"Spotters-friendly Airport" Award?

Robin_Bamps · Post by **Robin_Bamps** » 28 Jan 2005, 20:22

Hello everybody,

If there would exist an award for the spotters-friendliest airport,
no doubt that Zürich would be the winner !

Look at this picture :

http://www.planepictures.net/netshow.php?id=301156

Regards, Robin Bamps.

SicilianFalcon · Post by **SicilianFalcon** » 28 Jan 2005, 20:26

very good

I dont understand the problem with airports and spotters surely terrorism is no excuse as having many keen enthusiasts around is safer for the airports. In palermo Sicily there are 2 areas you can view the aircraft from, both open air and a stones throw from the aircraft, Always town people or just people waving off friend on a flight sitting around there. If im not mistaken they are building around the terminal upstairs for viewing purposes but i cant clarify that. Wake up AIRPORTS enthusiast are good for you not BAD!

8) Forza

Post by **luchtzak** » 28 Jan 2005, 20:28

Nice gesture!

Manchester has special spotting-occasions where airport authorities allow spotters having entrance behind the fences.

Post by **airbuske** » 28 Jan 2005, 20:41

Can we arrange a Luchtzak charter operated by SNBA to Zurich ??

Airbuske

Jense · Post by **Jense** » 28 Jan 2005, 21:15

There's only ONE airport for that award, that's Amsterdam Schiphol... No doubt...

Comet · Post by **Comet** » 29 Jan 2005, 14:42

Best spotter friendly airport in the UK is Birmingham - hell of alot better than Manchester. Birmingham provides on-site indoor facilities, unlike Manchester where you have a bus ride (on certain days) and a walk through undergrowth to get to their outdoor viewing park. At Birmingham there is also an outdoor picnic area for sunny day spotting. Birmingham has a very well stocked enthusiasts shop, whereas Manchester just has a wooden shack. The spotting area at Birmingham is used by serious spotters, in the cafe area at MAN (the only indoor part with a view) it is not unknown to get accosted by drugged up oiks.

The viewing at London City is also very good, but that is owing to the design of the airport, and not a conscious effort to encourage spotting.

Rago · Post by **Rago** » 29 Jan 2005, 14:45

My vote goes to LANSERIA

Post by **luchtzak** » 29 Jan 2005, 15:21

Rago wrote:My vote goes to LANSERIA

And for which reason?

Rago · Post by **Rago** » 29 Jan 2005, 15:43

luchtzak wrote:
Rago wrote:My vote goes to LANSERIA
And for which reason?

Very nice planes, and plenty of possibilities to do some fantastic spotting.
You just have to explain your passion, and they'll give you an experience you'll never forget.

SicilianFalcon · Post by **SicilianFalcon** » 29 Jan 2005, 16:17

A agree birmingham in england is great . . . Any idea if or when HEATHROW plans on opening its viewing area ever again? That was just excellent I was always there when I was younger Jumbos coming from every which way

and is Gatwick still open for viewing.

8) Forza

Comet · Post by **Comet** » 29 Jan 2005, 18:19

SicilianFalcon - I don't know when or if Heathrow will open the spotting area on Queen's again, but I hear that you can get very good photos from an area near to Hatton Cross Underground station. I have not been there myself, but I have seen photos from those who have. If you want to get photos, that could be worth a look.

The BAA controlled airports have become more and more spotter unfriendly over the past few years. Glasgow was one of the first to go down the road to ruination.

website-info · Post by **website-info** » 01 Feb 2005, 09:06

Hey Rago,

I'm right with you, LANSERIA is the best, fantastic airport, fantastic aircraft and great people........................

When are you going next ?

Rgds
Tony

SicilianFalcon · Post by **SicilianFalcon** » 01 Feb 2005, 17:13

Indeed comet there are tonnes of places outside Heathrow you can photo aircraft from, Fields, Car parks, buildings, houses, I just miss the terrace was a great place

8) Forza

Comet · Post by **Comet** » 02 Feb 2005, 15:38

I last went onto the terrace on a Sunday in 1999 to make some video. It has always been bustling when I've been on there, and so I would hardly have thought of it as a security risk because anyone trying to do something would be seen instantly. There are people who went there every day, someone doing something iffy would be more likely to go for an out of the way spot and not on top of an airport building in central Heathrow which is always busy with people spotting.

SicilianFalcon · Post by **SicilianFalcon** » 02 Feb 2005, 18:21

Totally agreed, Must have sucked for the shop that was up there as well . . I assume they just closed it down

HOPE they open it sometime. Even if they charge some money to provide security or something. What a waste.

athos · Post by **athos** » 02 Feb 2005, 18:31

And what about Amsterdam?

I have seen a lot of pics on a.net from A'dam and have to say the spotters must have had much freedom to take pics there.

Rago · Post by **Rago** » 03 Feb 2005, 18:43

EPS_Aviation wrote:When are you going next ?

Normally next march :dance: :dance: :dance:

Comet · Post by **Comet** » 03 Feb 2005, 19:15

SicilianFalcon wrote:Totally agreed, Must have sucked for the shop that was up there as well . . I assume they just closed it down HOPE they open it sometime. Even if they charge some money to provide security or something. What a waste.

I agree with you, maybe BAA could charge an entrance fee to cover paying a security guard, better than keeping the facility closed and discriminating against law abiding people for no reason at all. When missiles were fired at aircraft at Heathrow, it wasn't done from the top of Queen's Building it was done through the window of a nearby hotel. I remember staying in that same hotel several months after the IRA had used it for target practice at BA jets.

Post by **Bottie** » 07 Feb 2005, 21:39

Spotters-Friendly: EBUL-Ursel Air Base ... take your bike and go standing next to the taxiways 8)

HorsePower · Post by **HorsePower** » 07 Feb 2005, 23:24

it's possible to visit Orly and Roissy airport by bus with some stops.Possibility of taking pictures. It's nice for school children and adults groups also. Of course, this is not free, but I don't think it's expensive.
Contact: Maisons de l'environnement:

Maison de l'environnement Orly:
http://www.adp.fr/webadp/a_cont01.nsf/$ ... 42399.html

Maison de l'environnement Roissy:
http://www.adp.fr/webadp/a_cont01.nsf/$ ... ED641.html

Enjoy!

Seb.