OPAH show the stripes as pink when it definitely changed to green when it flew by
See you all next year
Ian
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