Viewing areas
 

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

Planespotting and Spotting Hotels at Airfields and Airports Worldwide - AircraftSpotting.co.uk

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

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.

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

Birmingham Aviation Experience
 

Ceased trading about a month ago.

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

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

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.

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.

my thanks to you all
 

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

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?

accommodation at Manchester
 

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

Confirmed! Found elsewhere on PPRuNe:

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.

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."

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

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.

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

farnborough spotting
 

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