SpottersWiki - User contributions [en]

Birmingham Airport

2012-01-01T10:06:33Z

OpenIDUser14: /* External Links */

[[Category:England]]
{{categorywithregion|Europe|United Kingdom|England}}

One of the UK's busiest airports, Birmingham has a wide variety of visitors. Official viewing locations are very scarce, but there are plenty of great places around the airport if you have a car. Sun can be a problem for photos, especially on runway 33, as the runway is one of the very few in the country to go from north to south. But with a bit of creative shooting, and finding the right place, some excellent action shots can be had.

{{infobox|
fullname=Birmingham Airport|
location=Birmingham, England|
iata=BHX|icao=EGBB|aptype=Commercial|
website=http://www.bhx.co.uk|
mapurl=http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?ll=52.454336,-1.741290&spn=0.015056,0.038242&t=h&hl=en|
mapsource=Google Maps|
atctower= 118.3|
atcground= 121.8|
atcclearance=|
atcapproach= 118.05|
atcdeparture= 131.05|
atcatis=|atcunicom=}}

==Official Spotting Locations==

===The Aviation Experience===
There is a viewing gallery in terminal 1. The glass is tinted and usually quite dirty.
Views are very limited due to extension work on the terminal.
Admission costs one pound.

==Other Spotting Locations==

===Runway 33 End===

At the airport, park in the long stay car park to the south of the runway. From here you can park anywhere you like to get excellent photos of landings on runway 33. There is also a small grass area with benches, offering a great view over the apron and terminal areas, with good photos to be had.

{{jplink|6425796}} {{jplink|6425806}} {{jplink|6397320}} {{jplink|6397319}}

===Runway 15 End===

Follow the A45 from the airport towards Birmingham City Centre. Eventually you will get to some shops and a big set of traffic lights. Turn right here onto Sheaf Lane, into Sheldon. Follow until you get to a roundabout, where you can turn right. Take the first right onto Elstead Avenue, then at the end just before the cul-de-sac turn left onto Hazeldene Road. Just as the road turns sharp left, there is a little cul-de-sac area on the right, with a looped road. Park somewhere here (DO NOT BLOCK IN THE RESIDENTS, PLEASE PARK CONSIDERATELY). Walk through the entrance into Sheldon Country Park, then turn left. The footpath goes right through the approach lights on short final, and you can get good photos of aircraft landing and queuing for takeoff on runway 15.

{{jplink|6556141}}
{{jplink|6667630}}
{{jplink|6667611}}

===Golf Course===

This location offers great views of the runway, no matter what end they are using. If 15 is in use you get touchdown shots, if 33 is in use you get rotation shots. You have the sun behind you for most of the day.

From the airport follow the A45 down towards Birmingham. Continue past the old terminal to some traffic lights signposted for Hatchford Brook Golf Course.

Park up in the car park of the golf course, then walk towards the airport perimeter fence (you can't miss it). Be very careful - you are walking on an active golf course, so stay clear of the players (they will get mad at you), and keep looking out for stray balls! You will get to a point with a building behind the fence, anywhere around here is good. You can then walk along the fence towards the threshold of 15 (however the runway eventually becomes above your head so not much good for photos if you go too far along).

{{jplink|6068641}} {{jplink|6068619}} {{jplink|6479463}} {{jplink|6472725}}

Update 20 April 2009

The Golf Club have taken steps to stop people getting in this way. There is now a high fence along the entire length of the car park, so you can only get in by going through the club house. There are also now lots of signs warning that parking is only for users of the golf course.

You can still get to this spot, but it includes a considerably longer walk (about a mile).

Follow the instructions for "Runway 33 End" above, parking considerably. When you go through the gate, instead of turning left, go straight across the path, following the trodden grass down to the fence. From here, you literally follow the fence on your left until you get to the golf ball and the fence cuts across to the right. Anywhere here is good for photos. You cross a couple of bridges and some soggy ground after rain, but you end up in the same position on the golf course as you would have before.

==Locations to Avoid==

===Old Terminal===

You used to be able to go to the old terminal and take photos from the steps. Do not do this. You can expect to be moved on very quickly by security or the police from this location.

==Regular Traffic==

Mainly UK regional traffic. FlyBe have a base here so expect to see lots of their DHC-8s and ERJs. Apart from that, many of the European majors fly here. Aer Lingus, KLM, Air France, Lufthansa, SAS, Swiss, all fly in several times a day.

There is a lot of UK charter traffic from the likes of Monarch, MyTravel, ThomsonFly, but mostly short haul.

The foreign long haul aircraft that come in include Pakistan International, Air India and Emirates, all have daily flights.

==Facilities and Transportation==
The airport has a transit link to Birmingham International railway station from where services depart to destinations throughout the country.

The airport terminals are also served by a variety of local bus services and coaches.

The motorways M6 & M42 are a short distance from the airport.

A shop selling aviation books, magazines, radios etc is situated within the Aviation Experience

==External Links==

[http://www.forums4airports.com/forum427.html Birmingham Airport Forum] For BHX spotters and aviation enthusiasts as well as aviation professionals to discuss all aspects of Birmingham airport. Forums4airports also has dedicated forums for all major UK airports.

Doncaster Sheffield Airport

2012-01-01T09:39:04Z

OpenIDUser14: /* External Links */

[[Category:England]]
{{categorywithregion|Europe|United Kingdom|England}}

{{infobox|fullname=Doncaster Sheffield Robin Hood|
location=Doncaster, South Yorkshire|
iata=DSA|
icao=EGCN|
aptype=Commercial|
website=http://www.robinhoodairport.com|
mapurl=|
mapsource=|
atctower=128.775|
atcground=|
atcclearance=|
atcapproach=126.225|
atcdeparture=126.225|
atcatis=134.95|
atcunicom=}}

Doncaster Sheffield Robin Hood Airport is situated south of Doncaster. It is the newest airport to open in the UK, formerly RAF Finningley. Due to still being relatively new, it is very quiet in terms of movements. This has picked up for summer 2009, with a few new operators commencing flights, however it's not the sort of place you would want to spend an entire day at though, unless you take a good book! Well worth stopping by if you're in the area though, and the authorities are very friendly to spotters.

==Official Spotting Locations==
There are no official spotting locations as yet.

==Other Spotting Locations==

===Runway 02 end===

From the airport turn left, and head for the A638. Turn left to head south on this road. Take the first road on the left (High Common Lane). This road runs between the A638 and A614. There is a layby on the northern side offering good views and photography of aircraft landing and departing on runway 02.

Map of this location:
http://www.streetmap.co.uk/streetmap.dll?G2M?X=465625&Y=396545&A=Y&Z=3

===Alongside the runway===

From this location, continue straight past the end of the runway and you will come to a roundabout. Take the first exit, onto the Old Bawtry Road. This road comes closer to the runway and then runs parallel to the runway for most of its length. This offers good views of all traffic landing and departing on both runways, and there is parking for the entire length in a layby that seemingly stretches the length of the runway. You are at the same level as the runway and about 40-100ft from the side of the runway. A 300mm lens is plenty for most traffic.

This spot is good for photography until about 13:00-14:00 before shots start appearing backlit, and is better when 20 is in use for touchdown/rotation shots depending on how far along you go. The location is also popular with the locals and on a sunny afternoon there will be dozens of cars parked watching the planes.

==Locations to Avoid==

===Location===

==Regular Traffic==

The airport goes through phases of being quite busy, interspursed with hours of nothing. Unfortunately much of the movement occurs before 9.30am and after 7pm, with only 2-3 movements in between. Most days there is no activity at all between 8am and 1pm.

Consult the schedule before setting off to avoid hours of nothing.

==External Links==

[http://www.forums4airports.com/forum441.html Doncaster Airport Forum] Dedicated aviation forum for spotters and aviation enthusiasts as well as aviation professionals. This forum is also home to a number of other airport forums for airports around the UK.

==Facilities and Transportation==

Manchester Airport

2012-01-01T09:27:33Z

OpenIDUser14: /* External links */

[[Category:England]]
{{categorywithregion|Europe|United Kingdom|England}}

{{infobox|fullname=Manchester Airport|location=Manchester, England|iata=MAN|icao=EGCC|aptype=Commercial|website=http://www.manchesterairport.co.uk|mapurl=http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?ll=53.354138,-2.279320&spn=0.029493,0.076484&t=h&hl=en|mapsource=Google Maps|atctower=118.625 (23R/05L)119.4 (23L/05R|atcground=121.85 (Primary) 125.375 (Secondary)|atcclearance=121.7 (delivery)|atcapproach=118.575 & Director 121.35 |atcdeparture=118.625 & 119.4|atcatis=128.175 (Arrivals) 121.975 (Departures)|atcunicom=}}

In 2004, Manchester International Airport (Ringway) was voted Britain’s premier spotting airport by a well-known aviation magazine, and anyone who has been there will probably agree with them. It is not a question of which is the best place to watch planes at Manchester, more a question of which spot do I want to choose?

MAN has 2 parallel runways, 23R / 05L (Runway 1) and 23L / 05R (Runway 2) . Aircraft movements are generally inbound on 23R and outbound on 23L. However the wind direction shifts approx 20% of the year and this flow is reversed. During the quieter period of each day from 12.00hrs to 15.00hrs and at night between 22:00hrs and 06:00hrs the airport reverts to single runway use and uses 23R / 05L (Runway 1) for both inbound and outbound flights. [http://www.manchesterairport.co.uk/manweb.nsf/alldocs/B40F30197901518780257393003585FE/$File/Single+Runway+Operations+Data+Sheet.pdf Single Runway operations data sheet.]

==Official Spotting Locations==

===Multi Storey Car Park Terminal 1===

[[Image:T2View.JPG|thumb|right|Terminal 2 from the top of the Multi-Story.]]

13th Floor of the multi-storey car park - Terminal 1 - Views of Runway 1 where you can view aircraft landing and taking off, also close views of aircraft parking and moving from Terminals 1 & 2 plus a good view of the Cargo area. Level 13 now being used by the Car Rental Companies. But there isn't any facilities here any more. Toilets are situated in the Terminal 1 arrivals area, just get the lift down from Level 12. Some thoughtfully provided camera holes are in the security fences. Be warned however that this is a short-stay car park and is very expensive to park your car:

http://www.manchesterairport.co.uk/manweb.nsf/Content/ShortStayPark

'''The Aviation shop''' is now situated in Terminal 1 arrivals and stocks everything for the enthusiast, binoculars, telescopes, models, airband radios, scanners, DVDs, notebooks, pens, postcards, and the SBS Radar System.

===A.V.P. - Aviation viewing park===

[[Image:B-18703 From The AVP.jpg|thumb|right|China Airlines Cargo Boeing 747-400 photographed from the Aviation Viewing Park.]]

[[Image:AP-BGL PIA 777.jpg|thumb|right|A PIA 777 taxying past the Viewing Park]]

The A.V.P is located approx 2/3 way along Runway 23R (Runway 1) and offers excellent views of both flying and taxiing aircraft,and is widely recognised as the best facility for enthusiasts in the UK.
It has 3 raised platforms for better viewing and photography, a very good snack bar, Family picnic areas and clean Male and Female toilet facilities. There is also a well-stocked aviation shop selling books, aircraft models, binoculars and radios etc.

Signposted from main terminal areas and railway station. This A.V.P also contains a '''British Airways Concorde G-BOAC''' (for details of tours see below), '''BAe Avro 146-RX100''', '''Monarch DC-10''' nose section, De Havilland Vampire jet fighter (at the moment been removed for restoration), and a '''BEA British European Airways Hawker Siddley HS-121 Trident 3B G-AZWK''' aircraft resplendent in full BEA Colours, which you can have a tour of (at cost).

The A.V.P is situated off the A538 between Junction 6 of the M56 motorway and the airport tunnels.

From the Junction 6 Roundabout follow signs for Wilmslow. After a very short distance you will see Sunbank Lane on the left with a sign post for “Concorde”. Turn left here and then immediately right at the crossroads onto Wilmslow Old Road and follow to the end.

You can get to the A.V.P by bus from the "The Station" at the Airport, which is situated mid-way between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 . Journey time by bus is approximately 5 minutes. The Swans Shuttle bus 200 operates year round on weekends and Bank Holidays. Buses leave The Station at 09:16, then every hour until 17.16. Buses leave the Viewing Park every hour 09.25 until 17.25. The fare is £1.40 for a single (one-way) ticket, or £2.30 for a return (July 2011).

Arriva North West operates a regular daily service (bus 18, 18A, 20, 20A) stopping at the rear of the World Freight Terminal from where the Aviation Viewing Park is approximately a 10 minute walk. Full timetables for the service can be found at http://www.arrivabus.co.uk but generally there are four services per hour in each direction between The Station (Stand K) and the Freight Terminal. Some evening services are operated by service number 19. The adult single fare is £1. From the Freight Terminal bus stop, turn left out of Viscount Drive on to Avro Way and follow the road to where it bends round to the left. Walk into the junction on the right - you should see LSG SkyChefs on your right hand side, and a yellow and black car barrier ahead with a bollard to allow pedestrians through. Pass the barrier and turn left up the lane (Wilmslow Old Road, as in the directions above.) The AVP is about 6-7 minutes walk, right at the end of this lane.

==Other Spotting Locations==

===South Side (Runway 2 - 23L/05R)===

[[Image:Manchester Airport South side terminal view.jpg|thumb|right|Manchester Airport's Terminal area from the mound behind the new fire station on the South side.]]

A disadvantage of the official Aviation Viewing Park (AVP) is that it faces into the sun until late in the day, making photography more difficult. Better photography is often offered by heading around to Runway 2 on the South side of the airport. Going there is easy by car. By public transport is possible too, but a bit of a handful.

The closest bus stop to Runway 2 is at the Moat House Hotel (Holiday inn) on the A538 Wilmslow road . Bus service no 288 runs along the A538 and there is a stop near to the AVP at the junction with Sunbank lane – from the AVP this means walking back towards the main road (approx ½ mile). From this bus stop it is then 2 stops along to the Moat House Hotel (Holiday inn). The bus runs every 30 mins.

By car, from the Junction 6 Roundabout off the M56, follow signs for Wilmslow along the A538. Approximately 1 mile along this road you will drive under the 2 runway tunnels. As you exit the 2nd tunnel you will come to a roundabout. Turn left at this roundabout and then turn immediately right before the gate - Then park up on the left before the bridge, as this road becomes the Moat House hotel car park beyond the bridge. Do try to tuck your car into the hedge, as the hotel mini-bus screams up and down here every half-hour or so and its a narrow road!!

'''DO NOT''' park anywhere between the roundabout and the gate - you '''WILL''' get a ticket or a '''TOW''' - even on the grass verge.

Once you have reach the Hotel, you have two options. There are raised viewing mounds running the length of runway 23L. These are segregated by the road tunnels which allow the A538 to go under the runways. So your choice is to cross the road and go left and past the new fire station to get to the mid point and beyond of runway 23L for views of aircraft rotating and taking-off OR go right to the start of runway 23L for close-up taxiing and line-up views of aircraft.

====Runway 23L - taxi and line-up====

[[Image:Runway 23L threshold Manchester.JPG|thumb|right|The Elevated Mound next to the Runway 23L threshold]]

From the Hotel entrance, turn right and walk through the car park, over the small stone bridge and up to the top of this road. On the right is a black cattle gate. Walk through the gate and follow this footpath for approx half-a-mile. The path finishes at the runway security fence and you will see long earth mounds either side of you which offer superb elevated views of the first 1/3 of runway 2.Further around to the right is an elevated mound which is directly in front of the link taxi-way between runway 1 and 2 - you can practically count the rivets on the aircraft as they line-up !!!

====Runway 23L - rotation and take-off====

[[Image:Runway 2 landing manchester.JPG|thumb|right|A Thomsonfly.com 737-300 lands on Runway 05R]]

The second option is to walk from the hotel back to the roundabout. On the other side of the road you just came in on, you will see a footpath of steep steps rising to the top of the hill. Follow this path for roughly 15 minutes past the side of the new fire station and up to the runway security fence.

From here, you can go left and follow the path parallel to runway 2 down into a valley and then back up again to raised mounds which offer superb views of aircraft rotating on runway 2 for take-off.

As an alternative, turn left after the fire station and follow the path downhill to the lowest lowest point of the valley. Then turn right and follow the river through the tunnel under runway 2. As you exit the tunnel turn right up the hill for a viewing spot half way between runway 1 and runway 2

Please note that runway 2 is usually closed between 12:00 and 15:00 hours. Also check before making any journey which way the aircraft are flying!. For approx 20% of the year, the wind shifts and the flying changes direction.

===South Side (Runway 1 - 05L/23R)===

====Runway 05L - approach and landing, rotation and take-off====

[[Image:Runway 05L Lights at Manchester.JPG|thumb|right|The Runway 05L Lights Field]]

[[Image:Manchester Airport River Bollin tunnel under RWY 2.jpg|thumb|right|The River Bollin tunnel under Runway 2 (23L/05R)]]

From the Moat House hotel, cross the A538 and head back to the roundabout. On the other side of the road, there is a footpath with steep steps leading up a hill. Follow this path for roughly 15 minutes past the rear side of the new fire station and follow the path on the left side fence of the fire station. Follow this path (it goes a bit up and down) until you descend into a valley and the River Bollin tunnel.

Cross the Bollin using the metal bridge and head North through the tunnel. Then, turn left up the steep hill with Crash Gate No. 12 at the top. Carry on up there until ground levels out and you're beside Runway 2. Then, go right through a gate. Follow the long path past the dead tree (on your right) and then go through the gate at the end of the path. Turn left at this gate and then take the next right turn. This will lead to a field with the lights for Runway 05L. This is a really good place to photograph and film from.

If 05L is being used for landings, aircraft come straight over your head and if the same runway is being used for take-offs, the aircraft take off away from you. Alternatively, if 23R is being used for take-offs, the aircraft will take off directly at you. This spot is especially interesting during the curfew of runway 2 (23L/05R) when all movements are on runway 1 (23R/05L).

(This spot is usually quite quiet and there's normally nobody about.)

=== Junction of Ringway Road & Shadowmoss road ===

Not far from Terminal 1, this area gives excellent views of aircraft on final approach to Runway 23R. Be warned that car parking is limited because of parking restrictions. The local residents get rightly annoyed when thoughtless spotters park cars that partially block access to their driveways and the hand-painted yellow lines outside some houses show the level of feeling about this – please be considerate.

=== Airport Hotel Public House ===

Next to the final approach to Runway 23R, the beer garden of this pub offer great views of landing aircraft and also aircraft holding for departure. This spot is especially interesting during the 12PM - 3PM curfew of Runway 2(23L/06R). Because the public house and it's beer garden have become so popular with spotters, the pub has a pay-and-display car park. It's essential to pay-and-display if you don't wanted to be fined £60.

==Locations to Avoid==

[[Image:Crash Gate No. 12 at Manchester Airport.JPG|thumb|right|Crash Gate No. 6 on the South side of the airport.]]

None really - just be sensible - '''don't park in-front of crash gates''' and stay on the public side of the security fences and you will be ok.

The areas offered as alternatives to the AVP (the mounds and the area beyond the new fire station) are public footpaths and you wont get more than a passing glance from the security staff when they are patrolling airside.

The airport and council have always been fairly spotter-friendly so just read the notices and don't go or park where it says you shouldn't.

==Spotting Locations Map==

[[Image:Manchester Spotting Map.JPG]]

==Regular Traffic==

===Scheduled/Charter Airlines===

*British Airways - Boeing 737, Airbus A319/320/321
*American Airlines - Boeing 767
*Continental Airlines - Boeing 757
*Delta Air Lines - Boeing 757/767
*Emirates - Airbus A330/380, Boeing 777
*PIA - Boeing 777, Airbus A310
*US Airways - Airbus A330
*Monarch Airlines - Airbus A300/320/321/330, Boeing 767
*Flybe - Dash 8-400, Embraer 195
*Jet2.com - Boeing 737/757
*Thomson/First Choice Boeing 737/757/767, Airbus A320/321
*Air France - Airbus A318/319/320, Embraer 195, Fokker 100
*KLM - Boeing 737, Embraer 190
*Lufthansa - Boeing 737, Airbus A319/320/321, CRJ-100/200/700/900
*BMI & bmibaby - Boeing 737, Airbus A319/320/321, Embraer 135/145
*Finnair - Airbus A319/320, Embraer 170/190
*Turkish Airlines - Airbus A320/321, Boeing 737
*CSA Czech Airlines - Boeing 737
*Ryanair - Boeing 737-800
*Aer Lingus - Airbus A320
*Thomas Cook - Boeing 757/767, Airbus A320
*Virgin Atlantic Airways - Boeing 747-400, Airbus A330/340
plus many more, for a full list (and of which Terminal) click on this link: http://www.manchesterairport.co.uk.

===Cargo Airlines===

*Cathay Pacific Cargo - Boeing 747-3/400
*Great Wall Airlines - Boeing 747-400
*Air China Cargo - Boeing 747-400

Plus you never know what will turn up, the A380 has done a missed approach at Manchester, the Antonov An-225 and a few An-124s have been to Manchester, there are always a few surprises!

==Facilities and Transportation==

===Public Transport===

The Railway Station is situated at the Airport between Terminals 1 & 2.
Services from most of the UK mainline stations.
The Bus & Coach Station is adjacent to railway station. Also served by National Express.
Bus service number 200 serves the viewing park from the airport bus station every Saturday and Sunday at 15 minutes past the hour from the bus station and 25 minutes past the hour from the viewing park. The fare is £1.40 for a single (one-way) ticket, or £2.30 for a return (July 2011).

==Travel tips==
If traveling by car and you do not wish to pay for the airport car parks, you could always park your car at Heald Green Railway Station and catch the train to the airport. Before 09:30 the fare is £1.60 single or £2.20 return. After 09:30 the fare decreases to £1.40 single or £1.50 return. (July 2011)

http://www.spotterswiki.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=29#p29

==External links==

*[http://www.forums4airports.com/forum423.html Manchester Airport Forum] to discuss all aspects of the airport about all aspects from route development to infrastructure improvements. All the latest aviation news for spotters and aviation professionals alike.

*[http://www.plane-spotter.com/Airports/UK/MAN/SpotterGuide_MAN.pdf One page spotter guide for print out] - contains radio frequencies, airport map and a brief description of the spotting spots at MAN.

*[http://www.ringwayreports.co.uk/ringway.htm Manchester airport aircraft movements website] - contains every movement of every plane at Manchester since 2003. You can submit your photos or view others from the day as well as view timetables of expected aircraft in a large database.

*[http://www.manchesterairport.co.uk/manweb.nsf/alldocs/B6F0247D7CBCF65F80257393003585FD/$File/Runway+Data+Sheet+2007-+v+FINAL.pdf The official Manchester Airport Runway data sheet] featuring all the relevant information regarding the runway operations.

Newcastle International Airport

2011-11-25T20:41:18Z

OpenIDUser14: /* Facilities and Transportation */

[[Category:England]]
{{categorywithregion|Europe|United Kingdom|England}}

{{infobox|fullname=Newcastle International Airport|
location=Newcastle, England|
iata=NCL|
icao=EGNT|
aptype=Commercial|
website=http://www.newcastleinternational.co.uk/|
mapurl=http://www.aeropictures.net/NewcastleNCLInfo.html|
mapsource=www.Aeropictures.net|
atctower= 119.700|
atcground=121.725|
atcclearance=NA|
atcapproach=124.375|
atcdeparture=|
atcatis=|
atcunicom=}}



==Official Spotting Locations==

===Location===

==Other Spotting Locations==

===Terminal===

{{pplink|713426}}

===Gate (only before boarding)===

{{pplink|713425}}

==Locations to Avoid==

===Location===

==Regular Traffic==

Aer Lingus: A320

Air France: CRJ 700

British Airways: A319, A320

Eastern Airways: Saab 2000, BAe Jetstream 41, BAe Jetstream 31

Easyjet: A319

Emirates: A330-200

FlyBe: ERJ-145, Emb-195, Dash 8-400, BAe 146-300

Jet2.com: B737-300, B757-200

KLM: F70, F100, B737-300, B737-400, B737-800

Lufthansa: CRJ200

Cimber: CRJ200

Ryanair: B737-800

Thomson Airways: B737-800, Boeing 757-200, Boeing 767-300ER

Thomas Cook.com: Boeing 757-200

TUIfly.com: B737-700, B737-800

Wideroe: Dash 8-100, Dash 8-200

and more...

==Facilities and Transportation==

Bus and Train to City,

==External Links==

[http://www.forums4airports.com/forum431.html Forum for Newcastle Airport] For NCL spotters and aviation enthusiasts as well as aviation professionals to discuss all aspects of Newcatle airport from Infrastructure to aircraft Nostalgia.

London Stansted Airport

2011-11-25T20:37:31Z

OpenIDUser14: /* Facilities and Transportation */

[[Category:England]]
{{categorywithregion|Europe|United Kingdom|England}}

{{infobox|
fullname=London Stansted Airport|
location=London, England|
iata=STN|icao=EGSS|aptype=Commercial|
website=http://www.stanstedairport.com|
mapurl=http://maps.google.de/maps?ll=51.885,0.235&spn=0.03,0.03&t=h&q=51.885,0.235|
mapsource=Google Maps|
atctower=118.150|
atcground=121.725|
atcclearance=|
atcapproach=125.550|
atcdeparture=|
atcatis=127.175|
atcunicom=}}



==Official Spotting Locations==

Just outside of the terminal on the southwest end above the rail station. This doesn't allow you to get very close however, you have a good view of the runway and of the western most concourse (where most of the interesting stuff is).

==Other Spotting Locations==

If the weather is bad (rain, snow etc.) inside the main terminal, the windows by the point where people can meet those arriving on domestic flights. Also the grassy area above the rail lines next to the terminal provides excellent views of all the activity and there is a hole in the bushes 50 feet from the terminal that allows you get to it.

===Approach Field 23 End===

There is a field at the end of runway 23 where aircraft, if using that runway, will pass over you. Unfortunately no ground shots can be had from here as the runway is well set back with a hill a fence and trees in the way. Although this isn't the greatest place in the world to get pictures from, it is about the best Stansted has to offer and you are not going to be bothered here.

'''How To Get There''' - Coming off the M11, but pass the terminal area and head for Molehill Green and Elsenham. You'll need to go past Molehill Green and then there will be a turn on your left with a black sign for Hyteck Technologies. Turn left here and continue to the end of the road. You should be able to park your car at the end and walk in to the field for approach shots like those above. This map may help you. You need to turn left at "Gaunt's End" and continue down past "Mott's Hall" to the end of that road.

At this point you may get a visit from the police. They will do a stop and search but they won't move you on though. Just don't argue or refuse to the stop and search. The police are usually very friendly and sometimes even stop there for lunch and to do some spotting themselves. From time to time airport security asks plane spotters to leave this place but they have no right to do so, as the area is public land.

Another possibility for drivers is a quick stay at the Birchanger motorway services close to the end of 05. As far as can be seen there's nothing to stop spotters though better to be discrete and remember these service areas are on private land and the owner's security could move you on.

==Locations to Avoid==

===Location===

==Regular Traffic==
*Air Berlin A319, A320, B737, B738
*Asiana Cargo B747F
*Astraeus B752
*Aurigny ATR 72
*Easyjet A319
*FedEx MD-11, A300
*Germanwings A319
*Global Supply Systems (BA Cargo) B747F
*Jet2.com B733
*Norwegian Air Shuttle 733
*Ryanair B738
*Turkish Airlines A321, B738

==Facilities and Transportation==

==External Links==

[http://www.forums4airports.com/forum424.html Forum for Stansted Airport] For STN spotters and aviation enthusiasts as well as aviation professionals.

Manchester Airport

2011-11-25T20:26:08Z

OpenIDUser14: /* External links */

[[Category:England]]
{{categorywithregion|Europe|United Kingdom|England}}

{{infobox|fullname=Manchester Airport|location=Manchester, England|iata=MAN|icao=EGCC|aptype=Commercial|website=http://www.manchesterairport.co.uk|mapurl=http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?ll=53.354138,-2.279320&spn=0.029493,0.076484&t=h&hl=en|mapsource=Google Maps|atctower=118.625 (23R/05L)119.4 (23L/05R|atcground=121.85 (Primary) 125.375 (Secondary)|atcclearance=121.7 (delivery)|atcapproach=118.575 & Director 121.35 |atcdeparture=118.625 & 119.4|atcatis=128.175 (Arrivals) 121.975 (Departures)|atcunicom=}}

In 2004, Manchester International Airport (Ringway) was voted Britain’s premier spotting airport by a well-known aviation magazine, and anyone who has been there will probably agree with them. It is not a question of which is the best place to watch planes at Manchester, more a question of which spot do I want to choose?

MAN has 2 parallel runways, 23R / 05L (Runway 1) and 23L / 05R (Runway 2) . Aircraft movements are generally inbound on 23R and outbound on 23L. However the wind direction shifts approx 20% of the year and this flow is reversed. During the quieter period of each day from 12.00hrs to 15.00hrs and at night between 22:00hrs and 06:00hrs the airport reverts to single runway use and uses 23R / 05L (Runway 1) for both inbound and outbound flights. [http://www.manchesterairport.co.uk/manweb.nsf/alldocs/B40F30197901518780257393003585FE/$File/Single+Runway+Operations+Data+Sheet.pdf Single Runway operations data sheet.]

==Official Spotting Locations==

===Multi Storey Car Park Terminal 1===

[[Image:T2View.JPG|thumb|right|Terminal 2 from the top of the Multi-Story.]]

13th Floor of the multi-storey car park - Terminal 1 - Views of Runway 1 where you can view aircraft landing and taking off, also close views of aircraft parking and moving from Terminals 1 & 2 plus a good view of the Cargo area. Level 13 now being used by the Car Rental Companies. But there isn't any facilities here any more. Toilets are situated in the Terminal 1 arrivals area, just get the lift down from Level 12. Some thoughtfully provided camera holes are in the security fences. Be warned however that this is a short-stay car park and is very expensive to park your car:

http://www.manchesterairport.co.uk/manweb.nsf/Content/ShortStayPark

'''The Aviation shop''' is now situated in Terminal 1 arrivals and stocks everything for the enthusiast, binoculars, telescopes, models, airband radios, scanners, DVDs, notebooks, pens, postcards, and the SBS Radar System.

===A.V.P. - Aviation viewing park===

[[Image:B-18703 From The AVP.jpg|thumb|right|China Airlines Cargo Boeing 747-400 photographed from the Aviation Viewing Park.]]

[[Image:AP-BGL PIA 777.jpg|thumb|right|A PIA 777 taxying past the Viewing Park]]

The A.V.P is located approx 2/3 way along Runway 23R (Runway 1) and offers excellent views of both flying and taxiing aircraft,and is widely recognised as the best facility for enthusiasts in the UK.
It has 3 raised platforms for better viewing and photography, a very good snack bar, Family picnic areas and clean Male and Female toilet facilities. There is also a well-stocked aviation shop selling books, aircraft models, binoculars and radios etc.

Signposted from main terminal areas and railway station. This A.V.P also contains a '''British Airways Concorde G-BOAC''' (for details of tours see below), '''BAe Avro 146-RX100''', '''Monarch DC-10''' nose section, De Havilland Vampire jet fighter (at the moment been removed for restoration), and a '''BEA British European Airways Hawker Siddley HS-121 Trident 3B G-AZWK''' aircraft resplendent in full BEA Colours, which you can have a tour of (at cost).

The A.V.P is situated off the A538 between Junction 6 of the M56 motorway and the airport tunnels.

From the Junction 6 Roundabout follow signs for Wilmslow. After a very short distance you will see Sunbank Lane on the left with a sign post for “Concorde”. Turn left here and then immediately right at the crossroads onto Wilmslow Old Road and follow to the end.

You can get to the A.V.P by bus from the "The Station" at the Airport, which is situated mid-way between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 . Journey time by bus is approximately 5 minutes. The Swans Shuttle bus 200 operates year round on weekends and Bank Holidays. Buses leave The Station at 09:16, then every hour until 17.16. Buses leave the Viewing Park every hour 09.25 until 17.25. The fare is £1.40 for a single (one-way) ticket, or £2.30 for a return (July 2011).

Arriva North West operates a regular daily service (bus 18, 18A, 20, 20A) stopping at the rear of the World Freight Terminal from where the Aviation Viewing Park is approximately a 10 minute walk. Full timetables for the service can be found at http://www.arrivabus.co.uk but generally there are four services per hour in each direction between The Station (Stand K) and the Freight Terminal. Some evening services are operated by service number 19. The adult single fare is £1. From the Freight Terminal bus stop, turn left out of Viscount Drive on to Avro Way and follow the road to where it bends round to the left. Walk into the junction on the right - you should see LSG SkyChefs on your right hand side, and a yellow and black car barrier ahead with a bollard to allow pedestrians through. Pass the barrier and turn left up the lane (Wilmslow Old Road, as in the directions above.) The AVP is about 6-7 minutes walk, right at the end of this lane.

==Other Spotting Locations==

===South Side (Runway 2 - 23L/05R)===

[[Image:Manchester Airport South side terminal view.jpg|thumb|right|Manchester Airport's Terminal area from the mound behind the new fire station on the South side.]]

A disadvantage of the official Aviation Viewing Park (AVP) is that it faces into the sun until late in the day, making photography more difficult. Better photography is often offered by heading around to Runway 2 on the South side of the airport. Going there is easy by car. By public transport is possible too, but a bit of a handful.

The closest bus stop to Runway 2 is at the Moat House Hotel (Holiday inn) on the A538 Wilmslow road . Bus service no 288 runs along the A538 and there is a stop near to the AVP at the junction with Sunbank lane – from the AVP this means walking back towards the main road (approx ½ mile). From this bus stop it is then 2 stops along to the Moat House Hotel (Holiday inn). The bus runs every 30 mins.

By car, from the Junction 6 Roundabout off the M56, follow signs for Wilmslow along the A538. Approximately 1 mile along this road you will drive under the 2 runway tunnels. As you exit the 2nd tunnel you will come to a roundabout. Turn left at this roundabout and then turn immediately right before the gate - Then park up on the left before the bridge, as this road becomes the Moat House hotel car park beyond the bridge. Do try to tuck your car into the hedge, as the hotel mini-bus screams up and down here every half-hour or so and its a narrow road!!

'''DO NOT''' park anywhere between the roundabout and the gate - you '''WILL''' get a ticket or a '''TOW''' - even on the grass verge.

Once you have reach the Hotel, you have two options. There are raised viewing mounds running the length of runway 23L. These are segregated by the road tunnels which allow the A538 to go under the runways. So your choice is to cross the road and go left and past the new fire station to get to the mid point and beyond of runway 23L for views of aircraft rotating and taking-off OR go right to the start of runway 23L for close-up taxiing and line-up views of aircraft.

====Runway 23L - taxi and line-up====

[[Image:Runway 23L threshold Manchester.JPG|thumb|right|The Elevated Mound next to the Runway 23L threshold]]

From the Hotel entrance, turn right and walk through the car park, over the small stone bridge and up to the top of this road. On the right is a black cattle gate. Walk through the gate and follow this footpath for approx half-a-mile. The path finishes at the runway security fence and you will see long earth mounds either side of you which offer superb elevated views of the first 1/3 of runway 2.Further around to the right is an elevated mound which is directly in front of the link taxi-way between runway 1 and 2 - you can practically count the rivets on the aircraft as they line-up !!!

====Runway 23L - rotation and take-off====

[[Image:Runway 2 landing manchester.JPG|thumb|right|A Thomsonfly.com 737-300 lands on Runway 05R]]

The second option is to walk from the hotel back to the roundabout. On the other side of the road you just came in on, you will see a footpath of steep steps rising to the top of the hill. Follow this path for roughly 15 minutes past the side of the new fire station and up to the runway security fence.

From here, you can go left and follow the path parallel to runway 2 down into a valley and then back up again to raised mounds which offer superb views of aircraft rotating on runway 2 for take-off.

As an alternative, turn left after the fire station and follow the path downhill to the lowest lowest point of the valley. Then turn right and follow the river through the tunnel under runway 2. As you exit the tunnel turn right up the hill for a viewing spot half way between runway 1 and runway 2

Please note that runway 2 is usually closed between 12:00 and 15:00 hours. Also check before making any journey which way the aircraft are flying!. For approx 20% of the year, the wind shifts and the flying changes direction.

===South Side (Runway 1 - 05L/23R)===

====Runway 05L - approach and landing, rotation and take-off====

[[Image:Runway 05L Lights at Manchester.JPG|thumb|right|The Runway 05L Lights Field]]

[[Image:Manchester Airport River Bollin tunnel under RWY 2.jpg|thumb|right|The River Bollin tunnel under Runway 2 (23L/05R)]]

From the Moat House hotel, cross the A538 and head back to the roundabout. On the other side of the road, there is a footpath with steep steps leading up a hill. Follow this path for roughly 15 minutes past the rear side of the new fire station and follow the path on the left side fence of the fire station. Follow this path (it goes a bit up and down) until you descend into a valley and the River Bollin tunnel.

Cross the Bollin using the metal bridge and head North through the tunnel. Then, turn left up the steep hill with Crash Gate No. 12 at the top. Carry on up there until ground levels out and you're beside Runway 2. Then, go right through a gate. Follow the long path past the dead tree (on your right) and then go through the gate at the end of the path. Turn left at this gate and then take the next right turn. This will lead to a field with the lights for Runway 05L. This is a really good place to photograph and film from.

If 05L is being used for landings, aircraft come straight over your head and if the same runway is being used for take-offs, the aircraft take off away from you. Alternatively, if 23R is being used for take-offs, the aircraft will take off directly at you. This spot is especially interesting during the curfew of runway 2 (23L/05R) when all movements are on runway 1 (23R/05L).

(This spot is usually quite quiet and there's normally nobody about.)

=== Junction of Ringway Road & Shadowmoss road ===

Not far from Terminal 1, this area gives excellent views of aircraft on final approach to Runway 23R. Be warned that car parking is limited because of parking restrictions. The local residents get rightly annoyed when thoughtless spotters park cars that partially block access to their driveways and the hand-painted yellow lines outside some houses show the level of feeling about this – please be considerate.

=== Airport Hotel Public House ===

Next to the final approach to Runway 23R, the beer garden of this pub offer great views of landing aircraft and also aircraft holding for departure. This spot is especially interesting during the 12PM - 3PM curfew of Runway 2(23L/06R). Because the public house and it's beer garden have become so popular with spotters, the pub has a pay-and-display car park. It's essential to pay-and-display if you don't wanted to be fined £60.

==Locations to Avoid==

[[Image:Crash Gate No. 12 at Manchester Airport.JPG|thumb|right|Crash Gate No. 6 on the South side of the airport.]]

None really - just be sensible - '''don't park in-front of crash gates''' and stay on the public side of the security fences and you will be ok.

The areas offered as alternatives to the AVP (the mounds and the area beyond the new fire station) are public footpaths and you wont get more than a passing glance from the security staff when they are patrolling airside.

The airport and council have always been fairly spotter-friendly so just read the notices and don't go or park where it says you shouldn't.

==Spotting Locations Map==

[[Image:Manchester Spotting Map.JPG]]

==Regular Traffic==

===Scheduled/Charter Airlines===

*British Airways - Boeing 737, Airbus A319/320/321
*American Airlines - Boeing 767
*Continental Airlines - Boeing 757
*Delta Air Lines - Boeing 757/767
*Emirates - Airbus A330/380, Boeing 777
*PIA - Boeing 777, Airbus A310
*US Airways - Airbus A330
*Monarch Airlines - Airbus A300/320/321/330, Boeing 767
*Flybe - Dash 8-400, Embraer 195
*Jet2.com - Boeing 737/757
*Thomson/First Choice Boeing 737/757/767, Airbus A320/321
*Air France - Airbus A318/319/320, Embraer 195, Fokker 100
*KLM - Boeing 737, Embraer 190
*Lufthansa - Boeing 737, Airbus A319/320/321, CRJ-100/200/700/900
*BMI & bmibaby - Boeing 737, Airbus A319/320/321, Embraer 135/145
*Finnair - Airbus A319/320, Embraer 170/190
*Turkish Airlines - Airbus A320/321, Boeing 737
*CSA Czech Airlines - Boeing 737
*Ryanair - Boeing 737-800
*Aer Lingus - Airbus A320
*Thomas Cook - Boeing 757/767, Airbus A320
*Virgin Atlantic Airways - Boeing 747-400, Airbus A330/340
plus many more, for a full list (and of which Terminal) click on this link: http://www.manchesterairport.co.uk.

===Cargo Airlines===

*Cathay Pacific Cargo - Boeing 747-3/400
*Great Wall Airlines - Boeing 747-400
*Air China Cargo - Boeing 747-400

Plus you never know what will turn up, the A380 has done a missed approach at Manchester, the Antonov An-225 and a few An-124s have been to Manchester, there are always a few surprises!

==Facilities and Transportation==

===Public Transport===

The Railway Station is situated at the Airport between Terminals 1 & 2.
Services from most of the UK mainline stations.
The Bus & Coach Station is adjacent to railway station. Also served by National Express.
Bus service number 200 serves the viewing park from the airport bus station every Saturday and Sunday at 15 minutes past the hour from the bus station and 25 minutes past the hour from the viewing park. The fare is £1.40 for a single (one-way) ticket, or £2.30 for a return (July 2011).

==Travel tips==
If traveling by car and you do not wish to pay for the airport car parks, you could always park your car at Heald Green Railway Station and catch the train to the airport. Before 09:30 the fare is £1.60 single or £2.20 return. After 09:30 the fare decreases to £1.40 single or £1.50 return. (July 2011)

http://www.spotterswiki.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=29#p29

==External links==

*[http://www.forums4airports.com/forum423.html Forum for Manchester Airport] For discussions about all aspects of the airport from route development to infrastructure improvements. All the latest aviation news for spotters and aviation professionals alike.

*[http://www.plane-spotter.com/Airports/UK/MAN/SpotterGuide_MAN.pdf One page spotter guide for print out] - contains radio frequencies, airport map and a brief description of the spotting spots at MAN.

*[http://www.ringwayreports.co.uk/ringway.htm Manchester airport aircraft movements website] - contains every movement of every plane at Manchester since 2003. You can submit your photos or view others from the day as well as view timetables of expected aircraft in a large database.

*[http://www.manchesterairport.co.uk/manweb.nsf/alldocs/B6F0247D7CBCF65F80257393003585FD/$File/Runway+Data+Sheet+2007-+v+FINAL.pdf The official Manchester Airport Runway data sheet] featuring all the relevant information regarding the runway operations.

Manchester Airport

2011-11-25T20:23:51Z

OpenIDUser14: /* External links */

[[Category:England]]
{{categorywithregion|Europe|United Kingdom|England}}

{{infobox|fullname=Manchester Airport|location=Manchester, England|iata=MAN|icao=EGCC|aptype=Commercial|website=http://www.manchesterairport.co.uk|mapurl=http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?ll=53.354138,-2.279320&spn=0.029493,0.076484&t=h&hl=en|mapsource=Google Maps|atctower=118.625 (23R/05L)119.4 (23L/05R|atcground=121.85 (Primary) 125.375 (Secondary)|atcclearance=121.7 (delivery)|atcapproach=118.575 & Director 121.35 |atcdeparture=118.625 & 119.4|atcatis=128.175 (Arrivals) 121.975 (Departures)|atcunicom=}}

In 2004, Manchester International Airport (Ringway) was voted Britain’s premier spotting airport by a well-known aviation magazine, and anyone who has been there will probably agree with them. It is not a question of which is the best place to watch planes at Manchester, more a question of which spot do I want to choose?

MAN has 2 parallel runways, 23R / 05L (Runway 1) and 23L / 05R (Runway 2) . Aircraft movements are generally inbound on 23R and outbound on 23L. However the wind direction shifts approx 20% of the year and this flow is reversed. During the quieter period of each day from 12.00hrs to 15.00hrs and at night between 22:00hrs and 06:00hrs the airport reverts to single runway use and uses 23R / 05L (Runway 1) for both inbound and outbound flights. [http://www.manchesterairport.co.uk/manweb.nsf/alldocs/B40F30197901518780257393003585FE/$File/Single+Runway+Operations+Data+Sheet.pdf Single Runway operations data sheet.]

==Official Spotting Locations==

===Multi Storey Car Park Terminal 1===

[[Image:T2View.JPG|thumb|right|Terminal 2 from the top of the Multi-Story.]]

13th Floor of the multi-storey car park - Terminal 1 - Views of Runway 1 where you can view aircraft landing and taking off, also close views of aircraft parking and moving from Terminals 1 & 2 plus a good view of the Cargo area. Level 13 now being used by the Car Rental Companies. But there isn't any facilities here any more. Toilets are situated in the Terminal 1 arrivals area, just get the lift down from Level 12. Some thoughtfully provided camera holes are in the security fences. Be warned however that this is a short-stay car park and is very expensive to park your car:

http://www.manchesterairport.co.uk/manweb.nsf/Content/ShortStayPark

'''The Aviation shop''' is now situated in Terminal 1 arrivals and stocks everything for the enthusiast, binoculars, telescopes, models, airband radios, scanners, DVDs, notebooks, pens, postcards, and the SBS Radar System.

===A.V.P. - Aviation viewing park===

[[Image:B-18703 From The AVP.jpg|thumb|right|China Airlines Cargo Boeing 747-400 photographed from the Aviation Viewing Park.]]

[[Image:AP-BGL PIA 777.jpg|thumb|right|A PIA 777 taxying past the Viewing Park]]

The A.V.P is located approx 2/3 way along Runway 23R (Runway 1) and offers excellent views of both flying and taxiing aircraft,and is widely recognised as the best facility for enthusiasts in the UK.
It has 3 raised platforms for better viewing and photography, a very good snack bar, Family picnic areas and clean Male and Female toilet facilities. There is also a well-stocked aviation shop selling books, aircraft models, binoculars and radios etc.

Signposted from main terminal areas and railway station. This A.V.P also contains a '''British Airways Concorde G-BOAC''' (for details of tours see below), '''BAe Avro 146-RX100''', '''Monarch DC-10''' nose section, De Havilland Vampire jet fighter (at the moment been removed for restoration), and a '''BEA British European Airways Hawker Siddley HS-121 Trident 3B G-AZWK''' aircraft resplendent in full BEA Colours, which you can have a tour of (at cost).

The A.V.P is situated off the A538 between Junction 6 of the M56 motorway and the airport tunnels.

From the Junction 6 Roundabout follow signs for Wilmslow. After a very short distance you will see Sunbank Lane on the left with a sign post for “Concorde”. Turn left here and then immediately right at the crossroads onto Wilmslow Old Road and follow to the end.

You can get to the A.V.P by bus from the "The Station" at the Airport, which is situated mid-way between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 . Journey time by bus is approximately 5 minutes. The Swans Shuttle bus 200 operates year round on weekends and Bank Holidays. Buses leave The Station at 09:16, then every hour until 17.16. Buses leave the Viewing Park every hour 09.25 until 17.25. The fare is £1.40 for a single (one-way) ticket, or £2.30 for a return (July 2011).

Arriva North West operates a regular daily service (bus 18, 18A, 20, 20A) stopping at the rear of the World Freight Terminal from where the Aviation Viewing Park is approximately a 10 minute walk. Full timetables for the service can be found at http://www.arrivabus.co.uk but generally there are four services per hour in each direction between The Station (Stand K) and the Freight Terminal. Some evening services are operated by service number 19. The adult single fare is £1. From the Freight Terminal bus stop, turn left out of Viscount Drive on to Avro Way and follow the road to where it bends round to the left. Walk into the junction on the right - you should see LSG SkyChefs on your right hand side, and a yellow and black car barrier ahead with a bollard to allow pedestrians through. Pass the barrier and turn left up the lane (Wilmslow Old Road, as in the directions above.) The AVP is about 6-7 minutes walk, right at the end of this lane.

==Other Spotting Locations==

===South Side (Runway 2 - 23L/05R)===

[[Image:Manchester Airport South side terminal view.jpg|thumb|right|Manchester Airport's Terminal area from the mound behind the new fire station on the South side.]]

A disadvantage of the official Aviation Viewing Park (AVP) is that it faces into the sun until late in the day, making photography more difficult. Better photography is often offered by heading around to Runway 2 on the South side of the airport. Going there is easy by car. By public transport is possible too, but a bit of a handful.

The closest bus stop to Runway 2 is at the Moat House Hotel (Holiday inn) on the A538 Wilmslow road . Bus service no 288 runs along the A538 and there is a stop near to the AVP at the junction with Sunbank lane – from the AVP this means walking back towards the main road (approx ½ mile). From this bus stop it is then 2 stops along to the Moat House Hotel (Holiday inn). The bus runs every 30 mins.

By car, from the Junction 6 Roundabout off the M56, follow signs for Wilmslow along the A538. Approximately 1 mile along this road you will drive under the 2 runway tunnels. As you exit the 2nd tunnel you will come to a roundabout. Turn left at this roundabout and then turn immediately right before the gate - Then park up on the left before the bridge, as this road becomes the Moat House hotel car park beyond the bridge. Do try to tuck your car into the hedge, as the hotel mini-bus screams up and down here every half-hour or so and its a narrow road!!

'''DO NOT''' park anywhere between the roundabout and the gate - you '''WILL''' get a ticket or a '''TOW''' - even on the grass verge.

Once you have reach the Hotel, you have two options. There are raised viewing mounds running the length of runway 23L. These are segregated by the road tunnels which allow the A538 to go under the runways. So your choice is to cross the road and go left and past the new fire station to get to the mid point and beyond of runway 23L for views of aircraft rotating and taking-off OR go right to the start of runway 23L for close-up taxiing and line-up views of aircraft.

====Runway 23L - taxi and line-up====

[[Image:Runway 23L threshold Manchester.JPG|thumb|right|The Elevated Mound next to the Runway 23L threshold]]

From the Hotel entrance, turn right and walk through the car park, over the small stone bridge and up to the top of this road. On the right is a black cattle gate. Walk through the gate and follow this footpath for approx half-a-mile. The path finishes at the runway security fence and you will see long earth mounds either side of you which offer superb elevated views of the first 1/3 of runway 2.Further around to the right is an elevated mound which is directly in front of the link taxi-way between runway 1 and 2 - you can practically count the rivets on the aircraft as they line-up !!!

====Runway 23L - rotation and take-off====

[[Image:Runway 2 landing manchester.JPG|thumb|right|A Thomsonfly.com 737-300 lands on Runway 05R]]

The second option is to walk from the hotel back to the roundabout. On the other side of the road you just came in on, you will see a footpath of steep steps rising to the top of the hill. Follow this path for roughly 15 minutes past the side of the new fire station and up to the runway security fence.

From here, you can go left and follow the path parallel to runway 2 down into a valley and then back up again to raised mounds which offer superb views of aircraft rotating on runway 2 for take-off.

As an alternative, turn left after the fire station and follow the path downhill to the lowest lowest point of the valley. Then turn right and follow the river through the tunnel under runway 2. As you exit the tunnel turn right up the hill for a viewing spot half way between runway 1 and runway 2

Please note that runway 2 is usually closed between 12:00 and 15:00 hours. Also check before making any journey which way the aircraft are flying!. For approx 20% of the year, the wind shifts and the flying changes direction.

===South Side (Runway 1 - 05L/23R)===

====Runway 05L - approach and landing, rotation and take-off====

[[Image:Runway 05L Lights at Manchester.JPG|thumb|right|The Runway 05L Lights Field]]

[[Image:Manchester Airport River Bollin tunnel under RWY 2.jpg|thumb|right|The River Bollin tunnel under Runway 2 (23L/05R)]]

From the Moat House hotel, cross the A538 and head back to the roundabout. On the other side of the road, there is a footpath with steep steps leading up a hill. Follow this path for roughly 15 minutes past the rear side of the new fire station and follow the path on the left side fence of the fire station. Follow this path (it goes a bit up and down) until you descend into a valley and the River Bollin tunnel.

Cross the Bollin using the metal bridge and head North through the tunnel. Then, turn left up the steep hill with Crash Gate No. 12 at the top. Carry on up there until ground levels out and you're beside Runway 2. Then, go right through a gate. Follow the long path past the dead tree (on your right) and then go through the gate at the end of the path. Turn left at this gate and then take the next right turn. This will lead to a field with the lights for Runway 05L. This is a really good place to photograph and film from.

If 05L is being used for landings, aircraft come straight over your head and if the same runway is being used for take-offs, the aircraft take off away from you. Alternatively, if 23R is being used for take-offs, the aircraft will take off directly at you. This spot is especially interesting during the curfew of runway 2 (23L/05R) when all movements are on runway 1 (23R/05L).

(This spot is usually quite quiet and there's normally nobody about.)

=== Junction of Ringway Road & Shadowmoss road ===

Not far from Terminal 1, this area gives excellent views of aircraft on final approach to Runway 23R. Be warned that car parking is limited because of parking restrictions. The local residents get rightly annoyed when thoughtless spotters park cars that partially block access to their driveways and the hand-painted yellow lines outside some houses show the level of feeling about this – please be considerate.

=== Airport Hotel Public House ===

Next to the final approach to Runway 23R, the beer garden of this pub offer great views of landing aircraft and also aircraft holding for departure. This spot is especially interesting during the 12PM - 3PM curfew of Runway 2(23L/06R). Because the public house and it's beer garden have become so popular with spotters, the pub has a pay-and-display car park. It's essential to pay-and-display if you don't wanted to be fined £60.

==Locations to Avoid==

[[Image:Crash Gate No. 12 at Manchester Airport.JPG|thumb|right|Crash Gate No. 6 on the South side of the airport.]]

None really - just be sensible - '''don't park in-front of crash gates''' and stay on the public side of the security fences and you will be ok.

The areas offered as alternatives to the AVP (the mounds and the area beyond the new fire station) are public footpaths and you wont get more than a passing glance from the security staff when they are patrolling airside.

The airport and council have always been fairly spotter-friendly so just read the notices and don't go or park where it says you shouldn't.

==Spotting Locations Map==

[[Image:Manchester Spotting Map.JPG]]

==Regular Traffic==

===Scheduled/Charter Airlines===

*British Airways - Boeing 737, Airbus A319/320/321
*American Airlines - Boeing 767
*Continental Airlines - Boeing 757
*Delta Air Lines - Boeing 757/767
*Emirates - Airbus A330/380, Boeing 777
*PIA - Boeing 777, Airbus A310
*US Airways - Airbus A330
*Monarch Airlines - Airbus A300/320/321/330, Boeing 767
*Flybe - Dash 8-400, Embraer 195
*Jet2.com - Boeing 737/757
*Thomson/First Choice Boeing 737/757/767, Airbus A320/321
*Air France - Airbus A318/319/320, Embraer 195, Fokker 100
*KLM - Boeing 737, Embraer 190
*Lufthansa - Boeing 737, Airbus A319/320/321, CRJ-100/200/700/900
*BMI & bmibaby - Boeing 737, Airbus A319/320/321, Embraer 135/145
*Finnair - Airbus A319/320, Embraer 170/190
*Turkish Airlines - Airbus A320/321, Boeing 737
*CSA Czech Airlines - Boeing 737
*Ryanair - Boeing 737-800
*Aer Lingus - Airbus A320
*Thomas Cook - Boeing 757/767, Airbus A320
*Virgin Atlantic Airways - Boeing 747-400, Airbus A330/340
plus many more, for a full list (and of which Terminal) click on this link: http://www.manchesterairport.co.uk.

===Cargo Airlines===

*Cathay Pacific Cargo - Boeing 747-3/400
*Great Wall Airlines - Boeing 747-400
*Air China Cargo - Boeing 747-400

Plus you never know what will turn up, the A380 has done a missed approach at Manchester, the Antonov An-225 and a few An-124s have been to Manchester, there are always a few surprises!

==Facilities and Transportation==

===Public Transport===

The Railway Station is situated at the Airport between Terminals 1 & 2.
Services from most of the UK mainline stations.
The Bus & Coach Station is adjacent to railway station. Also served by National Express.
Bus service number 200 serves the viewing park from the airport bus station every Saturday and Sunday at 15 minutes past the hour from the bus station and 25 minutes past the hour from the viewing park. The fare is £1.40 for a single (one-way) ticket, or £2.30 for a return (July 2011).

==Travel tips==
If traveling by car and you do not wish to pay for the airport car parks, you could always park your car at Heald Green Railway Station and catch the train to the airport. Before 09:30 the fare is £1.60 single or £2.20 return. After 09:30 the fare decreases to £1.40 single or £1.50 return. (July 2011)

http://www.spotterswiki.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=29#p29

==External links==

*[http://www.forums4airports.com/forum423.html Manchester Airport Forum for discussions about all aspects of the airport] from route development to infrastructure improvements. All the latest aviation news for spotters and aviation professionals alike.

*[http://www.plane-spotter.com/Airports/UK/MAN/SpotterGuide_MAN.pdf One page spotter guide for print out] - contains radio frequencies, airport map and a brief description of the spotting spots at MAN.

*[http://www.ringwayreports.co.uk/ringway.htm Manchester airport aircraft movements website] - contains every movement of every plane at Manchester since 2003. You can submit your photos or view others from the day as well as view timetables of expected aircraft in a large database.

*[http://www.manchesterairport.co.uk/manweb.nsf/alldocs/B6F0247D7CBCF65F80257393003585FD/$File/Runway+Data+Sheet+2007-+v+FINAL.pdf The official Manchester Airport Runway data sheet] featuring all the relevant information regarding the runway operations.

London Heathrow Airport

2011-11-25T20:20:33Z

OpenIDUser14:

[[Category:England]]
{{categorywithregion|Europe|United Kingdom|England}}

{{infobox|fullname=London Heathrow Airport|location=London, England|iata=LHR|icao=EGLL|aptype=Commercial|website=http://www.heathrowairport.com|mapurl=http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?ll=51.471119,-0.455246&spn=0.030780,0.076484&hl=en|mapsource=Google Maps|atctower=118.7, 118.5|atcground=121.9, 121.7
|atcclearance=121.975
|atcapproach=120.4|atcdeparture=118.5
|atcatis=|atcunicom=}}

==Official Spotting Locations==

===The Queens Building===
On top of terminal 2. Shut, indefinitely.

===Terrace at Thistle London Heathrow Hotel===
This is a good spotting place since you will see the Rwy 27R / 09L. You do not need to be a overnighter to use this point. The only thing is you have to ask at the reception desk.
Bath Road, Longford
West Drayton UB7 0EQ
Phone: 0871 376 9021 / +44 845 305 8321

===Heathrow Academy===
Located on North Perimeter Road, many spotters choose to spot from here. This location is good for spotting but no good for photography, because of the perimeter fence! From here runway 09L/27R has very close views and also from here views of aircraft parked in Terminal 1 Stands and part of Terminal 3 stands can be seen. Also from here the maintenance area has clear views, here park up South African (747's and A340's) and Qantas (747's). Also some executive and government planes can be seen. When the weather is right views of 09R/27L can be seen, the weather has to be perfect! Sometimes it is to hazy or sometimes too cloudy. Also at the visitors centre there is an [expensive] cafe - although this is only open on weekdays. But there is a McDonald's over the road. Also here is a a enthusiasts shop - where models, books, magazines, etc are sold. This location is only called the visitors centre, but really you are spotting in the car park it cost £1.00 per hour, so be aware of the weather. Happy Spotting at LHR, there are some interesting planes to be seen here, I have listed some further down the article.

The centre has now re-opened under a new name, of Heathrow Academy. It is open at weekends and school holidays from 10am to 4pm. Within the centre, there is a Ritazza coffee shop (open from 7am to 4pm), there is still a aviation model shop.

<googlemap lat="51.481102" lon="-0.441749" zoom="16">51.480608, -0.443187, Heathrow Academy</googlemap>

==Other Spotting Locations==
===Rwy 27 threshold===
Early in the morning, if traffic is coming down on 27R, you could get lucky and witness dual rwy ops/landings. In such cases most the BA heavies will opt for 27L whilst a lot of the T3 traffic will land on 27R.
{{anetlink|802551}}

===Block 94 crash gate===
A real no-no, the Police will see you off from here quicker than anything! If you dare to venture into here, as it is open, be aware it's not advisable to hang around for too long. Shots of a/c lining up at B94 (for 27L) can be had though, should you get lucky.
{{anetlink|881225}}
Or shots of landing a/c onto 27L also.
{{anetlink|887541}}
Almost as good a spot is across the dual carriageway, which is perfectly fine, where landing a/c can be shot over the fence.
{{anetlink|887540}}
===09L Field===
There's a field similar to that found at Myrtle Avenue, although this one is for 09L arrivals. Very nice in the mornings when light from the rising Sun hits the fans.
{{anetlink|955969}}
===Hilton Hill===
Either walk from Myrtle Av. or from terminal 4. Expect a 15 minute walk from Myrtle, 5 from T4. The hill is on the side of the road that leads into terminal 4 itself. Plenty of space to not bother anyone. Very hazy in the summer though. Only good for 27L arrival shots, with a different backdrop from the "normal" LHR ones.
{{anetlink|891165}}
===Line ups on 27R===
Shooting through the fence on the Northern Perimeter Road. Excellent spot on late summer evenings when the Sun is almost behind you.
{{anetlink|949901}}
===Gate by Road Crossing===
Only good for 27R ops. Better for landing traffic than departing. Spot is by the mini roundabout near the white huts. Where the a/c cross the road from the airport to the maintenance area there's a red and white gate. Excellent spot for touch downs on 27R.
{{anetlink|950006}}
Aircraft being tugged across the road are also easily shot here too.
{{anetlink|802553}}

''This area has now been '''closed''' (as of mid March 2006) with the road being diverted around the back of the BA Maintenance Area, so any shots taken from the level crossing are now impossible.''

===Myrtle Avenue===
A field at the end of Myrtle Avenue, by the approach lights for 27L. By foot, either walk from terminal 4 northbound alongside the dual carriageway or southbound from Hatton cross tube. The field can not be missed; it's about a 10 minute walk from either end. 

{{anetlink|956772}}
{{anetlink|930453}}
{{anetlink|907596}}

===09R banking/climbout shots:Tesco Dukes Green===
Excellent spot just outside the airport perimeter,located on the A312.About a 10-15 minute southbound walk from Hatton Cross tube station.A good spot for shooting banking,heavy takeoffs when 09R is use(about 30% of the time)especially for heavy A340s.

{{anetlink|809816}}
{{anetlink|816157}}

===27L climbouts:Former Essso garage alongside the southern perimeter road===
Popular spot for capturing takeoffs from 27L.Hard to park the car here now as the slip lane as been coned off to prevent such activity!Possible to get a bus to the cargo centre but and walk westbound for about 10minutes.Brick bollards provide useful height for shooting aircraft climbing out slowly after a long takeoff run.

{{anetlink|767759}}
{{anetlink|816429}}

Note : The garage has now re-opened. ( July 2007 )

===Perimeter road in north-west corner 27R climbouts===
The perimeter road in the far north-west corner also provides some excellent opportunities for 27R climbout shots although the sun is not far round enough for this spot to be effective during the winter and autumn months.

{{anetlink|836263}}
{{anetlink|890483}}

===27R final approaches from the mini trading estate===
Given the road works and the imminent closing of the 'road crossing road' this area may not be around for too much longer.This spot is on a small trading estate,just off the perimeter road,comprising a series of mainly single tier buildings and is generally quiet at the weekend.Parking the car is not advised here as it is a private estate.Others prefer to shoot from the roundabout on the perimeter road and the little patch of land next to it but I personally find that you are a little too 'under' the aircraft compared to the trading estate spot.

{{anetlink|818386}}

===Runway 27R touchdowns===
Like the 27R climb outs spot,the light here is only good about 1/2 of the year as you are facing south but it is perfect for evening photography.A few different angles can be had from along the north perimeter road depending on where exactly you shoot from.

{{anetlink|907626}}
{{anetlink|907656}}
{{anetlink|902362}}

==Airside Spotting Locations==
===Airside - Terminal 1; Gate 8 - bmi domestic Lounge===
Glazed floor to Ceiling overlooking the eastern end of the Northern Runway (27R/09L). Touchdowns on 27R, and taxiing aircraft visible. Aircraft landing on 09L have mostly left the runway and those for Terminal 3 turned away before getting close.

{{afleetlink|25901}}
{{afleetlink|25182}}

===Airside - Terminal 1; Gates 36-56 ===
Gates 36-56 are located in a glass and steel building at the extreme eastern end of the central area with views over runway 23 and B pier of Terminal 1. There are plenty of windows that line up with gaps in the parked aircraft and photography is best in the afternoon. On the down side the northern most gate offering the best views can be closed off by moveable barriers if it is being used for flights to Israel.
WARNING:If you don't know the gate your flight is departing from allow time to walk back to the main departure lounge (without a moving walkway)to check the monitors there.

===Airside - Terminal 4 ===
In addition to the windows behind the duty free shop the Gate 23 area has windows overlooking the southern taxiway and 27L holding point.
WARNING:If you don't know the gate your flight is departing from allow time to walk back to the main departure lounge (without a moving walkway) to check the monitors there.

===Airside - Terminal 5 ===
If you take a trip to Terminal 5, you will be able to capture ground traffic, but also departures and arrivals on all runways, depending on which side of the terminal you are. If you arrive at terminal 5 by the main entrance, and turn left or right before entering the terminal, you will get to the end of the terminal next to the arriving perimeter roads. From here, you will be able to see ground traffic and lots of pushbacks from the Terminal 5 ramps. If the active runways are 09's then you will be able to see very close arrivals and departures at your eyeline, and if the active is 27's then you will be able to photograph climb outs.
Sometimes police will stop you from spotting here, but i shouldn't see it occurring much, as it's only happened to me once.

{{jplink|6506394}}

==Locations to Avoid==

===Airport Car Parks===
I used to use the airport short stay car parks to spot, but since security has rose the BAA security move you on VERY quickly. These are very expensive anyway, MY HINT IS TO NOT SPOT FROM THE CAR PARKS!

==Regular Traffic==
British Airways, BMI British Midlands, Heavies from Asia,EU Carriers, 777/767/747 from America.

==Facilities and Transportation==

Heathrow airport is connected directly by Tube (Piccadilly line) and Rail (Heathrow Express) to central London. The Tube is not too expensive for a day ticket, and it takes about 45 minutes from Kings Cross. The Heathrow Express is much faster, but it is a lot more expensive and doesn't allow you to stop at Hatton Cross, which is a more advised station than Heathrow Terminals 1,2&3.
There are also a number of buses which go to Heathrow from cities in the southeast, but I have not used these myself.

Get off at the Hatton Cross tube station to catch 27L&R Arrivals and 9L&R Departures, with most of the named sites not a long walk away.

From Heathrow airport itself (T's 1,2&3) you can catch a free bus to the new Terminal 5 site where you can see 27L&R Departures and 9L&R arrivals not a long walk away.

South West Trains runs a regular service from Central London / Clapham Junction to Feltham, where it is easy to board the 4 times hourly Service 285 to Hatton Cross Tube Station, where it is an easy walk to view 27L/R arrivals.

==External Links==
*[http://www.forums4airports.com/forum421.html Forum for Heathrow Airport] For LHR spotters, aviation enthusiasts as well as aviation professionals wishing to discuss all aspects of Heathrow airport.
*[http://twitter.com/LHR_movements @LHR_movements] - Twitter feed of interesting arrivals/departures and other LHR news

London Luton Airport

2011-11-25T20:16:34Z

OpenIDUser14: /* External Links */

[[Category:England]]
{{categorywithregion|Europe|United Kingdom|England}}

{{
infobox|
fullname=London Luton Airport|
location=Luton, England|iata=LTN|
icao=EGGW|aptype=Commercial|
website=http://www.london-luton.co.uk|
mapurl=http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=luton&ie=UTF8&ll=51.879352,-0.370317&spn=0.018386,0.039911&t=h&z=15&om=1|
mapsource=Google Maps|
atctower=132.55|
atcground=121.75|
atcclearance=|
atcapproach=129.55|
atcdeparture=|
atcatis=120.575|
atcunicom=
}}


Although Luton airport does not house any official spots there are many spot around the airport.
Luton is one of the best airports in London for spotting, it has many interesting arrivals and the authorities have no problem with photography and spotting so long as you do not tresspass on to forbidden land.

==Official Spotting Locations==

None

==Other Spotting Locations==

===Fire Station Access Road/The Bridge===

[[Image:G-EZJN.jpg|thumb|EasyJet 737 visible from the south side of the bridge]]

Besides taxiway Alpha, opposite the terminal. To reach this point you must head out of the terminal area and through the tunnel which goes under taxiway Alpha. You'll see a small hill straight ahead of you which is where the spot is. Beware that no parking is allowed here as it is a working area!
The North side of the taxiway can also be used, you get closer to the aircraft here, but it may become backlit in the afternoons and winter months, and so you may be advised to use the south side.
The authorities won't move you on from here.
{{anetlink|438677}}
Taxing over the bridge: {{jplink|6490760}}

===Outside of terminal building===

By the front of the terminal building, by the short term car park, you can see over the parking ramps which are often used by airlines such as Wizz and Monarch. Photography here isn't the best, as only the front aircraft are fully visible, and the taxiway in the distance may be too distant and hazy during the summer. The authorities won't move you on from here.
{{jplink|558829}}

===Crash Gate===

If you're most interested in number jotting then this is probably the best place to go. Head towards the M1 and then turn right at the third roundabout you reach. Then turn right again heading towards Wheathampstead. This road goes for a couple of miles before you take the 2nd left at a set of crossroads. Go under the railway and climb up the hill before turning left then immediatley bearing right. Turn left at the next junction and follow the road to the runway. The authorities are usually fine with you here, provided you don't block the gate with any part of your car.
If you plan to take photographs here you will require a step-ladder.

===Mid-Term Car Park===

Just beyond "The Bridge" (see above), there is a large airport car park. From here you can see the runway and the hold point for aircraft awaiting 08 departures. There is a large mound of gravel near the fence here which many photographers use to get above the level of the fence. This spot is facing south, so is best in the summer evenings for photography.
I have never been moved on from here despite spending countless hours at the spot, however if you are asked to move, please do.
Holding before 08: {{jplink|6565543}}
Arrival on 08: {{jplink|6565548}}

==Locations to Avoid==

===Location===

==Traffic==
Luton is the largest airport for business jet traffic in the country. At peak times there can be up to 5 or 6 an hour.

The largest operator at the airport is EasyJet, followed by Ryanair.

Below is a list of the scheduled passenger airlines operating into Luton:
*Aer Arran (ATR72),
*Wizz Air (A320),
*Ryanair (737),
*Easyjet (737/A319),
*Monarch (A320series),
*Thomson Airways (757/737),
*Sky Europe (737),
*FlyBe (Dash 8 Q400),
*El Al Israeli Airlines (767),
*Transavia (737)

The airport has a small cargo operation, DHL operate a couple of flights per day with A300s, and Air Atlatique's Bae ATP's often arrive and depart during the night.

Occasionaly the airport is visited by interesting arrivals for maintenance in either the Thomson or Monarch hangers. Visitors in the past have included 767s from First Choice, FlyGlobespan and Air Seychelles.

==Facilities and Transportation==
All the facilities are inside the terminal building.

Luton airport parkway serves the airport, although it is not directly adjacent to it, a shuttle bus runs about once every 10 minutes during peak times. Formerly free, rail passengers now have to pay £1 each way for the shuttle, and non-rail passengers have to pay £1.50 one-way and £3.00 for return. The railway goes all the way from Brighton in the south, through London and up to Bedford, but there are faster services available which go much further north as well.
There are numerous buses running from all over the south east.
All of the spots above except the crash gate are within easy walk of the terminal.

==External Links==

*[http://www.forums4airports.com/forum425.html Spotting Forum for London Luton Airport] For LTN spotters and aviation enthusiasts as well as aviation professionals wishing to discuss all aspects of Luton airport.
*[http://www.freewebs.com/lutonspotters Luton Spotters site]
*[http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/luton-airport-spotters-building-petition.html Luton Airport Spotters Building petition]

London Luton Airport

2011-11-25T20:16:10Z

OpenIDUser14: /* External Links */

[[Category:England]]
{{categorywithregion|Europe|United Kingdom|England}}

{{
infobox|
fullname=London Luton Airport|
location=Luton, England|iata=LTN|
icao=EGGW|aptype=Commercial|
website=http://www.london-luton.co.uk|
mapurl=http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=luton&ie=UTF8&ll=51.879352,-0.370317&spn=0.018386,0.039911&t=h&z=15&om=1|
mapsource=Google Maps|
atctower=132.55|
atcground=121.75|
atcclearance=|
atcapproach=129.55|
atcdeparture=|
atcatis=120.575|
atcunicom=
}}


Although Luton airport does not house any official spots there are many spot around the airport.
Luton is one of the best airports in London for spotting, it has many interesting arrivals and the authorities have no problem with photography and spotting so long as you do not tresspass on to forbidden land.

==Official Spotting Locations==

None

==Other Spotting Locations==

===Fire Station Access Road/The Bridge===

[[Image:G-EZJN.jpg|thumb|EasyJet 737 visible from the south side of the bridge]]

Besides taxiway Alpha, opposite the terminal. To reach this point you must head out of the terminal area and through the tunnel which goes under taxiway Alpha. You'll see a small hill straight ahead of you which is where the spot is. Beware that no parking is allowed here as it is a working area!
The North side of the taxiway can also be used, you get closer to the aircraft here, but it may become backlit in the afternoons and winter months, and so you may be advised to use the south side.
The authorities won't move you on from here.
{{anetlink|438677}}
Taxing over the bridge: {{jplink|6490760}}

===Outside of terminal building===

By the front of the terminal building, by the short term car park, you can see over the parking ramps which are often used by airlines such as Wizz and Monarch. Photography here isn't the best, as only the front aircraft are fully visible, and the taxiway in the distance may be too distant and hazy during the summer. The authorities won't move you on from here.
{{jplink|558829}}

===Crash Gate===

If you're most interested in number jotting then this is probably the best place to go. Head towards the M1 and then turn right at the third roundabout you reach. Then turn right again heading towards Wheathampstead. This road goes for a couple of miles before you take the 2nd left at a set of crossroads. Go under the railway and climb up the hill before turning left then immediatley bearing right. Turn left at the next junction and follow the road to the runway. The authorities are usually fine with you here, provided you don't block the gate with any part of your car.
If you plan to take photographs here you will require a step-ladder.

===Mid-Term Car Park===

Just beyond "The Bridge" (see above), there is a large airport car park. From here you can see the runway and the hold point for aircraft awaiting 08 departures. There is a large mound of gravel near the fence here which many photographers use to get above the level of the fence. This spot is facing south, so is best in the summer evenings for photography.
I have never been moved on from here despite spending countless hours at the spot, however if you are asked to move, please do.
Holding before 08: {{jplink|6565543}}
Arrival on 08: {{jplink|6565548}}

==Locations to Avoid==

===Location===

==Traffic==
Luton is the largest airport for business jet traffic in the country. At peak times there can be up to 5 or 6 an hour.

The largest operator at the airport is EasyJet, followed by Ryanair.

Below is a list of the scheduled passenger airlines operating into Luton:
*Aer Arran (ATR72),
*Wizz Air (A320),
*Ryanair (737),
*Easyjet (737/A319),
*Monarch (A320series),
*Thomson Airways (757/737),
*Sky Europe (737),
*FlyBe (Dash 8 Q400),
*El Al Israeli Airlines (767),
*Transavia (737)

The airport has a small cargo operation, DHL operate a couple of flights per day with A300s, and Air Atlatique's Bae ATP's often arrive and depart during the night.

Occasionaly the airport is visited by interesting arrivals for maintenance in either the Thomson or Monarch hangers. Visitors in the past have included 767s from First Choice, FlyGlobespan and Air Seychelles.

==Facilities and Transportation==
All the facilities are inside the terminal building.

Luton airport parkway serves the airport, although it is not directly adjacent to it, a shuttle bus runs about once every 10 minutes during peak times. Formerly free, rail passengers now have to pay £1 each way for the shuttle, and non-rail passengers have to pay £1.50 one-way and £3.00 for return. The railway goes all the way from Brighton in the south, through London and up to Bedford, but there are faster services available which go much further north as well.
There are numerous buses running from all over the south east.
All of the spots above except the crash gate are within easy walk of the terminal.

==External Links==

==External Links==

*[http://www.forums4airports.com/forum425.html Spotting Forum for London Luton Airport] For LTN spotters and aviation enthusiasts as well as aviation professionals wishing to discuss all aspects of Luton airport.
*[http://www.freewebs.com/lutonspotters Luton Spotters site]
*[http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/luton-airport-spotters-building-petition.html Luton Airport Spotters Building petition]

London Luton Airport

2011-11-25T20:15:18Z

OpenIDUser14: /* External Links */

[[Category:England]]
{{categorywithregion|Europe|United Kingdom|England}}

{{
infobox|
fullname=London Luton Airport|
location=Luton, England|iata=LTN|
icao=EGGW|aptype=Commercial|
website=http://www.london-luton.co.uk|
mapurl=http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=luton&ie=UTF8&ll=51.879352,-0.370317&spn=0.018386,0.039911&t=h&z=15&om=1|
mapsource=Google Maps|
atctower=132.55|
atcground=121.75|
atcclearance=|
atcapproach=129.55|
atcdeparture=|
atcatis=120.575|
atcunicom=
}}


Although Luton airport does not house any official spots there are many spot around the airport.
Luton is one of the best airports in London for spotting, it has many interesting arrivals and the authorities have no problem with photography and spotting so long as you do not tresspass on to forbidden land.

==Official Spotting Locations==

None

==Other Spotting Locations==

===Fire Station Access Road/The Bridge===

[[Image:G-EZJN.jpg|thumb|EasyJet 737 visible from the south side of the bridge]]

Besides taxiway Alpha, opposite the terminal. To reach this point you must head out of the terminal area and through the tunnel which goes under taxiway Alpha. You'll see a small hill straight ahead of you which is where the spot is. Beware that no parking is allowed here as it is a working area!
The North side of the taxiway can also be used, you get closer to the aircraft here, but it may become backlit in the afternoons and winter months, and so you may be advised to use the south side.
The authorities won't move you on from here.
{{anetlink|438677}}
Taxing over the bridge: {{jplink|6490760}}

===Outside of terminal building===

By the front of the terminal building, by the short term car park, you can see over the parking ramps which are often used by airlines such as Wizz and Monarch. Photography here isn't the best, as only the front aircraft are fully visible, and the taxiway in the distance may be too distant and hazy during the summer. The authorities won't move you on from here.
{{jplink|558829}}

===Crash Gate===

If you're most interested in number jotting then this is probably the best place to go. Head towards the M1 and then turn right at the third roundabout you reach. Then turn right again heading towards Wheathampstead. This road goes for a couple of miles before you take the 2nd left at a set of crossroads. Go under the railway and climb up the hill before turning left then immediatley bearing right. Turn left at the next junction and follow the road to the runway. The authorities are usually fine with you here, provided you don't block the gate with any part of your car.
If you plan to take photographs here you will require a step-ladder.

===Mid-Term Car Park===

Just beyond "The Bridge" (see above), there is a large airport car park. From here you can see the runway and the hold point for aircraft awaiting 08 departures. There is a large mound of gravel near the fence here which many photographers use to get above the level of the fence. This spot is facing south, so is best in the summer evenings for photography.
I have never been moved on from here despite spending countless hours at the spot, however if you are asked to move, please do.
Holding before 08: {{jplink|6565543}}
Arrival on 08: {{jplink|6565548}}

==Locations to Avoid==

===Location===

==Traffic==
Luton is the largest airport for business jet traffic in the country. At peak times there can be up to 5 or 6 an hour.

The largest operator at the airport is EasyJet, followed by Ryanair.

Below is a list of the scheduled passenger airlines operating into Luton:
*Aer Arran (ATR72),
*Wizz Air (A320),
*Ryanair (737),
*Easyjet (737/A319),
*Monarch (A320series),
*Thomson Airways (757/737),
*Sky Europe (737),
*FlyBe (Dash 8 Q400),
*El Al Israeli Airlines (767),
*Transavia (737)

The airport has a small cargo operation, DHL operate a couple of flights per day with A300s, and Air Atlatique's Bae ATP's often arrive and depart during the night.

Occasionaly the airport is visited by interesting arrivals for maintenance in either the Thomson or Monarch hangers. Visitors in the past have included 767s from First Choice, FlyGlobespan and Air Seychelles.

==Facilities and Transportation==
All the facilities are inside the terminal building.

Luton airport parkway serves the airport, although it is not directly adjacent to it, a shuttle bus runs about once every 10 minutes during peak times. Formerly free, rail passengers now have to pay £1 each way for the shuttle, and non-rail passengers have to pay £1.50 one-way and £3.00 for return. The railway goes all the way from Brighton in the south, through London and up to Bedford, but there are faster services available which go much further north as well.
There are numerous buses running from all over the south east.
All of the spots above except the crash gate are within easy walk of the terminal.

==External Links==

==External Links==

*[http://www.forums4airports.com/forum425.html Forum for London Luton Airport] For LTN spotters and aviation enthusiasts as well as aviation professionals wishing to discuss all aspects of Luton airport.
*[http://www.freewebs.com/lutonspotters Luton Spotters site]
*[http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/luton-airport-spotters-building-petition.html Luton Airport Spotters Building petition]

Liverpool John Lennon Airport

2011-11-25T20:10:04Z

OpenIDUser14: /* Facilities and Transportation */

[[Category:England]]
{{categorywithregion|Europe|United Kingdom|England}}

{{infobox|fullname=Liverpool John Lennon Airport|
location=Speke, Liverpool|
iata=LPL|
icao=EGGP|
aptype=Commercial|
website=http://www.liverpoolairport.com/|
mapurl=http://maps.google.com/maps?t=h&q=53.333611,-2.849722&ie=UTF8&ll=53.335588,-2.851639&spn=0.018015,0.040169&z=15&om=0|
mapsource=Google Maps|
atctower=126.35|
atcground=121.95|
atcclearance=|
atcapproach=119.85|
atcdeparture=|
atcatis=124.325|
atcunicom=}}

[[Image:Liverpool Airport EGGP apron from Ryanair 737-800.jpg|thumb|right|The apron area.]]

Liverpool 'John Lennon' Airport is situated on the edge of the River Mersey. It serves the 2008 European Capital of Culture city Liverpool, but the airport itself is sited in Speke. Also at the airport is Liverpool Flying School.

Liverpool airport has one runway (27/09) going from East to West. Aircraft usually land
into the prevailing Westerly wind on runway 27 after lining up with the Runcorn-Widnes bridge. Departures usually take the same direction, Westerly towards the Irish Sea and over the Wirral peninsular. This flow changes when there is a strong Easterly wind and runway 9 is used. Liverpool Airport is not as busy as [[Manchester Airport (MAN/EGCC)]] as It's mainly used by the budget airlines. Aircraft such as the Airbus A319 and the Boeing 737 are in common use at Liverpool but occasionally, larger aircraft come in on freight operations. The existing runway is capable of handling very large aircraft such as the Antonov-124, Ilyushin-76 and the Boeing 747-200F.

==Official Spotting Locations==

===Location===

==Other Spotting Locations==

===Terminal Building===

On the first floor of the terminal building, there are a couple of restaurants offering great views over the apron. Grab a burger and a drink, grab a seat and easily pass an hour or two away.

===Approach to runway 27===

At the eastern end of the runway, there is a car park on short final to runway 27. This offers good views of everything landing on 27, and is south of the approach so isn't into sun. You can also see everything departing from 27 as they line up in front of you.

To get to this location, head out of the airport car park as if you are leaving the airport. Turn right almost straight away onto Dunlop Road, which turns into Hale Road. You have a large council estate on your left hand side. After a short while, take a right turn onto Dungeon Lane. You will pass through the approach lights, and shortly after there is a dusty carpark on the left hand side on the corner of another road.

One word of caution for this location - it can attract some less than pleasant characters from the surrounding areas, as testimented by the abundance of empty beer bottles and cans in the car park by day, and cars meeting other cars, having a brief chat and then driving off again by night. Be careful and keep an eye on your equipment, and generally stay safe!

===GA Apron===

There is a lane that offers great views of the general aviation apron, with bizjets, light aircraft and helicopters. You can also see everything taxying out to runway 27.

To get to this location, head out of the airport car park as if you are leaving the airport. Turn right almost straight away onto Dunlop Road, which turns into Hale Road. Take the third right onto an unsignposted drive. Follow this round to the right, and pull up taking care not to block any access gates.

===Eastham Country Park===

Eastham country park is located on the opposite side of the River Mersey to Liverpool Airport. From this location, you are directly opposite the end of Runway 27 and the start of Runway 9. As it is quite a distance diagonally across the river to the airport, when the Runway 27 departures fly over this place they're already quite high. This means on a day with low cloud, many aircraft will not be visible but, you can always hear them. Eastham Country Park is located about 1 mile from Junction 5 of the M53 Motorway and can also be reached on the A41. There is a Merseyrail station 1 mile away - Bromborough. At the site there is a large stone built jetty opposite the runway that goes about 4 meters into the river. There is the main attraction - a large Country Park and forest, a hotel just across the road and an Ice Cream shop tucked away in the trees.

Wirral Council Eastham Country Park information page

http://www.wirral.gov.uk/LGCL/100006/200073/670/content_0001004.html

==Locations to Avoid==

===Location===

==Regular Traffic==

Ryanair and easyJet both have hubs at Liverpool. The mainstay of an afternoon's spotting will consist of plenty of Ryanair, a little less easyJet, then everything else. You will sometimes see the Airbus Belugas pass overhead travelling to and from Warton.

===Scheduled Airlines===

*Aer Arann (ATR)
*EasyJet (A319)
*FlyBe (DHC8)
*KLM (Fokker 100)
*Ryanair (737-800)
*Spanair (Summer only) (A320)
*Wizz Air (A320)
*VLM (Fokker 50)

===Charter Airlines===
*Thomsonfly (Various)

===Cargo Airlines===
*ANC
*DHL
*Target
*Lynx
*Parcelforce
*TNT

(Most general cargo is handled at night)

==Facilities and Transportation==

*Bus services operate to the airport everyday from in and around Liverpool and the surrounding area.

==External Links==

[http://www.forums4airports.com/forum430.html Forum for Liverpool John Lennon Airport] For LPL spotters and aviation enthusiasts as well as aviation professionals to discuss all aspects of the airport.

East Midlands Airport

2011-11-25T20:07:52Z

OpenIDUser14: /* External Links */

[[Category:England]]
{{categorywithregion|Europe|United Kingdom|England}}

{{infobox|fullname=East Midlands Airport|
location=Derby, England|
iata=EMA|
icao=EGNX|
aptype=Commercial|
website=http://www.eastmidlandsairport.com|
mapurl=http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=52.831111,-1.328056&spn=0.03,0.03&t=h&q=52.831111,-1.328056|
mapsource=Google Maps|
atctower=124.00|
atcground=121.90|
atcclearance=n/a|
atcapproach=134.175|
atcdeparture=134.175|
atcatis=128.225|
atcunicom=}}



==Official Spotting Locations==

===Aeropark===

The only official location is the Aeropark. It is located to the north-west of the airport and has a number of preserved aircraft on display. Drive past the airport on the A453 with the entrance on your right. You will come to a roundabout. Continue straight ahead, then turn right at the traffic lights. You will pass Donington Park on your left, then continue through the 09 approach lights. You will then come to another roundabout. Take the second exit, the Aeropark is straight ahead.

There is a mound that lifts you above the fence to view arrivals on 09, however you are south facing so into sun. There is also an admission fee to the Aeropark.

==Other Spotting Locations==

===Runway 09 end===

====Diseworth Lane====

By far the most popular location to view aircraft. This spot offers good views of arrivals on runway 09, as well as an overview of the DHL ramp and main apron. Departures from 27 are normally airborne by the time they reach this spot. Landings on 27 normally turn off just before so you can read them off. You are facing into sun however so photography isn't great.

Drive along the A453 with the entrance to the airport on your right. You will come to a roundabout - continue straight on. At the traffic lights turn right towards Castle Donington. You will follow the road through the approach lights to a roundabout with the Aeropark ahead. Turn left and proceed down the hill. After approx. 500 yards there is a pub on the right. At the side of the pub is Diseworth Lane. Drive along this road and you will come to a crash gate. There are normally cars parked either side at the end so you know you're in the right place.

====End of runway 09====

There are several gateways situated on the road at the end of runway 09, near the approach lights. These are good for photographs of arrivals on runway 09, and a good view straight down the runway for nose on shots of heavy departures. Please do not block the gates as they are access to fields.

====DHL Ramp====

By parking in one of the locations just to the south of the approach path, you can park and cross the road and into some bushes. Behind these is a mound with a great view over the DHL apron, where you can see all DHL activity, plus Antonovs and the like which usually park on this apron.

===Runway 27 end===

From the Moto service station, take the A453 towards Nottingham. You will head down the dual carriageway and through the approach lights of runway 27. Immediately after the approach lights there is a turning on the left. Take this turning and you will come to a crash gate with parking.

From here you can stay here (although you are into sun and quite a distance away), or head to one of two spots at the 27 end.

====The Mound====

Walk back towards the A453, shortly before the hedge there is a stile on your right. Cross this and walk along the footpath, keeping to the airport fence. Leave the footpath and follow the fence alongside the runway. You will come to a mound. This mound offers good views of landings and departures from runway 27. It is a good angle for photography of arrivals, and departures hold short right in front of you. With a set of steps you are above fence height.

Warning - although this is great for photography, security are sometimes a little keen here. If you are asked to move on do so immediately. If you don't move when asked they '''will''' send the police around to move you on forcefully. Please don't jeapordise viewing opportunities even further by ignoring them or getting defensive.

====A453====

Leave your car parked and walk back to the A453. Turn right back towards the approach lights, and climb the bank. Walk through the approach lights onto the old disused road. You can get great landing shots on runway 27 here, but you can't see anything else as there is a huge hedge between you and the airport.

===Generic Viewing===

====North Side Crash Gate====

Great location for action shots of aircraft rotating, or just touching down. You are directly opposite the terminal so can get some great action shots here, however you are into sun for most of the day. In the evenings this spot is ideal as the sun is behind you or to your right. In 10 years I have never once been moved on from this location, a lot more than can be said for most of the other locations on the airport.

Drive into Castle Donington, then take the hairpin right turn onto The Hollow. Drive along here and out into the countryside until you come to a left hand bend, and a sign welcoming you to Hemington. Turn right here and follow it down. Eventually it turns into a single track road, pull up in the entrances to one of the fields (being careful not to block the entrances or the road). Then walk the last few hundred yards up the hill, you will see the Radar at the top of the hill. Go through the gate and there is a crash gate. With steps you can shoot over the fence or even through the fence/gate. You can also walk along the fence to get a good angle.

Please note you must not block this road as it leads to the crash gate and needs to be kept clear. I have heard stories of the Fire Brigade physically moving cars that are in their way here so park at your own risk. You cannot park right at the top without blocking the road, so find somewhere further down the hill where you do not block the road, then walk the rest.

====Maintenance Area====

From the terminal, take the road towards the maintenance area. At the mini roundabout turn left, there are a couple of places along here for quick snaps of anything on maintenance.

The first is just before you get to the fuel tanks, pull into this car park for a great close up of an AN-22/24, or sometimes other aircraft that park there. Be very quick however, this is a private car park.

Carry on until the T junction and turn right. As the road bends to the right, there is a car park on the left. Park here and walk to the right of the portakabins, excellent views of BMI's hangars, where you can see inside when the doors are open. Often good bizjet activity parked here. Carry on again, you will pass the air ambulance on the left which you can shoot through the gates, and also see across the the washpans where the Antonov turboprops usually park.

All of the maintenance locations are best for just taking a quick shot and leaving immediately, security regularly patrol this area and will move you on. In any case, once you have your shot of the aircraft around here there is nothing more to see anyway really.

==Locations to Avoid==

===Terminal===

There are no longer any viewing facilities landside in the terminal. There is a gallery after security, although no use for non-passengers.

==Regular Traffic==
===Passenger===

90% easyJet A319s, Ryanair B737-800s and bmibaby 737s. After that, there are the usual UK charters, for example Thomson 757s, First Choice A321s etc.

===Freight===

East Midlands is the UK's largest freight operation. DHL have a base here on the western apron, containing DHL (European Air Transport/DHL Air) 757s and DHL (European Air Transport) A300s. There is a nightly Lufthansa Cargo MD11, and a weekly Kalitta Air 747 on a Saturday.

There are daily UPS 767s and Maersk Air 767s that utilise the eastern apron.

There are two Antonov AN-12s based at the airport, operating ad-hoc charters.

The airport sees regular heavy cargo flights for local company Rolls Royce. AN-124s are a common sight (several times a week) transporting engines to Toulouse.

==Facilities and Transportation==

There are scheduled coach links to Derby, Long Eaton, Loughborough and Nottingham Stations, plus a more frequent shuttle-bus service to the recently opened East Midlands Parkway Station on the Midland Main Line.

National Express offer some long distance coach services at lower frequencies. If travelling by coach, you might save money by booking online before the date of travel, particularly if you can print a ticket at home.

==External Links==

[http://www.forums4airports.com/forum432.html Forum for East Midlands Airport] For EMA spotters and aviation enthusiasts as well as aviation professionals. Forums4airports is idea for those spotters and enthusiasts who want to engage in discussion about all aspects of the airport and for those who want to find out what's happening at other airports locally.

East Midlands Airport

2011-11-25T20:05:55Z

OpenIDUser14: /* Facilities and Transportation */

Doncaster Sheffield Airport

2011-11-25T19:29:48Z

OpenIDUser14: /* Regular Traffic */

[[Category:England]]
{{categorywithregion|Europe|United Kingdom|England}}

{{infobox|fullname=Doncaster Sheffield Robin Hood|
location=Doncaster, South Yorkshire|
iata=DSA|
icao=EGCN|
aptype=Commercial|
website=http://www.robinhoodairport.com|
mapurl=|
mapsource=|
atctower=128.775|
atcground=|
atcclearance=|
atcapproach=126.225|
atcdeparture=126.225|
atcatis=134.95|
atcunicom=}}

Doncaster Sheffield Robin Hood Airport is situated south of Doncaster. It is the newest airport to open in the UK, formerly RAF Finningley. Due to still being relatively new, it is very quiet in terms of movements. This has picked up for summer 2009, with a few new operators commencing flights, however it's not the sort of place you would want to spend an entire day at though, unless you take a good book! Well worth stopping by if you're in the area though, and the authorities are very friendly to spotters.

==Official Spotting Locations==
There are no official spotting locations as yet.

==Other Spotting Locations==

===Runway 02 end===

From the airport turn left, and head for the A638. Turn left to head south on this road. Take the first road on the left (High Common Lane). This road runs between the A638 and A614. There is a layby on the northern side offering good views and photography of aircraft landing and departing on runway 02.

Map of this location:
http://www.streetmap.co.uk/streetmap.dll?G2M?X=465625&Y=396545&A=Y&Z=3

===Alongside the runway===

From this location, continue straight past the end of the runway and you will come to a roundabout. Take the first exit, onto the Old Bawtry Road. This road comes closer to the runway and then runs parallel to the runway for most of its length. This offers good views of all traffic landing and departing on both runways, and there is parking for the entire length in a layby that seemingly stretches the length of the runway. You are at the same level as the runway and about 40-100ft from the side of the runway. A 300mm lens is plenty for most traffic.

This spot is good for photography until about 13:00-14:00 before shots start appearing backlit, and is better when 20 is in use for touchdown/rotation shots depending on how far along you go. The location is also popular with the locals and on a sunny afternoon there will be dozens of cars parked watching the planes.

==Locations to Avoid==

===Location===

==Regular Traffic==

The airport goes through phases of being quite busy, interspursed with hours of nothing. Unfortunately much of the movement occurs before 9.30am and after 7pm, with only 2-3 movements in between. Most days there is no activity at all between 8am and 1pm.

Consult the schedule before setting off to avoid hours of nothing.

==External Links==

[http://www.forums4airports.com/forum441.html Forum for Doncaster Sheffield Airport] For DSA spotters and aviation enthusiasts as well as aviation professionals.

==Facilities and Transportation==

Bristol Airport

2011-11-25T19:25:33Z

OpenIDUser14: /* External Links */

[[Category:England]]
{{categorywithregion|Europe|United Kingdom|England}}

{{infobox|fullname=Bristol International Airport|
location=Bristol, England|
iata=BRS|
icao=EGGD|
aptype=Commercial|
website=http://www.bristolairport.com|
mapurl=http://www.multimap.com/map/photo.cgi?client=europe&x=350500&y=165500&scale=25000&width=700&height=410&gride=350492&gridn=165443|
mapsource=Multimap|
atctower=133.85MHz|
atcground=121.925MHz|
atcclearance=|
atcapproach=125.65MHz and 136.075MHz|
atcdeparture=|
atcatis=|
atcunicom=}}



==Main Spotting Location==
===Winters Lane===
Although BRS doesn't have an official Spotting Area, there is a location off Downside Road, on Winters Lane. This area is probably the best out of the few places, because you catch the 09 Line ups and landings, and the long 27 departures when the heavier aircraft such as the FCA 767 are in. Airport Staff and Police seem to have no problem with this; you'll usually get a wave from the ASU. A ladder is recommended for people wishing to partake in photography.

This location is off Downside Road, along Winters Lane, on the turning for Tall Pines Golf Club.[http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=BRS&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=48.909425,81.5625&ie=UTF8&ll=51.383835,-2.718&spn=0.037925,0.079651&z=14&om=1 See Map.]

==Other Spotting Locations==

===Runway 09 ILS===

Below the ILS System for 09 is another place where sometimes people stop, only usually used when R/W 09 is active. Here you can get some interesting angles for photography.

This location is off Downside Road, along Winters Lane. [http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=BRS&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=48.909425,81.5625&ie=UTF8&om=1&ll=51.382013,-2.735327&spn=0.004741,0.009956&t=k&z=17&iwloc=addr See Map.]

==Locations to Avoid==

===Pathway leading up to RWY27 threshold===

On the Southeast end of the airfield there's an unmarked gate by the A38 through which a path (the old road) can be found that leads right down to near the threshold of RWY27. Whilst this provides great views, one is in clear view of pilots lining up as well as security staff who will ask you to move immediately. The gate leading down that path is not marked and as such one might be fooled into thinking it's a legitimate spot but it would in fact seem that you may be described as a "security scare" if you venture there.

==Regular Traffic==

The following is a list of regular scheduled airlines and their destinations, plus Aircraft operating.

Aer Arann

Cork, Galway, Nantes) '''ATR 72-500'''

Air France

Paris-Charles de Gaulle '''ATR-42-500'''

Air Malta

Luga Airbus '''A320-200'''

Air Southwest

Jersey, Leeds/Bradford, Manchester, Newquay, Plymouth '''DHC-8-311'''

Aurigny Air Services

Guernsey'''ATR-72-202'''

Brussels Airlines

Brussels'''BAE Systems Avro 146-RJ85'''

Continental Airlines

Newark '''Boeing 757-200 W/ Winglets'''

Eastern Airways

Aberdeen, Isle of Man British Aerospace '''Jetstream 41/Saab 2000'''

easyJet

(Alicante, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Belfast-International, Berlin-Schönefeld, Bordeaux,
Edinburgh, Faro, Funchal [starts 29 October 2007], Geneva, Glasgow, Grenoble [from 13 December 2007],
Ibiza, Inverness, Kraków, La Rochelle, Lisbon [starts 31 October 2007], Madrid, Mahon (Menorca), Marseille,
Malaga, Milan-Malpensa, Murcia, Newcastle, Nice, Palma de Mallorca, Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Pisa, Prague, Rijeka, Rome-Ciampino, Toulouse, Valencia, Venice, Warsaw [begins October 2, 2007])

'''Airbus A319 On All Routes Apart from Newcastle and Belfast Services which are served with their based 737-700's.'''

Flybe

Jersey'''DHC-8-402Q'''

KLM Cityhopper

Amsterdam '''Fokker 100/70'''

OLT (Ostfriesische Lufttransport)

Bremen, Hamburg '''Saab 2000/Saab 340'''

Ryanair

Bratislava [begins 8 November, 2007], Budapest [begins 7 November, 2007], Derry
[begins 7 November, 2007], Dinard [begins 8 November, 2007], Dublin, Girona, Katowice [begins 10 November, 2007]
, Knock [begins 7 November, 2007], Milan [begins 7 November, 2007], Porto [begins 7 November, 2007], Poznań
[begins 8 November, 2007], Riga [begins 7 November, 2007], Rzeszów [begins 8 November, 2007], Salzburg
[begins 19 December, 2007], Shannon, Wroclaw [begins 7 November, 2007] '''Boeing 737-800'''

Scandinavian Airlines System

Stockholm-Arlanda '''MD-81 (DC-9-81)'''

Skybus

Isles of Scilly '''DHC-6-310 Twin Otter'''

==Facilities and Transportation==

==External Links==

[http://www.forums4airports.com/forum429.html Forum for Bristol Airport] For BRS spotters and aviation enthusiasts as well as aviation professionals.

Blackpool International Airport

2011-11-25T19:23:59Z

OpenIDUser14: /* Facilities and Transportation */

[[Category:England]]
{{categorywithregion|Europe|United Kingdom|England}}

Blackpool is one of the oldest airports in the UK, opening in its earliest form in 1909. Today it is a small commercial airport, with a variety of traffic.

{{infobox|
fullname=Blackpool International Airport|
location=Blackpool, England|
iata=BLK|icao=EGNH|aptype=Commercial|
website=http://www.blackpoolinternational.com/|
mapurl=http://maps.google.co.uk/?ie=UTF8&ll=53.774055,-3.032184&spn=0.024246,0.076904&z=14|
mapsource=Google Maps|
atctower= 118.4|
atcground=|
atcclearance=|
atcapproach=|
atcdeparture=|
atcatis=127.2|atcunicom=}}

==Official Spotting Locations==

===Official Viewing Area===
A small area directly to the left of the passenger terminal.

The whole of the resident aircraft parking area can be seen at a 'nose' or 'tail on' angle with Emerald Airways engineering directly in front plus aircraft on the move along taxiway Alpha, and runway 07/25, 10/28 arrivals and departures. Runway 13/31 activity, if there is any, cannot be viewed from here with the terminal in the way.

CHC Scotia offshore rig helicopter operations can be seen night and day and resident aircraft can be photographed with a camera with up to 300mm/10x optical zoom lense, although at an unfavourable angle. Best in the afternoon due to the position of sunlight.

This spot is a designated airport viewing area but do not be tempted to park on the slip road alongside, blocking the crash gate.

==Other Spotting Locations==

===Morrisons===

Exit the Airport and turn right onto Squires Gate Lane. After approximately a two minute drive (five minutes walk) Morrisons Supermarket will appear on the right. At the first set of traffic lights turn right into Blackpool Business Park, along Amy Johnson Way and at the roundabout take the third exit into Morrisons car park (carry straight on to get to the J-MAX hangar), past the McDonalds Restaurant. At the roundabout within the car park carry straight on and take a right, past the store itself, and then a left turn. Follow the road to the top and find a space. Various hangars and aircraft will become visible on the left. Now at the side of the store, follow the path around the side of the Morrisons building until the rest of the airport including all runways and the main terminal itself appears.

The whole of the resident aircraft parking area and most of the airport hangars can be seen. The offshore-helicopter and passenger terminals can be seen from here but aircraft parked on the terminal and main apron visitors are parked 'back-on'. Arrivals on all runways can be viewed, with Runway 10 facing this spot and taxiway Alpha is adjacent to the residents apron.

Resident aircraft on the apron and outside of hangars can be photographed with a camera with up to 300mm/10x optical zoom lense although when the sun decides to shine it can hinder photo opportunities after midday, especially in winter months.

This spot is not a designated airport viewing area so are no official facilities provided but there is the consolation of one of the biggest supermarkets in Blackpool and one a major fast-food restaurant chain in McDonalds close by!

==Locations to Avoid==

==Regular Traffic==

A number of interesting airlines fly within the UK and Europe from Blackpool. In order of most flights to least:

Jet2 - B737-300 - They have a small base here operating regularly to the Mediterannean. 
Manx2 - LET-410 - They operate several times a day out to the Isle of Man. 
FlyBE - SAAB 340 - Operate a daily flight to Belfast via the Isle of Man. 
Aer Arran - ATR72 - A daily flight over to Dublin.

There is also a relatively large executive jet/prop operation from Blackpool, and Isle of Man (M- registrations) are a common sight. There is a large helicopter operation, and many light aircraft based from here.

==Facilities and Transportation==

Rail - Squires Gate railway station. Direct Northern Rail Pacer and Sprinter trains to Blackpool South, Preston and Colne (East Lancashire).
Bus - Blackpool Transport bus services 1, 7, 11, 16 and Stagecoach services 68 and X61 stop near the airport with routes to Blackpool and as far as Fleetwood (northbound) and Lytham St Annes, Preston and Manchester (southbound).
Tram Blackpool Transport tram services are available from Starr Gate terminus on the Blackpool tramway, running along the promenade, along the Golden Mile northward to Bispham, Cleveleys and Fleetwood.
Taxis - free telephone located inside the terminal building.

For an overnight stay at the airport, accommodation is available at the Premier Travel Inn, which gives partial views of the apron, terminal and runway 10 threshold. Rooms facing south give very limited views of the airfield, since blocked by terminal expansion in 2006.

Premier Travel Inn
Blackpool Airport
Squires Gate Lane
Blackpool
FY4 2QS
Tel: 08701 977034

Fax: 01253 362413

==External Links==

[http://www.forums4airports.com/forum442.html Forum for Blackpool Airport] For BLK spotters and aviation enthusiasts as well as aviation professionals.

Birmingham Airport

2011-11-25T19:16:50Z

OpenIDUser14: /* Facilities and Transportation */

[[Category:England]]
{{categorywithregion|Europe|United Kingdom|England}}

One of the UK's busiest airports, Birmingham has a wide variety of visitors. Official viewing locations are very scarce, but there are plenty of great places around the airport if you have a car. Sun can be a problem for photos, especially on runway 33, as the runway is one of the very few in the country to go from north to south. But with a bit of creative shooting, and finding the right place, some excellent action shots can be had.

{{infobox|
fullname=Birmingham Airport|
location=Birmingham, England|
iata=BHX|icao=EGBB|aptype=Commercial|
website=http://www.bhx.co.uk|
mapurl=http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?ll=52.454336,-1.741290&spn=0.015056,0.038242&t=h&hl=en|
mapsource=Google Maps|
atctower= 118.3|
atcground= 121.8|
atcclearance=|
atcapproach= 118.05|
atcdeparture= 131.05|
atcatis=|atcunicom=}}

==Official Spotting Locations==

===The Aviation Experience===
There is a viewing gallery in terminal 1. The glass is tinted and usually quite dirty.
Views are very limited due to extension work on the terminal.
Admission costs one pound.

==Other Spotting Locations==

===Runway 33 End===

At the airport, park in the long stay car park to the south of the runway. From here you can park anywhere you like to get excellent photos of landings on runway 33. There is also a small grass area with benches, offering a great view over the apron and terminal areas, with good photos to be had.

{{jplink|6425796}} {{jplink|6425806}} {{jplink|6397320}} {{jplink|6397319}}

===Runway 15 End===

Follow the A45 from the airport towards Birmingham City Centre. Eventually you will get to some shops and a big set of traffic lights. Turn right here onto Sheaf Lane, into Sheldon. Follow until you get to a roundabout, where you can turn right. Take the first right onto Elstead Avenue, then at the end just before the cul-de-sac turn left onto Hazeldene Road. Just as the road turns sharp left, there is a little cul-de-sac area on the right, with a looped road. Park somewhere here (DO NOT BLOCK IN THE RESIDENTS, PLEASE PARK CONSIDERATELY). Walk through the entrance into Sheldon Country Park, then turn left. The footpath goes right through the approach lights on short final, and you can get good photos of aircraft landing and queuing for takeoff on runway 15.

{{jplink|6556141}}
{{jplink|6667630}}
{{jplink|6667611}}

===Golf Course===

This location offers great views of the runway, no matter what end they are using. If 15 is in use you get touchdown shots, if 33 is in use you get rotation shots. You have the sun behind you for most of the day.

From the airport follow the A45 down towards Birmingham. Continue past the old terminal to some traffic lights signposted for Hatchford Brook Golf Course.

Park up in the car park of the golf course, then walk towards the airport perimeter fence (you can't miss it). Be very careful - you are walking on an active golf course, so stay clear of the players (they will get mad at you), and keep looking out for stray balls! You will get to a point with a building behind the fence, anywhere around here is good. You can then walk along the fence towards the threshold of 15 (however the runway eventually becomes above your head so not much good for photos if you go too far along).

{{jplink|6068641}} {{jplink|6068619}} {{jplink|6479463}} {{jplink|6472725}}

Update 20 April 2009

The Golf Club have taken steps to stop people getting in this way. There is now a high fence along the entire length of the car park, so you can only get in by going through the club house. There are also now lots of signs warning that parking is only for users of the golf course.

You can still get to this spot, but it includes a considerably longer walk (about a mile).

Follow the instructions for "Runway 33 End" above, parking considerably. When you go through the gate, instead of turning left, go straight across the path, following the trodden grass down to the fence. From here, you literally follow the fence on your left until you get to the golf ball and the fence cuts across to the right. Anywhere here is good for photos. You cross a couple of bridges and some soggy ground after rain, but you end up in the same position on the golf course as you would have before.

==Locations to Avoid==

===Old Terminal===

You used to be able to go to the old terminal and take photos from the steps. Do not do this. You can expect to be moved on very quickly by security or the police from this location.

==Regular Traffic==

Mainly UK regional traffic. FlyBe have a base here so expect to see lots of their DHC-8s and ERJs. Apart from that, many of the European majors fly here. Aer Lingus, KLM, Air France, Lufthansa, SAS, Swiss, all fly in several times a day.

There is a lot of UK charter traffic from the likes of Monarch, MyTravel, ThomsonFly, but mostly short haul.

The foreign long haul aircraft that come in include Pakistan International, Air India and Emirates, all have daily flights.

==Facilities and Transportation==
The airport has a transit link to Birmingham International railway station from where services depart to destinations throughout the country.

The airport terminals are also served by a variety of local bus services and coaches.

The motorways M6 & M42 are a short distance from the airport.

A shop selling aviation books, magazines, radios etc is situated within the Aviation Experience

==External Links==

[http://www.forums4airports.com/forum427.html Forum for Birmingham Airport] For BHX spotters and aviation enthusiasts as well as aviation professionals.

Leeds/Bradford Airport

2011-11-25T19:14:52Z

OpenIDUser14: /* External Links */

[[Category:England]]
{{categorywithregion|Europe|United Kingdom|England}}

{{infobox|fullname=Leeds Bradford International Airport|
location=Leeds, England|
iata=LBA|
icao=EGNM|
aptype=Commercial|
website=http://www.lbia.co.uk|
mapurl=|
mapsource=|
atctower=120.300|
atcground=120.300|
atcclearance=120.300|
atcapproach=123.750|
atcdeparture=123.750|
atcatis=|
atcunicom=}}



==Official Spotting Locations==

===Terminal===

You can see the planes from the terminal but it is no good for photography.

==Other Spotting Locations==

A hill on the south side of the airfield locally known as plane tree hill gives very good views over the whole of the airport including both approaches. However the terrain is rather rough and tends to be frequented by motocross bikes and 4x4's. Photography is possible from here although a long lens is required.

There is a bench on the right just before you enter the main runway tunnel heading north from which all movements can be seen and photographed, especially when runway 32 is in use.

When runway 14 is in use a popular location for viewing and photography is a place called cemetery road which can be reached by leaving the terminal and going straight on at the roundabout. Turn left at the end and follow this road round under the 14 approach. Take your second right onto an elevated dead end road where good views of arriving and departing aircraft can be had.

There is also a footpath running along the south side near the threshold of runway 32 by the golf course however the perimeter fence is quite high here.

Also a popular walking area, Yeadon Tarn provides good views of departing (runway 32) and arriving (runway 14) traffic.

Runway 09/27 is now closed making runway 14/32 the sole runway.

==Locations to Avoid==

===Location===

==Regular Traffic==

===Scheduled===

*Jet2: Alicante, Almeria, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Belfast, Chambery, Dusseldorf, Faro, Geneva, Ibiza, Lanzarote, Malaga, Menorca, Milan, Murcia, Nice, Palma, Paris, Pisa, Prague, Rome, Tenerife, Venice, Valencia
*BMI: Brussels, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Paris, London Heathrow, Lille, Copenhagen
*Eastern Airways: Aberdeen, Inverness, Southampton
*Flybe: Aberdeen, Bergerac, Belfast City, Exeter, Southampton
*Air Southwest: Bristol, Newquay
*Ryanair: Dublin
*KLM: Amsterdam
*Aer Arran: Cork, Galway
*Manx: Isle Of Man

===Charter===

*Astraeus: Crete, Rhodes, Zante, Funchal, Tenerife South, Corfu, Larnaca, Reus, Las Palmas, Faro, Palma, Malaga, Rhodes, Verona, Alicante, Mahon,
*Thomsonfly.com: Dalaman,Paphos, Ibiza, Palma, - more to come
*Onur Air: Bodrum
*Futura: Palma, Fuerteventura
*Balkan Holidays: Bourgas, Varna
*Air Southwest: Jersey
*Sun Express: Dalaman
*Austrian Arrows: Innsbruck
*Air Europa: Palma, Tenerife
*Spanair: Palma
*First Choice: Faro

==Facilities and Transportation==

There is a bus service from Leeds City Centre to the Airport (first busses 757) and a bus link from Bradford to the airport (737).

==External Links==

[http://www.forums4airports.com/forum435.html Forum for Leeds Bradford Airport] For LBA spotters and aviation enthusiasts as well as aviation professionals.

Bristol Airport

2011-11-24T23:13:44Z

OpenIDUser14: /* Facilities and Transportation */

[[Category:England]]
{{categorywithregion|Europe|United Kingdom|England}}

{{infobox|fullname=Bristol International Airport|
location=Bristol, England|
iata=BRS|
icao=EGGD|
aptype=Commercial|
website=http://www.bristolairport.com|
mapurl=http://www.multimap.com/map/photo.cgi?client=europe&x=350500&y=165500&scale=25000&width=700&height=410&gride=350492&gridn=165443|
mapsource=Multimap|
atctower=133.85MHz|
atcground=121.925MHz|
atcclearance=|
atcapproach=125.65MHz and 136.075MHz|
atcdeparture=|
atcatis=|
atcunicom=}}



==Main Spotting Location==
===Winters Lane===
Although BRS doesn't have an official Spotting Area, there is a location off Downside Road, on Winters Lane. This area is probably the best out of the few places, because you catch the 09 Line ups and landings, and the long 27 departures when the heavier aircraft such as the FCA 767 are in. Airport Staff and Police seem to have no problem with this; you'll usually get a wave from the ASU. A ladder is recommended for people wishing to partake in photography.

This location is off Downside Road, along Winters Lane, on the turning for Tall Pines Golf Club.[http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=BRS&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=48.909425,81.5625&ie=UTF8&ll=51.383835,-2.718&spn=0.037925,0.079651&z=14&om=1 See Map.]

==Other Spotting Locations==

===Runway 09 ILS===

Below the ILS System for 09 is another place where sometimes people stop, only usually used when R/W 09 is active. Here you can get some interesting angles for photography.

This location is off Downside Road, along Winters Lane. [http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=BRS&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=48.909425,81.5625&ie=UTF8&om=1&ll=51.382013,-2.735327&spn=0.004741,0.009956&t=k&z=17&iwloc=addr See Map.]

==Locations to Avoid==

===Pathway leading up to RWY27 threshold===

On the Southeast end of the airfield there's an unmarked gate by the A38 through which a path (the old road) can be found that leads right down to near the threshold of RWY27. Whilst this provides great views, one is in clear view of pilots lining up as well as security staff who will ask you to move immediately. The gate leading down that path is not marked and as such one might be fooled into thinking it's a legitimate spot but it would in fact seem that you may be described as a "security scare" if you venture there.

==Regular Traffic==

The following is a list of regular scheduled airlines and their destinations, plus Aircraft operating.

Aer Arann

Cork, Galway, Nantes) '''ATR 72-500'''

Air France

Paris-Charles de Gaulle '''ATR-42-500'''

Air Malta

Luga Airbus '''A320-200'''

Air Southwest

Jersey, Leeds/Bradford, Manchester, Newquay, Plymouth '''DHC-8-311'''

Aurigny Air Services

Guernsey'''ATR-72-202'''

Brussels Airlines

Brussels'''BAE Systems Avro 146-RJ85'''

Continental Airlines

Newark '''Boeing 757-200 W/ Winglets'''

Eastern Airways

Aberdeen, Isle of Man British Aerospace '''Jetstream 41/Saab 2000'''

easyJet

(Alicante, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Belfast-International, Berlin-Schönefeld, Bordeaux,
Edinburgh, Faro, Funchal [starts 29 October 2007], Geneva, Glasgow, Grenoble [from 13 December 2007],
Ibiza, Inverness, Kraków, La Rochelle, Lisbon [starts 31 October 2007], Madrid, Mahon (Menorca), Marseille,
Malaga, Milan-Malpensa, Murcia, Newcastle, Nice, Palma de Mallorca, Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Pisa, Prague, Rijeka, Rome-Ciampino, Toulouse, Valencia, Venice, Warsaw [begins October 2, 2007])

'''Airbus A319 On All Routes Apart from Newcastle and Belfast Services which are served with their based 737-700's.'''

Flybe

Jersey'''DHC-8-402Q'''

KLM Cityhopper

Amsterdam '''Fokker 100/70'''

OLT (Ostfriesische Lufttransport)

Bremen, Hamburg '''Saab 2000/Saab 340'''

Ryanair

Bratislava [begins 8 November, 2007], Budapest [begins 7 November, 2007], Derry
[begins 7 November, 2007], Dinard [begins 8 November, 2007], Dublin, Girona, Katowice [begins 10 November, 2007]
, Knock [begins 7 November, 2007], Milan [begins 7 November, 2007], Porto [begins 7 November, 2007], Poznań
[begins 8 November, 2007], Riga [begins 7 November, 2007], Rzeszów [begins 8 November, 2007], Salzburg
[begins 19 December, 2007], Shannon, Wroclaw [begins 7 November, 2007] '''Boeing 737-800'''

Scandinavian Airlines System

Stockholm-Arlanda '''MD-81 (DC-9-81)'''

Skybus

Isles of Scilly '''DHC-6-310 Twin Otter'''

==Facilities and Transportation==

==External Links==

[http://www.forums4airports.com/forum429.html Forum for Bristol Airport]ideal for BRS spotters and aviation enthusiasts as well as aviation professionals.

Leeds/Bradford Airport

2011-11-24T23:10:42Z

OpenIDUser14: /* External Links */

[[Category:England]]
{{categorywithregion|Europe|United Kingdom|England}}

{{infobox|fullname=Leeds Bradford International Airport|
location=Leeds, England|
iata=LBA|
icao=EGNM|
aptype=Commercial|
website=http://www.lbia.co.uk|
mapurl=|
mapsource=|
atctower=120.300|
atcground=120.300|
atcclearance=120.300|
atcapproach=123.750|
atcdeparture=123.750|
atcatis=|
atcunicom=}}



==Official Spotting Locations==

===Terminal===

You can see the planes from the terminal but it is no good for photography.

==Other Spotting Locations==

A hill on the south side of the airfield locally known as plane tree hill gives very good views over the whole of the airport including both approaches. However the terrain is rather rough and tends to be frequented by motocross bikes and 4x4's. Photography is possible from here although a long lens is required.

There is a bench on the right just before you enter the main runway tunnel heading north from which all movements can be seen and photographed, especially when runway 32 is in use.

When runway 14 is in use a popular location for viewing and photography is a place called cemetery road which can be reached by leaving the terminal and going straight on at the roundabout. Turn left at the end and follow this road round under the 14 approach. Take your second right onto an elevated dead end road where good views of arriving and departing aircraft can be had.

There is also a footpath running along the south side near the threshold of runway 32 by the golf course however the perimeter fence is quite high here.

Also a popular walking area, Yeadon Tarn provides good views of departing (runway 32) and arriving (runway 14) traffic.

Runway 09/27 is now closed making runway 14/32 the sole runway.

==Locations to Avoid==

===Location===

==Regular Traffic==

===Scheduled===

*Jet2: Alicante, Almeria, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Belfast, Chambery, Dusseldorf, Faro, Geneva, Ibiza, Lanzarote, Malaga, Menorca, Milan, Murcia, Nice, Palma, Paris, Pisa, Prague, Rome, Tenerife, Venice, Valencia
*BMI: Brussels, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Paris, London Heathrow, Lille, Copenhagen
*Eastern Airways: Aberdeen, Inverness, Southampton
*Flybe: Aberdeen, Bergerac, Belfast City, Exeter, Southampton
*Air Southwest: Bristol, Newquay
*Ryanair: Dublin
*KLM: Amsterdam
*Aer Arran: Cork, Galway
*Manx: Isle Of Man

===Charter===

*Astraeus: Crete, Rhodes, Zante, Funchal, Tenerife South, Corfu, Larnaca, Reus, Las Palmas, Faro, Palma, Malaga, Rhodes, Verona, Alicante, Mahon,
*Thomsonfly.com: Dalaman,Paphos, Ibiza, Palma, - more to come
*Onur Air: Bodrum
*Futura: Palma, Fuerteventura
*Balkan Holidays: Bourgas, Varna
*Air Southwest: Jersey
*Sun Express: Dalaman
*Austrian Arrows: Innsbruck
*Air Europa: Palma, Tenerife
*Spanair: Palma
*First Choice: Faro

==Facilities and Transportation==

There is a bus service from Leeds City Centre to the Airport (first busses 757) and a bus link from Bradford to the airport (737).

==External Links==

[http://www.forums4airports.com/forum435.html Forum for Leeds Bradford Airport]ideal for LBA spotters and aviation enthusiasts as well as aviation professionals.

Leeds/Bradford Airport

2011-03-01T10:35:01Z

OpenIDUser14: /* Facilities and Transportation */

[[Category:England]]
{{categorywithregion|Europe|United Kingdom|England}}

{{infobox|fullname=Leeds Bradford International Airport|
location=Leeds, England|
iata=LBA|
icao=EGNM|
aptype=Commercial|
website=http://www.lbia.co.uk|
mapurl=|
mapsource=|
atctower=120.300|
atcground=120.300|
atcclearance=120.300|
atcapproach=123.750|
atcdeparture=123.750|
atcatis=|
atcunicom=}}



==Official Spotting Locations==

===Terminal===

You can see the planes from the terminal but it is no good for photography.

==Other Spotting Locations==

A hill on the south side of the airfield locally known as plane tree hill gives very good views over the whole of the airport including both approaches. However the terrain is rather rough and tends to be frequented by motocross bikes and 4x4's. Photography is possible from here although a long lens is required.

There is a bench on the right just before you enter the main runway tunnel heading north from which all movements can be seen and photographed, especially when runway 32 is in use.

When runway 14 is in use a popular location for viewing and photography is a place called cemetery road which can be reached by leaving the terminal and going straight on at the roundabout. Turn left at the end and follow this road round under the 14 approach. Take your second right onto an elevated dead end road where good views of arriving and departing aircraft can be had.

There is also a footpath running along the south side near the threshold of runway 32 by the golf course however the perimeter fence is quite high here.

Also a popular walking area, Yeadon Tarn provides good views of departing (runway 32) and arriving (runway 14) traffic.

Runway 09/27 is now closed making runway 14/32 the sole runway.

==Locations to Avoid==

===Location===

==Regular Traffic==

===Scheduled===

*Jet2: Alicante, Almeria, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Belfast, Chambery, Dusseldorf, Faro, Geneva, Ibiza, Lanzarote, Malaga, Menorca, Milan, Murcia, Nice, Palma, Paris, Pisa, Prague, Rome, Tenerife, Venice, Valencia
*BMI: Brussels, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Paris, London Heathrow, Lille, Copenhagen
*Eastern Airways: Aberdeen, Inverness, Southampton
*Flybe: Aberdeen, Bergerac, Belfast City, Exeter, Southampton
*Air Southwest: Bristol, Newquay
*Ryanair: Dublin
*KLM: Amsterdam
*Aer Arran: Cork, Galway
*Manx: Isle Of Man

===Charter===

*Astraeus: Crete, Rhodes, Zante, Funchal, Tenerife South, Corfu, Larnaca, Reus, Las Palmas, Faro, Palma, Malaga, Rhodes, Verona, Alicante, Mahon,
*Thomsonfly.com: Dalaman,Paphos, Ibiza, Palma, - more to come
*Onur Air: Bodrum
*Futura: Palma, Fuerteventura
*Balkan Holidays: Bourgas, Varna
*Air Southwest: Jersey
*Sun Express: Dalaman
*Austrian Arrows: Innsbruck
*Air Europa: Palma, Tenerife
*Spanair: Palma
*First Choice: Faro

==Facilities and Transportation==

There is a bus service from Leeds City Centre to the Airport (first busses 757) and a bus link from Bradford to the airport (737).

==External Links==

[http://www.forums4airports.com/forum18.html Forum for Leeds Bradford Airport] dedicated forum for LBA spotters and aviation enthusiasts as well as for aviation professionals.

Manchester Airport

2011-03-01T10:31:36Z

OpenIDUser14: /* External links */

[[Category:England]]
{{categorywithregion|Europe|United Kingdom|England}}

{{infobox|fullname=Manchester Airport|location=Manchester, England|iata=MAN|icao=EGCC|aptype=Commercial|website=http://www.manchesterairport.co.uk|mapurl=http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?ll=53.354138,-2.279320&spn=0.029493,0.076484&t=h&hl=en|mapsource=Google Maps|atctower=118.625 (23R/05L)119.4 (23L/05R|atcground=121.85 (Primary) 125.375 (Secondary)|atcclearance=121.7 (delivery)|atcapproach=118.575 & Director 121.35 |atcdeparture=118.625 & 119.4|atcatis=128.175 (Arrivals) 121.975 (Departures)|atcunicom=}}

In 2004, Manchester International Airport (Ringway) was voted Britain’s premier spotting airport by a well-known aviation magazine, and anyone who has been there will probably agree with them. It is not a question of which is the best place to watch planes at Manchester, more a question of which spot do I want to choose?

MAN has 2 parallel runways, 23R / 05L (Runway 1) and 23L / 05R (Runway 2) . Aircraft movements are generally inbound on 23R and outbound on 23L. However the wind direction shifts approx 20% of the year and this flow is reversed. During the quieter period of each day from 12.00hrs to 15.00hrs and at night between 22:00hrs and 06:00hrs the airport reverts to single runway use and uses 23R / 05L (Runway 1) for both inbound and outbound flights. [http://www.manchesterairport.co.uk/manweb.nsf/alldocs/B40F30197901518780257393003585FE/$File/Single+Runway+Operations+Data+Sheet.pdf Single Runway operations data sheet.]

==Official Spotting Locations==

===Multi Storey Car Park Terminal 1===

[[Image:T2View.JPG|thumb|right|Terminal 2 from the top of the Multi-Story.]]

13th Floor of the multi-storey car park - Terminal 1 - Views of Runway 1 where you can view aircraft landing and taking off, also close views of aircraft parking and moving from Terminals 1 & 2 plus a good view of the Cargo area. Level 13 now being used by the Car Rental Companies. But there isn't any facilities here any more. Toilets are situated in the Terminal 1 arrivals area, just get the lift down from Level 12. Some thoughtfully provided camera holes are in the security fences. Be warned however that this is a short-stay car park and is very expensive to park your car:

http://www.manchesterairport.co.uk/manweb.nsf/Content/ShortStayPark

'''The Aviation shop''' is now situated in Terminal 1 arrivals and stocks everything for the enthusiast, binoculars, telescopes, models, airband radios, scanners, DVDs, notebooks, pens, postcards, and the SBS Radar System.

===A.V.P. - Aviation viewing park===

[[Image:B-18703 From The AVP.jpg|thumb|right|China Airlines Cargo Boeing 747-400 photographed from the Aviation Viewing Park.]]

[[Image:AP-BGL PIA 777.jpg|thumb|right|A PIA 777 taxying past the Viewing Park]]

The A.V.P is located approx 2/3 way along Runway 23R (Runway 1) and offers excellent views of both flying and taxiing aircraft,and is widely recognised as the best facility for enthusiasts in the UK.
It has 3 raised platforms for better viewing and photography, a very good snack bar, Family picnic areas and clean Male and Female toilet facilities. There is also a well-stocked aviation shop selling books, aircraft models, binoculars and radios etc.

Signposted from main terminal areas and railway station. This A.V.P also contains a '''British Airways Concorde G-BOAC''' (for details of tours see below), '''BAe Avro 146-RX100''', '''Monarch DC-10''' nose section, De Havilland Vampire jet fighter (at the moment been removed for restoration), and a '''BEA British European Airways Hawker Siddley HS-121 Trident 3B G-AZWK''' aircraft resplendent in full BEA Colours, which you can have a tour of (at cost).

The A.V.P is situated off the A538 between Junction 6 of the M56 motorway and the airport tunnels.

From the Junction 6 Roundabout follow signs for Wilmslow. After a very short distance you will see Sunbank Lane on the left with a sign post for “Concorde”. Turn left here and then immediately right at the crossroads onto Wilmslow Old Road and follow to the end.

You can get to the A.V.P by bus from the "The Station" at the Airport, which is situated mid-way between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 . Journey time by bus is approximately 5 minutes. The Swans Shuttle bus 200 operates year round on weekends and Bank Holidays. Buses leave The Station at 09:16, then every hour until 17.16. Buses leave the Viewing Park every hour 09.25 until 17.25. The fare is around £1.50 for a return ticket.

Arriva North West operates a regular daily service (bus 18, 18A, 20, 20A) stopping at the rear of the World Freight Terminal from where the Aviation Viewing Park is approximately a 10 minute walk. Full timetables for the service can be found at http://www.arrivabus.co.uk but generally there are four services per hour in each direction between The Station (Stand K) and the Freight Terminal. Some evening services are operated by service number 19. The adult single fare is £1. From the Freight Terminal bus stop, turn left out of Viscount Drive on to Avro Way and follow the road to where it bends round to the left. Walk into the junction on the right - you should see LSG SkyChefs on your right hand side, and a yellow and black car barrier ahead with a bollard to allow pedestrians through. Pass the barrier and turn left up the lane (Wilmslow Old Road, as in the directions above.) The AVP is about 6-7 minutes walk, right at the end of this lane.

==Other Spotting Locations==

===South Side (Runway 2 - 23L/05R)===

[[Image:Manchester Airport South side terminal view.jpg|thumb|right|Manchester Airport's Terminal area from the mound behind the new fire station on the South side.]]

A disadvantage of the official Aviation Viewing Park (AVP) is that it faces into the sun until late in the day, making photography more difficult. Better photography is often offered by heading around to Runway 2 on the South side of the airport. Going there is easy by car. By public transport is possible too, but a bit of a handful.

The closest bus stop to Runway 2 is at the Moat House Hotel (Holiday inn) on the A538 Wilmslow road . Bus service no 288 runs along the A538 and there is a stop near to the AVP at the junction with Sunbank lane – from the AVP this means walking back towards the main road (approx ½ mile). From this bus stop it is then 2 stops along to the Moat House Hotel (Holiday inn). The bus runs every 30 mins.

By car, from the Junction 6 Roundabout off the M56, follow signs for Wilmslow along the A538. Approximately 1 mile along this road you will drive under the 2 runway tunnels. As you exit the 2nd tunnel you will come to a roundabout. Turn left at this roundabout and then turn immediately right before the gate - Then park up on the left before the bridge, as this road becomes the Moat House hotel car park beyond the bridge. Do try to tuck your car into the hedge, as the hotel mini-bus screams up and down here every half-hour or so and its a narrow road!!

'''DO NOT''' park anywhere between the roundabout and the gate - you '''WILL''' get a ticket or a '''TOW''' - even on the grass verge.

Once you have reach the Hotel, you have two options. There are raised viewing mounds running the length of runway 23L. These are segregated by the road tunnels which allow the A538 to go under the runways. So your choice is to cross the road and go left and past the new fire station to get to the mid point and beyond of runway 23L for views of aircraft rotating and taking-off OR go right to the start of runway 23L for close-up taxiing and line-up views of aircraft.

====Runway 23L - taxi and line-up====

[[Image:Runway 23L threshold Manchester.JPG|thumb|right|The Elevated Mound next to the Runway 23L threshold]]

From the Hotel entrance, turn right and walk through the car park, over the small stone bridge and up to the top of this road. On the right is a black cattle gate. Walk through the gate and follow this footpath for approx half-a-mile. The path finishes at the runway security fence and you will see long earth mounds either side of you which offer superb elevated views of the first 1/3 of runway 2.Further around to the right is an elevated mound which is directly in front of the link taxi-way between runway 1 and 2 - you can practically count the rivets on the aircraft as they line-up !!!

====Runway 23L - rotation and take-off====

[[Image:Runway 2 landing manchester.JPG|thumb|right|A Thomsonfly.com 737-300 lands on Runway 05R]]

The second option is to walk from the hotel back to the roundabout. On the other side of the road you just came in on, you will see a footpath of steep steps rising to the top of the hill. Follow this path for roughly 15 minutes past the side of the new fire station and up to the runway security fence.

From here, you can go left and follow the path parallel to runway 2 down into a valley and then back up again to raised mounds which offer superb views of aircraft rotating on runway 2 for take-off.

As an alternative, turn left after the fire station and follow the path downhill to the lowest lowest point of the valley. Then turn right and follow the river through the tunnel under runway 2. As you exit the tunnel turn right up the hill for a viewing spot half way between runway 1 and runway 2

Please note that runway 2 is usually closed between 12:00 and 15:00 hours. Also check before making any journey which way the aircraft are flying!. For approx 20% of the year, the wind shifts and the flying changes direction.

===South Side (Runway 1 - 05L/23R)===

====Runway 05L - approach and landing, rotation and take-off====

[[Image:Runway 05L Lights at Manchester.JPG|thumb|right|The Runway 05L Lights Field]]

[[Image:Manchester Airport River Bollin tunnel under RWY 2.jpg|thumb|right|The River Bollin tunnel under Runway 2 (23L/05R)]]

From the Moat House hotel, cross the A538 and head back to the roundabout. On the other side of the road, there is a footpath with steep steps leading up a hill. Follow this path for roughly 15 minutes past the rear side of the new fire station and follow the path on the left side fence of the fire station. Follow this path (it goes a bit up and down) until you descend into a valley and the River Bollin tunnel.

Cross the Bollin using the metal bridge and head North through the tunnel. Then, turn left up the steep hill with Crash Gate No. 12 at the top. Carry on up there until ground levels out and you're beside Runway 2. Then, go right through a gate. Follow the long path past the dead tree (on your right) and then go through the gate at the end of the path. Turn left at this gate and then take the next right turn. This will lead to a field with the lights for Runway 05L. This is a really good place to photograph and film from.

If 05L is being used for landings, aircraft come straight over your head and if the same runway is being used for take-offs, the aircraft take off away from you. Alternatively, if 23R is being used for take-offs, the aircraft will take off directly at you. This spot is especially interesting during the curfew of runway 2 (23L/05R) when all movements are on runway 1 (23R/05L).

(This spot is usually quite quiet and there's normally nobody about.)

=== Junction of Ringway Road & Shadowmoss road ===

Not far from Terminal 1, this area gives excellent views of aircraft on final approach to Runway 23R. Be warned that car parking is limited because of parking restrictions. The local residents get rightly annoyed when thoughtless spotters park cars that partially block access to their driveways and the hand-painted yellow lines outside some houses show the level of feeling about this – please be considerate.

=== Airport Hotel Public House ===

Next to the final approach to Runway 23R, the beer garden of this pub offer great views of landing aircraft and also aircraft holding for departure. This spot is especially interesting during the 12PM - 3PM curfew of Runway 2(23L/06R). Because the public house and it's beer garden have become so popular with spotters, the pub has a pay-and-display car park. It's essential to pay-and-display if you don't wanted to be fined £60.

==Locations to Avoid==

[[Image:Crash Gate No. 12 at Manchester Airport.JPG|thumb|right|Crash Gate No. 6 on the South side of the airport.]]

None really - just be sensible - '''don't park in-front of crash gates''' and stay on the public side of the security fences and you will be ok.

The areas offered as alternatives to the AVP (the mounds and the area beyond the new fire station) are public footpaths and you wont get more than a passing glance from the security staff when they are patrolling airside.

The airport and council have always been fairly spotter-friendly so just read the notices and don't go or park where it says you shouldn't.

==Spotting Locations Map==

[[Image:Manchester Spotting Map.JPG]]

==Regular Traffic==

===Scheduled/Charter Airlines===

*British Airways - Boeing 737, Airbus A319/320/321
*American Airlines - Boeing 767
*Continental Airlines - Boeing 757
*Delta Air Lines - Boeing 757/767
*PIA - Boeing 777, Airbus A310
*US Airways - Airbus A330
*Monarch Airlines - Airbus A300/320/321/330, Boeing 767
*First Choice Airways - Boeing 757/767
*Flybe - Dash 8-400, Embraer 145/195
*Jet2.com - Boeing 737/757
*Thomsonfly - Boeing 737/767
*Air France - Airbus A318/319/320, Embraer 195, Fokker 100
*KLM - Boeing 737, Embraer 190
*Lufthansa - Boeing 737, Airbus A319/320/321, CRJ-100/200/700/900
*BMI & bmibaby - Boeing 737, Airbus A319/320/321, Embraer 135/145
*Finnair - Airbus A319/320, Embraer 170/190
*Turkish Airlines - Airbus A320/321, Boeing 737
*CSA Czech Airlines - Boeing 737
*Ryanair - Boeing 737-800
*Aer Lingus - Airbus A320
*Virgin Atlantic Airways - Boeing 747-400, Airbus A340-300
plus many more, for a full list (and of which Terminal) click on this link: http://www.manchesterairport.co.uk.

===Cargo Airlines===

*Cathay Pacific Cargo - Boeing 747-400
*Great Wall Airlines - Boeing 747-400
*Air China Cargo - Boeing 747-400

Plus you never know what will turn up, the A380 has done a missed approach at Manchester, the Antonov An-225 and a few An-124s have been to Manchester, there are always a few surprises!

==Facilities and Transportation==

===Public Transport===

The Railway Station is situated at the Airport between Terminals 1 & 2.
Services from most of the UK mainline stations.
The Bus & Coach Station is adjacent to railway station. Also served by National Express.
Bus service number 200 serves the viewing park from the airport bus station every Saturday and Sunday at 15 minutes past the hour from the bus station and 25 minutes past the hour from the viewing park at a cost of approx £1.50p adult return.

==Travel tips==
If traveling by car and you do not wish to pay for the airport car parks, you could always park your car at Heald Green Railway Station and catch the train to the airport for a cheap day return costing £1.10 or a single will cost £1.00 each way, fares may vary due to the general increase in fares.

http://www.spotterswiki.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=29#p29

==External links==

*[http://www.forums4airports.com/forum6.html Manchester Airport Forum for discussions on all aspects of the airport] from route development to infrastructure improvements. All the latest aviation news for spotters and aviation professionals alike.

*[http://www.plane-spotter.com/Airports/UK/MAN/SpotterGuide_MAN.pdf One page spotter guide for print out] - contains radio frequencies, airport map and a brief description of the spotting spots at MAN.

*[http://www.ringwayreports.co.uk/ringway.htm Manchester airport aircraft movements website] - contains every movement of every plane at Manchester since 2003. You can submit your photos or view others from the day as well as view timetables of expected aircraft in a large database.

*[http://www.manchesterairport.co.uk/manweb.nsf/alldocs/B6F0247D7CBCF65F80257393003585FD/$File/Runway+Data+Sheet+2007-+v+FINAL.pdf The official Manchester Airport Runway data sheet] featuring all the relevant information regarding the runway operations.

Manchester Airport

2011-03-01T10:30:32Z

OpenIDUser14: /* External links */

[[Category:England]]
{{categorywithregion|Europe|United Kingdom|England}}

{{infobox|fullname=Manchester Airport|location=Manchester, England|iata=MAN|icao=EGCC|aptype=Commercial|website=http://www.manchesterairport.co.uk|mapurl=http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?ll=53.354138,-2.279320&spn=0.029493,0.076484&t=h&hl=en|mapsource=Google Maps|atctower=118.625 (23R/05L)119.4 (23L/05R|atcground=121.85 (Primary) 125.375 (Secondary)|atcclearance=121.7 (delivery)|atcapproach=118.575 & Director 121.35 |atcdeparture=118.625 & 119.4|atcatis=128.175 (Arrivals) 121.975 (Departures)|atcunicom=}}

In 2004, Manchester International Airport (Ringway) was voted Britain’s premier spotting airport by a well-known aviation magazine, and anyone who has been there will probably agree with them. It is not a question of which is the best place to watch planes at Manchester, more a question of which spot do I want to choose?

MAN has 2 parallel runways, 23R / 05L (Runway 1) and 23L / 05R (Runway 2) . Aircraft movements are generally inbound on 23R and outbound on 23L. However the wind direction shifts approx 20% of the year and this flow is reversed. During the quieter period of each day from 12.00hrs to 15.00hrs and at night between 22:00hrs and 06:00hrs the airport reverts to single runway use and uses 23R / 05L (Runway 1) for both inbound and outbound flights. [http://www.manchesterairport.co.uk/manweb.nsf/alldocs/B40F30197901518780257393003585FE/$File/Single+Runway+Operations+Data+Sheet.pdf Single Runway operations data sheet.]

==Official Spotting Locations==

===Multi Storey Car Park Terminal 1===

[[Image:T2View.JPG|thumb|right|Terminal 2 from the top of the Multi-Story.]]

13th Floor of the multi-storey car park - Terminal 1 - Views of Runway 1 where you can view aircraft landing and taking off, also close views of aircraft parking and moving from Terminals 1 & 2 plus a good view of the Cargo area. Level 13 now being used by the Car Rental Companies. But there isn't any facilities here any more. Toilets are situated in the Terminal 1 arrivals area, just get the lift down from Level 12. Some thoughtfully provided camera holes are in the security fences. Be warned however that this is a short-stay car park and is very expensive to park your car:

http://www.manchesterairport.co.uk/manweb.nsf/Content/ShortStayPark

'''The Aviation shop''' is now situated in Terminal 1 arrivals and stocks everything for the enthusiast, binoculars, telescopes, models, airband radios, scanners, DVDs, notebooks, pens, postcards, and the SBS Radar System.

===A.V.P. - Aviation viewing park===

[[Image:B-18703 From The AVP.jpg|thumb|right|China Airlines Cargo Boeing 747-400 photographed from the Aviation Viewing Park.]]

[[Image:AP-BGL PIA 777.jpg|thumb|right|A PIA 777 taxying past the Viewing Park]]

The A.V.P is located approx 2/3 way along Runway 23R (Runway 1) and offers excellent views of both flying and taxiing aircraft,and is widely recognised as the best facility for enthusiasts in the UK.
It has 3 raised platforms for better viewing and photography, a very good snack bar, Family picnic areas and clean Male and Female toilet facilities. There is also a well-stocked aviation shop selling books, aircraft models, binoculars and radios etc.

Signposted from main terminal areas and railway station. This A.V.P also contains a '''British Airways Concorde G-BOAC''' (for details of tours see below), '''BAe Avro 146-RX100''', '''Monarch DC-10''' nose section, De Havilland Vampire jet fighter (at the moment been removed for restoration), and a '''BEA British European Airways Hawker Siddley HS-121 Trident 3B G-AZWK''' aircraft resplendent in full BEA Colours, which you can have a tour of (at cost).

The A.V.P is situated off the A538 between Junction 6 of the M56 motorway and the airport tunnels.

From the Junction 6 Roundabout follow signs for Wilmslow. After a very short distance you will see Sunbank Lane on the left with a sign post for “Concorde”. Turn left here and then immediately right at the crossroads onto Wilmslow Old Road and follow to the end.

You can get to the A.V.P by bus from the "The Station" at the Airport, which is situated mid-way between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 . Journey time by bus is approximately 5 minutes. The Swans Shuttle bus 200 operates year round on weekends and Bank Holidays. Buses leave The Station at 09:16, then every hour until 17.16. Buses leave the Viewing Park every hour 09.25 until 17.25. The fare is around £1.50 for a return ticket.

Arriva North West operates a regular daily service (bus 18, 18A, 20, 20A) stopping at the rear of the World Freight Terminal from where the Aviation Viewing Park is approximately a 10 minute walk. Full timetables for the service can be found at http://www.arrivabus.co.uk but generally there are four services per hour in each direction between The Station (Stand K) and the Freight Terminal. Some evening services are operated by service number 19. The adult single fare is £1. From the Freight Terminal bus stop, turn left out of Viscount Drive on to Avro Way and follow the road to where it bends round to the left. Walk into the junction on the right - you should see LSG SkyChefs on your right hand side, and a yellow and black car barrier ahead with a bollard to allow pedestrians through. Pass the barrier and turn left up the lane (Wilmslow Old Road, as in the directions above.) The AVP is about 6-7 minutes walk, right at the end of this lane.

==Other Spotting Locations==

===South Side (Runway 2 - 23L/05R)===

[[Image:Manchester Airport South side terminal view.jpg|thumb|right|Manchester Airport's Terminal area from the mound behind the new fire station on the South side.]]

A disadvantage of the official Aviation Viewing Park (AVP) is that it faces into the sun until late in the day, making photography more difficult. Better photography is often offered by heading around to Runway 2 on the South side of the airport. Going there is easy by car. By public transport is possible too, but a bit of a handful.

The closest bus stop to Runway 2 is at the Moat House Hotel (Holiday inn) on the A538 Wilmslow road . Bus service no 288 runs along the A538 and there is a stop near to the AVP at the junction with Sunbank lane – from the AVP this means walking back towards the main road (approx ½ mile). From this bus stop it is then 2 stops along to the Moat House Hotel (Holiday inn). The bus runs every 30 mins.

By car, from the Junction 6 Roundabout off the M56, follow signs for Wilmslow along the A538. Approximately 1 mile along this road you will drive under the 2 runway tunnels. As you exit the 2nd tunnel you will come to a roundabout. Turn left at this roundabout and then turn immediately right before the gate - Then park up on the left before the bridge, as this road becomes the Moat House hotel car park beyond the bridge. Do try to tuck your car into the hedge, as the hotel mini-bus screams up and down here every half-hour or so and its a narrow road!!

'''DO NOT''' park anywhere between the roundabout and the gate - you '''WILL''' get a ticket or a '''TOW''' - even on the grass verge.

Once you have reach the Hotel, you have two options. There are raised viewing mounds running the length of runway 23L. These are segregated by the road tunnels which allow the A538 to go under the runways. So your choice is to cross the road and go left and past the new fire station to get to the mid point and beyond of runway 23L for views of aircraft rotating and taking-off OR go right to the start of runway 23L for close-up taxiing and line-up views of aircraft.

====Runway 23L - taxi and line-up====

[[Image:Runway 23L threshold Manchester.JPG|thumb|right|The Elevated Mound next to the Runway 23L threshold]]

From the Hotel entrance, turn right and walk through the car park, over the small stone bridge and up to the top of this road. On the right is a black cattle gate. Walk through the gate and follow this footpath for approx half-a-mile. The path finishes at the runway security fence and you will see long earth mounds either side of you which offer superb elevated views of the first 1/3 of runway 2.Further around to the right is an elevated mound which is directly in front of the link taxi-way between runway 1 and 2 - you can practically count the rivets on the aircraft as they line-up !!!

====Runway 23L - rotation and take-off====

[[Image:Runway 2 landing manchester.JPG|thumb|right|A Thomsonfly.com 737-300 lands on Runway 05R]]

The second option is to walk from the hotel back to the roundabout. On the other side of the road you just came in on, you will see a footpath of steep steps rising to the top of the hill. Follow this path for roughly 15 minutes past the side of the new fire station and up to the runway security fence.

From here, you can go left and follow the path parallel to runway 2 down into a valley and then back up again to raised mounds which offer superb views of aircraft rotating on runway 2 for take-off.

As an alternative, turn left after the fire station and follow the path downhill to the lowest lowest point of the valley. Then turn right and follow the river through the tunnel under runway 2. As you exit the tunnel turn right up the hill for a viewing spot half way between runway 1 and runway 2

Please note that runway 2 is usually closed between 12:00 and 15:00 hours. Also check before making any journey which way the aircraft are flying!. For approx 20% of the year, the wind shifts and the flying changes direction.

===South Side (Runway 1 - 05L/23R)===

====Runway 05L - approach and landing, rotation and take-off====

[[Image:Runway 05L Lights at Manchester.JPG|thumb|right|The Runway 05L Lights Field]]

[[Image:Manchester Airport River Bollin tunnel under RWY 2.jpg|thumb|right|The River Bollin tunnel under Runway 2 (23L/05R)]]

From the Moat House hotel, cross the A538 and head back to the roundabout. On the other side of the road, there is a footpath with steep steps leading up a hill. Follow this path for roughly 15 minutes past the rear side of the new fire station and follow the path on the left side fence of the fire station. Follow this path (it goes a bit up and down) until you descend into a valley and the River Bollin tunnel.

Cross the Bollin using the metal bridge and head North through the tunnel. Then, turn left up the steep hill with Crash Gate No. 12 at the top. Carry on up there until ground levels out and you're beside Runway 2. Then, go right through a gate. Follow the long path past the dead tree (on your right) and then go through the gate at the end of the path. Turn left at this gate and then take the next right turn. This will lead to a field with the lights for Runway 05L. This is a really good place to photograph and film from.

If 05L is being used for landings, aircraft come straight over your head and if the same runway is being used for take-offs, the aircraft take off away from you. Alternatively, if 23R is being used for take-offs, the aircraft will take off directly at you. This spot is especially interesting during the curfew of runway 2 (23L/05R) when all movements are on runway 1 (23R/05L).

(This spot is usually quite quiet and there's normally nobody about.)

=== Junction of Ringway Road & Shadowmoss road ===

Not far from Terminal 1, this area gives excellent views of aircraft on final approach to Runway 23R. Be warned that car parking is limited because of parking restrictions. The local residents get rightly annoyed when thoughtless spotters park cars that partially block access to their driveways and the hand-painted yellow lines outside some houses show the level of feeling about this – please be considerate.

=== Airport Hotel Public House ===

Next to the final approach to Runway 23R, the beer garden of this pub offer great views of landing aircraft and also aircraft holding for departure. This spot is especially interesting during the 12PM - 3PM curfew of Runway 2(23L/06R). Because the public house and it's beer garden have become so popular with spotters, the pub has a pay-and-display car park. It's essential to pay-and-display if you don't wanted to be fined £60.

==Locations to Avoid==

[[Image:Crash Gate No. 12 at Manchester Airport.JPG|thumb|right|Crash Gate No. 6 on the South side of the airport.]]

None really - just be sensible - '''don't park in-front of crash gates''' and stay on the public side of the security fences and you will be ok.

The areas offered as alternatives to the AVP (the mounds and the area beyond the new fire station) are public footpaths and you wont get more than a passing glance from the security staff when they are patrolling airside.

The airport and council have always been fairly spotter-friendly so just read the notices and don't go or park where it says you shouldn't.

==Spotting Locations Map==

[[Image:Manchester Spotting Map.JPG]]

==Regular Traffic==

===Scheduled/Charter Airlines===

*British Airways - Boeing 737, Airbus A319/320/321
*American Airlines - Boeing 767
*Continental Airlines - Boeing 757
*Delta Air Lines - Boeing 757/767
*PIA - Boeing 777, Airbus A310
*US Airways - Airbus A330
*Monarch Airlines - Airbus A300/320/321/330, Boeing 767
*First Choice Airways - Boeing 757/767
*Flybe - Dash 8-400, Embraer 145/195
*Jet2.com - Boeing 737/757
*Thomsonfly - Boeing 737/767
*Air France - Airbus A318/319/320, Embraer 195, Fokker 100
*KLM - Boeing 737, Embraer 190
*Lufthansa - Boeing 737, Airbus A319/320/321, CRJ-100/200/700/900
*BMI & bmibaby - Boeing 737, Airbus A319/320/321, Embraer 135/145
*Finnair - Airbus A319/320, Embraer 170/190
*Turkish Airlines - Airbus A320/321, Boeing 737
*CSA Czech Airlines - Boeing 737
*Ryanair - Boeing 737-800
*Aer Lingus - Airbus A320
*Virgin Atlantic Airways - Boeing 747-400, Airbus A340-300
plus many more, for a full list (and of which Terminal) click on this link: http://www.manchesterairport.co.uk.

===Cargo Airlines===

*Cathay Pacific Cargo - Boeing 747-400
*Great Wall Airlines - Boeing 747-400
*Air China Cargo - Boeing 747-400

Plus you never know what will turn up, the A380 has done a missed approach at Manchester, the Antonov An-225 and a few An-124s have been to Manchester, there are always a few surprises!

==Facilities and Transportation==

===Public Transport===

The Railway Station is situated at the Airport between Terminals 1 & 2.
Services from most of the UK mainline stations.
The Bus & Coach Station is adjacent to railway station. Also served by National Express.
Bus service number 200 serves the viewing park from the airport bus station every Saturday and Sunday at 15 minutes past the hour from the bus station and 25 minutes past the hour from the viewing park at a cost of approx £1.50p adult return.

==Travel tips==
If traveling by car and you do not wish to pay for the airport car parks, you could always park your car at Heald Green Railway Station and catch the train to the airport for a cheap day return costing £1.10 or a single will cost £1.00 each way, fares may vary due to the general increase in fares.

http://www.spotterswiki.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=29#p29

==External links==

*[http://www.forums4airports.com/forum6.html Manchester Airport Forum for discussions on all aspects of the airport] from route development to infrastructure improvements to the airport. All the latest news for spotters and aviation professionals alike.

*[http://www.plane-spotter.com/Airports/UK/MAN/SpotterGuide_MAN.pdf One page spotter guide for print out] - contains radio frequencies, airport map and a brief description of the spotting spots at MAN.

*[http://www.ringwayreports.co.uk/ringway.htm Manchester airport aircraft movements website] - contains every movement of every plane at Manchester since 2003. You can submit your photos or view others from the day as well as view timetables of expected aircraft in a large database.

*[http://www.manchesterairport.co.uk/manweb.nsf/alldocs/B6F0247D7CBCF65F80257393003585FD/$File/Runway+Data+Sheet+2007-+v+FINAL.pdf The official Manchester Airport Runway data sheet] featuring all the relevant information regarding the runway operations.

Manchester Airport

2011-03-01T10:29:43Z

OpenIDUser14: /* External links */

[[Category:England]]
{{categorywithregion|Europe|United Kingdom|England}}

{{infobox|fullname=Manchester Airport|location=Manchester, England|iata=MAN|icao=EGCC|aptype=Commercial|website=http://www.manchesterairport.co.uk|mapurl=http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?ll=53.354138,-2.279320&spn=0.029493,0.076484&t=h&hl=en|mapsource=Google Maps|atctower=118.625 (23R/05L)119.4 (23L/05R|atcground=121.85 (Primary) 125.375 (Secondary)|atcclearance=121.7 (delivery)|atcapproach=118.575 & Director 121.35 |atcdeparture=118.625 & 119.4|atcatis=128.175 (Arrivals) 121.975 (Departures)|atcunicom=}}

In 2004, Manchester International Airport (Ringway) was voted Britain’s premier spotting airport by a well-known aviation magazine, and anyone who has been there will probably agree with them. It is not a question of which is the best place to watch planes at Manchester, more a question of which spot do I want to choose?

MAN has 2 parallel runways, 23R / 05L (Runway 1) and 23L / 05R (Runway 2) . Aircraft movements are generally inbound on 23R and outbound on 23L. However the wind direction shifts approx 20% of the year and this flow is reversed. During the quieter period of each day from 12.00hrs to 15.00hrs and at night between 22:00hrs and 06:00hrs the airport reverts to single runway use and uses 23R / 05L (Runway 1) for both inbound and outbound flights. [http://www.manchesterairport.co.uk/manweb.nsf/alldocs/B40F30197901518780257393003585FE/$File/Single+Runway+Operations+Data+Sheet.pdf Single Runway operations data sheet.]

==Official Spotting Locations==

===Multi Storey Car Park Terminal 1===

[[Image:T2View.JPG|thumb|right|Terminal 2 from the top of the Multi-Story.]]

13th Floor of the multi-storey car park - Terminal 1 - Views of Runway 1 where you can view aircraft landing and taking off, also close views of aircraft parking and moving from Terminals 1 & 2 plus a good view of the Cargo area. Level 13 now being used by the Car Rental Companies. But there isn't any facilities here any more. Toilets are situated in the Terminal 1 arrivals area, just get the lift down from Level 12. Some thoughtfully provided camera holes are in the security fences. Be warned however that this is a short-stay car park and is very expensive to park your car:

http://www.manchesterairport.co.uk/manweb.nsf/Content/ShortStayPark

'''The Aviation shop''' is now situated in Terminal 1 arrivals and stocks everything for the enthusiast, binoculars, telescopes, models, airband radios, scanners, DVDs, notebooks, pens, postcards, and the SBS Radar System.

===A.V.P. - Aviation viewing park===

[[Image:B-18703 From The AVP.jpg|thumb|right|China Airlines Cargo Boeing 747-400 photographed from the Aviation Viewing Park.]]

[[Image:AP-BGL PIA 777.jpg|thumb|right|A PIA 777 taxying past the Viewing Park]]

The A.V.P is located approx 2/3 way along Runway 23R (Runway 1) and offers excellent views of both flying and taxiing aircraft,and is widely recognised as the best facility for enthusiasts in the UK.
It has 3 raised platforms for better viewing and photography, a very good snack bar, Family picnic areas and clean Male and Female toilet facilities. There is also a well-stocked aviation shop selling books, aircraft models, binoculars and radios etc.

Signposted from main terminal areas and railway station. This A.V.P also contains a '''British Airways Concorde G-BOAC''' (for details of tours see below), '''BAe Avro 146-RX100''', '''Monarch DC-10''' nose section, De Havilland Vampire jet fighter (at the moment been removed for restoration), and a '''BEA British European Airways Hawker Siddley HS-121 Trident 3B G-AZWK''' aircraft resplendent in full BEA Colours, which you can have a tour of (at cost).

The A.V.P is situated off the A538 between Junction 6 of the M56 motorway and the airport tunnels.

From the Junction 6 Roundabout follow signs for Wilmslow. After a very short distance you will see Sunbank Lane on the left with a sign post for “Concorde”. Turn left here and then immediately right at the crossroads onto Wilmslow Old Road and follow to the end.

You can get to the A.V.P by bus from the "The Station" at the Airport, which is situated mid-way between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 . Journey time by bus is approximately 5 minutes. The Swans Shuttle bus 200 operates year round on weekends and Bank Holidays. Buses leave The Station at 09:16, then every hour until 17.16. Buses leave the Viewing Park every hour 09.25 until 17.25. The fare is around £1.50 for a return ticket.

Arriva North West operates a regular daily service (bus 18, 18A, 20, 20A) stopping at the rear of the World Freight Terminal from where the Aviation Viewing Park is approximately a 10 minute walk. Full timetables for the service can be found at http://www.arrivabus.co.uk but generally there are four services per hour in each direction between The Station (Stand K) and the Freight Terminal. Some evening services are operated by service number 19. The adult single fare is £1. From the Freight Terminal bus stop, turn left out of Viscount Drive on to Avro Way and follow the road to where it bends round to the left. Walk into the junction on the right - you should see LSG SkyChefs on your right hand side, and a yellow and black car barrier ahead with a bollard to allow pedestrians through. Pass the barrier and turn left up the lane (Wilmslow Old Road, as in the directions above.) The AVP is about 6-7 minutes walk, right at the end of this lane.

==Other Spotting Locations==

===South Side (Runway 2 - 23L/05R)===

[[Image:Manchester Airport South side terminal view.jpg|thumb|right|Manchester Airport's Terminal area from the mound behind the new fire station on the South side.]]

A disadvantage of the official Aviation Viewing Park (AVP) is that it faces into the sun until late in the day, making photography more difficult. Better photography is often offered by heading around to Runway 2 on the South side of the airport. Going there is easy by car. By public transport is possible too, but a bit of a handful.

The closest bus stop to Runway 2 is at the Moat House Hotel (Holiday inn) on the A538 Wilmslow road . Bus service no 288 runs along the A538 and there is a stop near to the AVP at the junction with Sunbank lane – from the AVP this means walking back towards the main road (approx ½ mile). From this bus stop it is then 2 stops along to the Moat House Hotel (Holiday inn). The bus runs every 30 mins.

By car, from the Junction 6 Roundabout off the M56, follow signs for Wilmslow along the A538. Approximately 1 mile along this road you will drive under the 2 runway tunnels. As you exit the 2nd tunnel you will come to a roundabout. Turn left at this roundabout and then turn immediately right before the gate - Then park up on the left before the bridge, as this road becomes the Moat House hotel car park beyond the bridge. Do try to tuck your car into the hedge, as the hotel mini-bus screams up and down here every half-hour or so and its a narrow road!!

'''DO NOT''' park anywhere between the roundabout and the gate - you '''WILL''' get a ticket or a '''TOW''' - even on the grass verge.

Once you have reach the Hotel, you have two options. There are raised viewing mounds running the length of runway 23L. These are segregated by the road tunnels which allow the A538 to go under the runways. So your choice is to cross the road and go left and past the new fire station to get to the mid point and beyond of runway 23L for views of aircraft rotating and taking-off OR go right to the start of runway 23L for close-up taxiing and line-up views of aircraft.

====Runway 23L - taxi and line-up====

[[Image:Runway 23L threshold Manchester.JPG|thumb|right|The Elevated Mound next to the Runway 23L threshold]]

From the Hotel entrance, turn right and walk through the car park, over the small stone bridge and up to the top of this road. On the right is a black cattle gate. Walk through the gate and follow this footpath for approx half-a-mile. The path finishes at the runway security fence and you will see long earth mounds either side of you which offer superb elevated views of the first 1/3 of runway 2.Further around to the right is an elevated mound which is directly in front of the link taxi-way between runway 1 and 2 - you can practically count the rivets on the aircraft as they line-up !!!

====Runway 23L - rotation and take-off====

[[Image:Runway 2 landing manchester.JPG|thumb|right|A Thomsonfly.com 737-300 lands on Runway 05R]]

The second option is to walk from the hotel back to the roundabout. On the other side of the road you just came in on, you will see a footpath of steep steps rising to the top of the hill. Follow this path for roughly 15 minutes past the side of the new fire station and up to the runway security fence.

From here, you can go left and follow the path parallel to runway 2 down into a valley and then back up again to raised mounds which offer superb views of aircraft rotating on runway 2 for take-off.

As an alternative, turn left after the fire station and follow the path downhill to the lowest lowest point of the valley. Then turn right and follow the river through the tunnel under runway 2. As you exit the tunnel turn right up the hill for a viewing spot half way between runway 1 and runway 2

Please note that runway 2 is usually closed between 12:00 and 15:00 hours. Also check before making any journey which way the aircraft are flying!. For approx 20% of the year, the wind shifts and the flying changes direction.

===South Side (Runway 1 - 05L/23R)===

====Runway 05L - approach and landing, rotation and take-off====

[[Image:Runway 05L Lights at Manchester.JPG|thumb|right|The Runway 05L Lights Field]]

[[Image:Manchester Airport River Bollin tunnel under RWY 2.jpg|thumb|right|The River Bollin tunnel under Runway 2 (23L/05R)]]

From the Moat House hotel, cross the A538 and head back to the roundabout. On the other side of the road, there is a footpath with steep steps leading up a hill. Follow this path for roughly 15 minutes past the rear side of the new fire station and follow the path on the left side fence of the fire station. Follow this path (it goes a bit up and down) until you descend into a valley and the River Bollin tunnel.

Cross the Bollin using the metal bridge and head North through the tunnel. Then, turn left up the steep hill with Crash Gate No. 12 at the top. Carry on up there until ground levels out and you're beside Runway 2. Then, go right through a gate. Follow the long path past the dead tree (on your right) and then go through the gate at the end of the path. Turn left at this gate and then take the next right turn. This will lead to a field with the lights for Runway 05L. This is a really good place to photograph and film from.

If 05L is being used for landings, aircraft come straight over your head and if the same runway is being used for take-offs, the aircraft take off away from you. Alternatively, if 23R is being used for take-offs, the aircraft will take off directly at you. This spot is especially interesting during the curfew of runway 2 (23L/05R) when all movements are on runway 1 (23R/05L).

(This spot is usually quite quiet and there's normally nobody about.)

=== Junction of Ringway Road & Shadowmoss road ===

Not far from Terminal 1, this area gives excellent views of aircraft on final approach to Runway 23R. Be warned that car parking is limited because of parking restrictions. The local residents get rightly annoyed when thoughtless spotters park cars that partially block access to their driveways and the hand-painted yellow lines outside some houses show the level of feeling about this – please be considerate.

=== Airport Hotel Public House ===

Next to the final approach to Runway 23R, the beer garden of this pub offer great views of landing aircraft and also aircraft holding for departure. This spot is especially interesting during the 12PM - 3PM curfew of Runway 2(23L/06R). Because the public house and it's beer garden have become so popular with spotters, the pub has a pay-and-display car park. It's essential to pay-and-display if you don't wanted to be fined £60.

==Locations to Avoid==

[[Image:Crash Gate No. 12 at Manchester Airport.JPG|thumb|right|Crash Gate No. 6 on the South side of the airport.]]

None really - just be sensible - '''don't park in-front of crash gates''' and stay on the public side of the security fences and you will be ok.

The areas offered as alternatives to the AVP (the mounds and the area beyond the new fire station) are public footpaths and you wont get more than a passing glance from the security staff when they are patrolling airside.

The airport and council have always been fairly spotter-friendly so just read the notices and don't go or park where it says you shouldn't.

==Spotting Locations Map==

[[Image:Manchester Spotting Map.JPG]]

==Regular Traffic==

===Scheduled/Charter Airlines===

*British Airways - Boeing 737, Airbus A319/320/321
*American Airlines - Boeing 767
*Continental Airlines - Boeing 757
*Delta Air Lines - Boeing 757/767
*PIA - Boeing 777, Airbus A310
*US Airways - Airbus A330
*Monarch Airlines - Airbus A300/320/321/330, Boeing 767
*First Choice Airways - Boeing 757/767
*Flybe - Dash 8-400, Embraer 145/195
*Jet2.com - Boeing 737/757
*Thomsonfly - Boeing 737/767
*Air France - Airbus A318/319/320, Embraer 195, Fokker 100
*KLM - Boeing 737, Embraer 190
*Lufthansa - Boeing 737, Airbus A319/320/321, CRJ-100/200/700/900
*BMI & bmibaby - Boeing 737, Airbus A319/320/321, Embraer 135/145
*Finnair - Airbus A319/320, Embraer 170/190
*Turkish Airlines - Airbus A320/321, Boeing 737
*CSA Czech Airlines - Boeing 737
*Ryanair - Boeing 737-800
*Aer Lingus - Airbus A320
*Virgin Atlantic Airways - Boeing 747-400, Airbus A340-300
plus many more, for a full list (and of which Terminal) click on this link: http://www.manchesterairport.co.uk.

===Cargo Airlines===

*Cathay Pacific Cargo - Boeing 747-400
*Great Wall Airlines - Boeing 747-400
*Air China Cargo - Boeing 747-400

Plus you never know what will turn up, the A380 has done a missed approach at Manchester, the Antonov An-225 and a few An-124s have been to Manchester, there are always a few surprises!

==Facilities and Transportation==

===Public Transport===

The Railway Station is situated at the Airport between Terminals 1 & 2.
Services from most of the UK mainline stations.
The Bus & Coach Station is adjacent to railway station. Also served by National Express.
Bus service number 200 serves the viewing park from the airport bus station every Saturday and Sunday at 15 minutes past the hour from the bus station and 25 minutes past the hour from the viewing park at a cost of approx £1.50p adult return.

==Travel tips==
If traveling by car and you do not wish to pay for the airport car parks, you could always park your car at Heald Green Railway Station and catch the train to the airport for a cheap day return costing £1.10 or a single will cost £1.00 each way, fares may vary due to the general increase in fares.

http://www.spotterswiki.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=29#p29

==External links==

*[http://www.forums4airports.com/forum6.html Manchester Airport Forum for discussions on all aspects of the airport from route development to infrastructure improvements to the airport. All the latest news for spotters and aviation professionals alike.

*[http://www.plane-spotter.com/Airports/UK/MAN/SpotterGuide_MAN.pdf One page spotter guide for print out] - contains radio frequencies, airport map and a brief description of the spotting spots at MAN.

*[http://www.ringwayreports.co.uk/ringway.htm Manchester airport aircraft movements website] - contains every movement of every plane at Manchester since 2003. You can submit your photos or view others from the day as well as view timetables of expected aircraft in a large database.

*[http://www.manchesterairport.co.uk/manweb.nsf/alldocs/B6F0247D7CBCF65F80257393003585FD/$File/Runway+Data+Sheet+2007-+v+FINAL.pdf The official Manchester Airport Runway data sheet] featuring all the relevant information regarding the runway operations.