Planespotting Aberdeen — EGPD
Aberdeen Airport at Dyce is unlike any other UK regional: a large share of its movements are helicopters flying crews to North Sea oil and gas platforms. Bristow, CHC, NHV and Offshore Helicopter Services all run heliports here, so on a weekday you can log S-92s, AW189s and H175s by the dozen, often lifting off in quick succession. Fixed-wing traffic uses the single runway 16/34, about 1,950 m long, with runway 16 in use most of the time. The passenger terminal and the big helicopter maintenance bases sit on the west side; the east side, in Dyce village next to the railway station, has the bizjet apron and the best morning spots. Security is noticeably attentive here — police will often come for a chat, and locals recommend introducing yourself at the police office by the terminal before a long session. Bring warm clothing whatever the season, and use the long summer evenings for the west-side spots.
- BHL48G S92 825 ft
- ID424A71 800 ft
- ID424A72 200 ft
Conditions right now
Runways
- 16/34 RWY 16 1,951 × 46 m · 6,401 × 151 ft asphalt
- 14/32 579 × 35 m · 1,900 × 115 ft asphalt
- 18/36 569 × 35 m · 1,867 × 115 ft asphalt
- 05/23 473 × 46 m · 1,552 × 151 ft concrete
Ask the sky
What flew over this morning? Where was that loud one heading? Ask in plain words — the answer comes from real recorded traffic.
Airport profile
Typical traffic by hour
Relative intensity by local hour — a typical day, not live data.Peak: 07:00
Typical traffic mix
- Turboprop40%
- Narrowbody30%
- GA14%
- Bizjet10%
- Cargo4%
- Military2%
Spotter score
Our editorial rating (0–100).Best time of year
When the interesting traffic peaks.Where to spot
Foinavon Close grass mound
An elevated grass mound on the east side, roughly level with the middle of the runway, so practically every movement can be photographed — airliners on the runway and helicopters landing alike. The height clears the fence, so no ladder is needed (and ladders against fences are not tolerated at UK airports anyway).
- Getting there
- Train to Dyce station on the Aberdeen–Inverness line and walk about five minutes over the bridge; drivers can park at the station, as space near the mound is mostly private. It sits off Foinavon Close via Cordyce View, beside the Gama Aviation hangar. Pub, café and chip shop near the station.
- Best time
- Sunrise until about 11:00, when the sun is in the east behind you. In midwinter this side gets almost no usable light.
- Lens
- 70–200 mm for aircraft, 200–400 mm for helicopters on the far side.
Cordyce View crash gate
At the end of the residential street Cordyce View, a crash gate looks onto the runway, and the fence opposite the houses faces the helicopter terminal and the executive apron. It is the place for close helicopter and parked bizjet shots through the fence.
- Getting there
- Postcode AB21 7DS, a two-minute walk from the mound and five minutes from Dyce station. A little parking space by the gate — keep the gate itself clear and be considerate to residents. A hotel across the road has toilets.
- Best time
- Mornings until about 11:00; backlit in the afternoon but fine on overcast days.
- Lens
- 18–35 mm at the fence for helicopters, 70–200 mm for bizjets.
Kirkton Drive roundabout
The turning circle at the end of Kirkton Drive is under the runway 16 approach, so every arrival on the main runway direction — ATRs, Embraers and helicopters — passes in front of you.
- Getting there
- By car via Dyce, with plenty of roadside parking — but never in front of the gates on the roundabout. On foot about 20 minutes from Dyce station.
- Best time
- Runway 16 arrivals, from sunrise to about 11:00. Very little light here in winter.
- Lens
- About 220 mm for an ATR 72, 240 mm+ for helicopters.
Dyce Drive (north end)
The afternoon counterpart for runway 16 arrivals, on the west side of the approach. A minor road parallel to Dyce Drive gives you a little extra height for a better angle on aircraft and helicopters on final.
- Getting there
- Drive north from the terminal along Dyce Drive to its end; roadside parking is easy. No facilities.
- Best time
- Runway 16 arrivals from early afternoon until sunset, especially on long summer evenings.
- Lens
- 200–300 mm (around 250 mm fills the frame with an ATR 72).
Terminal multi-storey car park
Across the road from the terminal, the car park overlooks the west-side helicopter bases, pushbacks from the main apron and any freighters parked by the tower. It is close to the terminal, so keep sessions short and low-key.
- Getting there
- Lift from the terminal forecourt up to the car park; paid parking. The airport is served by the Stagecoach Jet 727 bus from Aberdeen city centre — check the current timetable.
- Best time
- Afternoons, with the sun moving into the west behind you.
- Lens
- 200–300 mm for the helicopter ramps, 24–70 mm closer in.
Respect private property, signage and the airport security perimeter. Spotterra predicts the active runway from live weather on the dashboard.
What you'll see
The helicopters are the reason to come: Bristow flies S-92s and AW189s, CHC S-92s and H175s, and NHV and Offshore Helicopter Services add more H175s and AW-series types, with crew-change waves through the morning and early afternoon on weekdays. Fixed-wing traffic leans on business and energy travel — Loganair is the biggest operator with Embraers and ATRs to Scotland's islands and English regions, British Airways links Heathrow, KLM connects to Amsterdam and Widerøe flies Dash 8s to Norway. easyJet and TUI add leisure jets, the latter peaking in summer. Bizjets serving the energy industry are a daily feature, and the odd freighter or military visitor turns up.
What actually flew over Aberdeen in the last 30 days
Measured from our own ADS-B data — not a schedule, but what really passed overhead.
- S92 23.5 %
- AT76 23.5 %
- EC75 11.8 %
- AT45 11.8 %
- A20N 11.8 %
- AT75 5.9 %
- E145 5.9 %
- A319 5.9 %
FAQ
What's that plane over Aberdeen?
Spotterra's live map tracks aircraft and many offshore helicopters over Aberdeen in real time, showing type, registration and route — just open it in your browser, no account needed.
When are the most helicopters flying at Aberdeen?
Weekday mornings and early afternoons, when offshore crew changes are scheduled. Bad weather offshore can pause flights, so a busy-looking forecast day is not guaranteed.
Is planespotting allowed at Aberdeen Airport?
Yes, from public land, but police patrol actively and will often ask what you are doing. A quick visit to the police office by the terminal to say you are spotting avoids repeated questions. Never use a ladder against the fence.
Morning or afternoon at Aberdeen?
Mornings belong to the east side around Dyce station (Foinavon Close, Cordyce View, Kirkton Drive); afternoons to the west side near the terminal and Dyce Drive.
Spotterra watches the sky over Aberdeen
A live ADS-B map of your area and smart alerts on military transports, warbirds and rare types — with 10–30 minutes lead on long-haul arrivals. Free forever, no card.
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