With the decreasing numbers of flights over the UK, my stats on FlightAware are also diminishing. Getting to the point where watching flight activity is like watching paint dry. The numbers of shuttle flights and GA are temporarily keeping my numbers up but nothing of interest.
Time to do other things rather than hope for a new A350 or B787 to pass nearby.
I have some logs from the last year to process (such as Alaska and Far East). I cannot believe that we decided to go to so many places last year. Now everywhere is shut down. We could not have done any of our trips this year.
Christmas Day we set off from Birmingham to Thailand on a TUI B788. Booked just a month prior to departure. We had a 14 day cruise to Vietnam, Malaysia, and Singapore. Around midday New Years Day we were passing Singapore - passed the departure flows, the final approach and later the arrivals. On the way back, after a day in Singapore, we did the final approach again. Without Singapore, the logs would have been thin - overflights up/down the Malaysian coast.
And hence a whole load of photos to catalogue from a year of travel - Cuba, Alaska, Pompeii, Far East.
Then on to a pile of slides negatives to scan from years before digital - remember that? A roll (or 2) of 36 Kodachrome per holiday instead of 100s of digital photos per camera.
Once the weather picks up need to get to all those jobs outside that didn't get done last year because of travelling. And the jobs that have been on hold for years! No excuses now even without the virus. I retire mid April. Actually already released having already handed over a month ago whatever I did - must have been important! Just pleased that I am not living through the impact of the virus on the work situation. More stress that is not needed.
Will visit here occasionally to see what is happening. Hope to see the familiar names. Many of us are in the higher risk category because of age - I hope to make it out the other side so best wishes to you all and hope that you do too.
Apologies if this seems like a downer but we need to recognise the reality.
Ian
Thanks Ian. I've been thinking about starting a new Board for members to post what they're doing to while away the time. You beat me to it.
I have loads of "DIY" projects to keep me busy but I suspect Screwfix and the local builders merchants will soon close and I won't be able to get my hands on some materials.
Both my wife and I are over 70 and I have a soon-to-be 94 year old mother-in-law living with us. I'm so pleased she moved in as I dread how she'd cope on her own in London in the current circumstances. The Welsh Govt. says we shouldn't leave the house for 16 weeks but we need food.
Like you, local air traffic has dropped by approx 70%. More bizjets than before and some GA light aircraft with ADS-B. The Samaritan's Purse DC8 went directly overhead yesterday which was a nice "catch".
I too have thousands of photos I should digitalise, catalogue and share online with family and friends. But not on Facebook!
Then there's the BaseStation.sqb "database" that could be tidied up, convering to single use data, such as "Virgin" instead of "Virgin Atlantic" or vice-versa. As well as airctaft types.
I have a BaseStation Guide that I never published so I may get around to that. And some spare "radar spotting" kit I may list for sale.
And when all that's done, there's always the garden ::)
Be good to hear what others are doing to keep amused.
We are very fortunate in having members who create and share their logos and silhouettes. But have you tried making your own?
Personally, I use an airline logo wherever possible, such as those shown below. And for military, bizjets and GA types, a simple silhouette. I often suggested to Kinetic it allowed both to display in the BaseStation aircraft list but it wasn't to be. But VRS is an alternative option.
Since I prefer an airline/freight logo to coloured side views, I often make my own. Not too difficult. Silhouettes are much harder and that's where IanK comes into his own. But I'm not sure he's active these days? I've tried a couple of times and know how hard it can be which is why I appreciate what others can do and thank them for sharing.
If you've ever made your own 85x20 bmp files, feel free to share them here.
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Yes how times have changed, never conceived we would look up into the skies and see only whispy clouds.
And knowing any trails around are either repatriation flights,freight or welfare compassionate routings. Even Virgin used a B789 as a freight only flight earlier this week!
It does make you wonder what the other side of this will bring? How aviation will have evolved.
For the environmentalists the fact the air is cleaner (less ground based pollution too) will be a strong argument to maintain a lower use of travel. But what I think is good through these dark days is we are all appreciating "real" values in life.
LHR will still be there, albeit in a different guise and the airlines that endure this turmoil will hopefully review their systems to better serve society.
The sad demise of loved airlines such as TCX and BEE irrespective of the cause only goes to show how fragile aviation has become.
While the world has just taken for granted moving goods and people across the globe without too many setbacks, what we now are witnessing is a world change in lifestyles, behaviour and functionality.
For me, the thrill of aviation is "in the blood" and my passion for it has never waned since the 60's. Like many of our members its now become a time for reflection. But we do have the fond memories of bygone days, the recent excitement of advanced designs,technology and such amazing roles such as this website and its moderators, designers and members to help us further enjoy our passion.
The future will be different, but just that... different not negative.Recall when Concorde breathed its last?
How upset we were to see an abrupt end to an era. The whys and hows left us reeling ...for a time. But we got through it and memories of those halcyon days still burn bright and I'm sure all the photos,slides and videos we own can perpetuate those memorable times.
Maybe in a few years time some of our members will be able to reflect back on 2020 and note it as a watershed time for aviation hopefully spurring us on to exciting times ahead
Due to the lack of basic ingredients for our core hobby I have taken to car/people spotting. Using the comprehensive TFL,(Transport For London), webcam feed, https://www.tfljamcams.net/ , you can explore London safely though I have to admit that traffic on the ground is almost as sparse as that in the sky.
On a more serious note it does seem that population are at last behaving in a more responsible manner and recognizing that you disregard the dangers posed by a pandemic at your peril.
Regards-
G.B.
Quote from: Graham Bell on March 29, 2020, 02:37:10 PM
On a more serious note it does seem that population are at last behaving in a more responsible manner and recognizing that you disregard the dangers posed by a pandemic at your peril.
Yes Graham, unless people are like these Imbeciles!
https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-police-break-up-massive-karaoke-party-during-covid-19-lockdown-measures-11965352
Tim
Hi All,
And this is circulating now, in the attach
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Fake news. But I've voluntarily given it up since I got my free gallstones 4 weeks ago,
You also Anmer,
Ive got mine in a jar from a few years back.
Quote from: Ospreyv22 on March 30, 2020, 12:11:49 PM
Ive got mine in a jar from a few years back.
Unfortunately mine are still in my gallbladder and decided to remind me they were still there last night.
All further treatment was put on hold.
My sympathies are with you as i know the discomfort and pain your going through,
Certain foods and especially alcohol used to trigger me off,
Mine was fatty foods, which is very common as the primary function of bile is the breaking down of fats.
The associated pain is not very nice.
Funny you should say that s92Driver, i had a thing for cheese, it was cheese on everything.
Quote from: s92driver on March 30, 2020, 03:00:00 PM
Mine was fatty foods, which is very common as the primary function of bile is the breaking down of fats.
I don't think my wife's Yorkshire Pudding was a good idea.
Quote from: Ospreyv22 on March 30, 2020, 08:33:14 PM
Funny you should say that s92Driver, i had a thing for cheese, it was cheese on everything.
Quote from: Anmer on March 31, 2020, 09:46:10 AM
I don't think my wife's Yorkshire Pudding was a good idea.
Cheese and Yorkshire Pudding. The perfect meal 8)
Who remembers the Icelandic Eyjafjallajökull ?
10 years ago in April 2010 this is what UK airspace looked like.
Stuart
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Thanks Stuart. It only seems like yesterday :-\
Made an aviation themed Quiz for my 7 year-old grandchild.
Please feel to make use of it if you can. It might keep some younger ones "busy" for 30 minutes.
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One month later (really - not so bad ;D if you are a hermit).
We were supposed to depart Honolulu yesterday on a cruise around Hawaiian islands and then on to the US/Canadian mainland: Astoria, Seattle, Victoria, Vancouver. Seattle had a visit to Boeing plant scheduled.
We would have celebrated a wedding anniversary on board tonight and also my retirement. However over a month ago I was hoping (praying?) for cancellations since we did not want to go and risk quarantine on a cruise ship ???. Eventually BA cancelled flights and the cruise line cancelled the cruise. Basically all down to who was going to cancel first and lose out. So now we wait for the refunds - at least our travel agent seems to be organising refunds rather than credit notes.
Meanwhile what does the future hold? Having discovered cruises, now we are not sure when we want to go on another one. Even ignoring likely price increases, the risk factor of future quarantine makes us wary - no let's just say scared.
For those reading this, who is booking a holiday in 2020 even with all the "you can modify your holiday at no charge" offers? Are we over cautious? Will this simply pass by as an over-inflated scare? Just looking for other opinions. My wife and I are both scientists (chemistry and biology) so see this from those perspectives. But when I go to the local supermarket, I wonder how others see this - shoppers wandering around as if this is not happening. Comments please.
I am a retiree of 13 years so feel glad I would not have to commute to London and use the tube. I got my SBS1 in 2006 just before I retired and have not looked back since (mainly skywards these days). Since then I have had a Radarbox, Aurora SSRx (both still in the cupboard) I got an SBS-1e and my current base station is an SBS-3. I also had a puck (SBS 1090) which I sold on and in the last year managed to configure a Raspberry pie to run Flightradar 24. Not bad for someone that started retirement with very little computer knowledge.
As far as day to day sightings at this time, I don't do too bad as my house is 6nm off the end of 26 at LTN and I can see BKY to STN traffic when using 04 or even stuff climbing off 22, plus loads of airways traffic right over the top. As I type this I have just 6 aircraft on my SBS-3 whereas on a normal day it would have been about 150!. There are a few compensations in that some different type are in use and there are some great routings going on and aircraft I would hardly ever see are taking short-cuts and coming overhead. I also noted on the box that CSN are using their A380's on the London routes occasionally.
I am also slowly converting 3,200 colour slides of family, aviation, locomotives and buses into digital images and removing fluff from them. so I think I have enough to keep me busy for quite a while yet.
Stay safe everyone.
Regards Mike/Roadrunner
Hi Ian
I'm sorry to hear your cruise has been cancelled though I'm sure you (and many others) would be wary of going on one now. But at least it sounds like you're getting a refund. Others with cancelled trips are not so lucky.
I worked in the travel industry nearly all my life. Cruises have been the "star" growth sector for the last 20 years but I'm not sure what the future holds for that sector if we ever get over the current crisis?
At the end of January I thought 2020 would have to be "written off". No holidays, family events or sporting fixtures. Some friends called me a pessimist. I think I was being realistic and I still think the same way. My initial fear was getting food and being forced by the Welsh Government to stay indoors for 16 weeks. Getting food is still a chellenge as we are three "vulnerable" individuals, all over 70, living in a rural hamlet, 16 miles from the nearest main town and its supermarkets.
We've managed three online grocery deliveries since the end of February. Available slots are usually not available! So we're forced to venture out to buy food, preferring not to take the risk. But needs must.
Looking ahead, things don't look too promising. As a country we've taken the right steps but too slowly and are faltering at every one. We need a vaccine but have to wait. In the meantime we need to limit the spread of Covid-19. Staying "locked down" can help but at what cost? Too high. And there lies the problem. Can people sustain a long-term lockdown, both socially and economically? I don't think so.
Consequently, with unwelcome input from Trump, we, globally, run the risk of second and third waves of infection. The cost will be enormous - more lives lost, the world economy in ruin, food running out......one must imagine the rest. Sounds gloomy, which it is.
I'm naturally an optimist and don't scare easily. Brandao failed 8)
But, seriously, I'm not making any holiday plans now or anytime soon.
And as a footnote.
I value the advice of experts. But even scientific ones come up with differing opinions. We need a Government which can lead, taking advice from more than a handful of, now tainted, experts and make balanced decisions. This mob has a lot to answer for and hiding behind "the advice of experts" is not good enough. To me it sounds like the oft used excuse of "we were under orders".
The wearing of face masks is a good example. Sure it won't protect one from infection. But it can reduce the risk of infecting others, especially as Covid-19 "carriers" don't always know they're spreading it around. No symptoms. But I bet SAGE (the panel of experts) will not recommend wearing them. And this when our only option is to reduce the spread.
"Wear a Mask -> Protect the NHS -> Save Lives.
You did ask. ;)
Just saw this. Painful reading:
https://www.minghella.com/eleven-days-in-march/
Here's a useful blog from Bill Gates. It's long but an easy and helpful read.
Just hope The White House reads it too!
https://www.gatesnotes.com/Health/Pandemic-Innovation?WT.mc_id=20200423060000_Pandemic-Innovation_BG-EM_&WT.tsrc=BGEM
Mike
One month later.
Nothing in your responses that I disagree with - particularly face masks - why are the experts so against this? Perhaps assuming everyone would suddenly be emboldened to ignore the lockdown since they were "safe" behind their masks. But at the same time we are supposed to be acting responsibly! Must go to Durham sometime to see what the attraction is ;D
We are not in the vulnerable category and are lucky to have an Aldi just half a mile away. After the first week or so, there were no queues early morning and they had most of what we wanted (ok perhaps we have adjusted our menus a bit). So we are managing with a once-a-week shop there. Also feeling less stressed when we return from shopping as the weeks go by - we have always worn face masks and use two trolleys with a list each to reduce the time in the shop. Knowing the low reported incidence of infections around here has helped.
So what of radar spotting? Interesting times. Much reduced quantity but better quality ;). Working my way through the Aer Lingus A330 fleet as they do 3 x daily journeys to China. Hardly knew they existed previously since they usually go west. Lots of interesting freighters (Cargojet, Amerijet, Omni Air) since EMA is a cargo hub. And If the weather is good, the departures from Doncaster are visible in the climb - even seen an Ilyushin Il-62 out of there. The lack of traffic has meant Manchester arrivals flying overhead (usually much further west) and the USAF routing into Mildenhall overhead as well (usually further east). So my expectation of no spotting as air traffic dropped to a few percent of normal was unfounded, particularly over the last month. My Flightaware rating has dropped by about 4000 but so what? The US traffic supposedly is a small proportion of what ti was but compare Europe, Asia and the US on FR24. Europe traffic is way down.
Anyway enough of this except to say the travel agent Trailfinders came through with the holiday refund even though they are still waiting for some of the refund from Celebrity. Less than a month after we should have returned, we have 100% refund: BA flights, Celebrity cruise and hotels. The flights and cruise were premium because of the reason for the trip so a lot of money we did not want to lose. Hawaiian Airlines had already initiated and refunded our flight costs - kudos to them. The only thing left is the cost of the BA seats - process started- sadly no prompting from BA about how to do this.
Now we wait and wonder if we will go on another cruise. Is this Covid-19 fading away? Let's see how many of the first cruises complete without event. Many people are wanting to be on those first ships to venture out - NOT US.
Regards
Ian