Northern Ireland Aviation Enthusiast's Forum

General Aviation Discussion => Spotting Trips => Topic started by: theflyingcello on July 22, 2013, 08:21:46 PM

Title: Freighter departures at BFS
Post by: theflyingcello on July 22, 2013, 08:21:46 PM: Hi folks,
I'm enjoying having a borrowed 400mm lens at the moment, so was thinking of heading up to BFS tomorrow evening for an hour...does anyone know what time the big freighters go out at? Used to be somewhere around 9pm...
Anyone else fancy it?
Title: Re: Freighter departures at BFS
Post by: Angry Turnip on July 22, 2013, 09:09:50 PM: You need to be there earlier than that,from around 1945 ish the freighters normally start to go out-the B767 Star Air for UPS is usually very punctual around 2000,then TNT,DHL etc.
Looks like 07 going to be in use,so Killead area should be good for takeoff shots,although you don`t get a lot of warning,and pics will be backlit at first.

Still well worth a look,on a nice evening.
Title: Re: Freighter departures at BFS
Post by: Merlin on July 22, 2013, 09:27:49 PM: Quote from: Angry Turnip on July 22, 2013, 09:09:50 PM
Looks like 07 going to be in use,so Killead area should be good for takeoff shots,although you don`t get a lot of warning,and pics will be backlit at first.

Go up to Tully Road, along the threshold of 25, and you'll get a better, unobstructed view.
Title: Re: Freighter departures at BFS
Post by: theflyingcello on July 22, 2013, 10:10:34 PM: Thanks gents...is Tully Road open on foot?
Title: Re: Freighter departures at BFS
Post by: Angry Turnip on July 22, 2013, 10:12:32 PM: That`s the area I meant-anywhere around Killead Church or Village,or where the old furniture shop used to be at the end of the dead end road,just off Tully Road should give you a decent view;you could even head a little way down towards Templepatrick,on the left not far after the airport round about is a small layby,sometimes used by taxis,but there should be room to park.
Title: Re: Freighter departures at BFS
Post by: theflyingcello on July 22, 2013, 10:16:33 PM: Sorry AT, I was thinking of the old Tully Road, where it's closed off down at the end of Killead village...where it runs along the end of 25 and back out onto the main airport road on the airport side of the Ballyrobin...

I think you can walk down it now.
Title: Re: Freighter departures at BFS
Post by: Merlin on July 22, 2013, 10:22:36 PM: Quote from: theflyingcello on July 22, 2013, 10:16:33 PM
Sorry AT, I was thinking of the old Tully Road, where it's closed off down at the end of Killead village...where it runs along the end of 25 and back out onto the main airport road on the airport side of the Ballyrobin...

I think you can walk down it now.

That's the road I was refering to.

Yes you can walk down it. RNASMU and I were there the night the Reds were due in for the Armed Forces Day; no problems.
Title: Re: Freighter departures at BFS
Post by: theflyingcello on July 22, 2013, 10:36:21 PM: Thanks gents, might give it a go...
Title: Re: Freighter departures at BFS
Post by: smudge on July 24, 2013, 12:09:42 PM: Do let me know how it goes, Flying Cello. I plan to head up on a Wednesday evening before the light drops too much.

Is the Tully Road a good spot for gear-up photos? Or would I need to choose somewhere farther down-track for that?

Don't want a nice photo spoiled by all that dangly stuff :)
Title: Re: Freighter departures at BFS
Post by: Angry Turnip on July 24, 2013, 06:08:37 PM: Gear should be up by the time they cross the Tully Road alright,assumimng 07 is in use-wind is currently 190-150 and 25 is in use.

Using SSR ( secondary radar),so aircraft spacings are increased slightly.
Title: Re: Freighter departures at BFS
Post by: theflyingcello on July 24, 2013, 07:28:09 PM: Going to head down tonight...looks like 25 in use still, so might try the bridge at British Road...
Title: Re: Freighter departures at BFS
Post by: Angry Turnip on July 24, 2013, 07:35:09 PM: Quote from: theflyingcello on July 24, 2013, 07:28:09 PM
Going to head down tonight...looks like 25 in use still, so might try the bridge at British Road...

Just checked 25 in use,wind 015 5 knts,bridge is a good spot,but watchout for tractors on that road-they don`t take prisioners.
Title: Re: Freighter departures at BFS
Post by: theflyingcello on July 24, 2013, 09:48:14 PM: Well, it was a grey old night, not much light to talk about. So the pics aren't the best, but sure, it was an hour spent chilling!
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7410/9361731570_0261757b2e_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/97851721@N05/9361731570/)
DSC_3229 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/97851721@N05/9361731570/) by Sam Gibson 71 (http://www.flickr.com/people/97851721@N05/), on Flickr
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7329/9361734872_5c11d58c3e_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/97851721@N05/9361734872/)
DSC_3220 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/97851721@N05/9361734872/) by Sam Gibson 71 (http://www.flickr.com/people/97851721@N05/), on Flickr
(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5527/9358957343_a4e7353ab1_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/97851721@N05/9358957343/)
DSC_3209 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/97851721@N05/9358957343/) by Sam Gibson 71 (http://www.flickr.com/people/97851721@N05/), on Flickr
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7305/9361735994_ca4b6d586e_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/97851721@N05/9361735994/)
DSC_3201 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/97851721@N05/9361735994/) by Sam Gibson 71 (http://www.flickr.com/people/97851721@N05/), on Flickr
(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3739/9358958281_7d43ac7ac7_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/97851721@N05/9358958281/)
DSC_3190 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/97851721@N05/9358958281/) by Sam Gibson 71 (http://www.flickr.com/people/97851721@N05/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Freighter departures at BFS
Post by: TCX49 on July 24, 2013, 10:04:36 PM: Hopefully things will pick up with new owners on board! :D
Title: Re: Freighter departures at BFS
Post by: theflyingcello on July 24, 2013, 11:18:23 PM: If you believe the rumours, we'll be seeing Air Canada (787?), Etihad (A380?) and Lufthansa (another A320!!)...lol
Title: Re: Freighter departures at BFS
Post by: smudge on July 31, 2013, 04:05:23 PM: Not looking promising for a trip up tonight. Soaking rain and 400 ft cloudbase in Ards.

Can anyone up that way hear the Aldergrove ATIS?
Title: Re: Freighter departures at BFS
Post by: TCX49 on July 31, 2013, 04:11:26 PM: Me! Clouds at 900ft, Light to heavy rain, vis isn't to good, runway 07 in use.
Title: Re: Freighter departures at BFS
Post by: smudge on July 31, 2013, 04:37:28 PM: Quote from: TCX49 on July 31, 2013, 04:11:26 PM
Me! Clouds at 900ft, Light to heavy rain, vis isn't to good, runway 07 in use.

Cheers! I think I'll give it a miss tonight then.

Don't want to delay too long as the nights are becoming gloomy. Perhaps next week.
Title: Re: Freighter departures at BFS
Post by: Jake Lewis on July 31, 2013, 05:11:43 PM: Updated:

[attachment deleted by admin]
Title: Re: Freighter departures at BFS
Post by: Aldergrove on July 31, 2013, 06:01:36 PM: Sam, where some of those pics taken from the bridge on British Road? Great shots.
Title: Re: Freighter departures at BFS
Post by: smudge on July 31, 2013, 06:34:18 PM: Well I enjoyed Summer while it was here :-\

Nearly a week's worth of rain this afternoon alone in Ards.
Title: Re: Freighter departures at BFS
Post by: theflyingcello on July 31, 2013, 07:45:39 PM: Quote from: Aldergrove on July 31, 2013, 06:01:36 PM
Sam, where some of those pics taken from the bridge on British Road? Great shots.
Yep, the very place! Thanks!
Title: Re: Freighter departures at BFS
Post by: Angry Turnip on July 31, 2013, 08:26:22 PM: Weather Update from ATIS for BFS.

Runway 07 in use Wind 010 at 9knts Moderate Rain,temp 14C QNH 1002 Cloudbase varying between 500 and 900ft.

Been horrible here since lunchtime-persistant rain and very heavy at times- :(
Title: Re: Freighter departures at BFS
Post by: theflyingcello on June 17, 2014, 06:45:11 PM: Hi chaps, any idea of departure times for the freighters tonight? Great weather for pics!
Title: Re: Freighter departures at BFS
Post by: Angry Turnip on June 17, 2014, 08:17:30 PM: Usually the 1st biggy out is the Star Air B767 at 8pm,then the others after it.
DHL and TNT usually out by 8.30-8.45ish.
Title: Re: Freighter departures at BFS
Post by: theflyingcello on June 17, 2014, 08:27:41 PM: Thanks AT ... not going to make it tonight then :-(

If this weather holds, maybe tomorrow or Thursday.
Title: Re: Freighter departures at BFS
Post by: TCX49 on June 17, 2014, 08:30:05 PM: Try smudges website for the freighters:

http://occurs.lineum.org.uk/public/misc/aviation/egaa_freighters.html :)
Title: Re: Freighter departures at BFS
Post by: theflyingcello on June 17, 2014, 08:32:38 PM: Thanks Callum ... :-)
Title: Re: Freighter departures at BFS
Post by: smudge on June 17, 2014, 08:46:37 PM: oops I had better update that for 2014! one moment...
Title: Re: Freighter departures at BFS
Post by: TCX49 on June 17, 2014, 08:56:52 PM: No problem. :)

Yep AWC are gone and Jet2 replaced them :P
Title: Re: Freighter departures at BFS
Post by: smudge on June 17, 2014, 09:18:48 PM: I can't believe I hadn't updated that in six months! :o

Better now!
Title: Re: Freighter departures at BFS
Post by: theflyingcello on June 19, 2014, 11:36:34 PM: Made it up tonight...some pics below. Focus still a bit soft, but sure, it was fun.

(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3878/14482006453_9f95d1ac5a_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/o4J4Yr)DSC_6222 (https://flic.kr/p/o4J4Yr) by Sam Gibson 71 (https://www.flickr.com/people//), on Flickr

(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5559/14460475042_c3a25575ec_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/o2PHrd)DSC_6219 (https://flic.kr/p/o2PHrd) by Sam Gibson 71 (https://www.flickr.com/people//), on Flickr

(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3851/14275250878_bba18819e0_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/nKsoK9)DSC_6205 (https://flic.kr/p/nKsoK9) by Sam Gibson 71 (https://www.flickr.com/people//), on Flickr

(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3899/14460726114_cc64e0cdf7_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/o2R153)DSC_6204 (https://flic.kr/p/o2R153) by Sam Gibson 71 (https://www.flickr.com/people//), on Flickr

(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5033/14438736346_0ece770bf3_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/nZUih7)DSC_6180 (https://flic.kr/p/nZUih7) by Sam Gibson 71 (https://www.flickr.com/people//), on Flickr

(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5033/14275207919_3efd012d08_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/nKsaYt)DSC_6189 (https://flic.kr/p/nKsaYt) by Sam Gibson 71 (https://www.flickr.com/people//), on Flickr

(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3916/14275393737_2f595f3c9d_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/nKt8de)DSC_6174 (https://flic.kr/p/nKt8de) by Sam Gibson 71 (https://www.flickr.com/people//), on Flickr

(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3845/14275204319_773e1b019f_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/nKs9Up)DSC_6140 (https://flic.kr/p/nKs9Up) by Sam Gibson 71 (https://www.flickr.com/people//), on Flickr

(https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2925/14458485931_74c0201451_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/o2Dw9c)DSC_6150 (https://flic.kr/p/o2Dw9c) by Sam Gibson 71 (https://www.flickr.com/people//), on Flickr
Title: Re: Freighter departures at BFS
Post by: Angry Turnip on June 20, 2014, 12:26:33 AM: Very nice group of pics 8)
Title: Re: Freighter departures at BFS
Post by: smudge on June 20, 2014, 05:30:59 AM: Spot-on!

Great to see those big freighters in the Sunlight. Lovely liveries.
Title: Re: Freighter departures at BFS
Post by: gadwall58 on June 20, 2014, 02:20:11 PM: More excellent pictures. Pleasure to view and thank you.