Viewing areas

[studentpilotmcuk]

Hi all I was wondering if there were still any international airports within the UK that has a viewing area. I aim to go and do some aircraft spotting in a few months and was wondering which airport I should visit.

Thanks All

[Mr Angry from Purley]

Planespotting and Spotting Hotels at Airfields and Airports Worldwide - AircraftSpotting.co.uk (http://aircraftspotting.co.uk/)

For sure MAN is the best, anywhere else your in a downward spiral :\

[Hotel Tango]

If you want a good indoor facility, Birmingham is the place. You may die of boredom though ;)

With or without car, many airports have good unofficial spots where you can see the action. Information regarding these spots can be found on various enthusiasts websites, which you can locate with some imaginative googling.

[adz555666]

Birmingham's " Aviation Experience " was shut, last time I went, although I hope somebody can tell me otherwise!

[brookbj]

Ceased trading about a month ago.

[Evanelpus]

Birmingham's " Aviation Experience " was shut, last time I went, although I hope somebody can tell me otherwise!

This is going to stretch Birminghams Social Services network to the limit now!

[adz555666]

Your not wrong there! I think the glass area by BK must be a bit cramped now ( & smelly!! )

[ATNotts]

Forget the UK, try Amsterdam or any of the major German airports. I would recommend Dusseldorf, as being easy to reach, Frankfurt of course - again not hard to get to, but also try some of the smaller airports such as Hannover or Nürnberg.

The UK is one of the most spotter unfriendly countries, which is somewaht ironic since the hobby is very much a UK one - but then again, as the UK's motto says "security is paramount" - can't imagine it's not in other countries, but they do manage to balance security with public access rather better than we do in UK.

Where there's a will, there's undoubtedly a way - the UK just doesn't have the will.

[donnlass]

Yep MAN's certainly the best. Wish there was more shelter there though.

Even just a polythene 3 sided shelter would be dry and weatherproof.

[studentpilotmcuk]

Hi all thank you for the kind messages Manchester it is... I saw the program on stansted tonight I think the police have the right idea making good relations with spotters and giving them an id card so they are not disturbed. Does anyone reccommend a good aviation shop were I can purchase the necessary books.

Thanks and best regards

Stude

[donnlass]

MAN's Viewing park has a decent Shop. You might get your books there or they can recommend one.

[Evanelpus]

MAN's Viewing park has a decent Shop. You might get your books there or they can recommend one.

Can anyone confirm or dispell the rumour that you need a small mortgage to pay at the AVP car park?

[studentpilotmcuk]

Hi all this is the last question on this subject fom me. I am planning a weeks aicraft spotting at Manchester Airport I want to see as many aircraft as possible I know its not to everyones taste but I love it. I would like to know were there is good accommodation at a reasonable price on a bed only basis I shall be having breakfast lunch and dinner at the viewing area. suggestions would be very much apreciated.

Regards Stude

[Avman]

Can anyone confirm or dispell the rumour that you need a small mortgage to pay at the AVP car park?

Confirmed! Found elsewhere on PPRuNe:

Up to one hour: £3; up to three hours, £6; over three hours, £12!

[Dan Gerous]

Can anyone confirm or dispell the rumour that you need a small mortgage to pay at the AVP car park? Confirmed! Found elsewhere on PPRuNe:


Quote:
Up to one hour: £3; up to three hours, £6; over three hours, £12
I suspect the reason the UK aiports are so spotter unfriendly is if they can't make any money out of them, then they don't want them hanging around. Edinburgh had a great viewing balcony until it closed, and the police were for a while "checking up" on folk hanging around at the Ingilston site. Luckily there are some good spots around the airfield to go to, and avoid the terminal building altogether. Newcastle is in my personal experience, the worst place to go spotting. They really don't like spotters there for some reason. The airport security are on you straight away there, however the "civvy" police will drive by you and not even stop. Durham/Teesside isn't much better.The ironic thing is, that spotters probably know more about the goings on outside an airport, than security do, and could spot dodgy goings on a lot quicker.

[Wolverhampton]

Regarding viewing at BHX and the closure of the Aviation Experience, I had this reply from BHX themselves today.

"we're looking at our options for that space but will be opening an external viewing area in the next few weeks."

[Delvey]

Old topic I know, but the AVP at manchester is £5 for the car then £1 per person last time I was there.
If you want, let me know when your going and I could join you or point out where the best spots are
They are different for each runway in use

[CKT789]

I would like to know were there is good accommodation at a reasonable price on a bed only basis I shall be having breakfast lunch and dinner at the viewing area. suggestions would be very much apreciated.


I've stayed at the Premier Inn (Manchester Airport) which has rooms from £29 and they offer the usual breakfast deal. It's only a 5 - 10 minute walk from the AVP. There is also a Travelodge next door to the Premier Inn. I haven't stayed there though as the Premier Inn has always been clean, friendly and good value for money.

[dilldog01]

I'm sure it was just a malicious rumour at the time but it was said that when the BAA closed the viewing area on top of the Queen's Building at LHR years back due to "security reasons", certain parties speculated that the actual reason was the BAA had discovered how much it would cost them to provide (as they legally would have had to do) facilities for access to the viewing area for those with disabilities

[Gulf4uk]

Am pretty sure the Disabled facilities or lack of at the time played no part
in the closure . More to do with Certain happenings around the world
with Highjacks Bombs etc but no Airport will ever be 100 percent spotter
Friendly because there are always a few idiots about who wander into places
they know there not Supposed to be and then give Abuse when challenged
the best you can hope for is tolerance from Security and police , getting
to know your local Security and plod is a good idea and the locals Many
Fields now have ID schemes we do here at Farnborough as AIRPORT WATCH
sort of neighbourhood watch idea keeps owners and plod Happy.
but we dont have a dedicated area to spot from So Parking and litter around
the perimiter Fence can be a problem another reason people get upset

Tony
farnborough-aviation-group

[TSR2]

the AVP at manchester is £5 for the car then £1 per person last time I was there

Must have been a while ago since you were there. Current prices for cars are £3 per hour to a max of £12 for over 3 hours. Free entry for visitors on foot or by public transport or bicycle.

[ATNotts]

Gulf4uk:

Sure, the BAA closed the Queens Building for "security reasons", and Gatwick's facilities followed not so long afterwards.

The BAA could have offered viewing facilities without compromising security, as the authorities at Schiphol, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Zürich, and many other smaller airports in Germany do - they chose not to.

It may be that the UK government has had a hand in the closure of UK facilities, but I think it has more to do with commercial considerations. BAA has never been "spotter friendly" in the way that central european airports have been / currently are.

[stu_h]

For anyone who does want to try Heathrow and doesnt fancy the cold, the Renaissance next to 27R may be worth a day.

Went down to LL for the first time since the old Queens building closed and opted to try the hotel rather than outside. Ok, it's not cheap, but parking, drinks and wifi included, and with decent bino's, 27L approaches are just about getable.

[Skipness One Echo]

Sure, the BAA closed the Queens Building for "security reasons", and Gatwick's facilities followed not so long afterwards.


Actually not entirely true. There was a real lack of wheelchair access which the Labour government's law with unintended consequences made an issue as the law insisted that provision be made to correct this. With no income stream to cover it, they closed it as there was no business case for keeping it open.

Gatwick's South Terminal roof became a building site with no views and today would have remained much the same alas. At least at Heathrow there are a good many options around the perimter. Aside from the road under 26L, Gatwick is damn near spotter proof!

[Curious Pax]

My first thought was that the LHR viewing deck closed prior to 1997, but having had doubts I tried googling it before responding. However couldn't find anything, so to satisfy my personal curiosity can anyone tell me when it did close?

[Hotel Tango]

I have photos taken from the deck in July 2001. Wasn't it closed (initially for security reasons) after 911 never to be re-opened?

[Gulf4uk]

I Can rememder the Roof gardens being First closed Early 1970s and we had
to use A carp park by the side of 28r (In those days)
not sure what happened after that because we gave up coming .

Tony
farnborough-aviation-group

[dilldog01]

yes as stated in my earlier post the access issue was what was being floated amongst LHR regulars (most of whom worked at LHR and accordingly there was a pretty up to date and accurate grapeline providing info) as to the actual reason for the Queens Building being closed

[Skipness One Echo]

It was still open in summer 2002 which was the last time I was up there. It is of course never going to re-open mainly because the roof, the gardens and all they were are now memories since T2 was demolished. I have no doubt that T2.2 will be suitably spotter proof!

[MAN777]

I wouldnt recommend spending a full week at the AVP / RVP with a car it will cost you £12 every day. If you choose to stay at the nearby travel lodge or premier inn it only takes about 10 mins to walk there and you get in for free.

The takeaway cafe and restaurant dont mind you sitting or standing inside as long as you buy food and drink occasionally.

A completely different approach is to stay at the Airport Hotel Public house at the 23R end, its not 3 star buy any means but some of the rooms have stunning views of landing traffic, its cheap and they have many spotters from all over Europe stopping there, as a resident you can also use the balcony which is above the beer garden, summer evenings here are fantastic for photos.

Anyway check out the link

The Airport Hotel Manchester (http://www.theairporthotel.com/)

[studentpilotmcuk]

Thanks to all who have helped me. I have viewed the Manchester Airport Hotel and that is a deffinate option, i will know later after conversing with them. I am really looking forward to it. :ok: :)

Regards Stude

[Ex Cargo Clown]

Other options if you want to park at MAN are to stick it in the Romper carpark and have a pint, or stick it in front of Customs in the cargo centre just round the corner, or failing that, in front of Doomwoodys.

I never told you any of this information :=

[Westlakejawa]

Just a small point,but some comments in this thread appear to knock the £12 cost for a car at the A.V.P. 08.00 to dusk. Frankfurt charges 8 euro's(£7.50) admission to their balcony viewing area(no cover,no food , 10.00 -18.00) so pro rata not a lot of difference,except 4-5 people can go in a car.:)-

[Hotel Tango]

Arguably though, you will at least get your moneys worth in FRA.

[ConstantFlyer]

I recently flew for the first time from Exeter and was pleased and surprised to find an outdoor spectators' balcony affording good views of the apron. It is airside, so only accessible by departing passengers. It is upstairs in the bar area (no purchase expected). And when I was there it was sunny.