'Planespotting'
The community of planespotters at East Midlands Airport
Preface: Unlike the film 'Trainspotting', this will actually be about planespotting. No misleading titles here.
Located next to the M1, near Castle Donington and Donington Park motor racing circuit, most people who visit East Midlands Airport will probably head straight for the terminal to board their flight.
But if you'd rather watch the planes from the ground, there are much better spots to go, including the ever popular East Midlands Aeropark, where groups of planespotters can often be seen gathered.
"East Midlands Aeropark is the place to go for planespotters."
The Aeropark is located right next to the airport's runway, making it the perfect spot to see the planes as they take off and land. It is also the site of an aviation museum, meaning that you can view aircraft of both the past and the present at the same time.
Three planespotters wait eagerly for a jumbo which is about to land.
Three planespotters wait eagerly for a jumbo which is about to land.
The jumbo arrives! It is a Kalitta Boeing 747 cargo plane.
The jumbo arrives! It is a Kalitta Boeing 747 cargo plane.
The Aeropark museum is home to planes of the past.
The Aeropark museum is home to planes of the past.
It is the perfect spot for taking photos of the planes.
It is the perfect spot for taking photos of the planes.
This is the entrance to the Aeropark, one of East Midlands' most popular spots for planespotting.
This is the entrance to the Aeropark, one of East Midlands' most popular spots for planespotting.
DHL Air UK are based at East Midlands.
DHL Air UK are based at East Midlands.
Antonovs are a rare sighting at East Midlands.
Antonovs are a rare sighting at East Midlands.
Boeing 747s often carry Formula One cargo.
Boeing 747s often carry Formula One cargo.
Commercially, East Midlands is a hub for low-cost tour operators such as Jet2, Ryanair and TUI, but it is the cargo planes that attract the most planespotters.
The airport is home to the UK's largest dedicated air cargo operation, making it the country's most important airport for express freight. It handles over 370,000 tonnes of cargo each year.
East Midlands is the main base for British cargo airline DHL Air UK and you are guaranteed to see their distinctive yellow and red aircraft livery whenever you visit the airport.
But if you're a bit luckier, you might even see an Antonov, a Boeing 747, or a Boeing 777. These carry Formula One and Rolls Royce shipments to and from the airport.
Listen to the sound of the planes as you scroll - it's almost as if you're there right now...
Even though you can often see vapour trails high up in the sky from anywhere...
The planespotters want to be able to see the planes much closer up.
Meet the planespotters...
Steve
"I became fascinated with planes and their engines through my work as an engineer."
Matthew
"I'm a photographer and I take photos of the planes as they take off and land."
Melissa
"I worked at the airport 30 years ago, but I still come back to watch the planes."
Wayne & Kat
"We're not regular planespotters at all - in fact, this is our first time here!"
Flightradar24 is a popular way for planespotters to track the airport's arrivals and departures.
Flightradar24 is a popular way for planespotters to track the airport's arrivals and departures.
Many planespotters use a website called flightradar24.com (pictured above) to track the planes as they arrive and depart from East Midlands airport.
It shows real-time aircraft flight tracking information on a map, including flight tracking information, origins and destinations, flight numbers, aircraft types, positions, altitudes, headings and speed.
This means that planespotters can find out exactly when they need to arrive at the airport in order to catch the rarest sightings. Click here to give it a go yourself!
Planespotters will do anything to get the perfect photo.
This girl stood on top of her father's car at the Aeropark to avoid the fence getting in the way.
Many airports are not too fond of planespotters, but East Midlands embraces, encourages, and appreciates its loyal community, which grew exponentially during the Covid-19 lockdown.
In collaboration with the Leicestershire Police, they display these posters around the airport. One can be seen on Diseworth Road in Castle Donington, another very popular planespotting site. A long no through road, it often has cars lining both sides.
At the end of the road, there is an entrance to a pathway, which circles round the entire airport. This is known as the Airport Trail and it is a popular walking route among planespotters, especially those who own dogs.
These 'We love aviation enthusiasts' posters are displayed around East Midlands airport.
These 'We love aviation enthusiasts' posters are displayed around East Midlands airport.
A Qatar 747 jumbo takes off over the fence at Diseworth Road.
A Qatar 747 jumbo takes off over the fence at Diseworth Road.
Come rain or shine...
No matter the weather, the planespotters are always there.
This is what they were waiting for - a Saudia Cargo 747.
People often stand up by the fence to get the best view.
People often stand up by the fence to get the best view.
People often stand by the gate at Diseworth Road.
People often stand by the gate at Diseworth Road.
A Ryanair 737 passenger plane flies over the trees.
A Ryanair 737 passenger plane flies over the trees.
Cars line either side of Diseworth Road when a rare plane is on its way.
Cars line either side of Diseworth Road when a rare plane is on its way.
This embankment, which is a short walk from Diseworth Road, is another popular spot for planespotting.
This embankment, which is a short walk from Diseworth Road, is another popular spot for planespotting.
Planespotters have the fence to contend with when trying to take photos of the planes.
Planespotters have the fence to contend with when trying to take photos of the planes.
