Prestwick airport, Scotland

[johnnyecosse]

Can anybody explain in laymans terms if possible why I see nothing coming or going from Prestwick please?

[speedbird1960]

Can anybody explain in laymans terms if possible why I see nothing coming or going from Prestwick please?

Hi.

I have just checked and the nearest Radar to Prestwick is Glasgow.
Because there is lots of mountains between Glasgow and Prestwick you will not be able to see aircraft below about 12,000 ft.

Mike / Speedbird

[johnnyecosse]

Thanks Mike, There's no mountains as such between Glasgow and Prestwick but as both are at sea level there certainly is higher ground between them (but only a few hundred feet I'd guess) Also if that's the case then shouldn't I see planes approaching and taking off whilst they are above 12000ft? There's nothing tracking to or from Prestwick at all. New to this - but quite hooked already. Cheers.

[speedbird1960]

Hi, I have done some checks and found aircraft going in and out of Prestwick.

Ryanair approaching Prestwick


Ryanair departing Prestwick


Cargolux approaching Prestwick


Cargolux departing Prestwick, note the trail joins up with arrival trail which is its last known position before landing.


The radar (EGPF4) that feeds Flightradar24 from the Glasgow area looks like it is somewhere near Dumbarton.
If you watch aircraft approaching from the east of Glasgow you will notice that they are being picked up by the radar near Edinburgh (EGPH), the aircraft don't move until they are right next to Glasgow airport and then jump all of a sudden because they have just been picked up by radar (EGGF4).

Because of the hills to the east of Dumbarton the signal is being blocked for approaching aircraft.

If you watch aircraft in the area you will notice this radar has other blind spots including Prestwick.

[johnnyecosse]

Excellent work. I might just need to watch a little bit closer from now on. Cheers Mike.

[paulcr]

I'm now feeding data into Flightradar24 and Prestwick is covered down to near ground level.

[speedbird1960]

I'm now feeding data into Flightradar24 and Prestwick is covered down to near ground level.

Hi Paul.

Welcome to the Forum.
Thanks for feeding Flightradar24, now we be able to see the nice Heavies and Mil coming and going.

Mike / Speedbird