Before attending the event, we would be very grateful if you could read the below which will help ensure that everyone has a safe and enjoyable evening, and comes away with pictures that they are happy with.

Parking for the event is in the Sywell Aviation Museum or ‘Spotters Car Park’. The event will begin with ticket checks and a safety briefing outside the Pilots’ Mess Cafe. This will include details regarding toilet and catering facilities and a running order for aircraft engine runs during the event.

Please be advised that this event is a concession and you must follow the instructions of staff at all times for your safety and that of others around you. It is only possible with the generosity of organisations and businesses based at Sywell Aerodrome as well as those who volunteer for the Thomas Castle Aviation Heritage Scholarship.

Several aircraft will perform engine runs during the course of the evening and we suggest that you bring hearing protection in case of excessive noise. We also require you to wear a high visibility jacket during the event.

You will be escorted airside at an airfield which may be active during periods of the event. Please do not smoke while airside and dispose of all litter in the bin adjacent to the fuel pumps.

Photography will only be permitted on the fuel pumps apron and the corporate apron. This is so as to avoid the risk of damage to fixed wing aircraft due to downdraft from the MD.500 during its planned engine run. The aircraft to the east of the fuel pumps apron or in any hangars are not part of the event and thus are strictly out of bounds. Should you be found outside of the designated airside areas, you will be asked to leave.

The Pilot’s Mess Cafe will be open for the duration of the event for hot and cold beverages and food. Toilets can be found in the same building on the ground floor.

Please do not use either on-camera flash or flashguns - these can have an adverse effect on a pilot’s night vision and can be very dangerous. Drones must not be used anywhere within the Sywell flight restriction zone and, as such, are prohibited at this event.

I’ve never done this before. What should I bring?

Our night photocalls are usually held in March, October and November when it goes darker earlier, however it does mean that can be quite cold. A big coat and some good strong shoes will see you right - airfields can be muddy places at these times of year, but we do our utmost to make sure that our events are held on concrete or tarmac wherever possible. There is a likelihood of engine runs during an event, so hearing protection is recommended.

We suggest that you bring a tripod to ensure that your images remain as shake- and blur-free as possible. If you’ve got a shutter release cable, then that will help things further, but it’s not essential - you can remove the chance of camera-shake just as well by using your camera’s self-timer.

While the aircraft are illuminated during dusk and nightfall, there will be limited lighting elsewhere. You may want to bring a torch to help you see where camera buttons and dials are while taking pictures.

What lights do you use?

We use Nightsearcher portable LED floodlights which produce a bright white light (5,500°K, if you’re wondering) which means there is no need for you to adjust your camera’s white balance.

Please be mindful that, at the start of the evening, the lights may not produce as much light as you might like. This is normal and just a matter of being patient while it goes darker. If you would like any of the lights adjusting during the event, please speak to a member of events staff - do not attempt to move or change them yourself.