South Coast Tour
Gatwick Airport
Ouse Valley Viaduct
Brighton Pier
Brighton Marina
New Haven Harbour
Beachy Head
Eastbourne
Eastbourne Sovereign Harbour
Departing the airfield to the west you will proceed to Reigate waiting for a call from Gatwick. Once air traffic control has given you clearance you turn south towards Gatwick North Terminal. After the airliner has landed you are given permission to cross the runway. You will clearly see the whole airport below you from this unique vantage point. Following the railway track south of Gatwick you see the huge Ouse Valley Viaduct sometimes called the Balcombe Viaduct, built in 1842 it is the greatest piece of engineering on the London to Brighton railway.
Passing Haywards Heath and Burgess Hill on your left you fly over the South Downs to Shoreham and the South Coast. On reaching the beach you turn eastwards towards Brighton. In the sea looms the wreck of the old Brighton West Pier destroyed by fire in 2003. Keeping just off the shoreline you will have fantastic views of the sea and coastline. Further along the beach you fly over the newly refurbished Brighton East Pier with it's fun fair. On leaving Brighton you over fly the sheik Brighton Marina packed with some of the latest and most expensive yachts.
Moving east you may glimpse the Newhaven Ferry as it leaves or returns from Dieppe in France. You will get a great view of Newhaven ferry port and docks as your journey continues. The coast now changes shape to chalk cliffs and rocks as you head for the world famous Beachy Head. With it's massive record breaking white cliffs and lighthouse combined with it's infamous reputation as the third most popular place in the world to commit suicide, it is a sight not to be missed.
Continuing along the coast you arrive at Eastbourne with its smart new Sovereign Harbour. Now turning north you fly past Halsham and Crowborough which is situated on the Weald next to Ashdown Forest. On reaching Edenbridge you turn west paralleling the North Downs towards South Godstone Station, nearly home but you still have the landing to look forward to.
