An afternoon at Gatwick (Monday 19th) before overnighting at Horsham with Peter and family. Gatwick is probably busier in the mornings but 10 new numbers still managed to fall in the book. 4 different Flybe EMB-190s seen of which 3 were new. A couple of Easyjets were also put away.
The usual early start picking up John Dyer on the way who was travelling with us. John had been told to dress smartly as we were going in the static park but we didn't expect to see him in a suit. An uneventful check in and departure from the North Terminal satellite which meant having to cross the 'bridge'. At the end of the bridge is an excellent view over the runway so unsurprised to find other spotters congregating here. Heard later that we did well to head for the gate when we did as the fire alarm had gone in the main terminal.
Boarded our A-319 HB-JZN for flight 8470 to Geneva. Pretty much on time with a push back at 08:41 and a take off from runway at 08:55. The usual Easy flight had us landing at Geneva on runway 05 just 77 minutes later. Entry formalities much easier this year and we were soon heading for the show to meet up with Paul Seymour on the balcony where they park the helicopters. This is an excellent vantage point and much scribbling was done while here.
Show tickets had arrived in the post so we only had to pick up lanyards so that we were fully legit. The static park held even more aircraft than before although this means it's harder to get pictures. As before, a big plus getting in the show is the view over the runway is second to none especially now that the spectators area on the terminal is closed for refurbishment.
Stayed airside until kicking out time at 6:00 and then the 4 of us went down to the car rentals counter as Paul had hired a car for the next 2 days. This turned out to be a real boon as the route march down to Jet Aviation was done in style this year. There is much change here as building work is going on and the road up the hill by the workers barracks has gone but the views over the ramps are still the same. My one and only Gulfstream frame of the trip (G5 VP-CES) was spotted here along with an A7 dash CJ.
Having the car meant I was able to visit the flying club on the north side for the first time and could see why so many head here. Excellent views over the ramps and a proper look at the G1 that's been stored here for years (TC-SMA). It was soon time to head for our hotels. Peter and I were back in the Novotel as the Ibis was full. John was in a cheapy near the border by the tunnel and Paul was in the F1 just behind us. We all met up again for dinner in the Novotel and as usual, the beer went down well after the first full day.
Paul was waiting for us as we came out of the hotel in the morning and we headed for the long term parking area and then the flying club. This was the routine for the next 2 days and I can't thank Paul enough for his efforts in making it easy for us. Spent the 2nd day round by the end of the runway to catch all the movements. As usual, no hassle at all but then we are in Switzerland. Finished the day at the flying club where we had dinner and I can thoroughly recommend the chicken curry.
The final day was back in the static park until 3:00 when they kick you out. The best weather today and as it's the departure day for most, plenty of pictures. Struggled a bit to find somewhere to eat before the flight and probably made the mistake of going airside for this as not much of a selection here. Managed a plate of pasta and a beer so all was not lost. Reasonable views of the movements from the satellite and numbers were still falling in the book. You can't afford to drop your guard as Falcon 50 3C-LGE went past the window and I managed to point the camera at it just in time. Our flight 8475 (on HB-JZI this time) was again reasonably punctual. Arrival on 08 at Gatwick was achieved 71 minutes after leaving Geneva. We again parked on the North satellite so again had to cross the 'bridge' on the march to immigration. The queue for the Iris scanner was no shorter than the old fashioned passport check so we did it the old way.
A selection of pictures from the trip can be seen at http://www.bob-holland.fotopic.net/c1515600.html
