Spectator balconies
Groundloop, I uploaded a 'trailer', a five minute 'segment', to illustrate the point in question, for the benefit of all taking part in this pleasant discussion, from one of my own, and paid for, dvd's. I'm sure many found it quite interesting. Now, climb down from your high horse and tell me what is your problem ? Is this your only contribution to this discussion ?
Last edited by cyflyer; 9th Jul 2013 at 16:19.
You say you paid for the dvd. Therefore the first time you watched it you would have had to sit throught the copyright warning.
You obviously ignored it.
There is no reason whatsover for posting copyright material anywhere without the prior permission from the copyright holder. If you felt it was important, or helpful, for other people to see you should have contacted Avion for permission to post. You cannot ignore the law.
You obviously ignored it.
There is no reason whatsover for posting copyright material anywhere without the prior permission from the copyright holder. If you felt it was important, or helpful, for other people to see you should have contacted Avion for permission to post. You cannot ignore the law.
Groundloop, your only contribution to this discussion is becoming a bore. Go find another thread to annoy and stop trying to impose your jobsworth ideas where they are not wanted. If youtube consider something to be an infraction they deal with it. Don't like the video, then don't watch it. 
Last edited by cyflyer; 10th Jul 2013 at 13:36.
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Business lounges
In the absence of spectator balconies, often one of the best places for a good view of the apron seems to be the business lounge.
I don't know about London airports, as I rarely use them; but a lot of the places I do fly through (UK regional airports, C & E Europe) do have great apron views for the business travel regulars.
I don't know about London airports, as I rarely use them; but a lot of the places I do fly through (UK regional airports, C & E Europe) do have great apron views for the business travel regulars.
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Queens Building Heathrow in the 60s
I remember seeing Yuri Gregarin (first man in space) arriving here on a visit. Have a photo from Queens Building somewhere in my shoebox.Those were the days. Used to spend the whole day there sometimes. Cafe, Shops, Toilets.
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Houston
Houston (IAH, HOU and EFD) has several good places for spotters and photography, including a few provided by Houston Airport System.
They're described very well here HoustonSpotters.net
Also, from my days at DHL, I believe the mildly derogatory term "Ladderman" was used for spotters at LHR, as a ladder was used to defeat the plastic sheeting they attatched to the perimeter fence to prevent vehicle drivers going "Cool! A 747....<crunch of steel>"
Does anyone know if the United Club in Terminal E at IAH has any views of ops?
They're described very well here HoustonSpotters.net
Also, from my days at DHL, I believe the mildly derogatory term "Ladderman" was used for spotters at LHR, as a ladder was used to defeat the plastic sheeting they attatched to the perimeter fence to prevent vehicle drivers going "Cool! A 747....<crunch of steel>"
Does anyone know if the United Club in Terminal E at IAH has any views of ops?
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spotters balcony
I remember back in the eightes ,Manchester Airport allowed "airplane enthusiasts" and the general public to access B pier for viewing. I was just a young line eng at the time but got used to calls and comments from viewing public as we went about our work.there was one time, however ,when it was rather a hot day and we,ed put chairs outside our office to catch some rays.we.ed been out for a few minutes when my workmate said he thought it was raining as he.ed felt water hitting his head. it was a clear blue sky at the time so this was a bit improbable.it was,nt until we looked up and saw a small boy w**ing over the balcony that we reailised where the liquid was coming from.we jumped out of our chairs and remomstrated with the young mother in charge of the boy.all we got was a v sign in response and a greater awarness of where to place our chairs in future
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From 1964 to 1969 (from 8 years old) my older brother I regularly flew between London Airport (LHR) and Kennedy NY or Dulles DC. and always loved going up on the roof to watch the planes and hear that wonderful din. Connies, DC3s Stratos, Viscounts, Comets, Caravelles, Britannias, 707s, DC8s, VC 10s and many others, all so distinctive and exciting.
Also a grandstand view of all the airport vehicles like fuel tankers with extra high windscreens and my favourite of all those lovely BEA AEC Regal coaches with the double-decker split windscreens and poop deck, one of which is briefly visible in cyflyer's (ahem!) video.
I bought a DVD of the Look at Life in the 60s Civil Aviation DVD and recommend it highly,it's all there to see and enjoy.
Back in those days everything about flying seemed to be exciting and the whole aviation industry seemed to party to this, including providing OPEN viewing areas. Ascending or descending the rear stairs at a VC 10 put you almost in reaching distance of the Conways and you could look right into them. A bus or articulated truck/bus conversion drove you to near your plane, then a car with on-built stairs arrived for you to climb up, and all the time you could gaze at the planes.
Flying nowadays has been sanitised and normalised. You only finally see your plane from behind double glazing at the gate. You can sometimes see planes to-ing and fro-ing outside but you can barely hear them. Then you walk through the tunnel straight into the plane. The person at the window seat keeps the shutter closed throughout the flight, there's no Junior Jet Club, no visiting or even seeing the flight deck and the company's magazine is full of just about everything except aviation.
Yes flying is now safer, cheaper and more reliable; security is now more important and processing millions of passengers is top priority for an airport. I understand all that, but the popularity of flying has made it a far less exciting activity.
Also a grandstand view of all the airport vehicles like fuel tankers with extra high windscreens and my favourite of all those lovely BEA AEC Regal coaches with the double-decker split windscreens and poop deck, one of which is briefly visible in cyflyer's (ahem!) video.
I bought a DVD of the Look at Life in the 60s Civil Aviation DVD and recommend it highly,it's all there to see and enjoy.
Back in those days everything about flying seemed to be exciting and the whole aviation industry seemed to party to this, including providing OPEN viewing areas. Ascending or descending the rear stairs at a VC 10 put you almost in reaching distance of the Conways and you could look right into them. A bus or articulated truck/bus conversion drove you to near your plane, then a car with on-built stairs arrived for you to climb up, and all the time you could gaze at the planes.
Flying nowadays has been sanitised and normalised. You only finally see your plane from behind double glazing at the gate. You can sometimes see planes to-ing and fro-ing outside but you can barely hear them. Then you walk through the tunnel straight into the plane. The person at the window seat keeps the shutter closed throughout the flight, there's no Junior Jet Club, no visiting or even seeing the flight deck and the company's magazine is full of just about everything except aviation.
Yes flying is now safer, cheaper and more reliable; security is now more important and processing millions of passengers is top priority for an airport. I understand all that, but the popularity of flying has made it a far less exciting activity.
Yep. Agreed, again........
Planemike
Planemike
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Humberside Airport (EGNJ)
Hi all
If you come off the M180 and head for Humberside airport, you need to go past the airport and keep your eyes peeled for turn off to the right. Take the right hand turn off and you will see on the right there is a lay-by. When the crops are low the view of the threash hold and parking area is brilliant.
On cold windy wet days i would drive to one of the flying schools and park up. They always like a natter and the coffee is always good.
Also Doncaster Airport has a road that goes down the side of the airport. Great viewing to be had there.
Regards to all
Stude
If you come off the M180 and head for Humberside airport, you need to go past the airport and keep your eyes peeled for turn off to the right. Take the right hand turn off and you will see on the right there is a lay-by. When the crops are low the view of the threash hold and parking area is brilliant.
On cold windy wet days i would drive to one of the flying schools and park up. They always like a natter and the coffee is always good.
Also Doncaster Airport has a road that goes down the side of the airport. Great viewing to be had there.
Regards to all
Stude
Travelling to Bankok shortly and would appreciate some tips on Hotels and viewing facilities please.
There used to be a reasonable hotel about 2km north of the airport and between the parallel runways; it had a roof terrace, and the management were quite happy for you to spend time up there watching the aircraft land. There was almost no shelter up there; there was also no power (so no running a laptop); it was a 2 minute trek from the hotel to the nearest shop to stock-up on food and drinks.
You were marginally closer to the western runway; the eastern runway was further away and it was more difficult to take photos or note registrations.
(this was the "Queen's Garden Hotel")
However, that's all academic, as the hotel closed and was knocked-down about 2 years ago. For a while their web-site still existed, and would even take bookings (!), but you were transferred to a hotel called 'The Great Residence' which was 'nearby' (according to the web-site). That's being economical with the truth, it's about 3 miles away, much further to the east!. In fact, you'd have trouble taking photo's of stuff landing on the eastern runway, let alone anything on the western runway.
A quick Google found Plane Spotting Bangkok Suvarnabhumi | Plane-Spotting-Hotels . This refers to the "Phoenix Hotel (former "Queen's Garden")". If it is the same site as the QG then it is extremely good when they are using 19L/19R. I'd need to check out it's exact location to be able to say for sure.
Update: Just checked on Google Earth, and the 'Phoenix Hotel' is not the rebuilt/renamed QGH ... they are few 100m apart. Both hotels appear to be the same height, so the views from the top/terrace should be pretty much identical.
Last edited by Geezers of Nazareth; 24th Sep 2013 at 20:57.
Another update for Bangkok ...
"If one has time to kill at BKK there's an Observation Deck on level 7 - from Departures row 'Q/R' take the escalator up 2 floors and then a ramp from Cafe/Post Office. View of runways is not fantastic but a close up look at the building structure may be of interest."
I've never been at Bangkok long enough to have the time to investigate this, so it would be nice to get an updated report, even if it's just to say "it's rubbish!".
"If one has time to kill at BKK there's an Observation Deck on level 7 - from Departures row 'Q/R' take the escalator up 2 floors and then a ramp from Cafe/Post Office. View of runways is not fantastic but a close up look at the building structure may be of interest."
I've never been at Bangkok long enough to have the time to investigate this, so it would be nice to get an updated report, even if it's just to say "it's rubbish!".
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I'm in ZRH at the moment for work. A little gift bag was given to us which included a free visit to the Viewing gallery at the airport here.
All I can say is it's brilliant. The Swiss really know how to make things work. They only charge about 5CHF for adults and less for children so it's not exactly bank breaking.I think it's free if you buy something from the fairly well stocked aviation themed gift shop as you enter. When you're there you have the choice of a restaurant, gift shop, and a small cafe. It's all open air, but has plenty of cover for if it rains. A play area keeps younger kids amused and the views of the runways and ramp area are just great. They have various interactive things, such as a screen above each stand which shows aircraft specs and the flight that's boarding from there. They have an area you can hear the air traffic control and live video telescopes which highlight various parts of the ramp and point out the odd flight with little arrows as they move around the airfield.
I see no reason at all why more airports can't offer the same thing as ZRH. They make money from it so LHR should be interested in that. As it's so good and so close to all the action and so cheap it attracts enthusiasts and because you have to clear security to get in it's secure too. They've turned going to the airport into a day trip, like it used to be.
Also, ZRH offers bus tours of the ramp area too. I believe the commentary is all German and it only operates on certain days, but at 8CHF it's also a pretty good deal. I have a free pass for this too, but won't be able to make use of it as there's no tours when I'm free!
All I can say is it's brilliant. The Swiss really know how to make things work. They only charge about 5CHF for adults and less for children so it's not exactly bank breaking.I think it's free if you buy something from the fairly well stocked aviation themed gift shop as you enter. When you're there you have the choice of a restaurant, gift shop, and a small cafe. It's all open air, but has plenty of cover for if it rains. A play area keeps younger kids amused and the views of the runways and ramp area are just great. They have various interactive things, such as a screen above each stand which shows aircraft specs and the flight that's boarding from there. They have an area you can hear the air traffic control and live video telescopes which highlight various parts of the ramp and point out the odd flight with little arrows as they move around the airfield.
I see no reason at all why more airports can't offer the same thing as ZRH. They make money from it so LHR should be interested in that. As it's so good and so close to all the action and so cheap it attracts enthusiasts and because you have to clear security to get in it's secure too. They've turned going to the airport into a day trip, like it used to be.
Also, ZRH offers bus tours of the ramp area too. I believe the commentary is all German and it only operates on certain days, but at 8CHF it's also a pretty good deal. I have a free pass for this too, but won't be able to make use of it as there's no tours when I'm free!
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If UK airports still had any viewing areas worthy of a visit, they would do what all UK airports do exceptionally well, and that would be to screw you stupid for as much money as they could for the privilege.
Cheers.........H
Cheers.........H