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Post by griff on Apr 4, 2012 18:41:39 GMT 1
Aintree radio this year will be using 132.900
Cheers Griff
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Post by viscount on Apr 10, 2012 17:37:40 GMT 1
With the Aintree Grand National Meeting this week, perhaps it is timely to link to instructions on how to get to the best public position to view and photograph the helicopter action from. Instructions for finding the viewing site, which is on an access path to the Trans-Pennine Trail, by car or Merseyrail: www.derbosoft.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=zone&action=display&thread=5943Official helipad operators site for 2012, with instructions for visiting pilots www.rotarywing.co.uk/AINTREE%202012.pdf On Saturday the operating hours are 0830 to 1900 with strictly no movements from 1315 until after the end of the Grand National race and all horses have left the course. Weather minima: 600ft cloud base and 3km horizontal visibility. From observation in past years little happens before 1000 though, the majority of movements being in the period 1020-1245 approx. In 2011 23 different helicopters and 35 landings noted on the Saturday morning, around the same number of different helicopters as in 2010, a few less than in 2009. On the top aerial photo (3.2), the viewing field is just below the last yellow arrow head before the landing strip. Barlows Lane and other roads vital in our ground access description are omitted from their maps. Photos, visitor listing, times, comments etc for previous meetings: Thursday 7.4.11: www.derbosoft.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=local&action=display&thread=5971Friday 8.4.11: www.derbosoft.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=local&action=display&thread=5980Saturday 9.4.11: www.derbosoft.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=local&action=display&thread=5989Saturday 10.4.10: www.derbosoft.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=zone&action=display&thread=2923Hopefully the weather will be as good as it was in 2010, although current BBC forecasts don't look so promising for Saturday, Friday might be good. Westerly breeze, blue sky and sunshine is best for photography - it was a sunny but with an easterly breeze last year so approaching helicopters were further away to the north. With a bit of luck, will see ian 531, barfleur, superian and the other regulars again, and maybe a few further 'first timers' this year. GND morning at Aintree has become the NWAN Member's Annual Convention! No ladders required (it is not the RVP), but a folding chair eases an otherwise long stand-up.
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Post by ian531 on Apr 11, 2012 20:45:44 GMT 1
I'm going to have to miss this year, I've got to work in Scotland this weekend.
Can't remember when I last missed a Liverpool visit when the National was on.
Might try to get over tomorrow afternoon.
Hope you all have a great time on Saturday (not sure the weather will be as good as last year)
If you've not been before it's well worth going
Ian
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Post by urgentemente on Apr 14, 2012 12:26:42 GMT 1
Hope all of you who've made the trek to Aintree are getting some good views, I'm afraid I'm being lazy again and watching&listening from the back window, some approaches are flying low directly over the back garden so I can't complain really! I was going to walk along the canal until I read the post above saying that they'd closed it off. It normally has a big wooden board/fence on the racecourse side anyway, is this something extra they've put in for GND?
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Post by stevehall on Apr 14, 2012 13:16:09 GMT 1
Noted between 0945-1315 at the annual helicopter influx at Aintree for the "Grand National" horse race...
Arrivals... 0945 G-SPVK AS355 "National 60" 0954 G-PACO S76 "National 51" 0958 G-GMCM AS350 "National 25" 1007 EI-LMK A109 "National 04" 1013 G-IFBP AS355 "National 27" 1016 G-PACO S76 "National 51" 1022 G-GMCM AS350 "National 25" 1034 G-PACO S76 "National 51" 1035 G-ZIRE A109 "National 07" 1037 G-GMCM AS350 "National 25" 1045 "National 28" Gazelle (Military camoflage) 1053 G-GMCM AS350 "National 25" 1054 G-SPVK AS355 "National 60" 1058 G-OPAH EC135 "National 33" 1102 M-ONTY S76 "National 50" 1107 G-GMCM AS350 "National 25" 1108 G-OLCP AS355 "National 29" 1111 G-MDPI A109 "National 01" 1115 G-PIXL R44 "National 41" 1117 G-EMHC A109 "National 09" 1123 G-WJCJ "National 52" 1124 G-PACO S76 "National 51" 1127 G-GOWF EC135 "National 24" 1130 G-FCUM R44 "National 42" 1137 G-BYZA AS355 "National 23" 1141 G-SPVK AS355 "National 60" 1142 G-PACO S76 "National 51" 1143 G-MDPI A109 "National 01" 1144 G-OLCP AS355 "National 29" 1152 EI-LAD R44 "National 40" 1152 G-DFOX AS355 "National 26" 1158 G-PACO S76 "National 51" 1203 G-FCUM R44 "National 42" 1203 G-OCMM A109 "National 03" 1205 G-BOSN AS355 "National 37" 1214 G-IOOZ A109 (reg as callsign) 1218 N784F B206 "National 38" 1219 G-GDSG A109 "National 05" 1224 G-CHGL B206 "National 35" 1226 G-FCUM R44 "National 42" 1237 G-BLGV B206 (reg as callsign) 1251 G-FCUM R44 "National 42" 1309 EI-LAD R44 "National 40"
Departures... 0948 G-SPVK AS355 "National 60" 1001 G-GMCM AS350 "National 25" 1004 G-PACO S76 "National 51" 1022 G-PACO S76 "National 51" 1024 G-GMCM AS350 "National 25" 1038 G-PACO S76 "National 51" 1041 G-GMCM AS350 "National 25" 1055 G-GMCM AS350 "National 60" 1056 G-SPVK AS355 "National 60" 1111 G-GMCM AS350 "National 25" 1111 G-OLCP AS355 "National 29" 1113 G-MDPI A109 "National 01" 1129 G-PACO S76 "National 51" 1132 G-FCUM R44 "National 42" 1147 G-PACO S76 "National 51" 1153 EI-LAD R44 "National 40" 1205 G-FCUM R44 "National 42" 1227 G-FCUM R44 "National 42" 1228 G-PIXL R44 "National 41"
Overhead... 1022-1037 G-PIXL R44 " National 41" camera ship 1104 G-CGKW Tutor 1131-1208 G-NWOI EC135 "Police 29" 1136 G-JDBC PA34 1222-1237 G-NWOI EC135 "Police 29" 1228-1240 G-PIXL R44 "National 41" camera ship 1238- G-CPAO EC135 "Police 04"
Viewing was done from the public rough ground at the end of Barlows Lane overlooking "Beechers Brook" , postcode L9 9JA
Steve
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Post by urgentemente on Apr 14, 2012 13:26:18 GMT 1
Nice little radio exchange between the camera ship and the police when the camera ship asked control if the police were on there frequency, as they were going to do a photo circuit.
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Post by viscount on Apr 14, 2012 15:26:42 GMT 1
To re-arrange the above, using my own notes, into a different format. Observations 0940-1250 also from Barlows Lane field. Times are: landing-lift off. sd = shut down.
National 60 G-SPVK AS.350B Squirrel 0943-0945, 1054-1056, 1140 sd National 51 G-PACO Sikorsky S-76C 0953-1001, 1017-1022, 1033-1037, 1123-1127, 1141-1146, 1157-1200. National 25 G-GMCM AS.350B Squirrel 0957-0959, 1021-1024, 1036-1039, 1052-1055, 1104-1109. Did not do his last rotation. National 04 EI-LMK Agusta A.109S 1006 sd National 27 G-IFBP AS.350B Squirrel 1012 sd National 07 G-ZIPE Agusta A.109E 1035 sd National 28 (G-BZYD) SA.341 Gazelle 1045 sd Still in Army scheme and military regn XZ329. NB Not G-IBNH ex Royal Navy XW853. National 33 G-OPAH Eurocopter EC.135T 1057 sd National 50 M-ONTY Sikorsky S-76C 1103 sd National 29 G-OLCP AS.355N Twin Squirrel 1106-1110, 1143 sd National 01 G-MDPI Agusta A.109A 1108-1112, 1142 sd National 41 G-PIXL Robinson R.44 earlier overhead. 1116-1228 then overhead again National 09 G-EMHC Agusta A.109E 1117 sd National 52 G-WJCJ Eurocopter EC.155B 1122 sd National 24 G-GOWF Eurocopter EC.155T 1125 sd National 42 G-FCUM Robinson R.44 1130-1132, 1202-1204, 1224-1226, 1246 sd National 23 G-BYZA AS.355F Twin Squirrel 1136 sd National 40 EI-LAD Robinson R.44 1150-1152, 1305 sd National 26 G-DFOX AS.355F Twin Squirrel 1151 (non-standard approach) National 03 G-OCMM Agusta A.109A 1203 (non-standard approach) National 37 G-BOSN AS.355 Twin Squirrel 1204 sd National -- G-IOOZ Agusta A.109S 1212 sd National 38 N784F Bell 206 Jet Ranger 1216 sd National 05 G-GDSG Agusta A.109E 1218 sd National 35 G-CHGL Bell 206B Jet Ranger 1223 sd National -- G-BLGV Bell 206B Jet Ranger 1235 sd Comment: I make that 26 different helicopters landing during the morning, compares with 23 in both 2011 and 2010. In all around 42 landings. Unfortunately, like 2011, they were using 09, so landing approach routing was further to the north. A few of the early helicopters did approach for 27 though, which was helpful to photographers. Sunny and nearly warm at first, but once the cloud came the NE breeze increased and was cold. You will not find morning photos of EI-LMK or G-OCMM Agusta 109s as they both stayed distant. Also noted: G-CGKW Grob 109 Tutor, turned overhead 1103 G-JDBC PA-34 Seneca, passed just to the east at 1136 National 41 G-PIXL Robinson R.44, overhead 1119-1040, later returned to land Police 29 G-NWOI Eurocopter EC.135, overhead 1128-1235 Police 04 G-CPAO Eurocopter EC.135, overhead 1235-onwards Great to meet so many forumites this morning. I reckon that there were around 18 or so of us, plus a few public and dog walkers. Attracted attention of two Police on quads, who left us alone once they had established we were harmless. Nothing like as warm as the past two years, but not too bad after all it is the third consecutive year of bright, clear, dry weather for GND arrivals.
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Post by superian on Apr 14, 2012 15:28:03 GMT 1
Good turnout from the forum members today at Aintree (still not put names to some faces....maybe we could have a "rogue's gallery" on the site???) but, apart from a few spots, at least we beat the rain - although it was a bit brisk when the sun went behind the clouds. Some pictures - in no particular order - to illustrate Stevehall and Viscount's log. Ian. G-SPVK G-PIXL G-PACO G-OPAH G-IOOZ G-GMCM G-GDSG G-FCUM
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Post by superian on Apr 14, 2012 15:36:33 GMT 1
I lost some due to the dreaded dust spots Ian. G-BLGV EI-LAD N784F
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Post by superian on Apr 14, 2012 15:39:09 GMT 1
Not strictly a "National Runner" but mentioned in the log...... Ian. G-CGKW
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Post by Beemer on Apr 14, 2012 17:12:02 GMT 1
A couple more helicopters in/outbound Aintree. G-CEYF EC135 National 34 o/h Runcorn inbound @ 17:05hrs. ;D **** Squirrel {blue} Pilgrim 01 o/h Runcorn into Aintree @ 16:40/dep. 16:45hrs for Stretton area.
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Post by viscount on Apr 14, 2012 17:30:16 GMT 1
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Post by Beemer on Apr 14, 2012 17:55:10 GMT 1
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Post by urgentemente on Apr 14, 2012 18:46:09 GMT 1
Some great pics there guys, I like the livery on G-OPAH. Just had a "laugh out loud" moment listening to the various departing heli's, one inbound for another pickup was told by the controller, "could you put your aircraft nose towards your passengers , for reasons which will become obvious" The pilot just laughed (same passengers that apparently weren't anywhere to be found a few minutes prior then suddenly appeared). Is that controller speak for "they're wasted and would walk into the tail rotor" ?
EDIT: I take it back, my apologies to whomever those passengers were, sounds like the pilot had left his bags there! LOL
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Post by ac2348 on Apr 14, 2012 18:52:20 GMT 1
Hey all, just doing some spotting from my window. Just incase anyone is interested i've noted down some of the destinations of the heli's after grand national. Sorry i didn't get them all!
National 34 - Private site - Worchester
National 29 - Private site - Redding
National 03 - Chester Hotel
National 51 - Blackpool *Returned back to Aintree*
National 27 - Penriff
National 40 - Crown Plaza at Liverpool
National 05 - Private site - Luton
National 33 - Private site Yovilton
National 50- Isle of Man
National 42 - Private site - Warrington
National 23 - Private site - Nottingham
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