How to spot a spotting spot - Spotting Locations everywhere! Q&A HERE
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Folks, thanks for your input.
AFAIK it is indeed BAA property. Thats why I was wise enough at the time not to be unprofessional and stamp my feet/make an issue about it.
The questions of airport access at Heathrow has been raised on other PPRUNE threads before. There have been various discussions on thru traffic, rat running, use of areas for commuting, catching trains/buses etc. In fairness I transit LHR twice daily and make multi-modal onward connections but I am not an airline passenger! How can they enforce that?
OK - My gripe here is really over consistency.
Why is it that nobody (incl Police) have ever had issues with me before?
I reguarlarly stand and cycle around and within the LHR permiter with my camera - including close prox to the T5 end, mostly weekends.
And yes, Myrtle Road is NOT BAA land but the likes of EastChurch Rd Roundabout, Hatton Cross station forecourt, Southern Peri Rd etc all are BAA properties.
The point again was later the same day I was stood in the same location and the very same security man in his Land Rover saw me but never stopped or said a word.
Just one of those things I suppose. I respect it is private property and I am sure it might raise its head again in the future. Off the cuff, if BAA had decent/proper facilities for the enthusiast then maybe we wouldnt need to hang around on extermities of BAA property.
AFAIK it is indeed BAA property. Thats why I was wise enough at the time not to be unprofessional and stamp my feet/make an issue about it.
The questions of airport access at Heathrow has been raised on other PPRUNE threads before. There have been various discussions on thru traffic, rat running, use of areas for commuting, catching trains/buses etc. In fairness I transit LHR twice daily and make multi-modal onward connections but I am not an airline passenger! How can they enforce that?
OK - My gripe here is really over consistency.
Why is it that nobody (incl Police) have ever had issues with me before?
I reguarlarly stand and cycle around and within the LHR permiter with my camera - including close prox to the T5 end, mostly weekends.
And yes, Myrtle Road is NOT BAA land but the likes of EastChurch Rd Roundabout, Hatton Cross station forecourt, Southern Peri Rd etc all are BAA properties.
The point again was later the same day I was stood in the same location and the very same security man in his Land Rover saw me but never stopped or said a word.
Just one of those things I suppose. I respect it is private property and I am sure it might raise its head again in the future. Off the cuff, if BAA had decent/proper facilities for the enthusiast then maybe we wouldnt need to hang around on extermities of BAA property.
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<<OK - My gripe here is really over consistency.
Why is it that nobody (incl Police) have ever had issues with me before?>>
Probably down to the individual copper/security man.... like some coppers tell drivers off for speeding and others book them..
Friends of mine were watching aircraft at Farnborough whilst parked on a busy A road. Coppers topped and served them with notices saying they'd interviewed them about terrorism!!! My wife and I have spent countless hours around Farnborough watching aircraft and loads of police cars have driven past without a second look. From one vantage point we use the aerodrome security people have often driven up.. and when they've seen our scope, binocs and camera have given a friendly wave and driven off.
That's life I'm afraid...
Why is it that nobody (incl Police) have ever had issues with me before?>>
Probably down to the individual copper/security man.... like some coppers tell drivers off for speeding and others book them..
Friends of mine were watching aircraft at Farnborough whilst parked on a busy A road. Coppers topped and served them with notices saying they'd interviewed them about terrorism!!! My wife and I have spent countless hours around Farnborough watching aircraft and loads of police cars have driven past without a second look. From one vantage point we use the aerodrome security people have often driven up.. and when they've seen our scope, binocs and camera have given a friendly wave and driven off.
That's life I'm afraid...
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Thru traffic would not appear to me to be legit, but trying to stop it now would be impossible.Maybe; but I suspect you'd still get some who want 'better' or 'unique' angles for their photos. They would hang around regardless.
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Many installations in the UK are connected to the public highway by estate roads, which are in fact private property, but look to all intents and purposes indistinguishable from any other road.
The difference is that there will be, somewhere along their length, a 1959 Highways Act non-dedication notice which prevents the acquisition of public rights, and retains their ability to manage, patrol and close these routes if they so wish - or just to be officious which seems to be what you have encountered
The difference is that there will be, somewhere along their length, a 1959 Highways Act non-dedication notice which prevents the acquisition of public rights, and retains their ability to manage, patrol and close these routes if they so wish - or just to be officious which seems to be what you have encountered
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Gatwick questions
http://www.airliners.net/open.file?i...ext_id=0883161
Is this airside or can Joe Public get here and if so how?
Also, can I get from the 26L undershoot at the Das Air hangar to the 08R hold without a car?
Cheers
Is this airside or can Joe Public get here and if so how?
Also, can I get from the 26L undershoot at the Das Air hangar to the 08R hold without a car?
Cheers
Join Date: Nov 2006
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http://www.airliners.net/search/phot...search=MilanNN
I'm new here. If you want you can see my photos taken in Nizhny Novgorod (Russia)
I'm new here. If you want you can see my photos taken in Nizhny Novgorod (Russia)
Join Date: Jun 2006
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Barajas spotting
Hello everyone!
Well, firstly I am not going to be around till next year - So, I'd like to say Merry Xmas and a happy new year to everyone!
Anyway, I am flying to Barajas on Friday to get a connector to Doha with Qatar airways, and have something daft like 5 hours to kill between the times - Is there a spotters lounge there, or anything of the same ilk??
Also, has anyone flown on an A300-600 of Qatar? Opinions, please =)
Greetz,
George =)
Well, firstly I am not going to be around till next year - So, I'd like to say Merry Xmas and a happy new year to everyone!
Anyway, I am flying to Barajas on Friday to get a connector to Doha with Qatar airways, and have something daft like 5 hours to kill between the times - Is there a spotters lounge there, or anything of the same ilk??
Also, has anyone flown on an A300-600 of Qatar? Opinions, please =)
Greetz,
George =)
Watching at LHR & LGW
Hello. Apologies if this has been posted a million times before - did try a search but "Heathrow" and "Gatwick" turn up a LOT (not a big surprise).
Can anyone suggest a good vantage point outside the airports for parking up and watching the a/c land and take off? My kids are pretty keen to go and have a look, but the last time I sat on a fence at the end of a runway was when I was about 10 years old....I wasn't sure whether increased security would have made it more difficult to do that these days.
If yiou know the road names, that would be great as I could then look it up on Multimap.
Cheers
B&t
Can anyone suggest a good vantage point outside the airports for parking up and watching the a/c land and take off? My kids are pretty keen to go and have a look, but the last time I sat on a fence at the end of a runway was when I was about 10 years old....I wasn't sure whether increased security would have made it more difficult to do that these days.
If yiou know the road names, that would be great as I could then look it up on Multimap.
Cheers
B&t
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Blues&twos,
Hi there,
I can help you with Gatwick -
You certainly wouldn't be allowed to 'sit on the fence' as you put it these days in current security climate 
However, many spotters find the best place most of the time is the 26L theshold (most of time Gatwick is on 26L) and they usually stand/sit along 'Perimeter Road East' just down from the South Terminal. I have done this myself and have never had any bother from police or BAA security. Just make sure you do NOT get too close to the actual perimeter fence because I have a copy of the BAA By-laws and apparently you must get no closer than 3 metres to the restricted zone fence at any time.
For a quick glance across the whole or most of the airport hop onto the BA transit inter-terminal train. Completely free and runs alongside the northern perimetre road and can see most of the stands of the South Terminal satellite possibly more and control tower/parts of North Terminal.
I would suggest you get a train to Gatwick as you will be very hastily moved on by security if you park along the perimeter roads as they are very busy.
I know another location if you would like to know, probably the best for summer and easiest to park at and be prepared for a long walk PM me for details....
Hi there,
I can help you with Gatwick -
You certainly wouldn't be allowed to 'sit on the fence' as you put it these days in current security climate
However, many spotters find the best place most of the time is the 26L theshold (most of time Gatwick is on 26L) and they usually stand/sit along 'Perimeter Road East' just down from the South Terminal. I have done this myself and have never had any bother from police or BAA security. Just make sure you do NOT get too close to the actual perimeter fence because I have a copy of the BAA By-laws and apparently you must get no closer than 3 metres to the restricted zone fence at any time.
For a quick glance across the whole or most of the airport hop onto the BA transit inter-terminal train. Completely free and runs alongside the northern perimetre road and can see most of the stands of the South Terminal satellite possibly more and control tower/parts of North Terminal.
I would suggest you get a train to Gatwick as you will be very hastily moved on by security if you park along the perimeter roads as they are very busy.
I know another location if you would like to know, probably the best for summer and easiest to park at and be prepared for a long walk
PM me for details....
Thanks EGKK! Yep, was back a fair while ago when my dad and I would actually sit on the wooden perimeter fence at EGKK and I would wave to the pilots. I'll pm you for the additional details! I have now just done the obvious thing and had a look at the road layout around Gatwick on Multimap.
No such worries at Shoreham (my "home" airport) where my friends and I spent many happy hours wandering along the riverbank watching all the activity on the field.
Cheers!
No such worries at Shoreham (my "home" airport) where my friends and I spent many happy hours wandering along the riverbank watching all the activity on the field.
Cheers!
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Hello Blues & Two's , I'll try and help you with Heathrow if i can.
Basically , since Queens Buildings were closed after 9/11 , you are only left with three choices if you have kids in tow.
1. The ex-Heathrow visitor Center is located next to the Renaissance Hotel at the far Eastern end of the Northern Perimeter Road which is signposted still.Despite the unit now housing a training centre , the authorities still allow you to park in front of it which gives you a view of the landings or take-offs on 27R and ....... thats pretty much it although you do see some taxying traffic.The parking costs are still £5 for all day or about £1 an hour.BEWARE.....except for a Mcdonalds behind the training centre on the other side of the A4 there are no amenities.
2. For 27L you can either park in the Hatton Cross underground station car park (£5) which gets you underneath them if they are landing , or park in Myrtle Avenue or one of the side roads in that area where there is an open grassed area where you can sit and get a side on view of landings or a rear view of take-offs depending on runway orientation.It's free to park but once again , no amenities at either spot although there is a BP garage nearby where you can use a loo or get an expensive sandwich.
3. If the wind is from the East , forget it , theres nowhere i'm aware of to watch landings or take-offs at 09L or 09R.
4. Remember runways change sides at 1500hrs every day and sometimes more than once if particular operating conditions dictate.
5. Having been to LHR yesterday , they were using 27R to land in the morning and 27L after 1500hrs....so if you are thinking Saturday or Sunday , go to position 1 about 1300 hrs and you should get two hours of landings and an hour of take-offs before the dark sets in as well as a reasonable spread of operators colour-schemes ; particularly Saturdays.
Basically , since Queens Buildings were closed after 9/11 , you are only left with three choices if you have kids in tow.
1. The ex-Heathrow visitor Center is located next to the Renaissance Hotel at the far Eastern end of the Northern Perimeter Road which is signposted still.Despite the unit now housing a training centre , the authorities still allow you to park in front of it which gives you a view of the landings or take-offs on 27R and ....... thats pretty much it although you do see some taxying traffic.The parking costs are still £5 for all day or about £1 an hour.BEWARE.....except for a Mcdonalds behind the training centre on the other side of the A4 there are no amenities.
2. For 27L you can either park in the Hatton Cross underground station car park (£5) which gets you underneath them if they are landing , or park in Myrtle Avenue or one of the side roads in that area where there is an open grassed area where you can sit and get a side on view of landings or a rear view of take-offs depending on runway orientation.It's free to park but once again , no amenities at either spot although there is a BP garage nearby where you can use a loo or get an expensive sandwich.
3. If the wind is from the East , forget it , theres nowhere i'm aware of to watch landings or take-offs at 09L or 09R.
4. Remember runways change sides at 1500hrs every day and sometimes more than once if particular operating conditions dictate.
5. Having been to LHR yesterday , they were using 27R to land in the morning and 27L after 1500hrs....so if you are thinking Saturday or Sunday , go to position 1 about 1300 hrs and you should get two hours of landings and an hour of take-offs before the dark sets in as well as a reasonable spread of operators colour-schemes ; particularly Saturdays.
Thanks MATaxi! Info from EGKK and yourself has been brilliant! This will have undoubtedly saved me hours driving around trying to find somewhere and getting nowhere, or being rugby tackled to the floor, squirted with CS gas and dragged off to the cells......
Cheers guys!
Cheers guys!
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Heathrow 09
Just popped onto this thread, dont know if this has been mentioned, but when i was last there ( Late Afternoon ) they were landing on 09L.
There is a business users car park which runs between the perimiter road and the airfield boundry. Its aimed i gather at business class customers etc and costs i think about £20/£30 for the day.
It appears to be a great plave to watch either landings or TO but only for 09L, as the parking area is close to the touchdown areas, photography here is also bound to be good, if you have a small set of steps in tow, and i presume you can stay with your vehicle.
I have not tried it and i am only presuming that the staff there would allow you to stay with your vehicle.
Jamie
There is a business users car park which runs between the perimiter road and the airfield boundry. Its aimed i gather at business class customers etc and costs i think about £20/£30 for the day.
It appears to be a great plave to watch either landings or TO but only for 09L, as the parking area is close to the touchdown areas, photography here is also bound to be good, if you have a small set of steps in tow, and i presume you can stay with your vehicle.
I have not tried it and i am only presuming that the staff there would allow you to stay with your vehicle.
Jamie
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Hello To All!
Just a quick question, I will be doing a stopover in Dubai for a few days and wanted to do some spotting near the airport(will be in the town streets not next to the airport perimeter fence!) but I heard that police officials are always near and its prohibited,
Any Info?
Many thanks
Just a quick question, I will be doing a stopover in Dubai for a few days and wanted to do some spotting near the airport(will be in the town streets not next to the airport perimeter fence!) but I heard that police officials are always near and its prohibited,
Any Info?
Many thanks
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Edinburgh's Ingleston spotting area.
I visited the Ingleston old market area last week for the first time in ages. I used to enjoy sitting there and watch the take offs and landings. It had a great view and quite a few guys took photographs to post in the Scottish Aviation News. The whole area is barriered off now and was just wondering the reason. Now I know it's private property and all that but what harm was anyone doing? I don't think it's for security as you can still access the area on foot but no car access. Anyone have some insider knowledge?
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Redhill Anyone ?
Popped into Redhill a couple of times recently, I am only into photography, does anyone know if any of the Hangers are accessable, and other A/c on the otherside of the field?
Great Cafe there with outside seating and a nice view of "General" GA
Great Cafe there with outside seating and a nice view of "General" GA
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Los Angeles spotting/museum
I've searched but can't find anything - I'm heading up to LA for a week or so, and would really like to have some quality spotting time - especially of military machinery. Is there anywhere worth sitting at the Santa Ana US Marine Corp base? If not there - anywhere else?
Join Date: Nov 2005
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Well worth avisit is this place http://www.theproudbird.com/index.html
Good food, quite a few aircraft parked up in the garden and right underneath the flightpath for LAX
Good food, quite a few aircraft parked up in the garden and right underneath the flightpath for LAX