Incredible day out AIRSIDE at London Gatwick (Airfield Operations behind the scenes)

Today we’re at London Gatwick, one of the busiest single runway airports in the world, spending the day with the Airfield Operations team. We’ve got a behinds the scenes pass to see how this great group of people keeps things running smoothly. From fire fighting and incident response to wildlife control and runway inspections, it’s all here. Not to mention lots of up close planespotting and plenty of jetblast too.

-------------------------------------------
Useful flight tracking links:

#London #gatwick #airside

[LeeShand]

Fun fact. When that Tower had been built, I was the fist civilian to ever have a visit it and an airfield tour. I was about 15'ish and wanted to be an ATC so I wrote to a guy called Brian Grinsted (I think) who was the Chief ATC officer? Or Airport Ops? He invited me and my family up. I'm now in my fifties :) Nice to see this. I never made made it as an ATC but my passion for aviation has always been strong.

[jon]

It's fascinating to see how much coordination is involved in airfield operations beyond just air traffic control. It makes you appreciate the unsung heroes on the ground who keep everything running smoothly.

[jamessmitka]

How incredibly accommodating these important employees of the airport were for all of us viewers of Flightradar24! One can sit at an airport with an aviation band radio and enjoy watching plane after plane but there is NO way to get as close as Gabriel did to video arriving and departing aircraft. Hats off to all of the people that don’t get enough credit for all they do for the traveling public that keep things smooth and SAFE!
Thanks - Jim

[briancattle]

I’ve been a Gatwick based pilot for many years and this film was a great insight into what’s happening around me every day. Great to see all the different perspectives. Thanks.

I also know what she means about the marshalling on the 140s—the first time I went on the 140s, both of us were wondering what the plan was! 😂

[BibTheBoulderTheOriginalOne]

Fascinating documentary. Just what YouTube was made for...10/10.

[fletcho]

Last year I moved from Australia to spend a year in the UK. I worked casually as a Baggage Handler at LGW for a number of months before moving back home. It was so nice to see the roads I used to drive on to drop bags out to all the aircraft. The equipment I used to drive. Very nostalgic despite it only being 4 months since I left England.

[rupertgale]

This film is so professional. National Geographic/Discovery should be calling...

[terryjuggins]

Was so nice. brings back a lot of memories for me I worked there as a security patrol officer for 32 years. brilliant

[mwintersteinsmith]

Very, very interesting. Thank you. What an excellent video. It’s very well put together video, and gives us an informative glimpse behind the scenes. I use London Gatwick very regularly and want to thank everyone who keeps us and the airport safe. Thank you for sharing 👍😎

[davidsmith]

24:53 I always used to see that plane when on the runway and wondered what it was. Now I know 👍

[owsamadi]

Amazing video. I believe the majority of these people's hard work goes unnoticed by regular travelers. Kudos to all of them for the great work they do and their eagerness to explain in this video about it. Thanks!

[kxywmnb]

Every airport thankfully has such a department. It’s interesting to see the difference from airport to airport. At AMS, the group regarding Airside Ops is split in to three groups, Kieviet (Bird, wildlife and runway inspection), Charlie’s (Marshalling), Maintenance (Guides in addition to ensuring that the equipment is placed in case of a disturbance or maintenance) and Patrol (it’s in the name) All sub groups are allowed to guide and are also part of the emergency teams.
Separate are the emergency services. During an emergency if need be collaboration does happen.

The roles do not exchange and require different qualifications.

Excluding the patrol, there are 5 groups with about 15 people per group excluding team managers and supervisors (1 resp 2 per group).

[garypocklington]

Excellent video giving an insight into how Gatwick operates. Wonderful departing shot of the A380 at the end!

[aarong]

Just brought up LGW on FlightRadar24 and I see 5 service vehicles. Nice seeing the airport from their perspective. Please make more of these videos!

[jasonday]

What a fascinating video. Don’t always fly from Gatwick and Stansted is my local but have flown from there a good few times lovely airport in my opinion

[nonamernobrainer]

Thank you so much for these fascinating insights! Straight to the point and no TV show drama, like those British shows about airports' behind the scenes. Very informative and excellently put together 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[jackharrison]

Excellent video and thanks all round. My late Brother was a fire fighter with the RAF Fire Section. Different firm bit same job? I got to sit in one of their trucks on a visit once.

[ohheyitskevinc]

Ah, Crawley International! Nice video!

[simonyapp]

Fantastic film with seriously cool dedicated staff, thank you 🎉

[markonline.]

Bought back some memories. I worked in airfield ops at Heathrow for 8 years and did some of my initial training at LGW when we were still all BAA. Now an Ops Manager in California where the airlines do their own marshalling. Shame as I miss it, I’m sometimes tempted to ask if I can dust off my bats and bring one in.