Heathrow, London City and Birmingham Airport from the Air

[Tonks]

A couple of Heathrow taken after routing straight down the River Thames on Thurs this week, flying in from Hannover:


London Heathrow Airport by ZZ330, on Flickr


London Heathrow Airport by ZZ330, on Flickr
Had to crop this one a little awkwardly as we were so close to the overhead... can you spot Concorde?

Does make you wonder where a third runway would actually go???

And one from slightly earlier that shows London City... bit higher here though...


Air-to-Ground of London and the Thames by ZZ330, on Flickr

... and this from Friday on the way home from Prestwick...


Birmingham Airport from the Air... by ZZ330, on Flickr

All the best

Tonks

[speedbird591]

Really interesting shots, Tonks. The third runway was (is?) planned to be on that agricultural land to the north between the airport and the M4. Of course, there used to be a third runway back in the 70s and 80s which was used when there was a strong cross wind. I've landed on it maybe three times. It ran diagonally across the east end of the two main runways and until fairly recently it was still there and used as a taxiway. Of course the need for a third runway has coincided with them finally building a stand extension to T2 right in the middle of it. D'oh

Ian

[TSR2]

The MOD should lease Northolt and it should be used as a domestic hub with free high speed links into Heathrow. Also the HS2 should run through Heathrow... That's my thinking anyway

Great shots Mr T. The last shuttle I was on down to Heathrow a few months back gave us great views over the city, I was even able to pick out what's left of Radlett

[Paul K]

Thanks for those Tonks. Also, found your photos from Madrid's aviation museum very interesting too.

[Tonks]

Thanks or the comments... Paul, that museum is great, so good I am going back next time I am in Madrid and gonna make sure I have my SLR with me this time.

I remember that 3rd runway well Ian, though only saw it used once... You can still see it clearly... Be a bit hard to use now though lol!!!!

I will post a wide shot tomo so you can see the whole area...

Tons

[Tonks]

As promised a few more shots:


Thames Estuary by ZZ330, on Flickr
Looking up the Thames Estuary as we approached London... we flew pretty well straight up it!


London Olympic Village from 18000 ft by ZZ330, on Flickr
The Olympic Village... wonder what Britain was winning at the time?


LHR and surrounds by ZZ330, on Flickr
A more general view of the land around Heathrow.

And finally one from the next day:


River Severn Estuary by ZZ330, on Flickr

All the best,

Tonks

[DaveB]

Lovely shots mate and thanks for posting

ATB
DaveB

[ianhind]

Third runway was 23L/05R although it only had ILS on 23L as I recall. 05R was the scene of the BOAC 707 (G-ARWE) that returned after it lost an engine after takeoff.

And don't forget there was also 33L/15R once upon a time before they built on it. I did see some landings on that in the 60s.

Ian