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.
Thanks to Ben Gauntlett for snapping the thumbnail pic. Find him on Instagram: / bengauntlettart
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Follow Gabe on Instagram: / gabeleigh
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#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.

[@BeanzAviation3967]

Awesome stuff!!

[@RetroAnts]

Cool!

[@danecowan678]

2:13 that Tui bounce 😂

[@pilot7u5h36]

I was gonna say that. 🤣

[@AustraliaDoesntExist]

lol

[@jo_magpie]

Should have done a go around, maybe?

[@danecowan678]

@@jo_magpie hmm probably not. If it was in the touchdown zone and everything else was stabilised then just have to suck up the harder landing. Plus they might have been about to deploy the reversers. And under no circumstances can you go around after reversers have been deployed

[@some1super451]

litterally the worst clip to include lol

[@BibTheBoulderTheOriginalOne]

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

[@Flightradar24DotCom]

Thanks!

[@jon4]

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.

[@jamessmitka8066]

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

[@briancattle669]

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! 😂

[@rupertgale537]

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

[@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 👍😎

[@LondonGatwickAirport]

🙏

[@fletcho909]

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.

[@nickgiles7568]

Brilliant. More of this please.

[@terryjuggins1362]

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

[@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!

[@peterwoods3623]

Many thanks from Sydney, Australia. It's very comforting to know that all these folk are there and looking after us.

[@Flightradar24DotCom]

Absolutely!

[@markonline1.]

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.

[@Flightradar24DotCom]

That’s interesting to hear! Yeah they should let you do some marshaling for sure! 😎

[@ad4mpoole]

Hi mark, do you know Kevin? My dad who worked at Heathrow airside ops for a number of years

[@markonline1.]

@@ad4mpoole If your dad was Kevin Poole, then yes I do. I was on the same watch as him 👍🏻

[@liebnhaider]

Gabe delivers as always! Great Video!

[@simonyapp]

Fantastic film with seriously cool dedicated staff, thank you 🎉

[@Flightradar24DotCom]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@AbelinVegas]

More of this please. Thank you.

[@garypocklington3396]

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

[@maxvandenberg955]

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).

[@nonamernobrainer846]

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 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@kiwiwhispers]

Super interesting. Love this kind of content. Thanks so much!

[@RoDuSu]

Great video. Thanks Gabe.

[@realitywinner7582]

Very enjoyable ,Great group of people ..thanks -from Ireland 🙂

[@martynbragg2286]

Very informative and a great bunch of guys and girls giving us the information.

[@jackharrison6771]

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.

[@hectorpilot1]

Wonderful video folks...more like this please!

[@ohheyitskevinc]

Ah, Crawley International! Nice video!

[@paulfreeman5756]

Wow appreciate you sharing your moment with us I liked n shared with 3 people I know

[@aarong9378]

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!

[@claycarter3535]

Thoroughly enjoyed this video and seeing the operations of an airport. I'd love to see more ground operations from around the world, especially in the more unusual settings with challenging factors. Thanks for another great video log.

[@rmd4209]

Amazing insight into the airside operations of London Gatwick. Keep it up!! 😍😍😍

[@jasonday7378]

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

[@aidenisgoat1]

My local, always wanted to see behind the scenes here. Thanks

[@robmurphy1558]

Great video, more of this please 😊

[@MarcLiberts]

Very cool - great video - thanks!

[@NintendoFanboy21]

thank you so much for this vid! I aspire to work at Gatwick soon! 👀👀

[@Michael-ru3rt]

Highly interesting, thanks a lot. I knew that things like stand allocation and movement area inspections are part of their duty. This video presented detailed insights to lesser known facts like the variety of equipment and procedures for fighting spills or chasing birds off. I guess these people have one of the more interesting jobs at the airport where no two days will be the same. Keep up the good work (applies to both the operations staff at airfields and Gabe Leigh as the producer of these videos!)

[@Highervibesofficial]

this is mint !!! gatwick being my choice of airport this was fantastic

[@MarkUKInsects]

Nine too, Heathrow is nearer for me, but LGW is easier to get to, and its scale is more human.

[@jetcrazy7773]

Super interesting documentery.Thanks a lot.

[@Flightradar24DotCom]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@paulharvey7223]

Excellent vid on behind the scenes at Gatwick ! 👌🏻👍🏻 I was lucky to have a similar tour/visit on a Safa check while working in aviation safety😊

[@Flightradar24DotCom]

Nice one!

[@deesalkelly3069]

hands on stirring wheel....btw great video

[@cpallot1]

Very cool video, thank you!! :)

[@WilsonEduardoHerreraAngarita]

What a nice video. Greetings from Bogota, Colombia 🇨🇴

[@randyburton]

Tha for the video I work at a airport and is always cool to go in the runway

[@ricardosam8050]

This awesome I do love aviation , if I can visit departures n landing viewing I be there every week watching , but where I live now three hours drive 😮😊. Thanks 4 sharing

[@Flightradar24DotCom]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@unit3400]

Brilliant…

[@gatwickspotteregkk4585]

Haha Ben! He showed me around Gatwick honestly he’s the best !

[@That_transportation_guy]

So cool to see the BAW 777-200 in the great festival of creativity livery, as I have seen it at YVR

[@Flightradar24DotCom]

It's really nice!

[@davidsmith5009]

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

[@ricka006]

Had an interview for the same role down in Southampton Airport but when I could of got the job I had already accepted another role. Gutted was an understatement.

[@nathannathan7976]

Brillliant video. Love LGW

[@k3dono]

Respect, Sir 🙌🏾🤍

[@sam.4206i]

this is cool

[@TonyTheYouTuba]

Thank you, as an avgeek I found this super interesting. They might want to change their met office PIN if that’s important though 😂

[@NigelFortune]

FYI Gatwick is nearly 28 miles south of London.

[@jj__king__]

This is so good! This is content, amazing video, thank you Fr24

[@emercycrite]

Yay it’s Gabe the babe! ❤

[@wrcfan2024]

HELLO FROM LATVIA COME TO RIGA AIR BALTIC IS GROWING

[@Flightradar24DotCom]

We’ve been there before but maybe a revisit is in order!

[@Icecoldgaming-vlogs]

Great video well done at 20 mins you can see the whiteboard with the Met office pin number by the way which anybody can use because he’s not blurred it if they want to login

[@timmotel5804]

Good Day. When I was in the U.S. Air Force my job was power lineman and airfield power and lighting specialist. All those lights at night were mine. I loved my job. Thank You for an Excellent, informing video.

[@LondonGatwickAirport]

♥

[@teddy_123.]

NICE

[@lloydbrock2711]

Great video........but Gatwick isn't "in London", it's flippin' miles away in West Sussex!

[@TheTeessideTravellerUK]

Wow so cool - how did you pull this off?? !!

[@AviationADC]

2:12 that's crazy bounce

[@tomarmstrong1281]

A glorious day for glider flying.

[@markpunt9638]

Absolutely fascinating - thank you. Just to clarify your geography, despite the name the airport is not in London. It is in Sussex. West Sussex.

[@bbt305]

Im a Heathrow guy but Im always flying in from the USA so yeah. (Miami-London British Airways A380 baby)

[@ryanessex7978]

Blondie 🔥

[@SkyPilotXSX]

The folks behind the wheels of those ground cruisers really ought to invest in autopilot because, let's face it, they're pulling off some serious multitasking without even touching the wheel!

[@25k_jlv61]

2:11 ok that landing looked painful 😭

[@hanostrydom3859]

By the way. My dad from South African airways gave me the two Remove Before flight keychains you gave him. He’s the captain who asked you, when he was doing the walking around, to not film him. Just so that you remember who it was. So I just wanted to say thanks for the key chains!!😊

[@Flightradar24DotCom]

Hey nice, glad you got the keychains and are enjoying them!

[@cR84au]

Any idea what the orange button was behind the vehicle steering wheels?

[@trevor7016]

It’s a microphone. You can press and hold it to talk on the radio rather than pick up the microphone that is down by the gearstick. . We don’t really use it tbh.

[@user-nr1ne4bq6z]

Documentary about malaysia airport airfield operations

[@TheAviator808]

ok, give me this pass now please 😅🤩

[@AlonsoRules]

Gatwick needs a second runway urgently

[@antonkristiansen673]

Why do several Airlines fly both to Heathrow and Gatwick?

[@nathannathan7976]

Demand!

[@Unstoppable56678]

finally realised who was the weird guy filming outside when I looked out of the window of the plane

[@Cupilot]

LGW is my happy place 😂

[@OmegaCorsair]

Flightradar can you fix this bug where you can't see any Old Aircraft Photos for example Like N787RR Having an Image and then That being Removed for No reason, Hope this helps Thanks.

[@Flightradar24DotCom]

Not sure what you mean, several images available for the aircraft in question.

[@thomasreeves5580]

obviously

[@pedrohonez9448]

Gatwick Airport in Horley, Sussex.

[@nathannathan7976]

Incorrect. Horley is in Surrey. Gatwick airport is Crawley, West Sussex

[@firestarter1888]

​@@nathannathan7976Its in Horley. Crawley is the nearest major town.

[@nathannathan7976]

That’s incorrect . The official address for Gatwick is : Crawley, West Sussex, England, United Kingdom. Or if you like : Gatwick is to the south of Surrey, in the borough of Crawley, in West Sussex.

[@firestarter1888]

@@nathannathan7976 Horley, Gatwick, RH6 0NP. Thats the official address. Google it.

[@lancebudd2006]

For an airport that’s not actually in London this is decent

[@GodAtum]

do all staff need to be searched before going airside, or is that just aircrew?

[@trevor7016]

All staff working airside are searched. This is every time you enter (you may leave the airfield on a task and when you re-enter you’d be searched again). If a vehicle enters the airfield it is searched as well. Staff have to follow the same rules in regards to liquids as passengers.

[@GodAtum]

@@trevor7016 so how to the staff drink? Do they need to buy water?

[@trevor7016]

There’s drinks to buy from the terminals and vending machines but all crew rooms or buildings that people work in have mains supplied water.

[@mrgothicman]

​​@@trevor7016can say staff do not have the same liquid rules as passagers, we can take up to 2 ltrs of liquid through staff security at Gatwick Airport, Everything else you said is correct.

[@MarkUKInsects]

I took part in a wildlife survey at Gatwick a few years ago, really nice people, and an interesting site. I was doing insects, they don't upset the aircraft, but they may attract bird that do.

[@jamiesworld1690]

If u are doing airport operation next do Edinburgh or Glasgow

[@PortuguesePirate99]

Yep would love to see Edinburgh, ideally morning to afternoon when you see the American carriers and Qatar Airways arrive otherwise its just non-stop RyanAir and EasyJet which gets very boring haha

[@trevor7016]

The trouble is, is that there is so much going on in a day like this you really struggle to get it all in to a 30 min feature. The fact that there’s another video with just clips of aircraft from the day (showing all the different aircraft.) shows it’s a difficult task. Admittedly the first wave at Gatwick has the long hauls but the filming didn’t start till 9am We loved showing what we do and hoped it gave an idea of what goes in to keeping all safe on the airfield.

[@knivectsh]

This guy constantly looks high 😂

[@user-zm1wu4jq7x]

Gud afternoon the graet Britain my greetings to you guys one luv

[@JenniferinIllinois]

I swear every time Gabe gets in a big truck, he becomes an 8 year old. Hehehe...

[@Flightradar24DotCom]

Yes!

[@RetroAnts]

​@@Flightradar24DotCom haha nice

[@utroi2280]

Ah yes, the London Borough of West Sussex

[@eurouc]

Stand? Do they mean Gate?

[@AntoniosSpiliotopoulos]

Yes, but they call it stand.

[@RetroAnts]

Gates have jetways, stands are just a parking spot where a stair truck is used

[@aaronb7949]

Gatwick only has one runway? wtf

[@dhmacher]

Funny how they all splice in the word "obviously" every now and then, as if they're telling us something we already knew. :D

[@trevor7016]

I think it was just a nerves thing.! I’ve never done an interview before. We were looking forward to this and wanted to be able to show everyone what our day involves.

[@dhmacher]

You did a great job explaining stuff, @@trevor7016! I just think it's a funny thing brits do. Wish you wonderful day!

[@jumpingjeffflash9946]

I'd like a career in aviation when I retire from the fire department, I'd love to work for an airport fire department but it's a near impossible task. I tend to use Gatwick when I fly to London, i'm just used to the trains to get into where I stay and it's not a bad airport it seems. Danyell is quite fetching too!

[@illuminaticonfirmed2240]

0:28 Excuse me. I live around here. Gatwick is not only not in London. Its no where near London. Its a stupid name. Last time I landed at Gatwick and needed to get the train into London, there wasn't any. Stranded. Absolutely nothing "London" about it. Its in the countryside, near to nothing.

[@Kysalt]

Well done pensioner.

[@Gazr965]

In the days when they want everyone to use 'less' it tends to be the aircraft facilities that are going to be using 'more' Hypocrites ! Gaz UK

[@ukmaxi]

Gatwick Airport, despite the name, is not in London xD

[@Suursaadik]

2:10 - Behold, a mighty landing! 😮

[@JakobWinterborne]

its not in london though or anywhere near 🤣