UK

The UK's second busiest airport has changed a great deal over the years since I've been visiting (it's still, and always has been, my 'local', when I'm in the UK anyway), and it's definitely worth a visit or three. From being the main UK charter airport in the 1970s and '80s, Gatwick now has a much larger number of scheduled flights, to a quite amazing number of destinations worldwide. The charters are still here, mind you, particularly in the summer, but relatively few are operated by overseas airlines these days. The number of different types and colour schemes to be seen in a typical day is really quite exceptional, although, personally, it somehow doesn't seem as interesting as it used to be. It is certainly a very 'regular' airport nowadays, and it's a rare visit that produces something you couldn't have predicted beforehand.
Mornings are especially hectic, with most of the long haul flights operating then, but there's something happening throughout most of the day. Relatively few of the movements are 'business' flights, so there's not much difference between weekend and weekday traffic. Quite a few flights only operate once or twice a week, though, so it would be useful to check out a timetable if you want to see something special.

Unfortunately, the massive development has meant a corresponding decrease in viewing and, particularly, photographic spots, and the choice is now much more limited than it was in the 'good old days'. All is not lost, however, and with the help of a car, a bit of searching and some luck (as in the wind being from the east, which is unfortunately the less common situation), some very good shots can be obtained.

a) The spectator's area still exists in almost its full original form, but the construction work that has taken place elsewhere on the airport has severely reduced its usefullness for photography (although for general viewing it's fine). The only real possibilities for decent shots from here nowadays come from aircraft parking on the right-hand side of the main South Terminal pier or some of the gates at the satellite - anything else is too far away or blocked by various obstructions. It's also only really useful early in the morning - by midday the sun has moved round too far for all but a few angles.

b) The top of the short-stay multi-storey carpark would be great for landing shots on Runway 26 (the usual runway) if it wasn't for the fact that you're facing into the sun almost all day, with the only decent time being from about 6pm onwards during the summer. Officially the top storey seems to be out-of-bounds to enthusiasts (and everyone else - what's it actually used for?), although unless they've been added since my last visit I've never seen any signs to this effect. To avoid the chance of being thrown out, though, just choose the floor below - the angle's almost as good anyway.

c) You could try walking along the airport perimeter road from the terminal to the other side of the Runway 26 approach. For some unknown reason I've never tried this, but I'd imagine that reasonable landing shots would be possible from around here, albeit a bit high. At least the sun would be behind you.

d) For the best shots you need to leave the terminal area completely and go right round to the other end of the runway (head towards Charlwood, in the opposite direction from the North Terminal, keeping the airport on your right). Just past the long-term parking area you'll find yourself right under the final approach for Runway 08. Unfortunately this the less commonly-used runway, but when it is in use excellent landing shots can be obtained from here. Good from first light until around mid-afternoon.
Note that parking on the road or the verges here is illegal and there are signs to this effect. The police do make fairly regular checks (especially on sunny summer weekends), and you will be moved on if you park here, with either a smile, a warning or a fine depending on their mood and how many other people they've had to deal with so far that day. In other words, DON'T park here. There is a big layby just the other side of the road from the 'Flight Tavern' Pub (unfortunately no views from here!), just before you get to the long-term car park previously mentioned. Park your car here, and walk down - it's only about a 15 minute walk.

e) Follow the road further round and you will soon reach a crash gate from where you can get excellent portraits of aircraft as they taxi onto Runway 08 (assuming that's the one in use). The light here is perfect from around midday onwards.
The only problem with this location is that there are only 3 useable 'gaps' through which you can stick a camera, and it can be a very popular spot, especially on sunny weekends - it's not often the wind favours this runway and people make the most of it - meaning that if you arrive too late you may find all opportunities are gone. Most enthusiasts here will try to give the unlucky latecomers the chance of a photo, but you'll obviously be the last in the line, with the resulting possibility of missing a classic shot. The best way around this is to bring your own ladder, although remember to put it on the ground when not actually in use - leaving it standing will illegally block the crash gate, and the police or BAA won't be too happy to see this. Also, note that the parking restrictions are the same as for location d above.

Last visited on 23 August 2000	Top of page

Maps

Click on the icons below to see various maps and images relating to Gatwick airport. Note that these are all external links to other sites, and will open in a new window.

Official CAA Gatwick airport map Courtesy of: NATS Ltd. Note that you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader (v4.0 or later) installed in order to view this. Click here to download this from the Adobe site if you need it.		OS street map of the Gatwick airport area Courtesy of: Streetmap.co.uk		General map of the Gatwick area Courtesy of: maps.expedia.com

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