SpottersWiki - User contributions [en]

Washington Dulles International Airport

2013-11-02T14:37:32Z

Planespottinghotels:

{{categorybox|North America|United States|Virginia}}

{{infobox|fullname=Washington Dulles International Airport|
location=Dulles, Virginia|
iata=IAD|
icao=KIAD|
aptype=Commercial|
website=http://www.metwashairports.com/Dulles/|
mapurl=http://maps.google.com/maps?q=IAD&ll=38.949530,-77.447090&spn=0.056755,0.125081&t=h&hl=en|
mapsource=Google Maps|
atctower=120.1 (1R-19L), 128.425 (1L-19R, 12-30)|
atcground=121.9 (East), 132.45 (West)|
atcclearance=135.7|
atcapproach=126.1, 124.65 |
atcdeparture=125.05|
atcatis=134.85|
atcunicom=122.95|
Hotels for spotting=http://www.plane-spotting-hotels.com/index.php/plane-spotting-washington-dulles/}}

Dulles International is one of three major airports serving the Washington D.C. area (the other two being [[Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA/KDCA)]] and [[Baltimore/Washington International Airport (BWI/KBWI)]]). It is by far the largest of the three, and serves as the main international gateway for the U.S. capital city. The airport serves as an international hub for United, and, until the airline went out of business, also served as the hub for ill-fated Independence Air. The airfield has four main runways: 1L/19R, 1C/19C, 1R/19L, and 12/30.

==Official Spotting Locations==

Unfortunately, the old observation deck at the base of the original control tower has been closed and covered up, due to Main Terminal renovations. It is still visible in the Google Earth photo.

The best on-site "official" spotting is provided by the Smithsonian's Udvar-Hazy Center, explained below.

===Udvar-Hazy Center Observation Tower===
The observation and viewing tower at the National Air and Space Museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center provides fairly decent views of aircraft approaching the 1's, and departing the 19's, as the tower sits between the approach paths of the 1's.
This place is good ONLY to view airplanes on approach.

While good for viewing, you can get much better shots of arriving airplanes from the parking lot in front of the museum.

==Other Spotting Locations==

===Purple Economy Lot===
The Purple Economy Lot offers a great vantage point directly under the approach/departure path, less than a half-mile away from the threshold of runway 19L. Parking there is $3/hr, and no more than $9/day, so if you stay more than three hours, you're almost getting free spotting. The lot tends to be sparse, so you may stick out. As long as you have an ID and are causing no trouble, you should be fine. After all, they're making money from you.

===Central Airport===
The Daily Garages offer a better vantage point for all three runways. Daily Garage I offers a spectacular view of the Main Terminal and Signature Flight Support. If you have a decent lens, you should be able to get decent shots, but this point is more for overviews because of the distance. Daily Garage II offers a great view of the south cargo ramp, which houses DHL and UPS. Further north is Fed-Ex. Occasionally, Piedmont-Hawthorne will put larger customers down here, such as the UAE's B747SP. You will need a decent lens to get good pictures of the north cargo ramp.

Both garages are $5/hr with a max of $15/day. Again, make sure you have an ID in case you are questioned. They may ask you to leave here, though, because these lots tend to be more popular.

===Udvar-Hazy Center Parking Lot===
The parking lot for the Udvar-Hazy Center is considered by many to be better than the observation tower itself, especially for 1R landings. From the entrance to the parking lot, proceed past the museum and park at the far end of the lot. Other spots may have more trees to contend with. Parking is $15/day; museum admission itself is free. Restrooms and food are available in the museum.

===Westfield High School===
The school is a good distance away (3.75mi from the threshold of runway 1L and 3mi from the threshold of runway 1R), but offers a decent spot for approaches to runways 1L and 1R. As long as school is not in session, security tends to be lax or non-existent. The student lot is often used by parents to teach their children to drive, along with other activities, so your presence will go largely unnoticed.

The school is off of Route 50 on Stonecroft Blvd.

==Locations to Avoid==
Avoid Signature Flight Support and Landmark Aviation. Both are very strict about security and do not like anyone except customers. This includes parking or even standing in their lots.

==Regular Traffic==
IAD gets some great rare (for the USA) airlines, such as Ethiopian. The airport is also visited occasionally by the German Luftwaffe, RAF and other foreign dignitaries.

===Domestic Traffic and Aircraft===

*'''Air Canada Jazz''': Air Canada Jazz operates CRJ-100s and 200s.
*'''Air Tran''': Operates 717s and 737-700s
*'''American Airlines''': American has a large number of daily flights from its hubs. Several aircraft are used, including the 737-800s, 757-200s, and MD-80s.
**'''American Eagle''': American Eagle operates many flights using the ERJ-135/140/145.
**'''American Connection''': Operated by Trans States and Chautauqua using ERJ-145s.
*'''Continental Airlines''': One daily B737-300 or 737-500
**'''Continental Express''': Operates ERJ-135/145/145XRs.
**'''Continental Connection''': Operated by CommutAir using Dash 8-200s.
*'''Delta Air Lines''': Delta is using MD-88s, 737-800s, 757-200s.
**'''Delta Connection''': CRJ-100/200s and sometimes CRJ-700 or 900s
*'''JetBlue Airways''': JetBlue operates both A320s and Embraer 190s.
*'''Northwest Airlines''': Northwest operates A319/A320s.
*'''Northwest Airlink''': CRJ-200s.
*'''Southwest Airlines''': Southwest is using 737-300/700.
*'''Sun Country Airlines''': Sun Country operates one daily 737-800.
*'''United Airlines''': United has a hub at Dulles and operates many flights daily using several aircraft. This includes the 757-200, 767-300, 777-200, A319, and A320, in both new and old liveries.
**'''United Express''': CRJ-200, CRJ-700, Saab 340, ERJ-145, EMB-170.
**'''Ted''': Operates the A320, with 40 flights daily.
*'''US Airways''': A319, A320, B737-300/400.
**'''US Airways Express''': CRJ200, CRJ-700, CRJ-900.
*'''Virgin America''': A320

===International Traffic and Aircraft===
*'''Aeroflot''': Operates a 767-300.
*'''Air France''': A330-200s, and 777-200/300/300ERs.
*'''ANA''': Operates a 777-300ER.
*'''Austrian Airways''': Operates a B767-300ER.
*'''British Airways''': 777-200s, 747-400s, and occasionally 767-300s.
*'''Ethiopian''': Operates a 767-300.
*'''Iberia''': A340-300, and occasionally A340-600s.
*'''KLM''': Daily flight from Amsterdam using A330-200s.
*'''Korean Air''': Operates 777-200ER.
*'''Lufthansa''': A330-300s, A340-300s and B747-400s.
*'''Qatar Airways''': B777-300ER
*'''Saudi Arabian Airlines''': Operates a 777-200.
*'''South African Airlines''': A340-600
*'''SAS''': Daily flight from Copenhagen using an A330-300.
*'''TACA''': Operates an A319, A320, A321.
*'''Virgin Atlantic Airways''': Operates an A340-300 or A340-600

===Cargo Traffic and Aircraft===
*'''Airborne Express (now DHL)''': 767-200.
*'''FedEx''': Operates the 727-200, A300, A310, DC-10.
*'''UPS''': DC-8, B757, A300.
*'''Volga-Dnepr''': AN-124

===Military Traffic and Aircraft===
*'''Lufwaffe''': Daily C-160, A310.
*'''RAF''': C-130, VC-10.

==Facilities and Transportation==

==External Links==
*[http://www.plane-spotting-hotels.com/index.php/plane-spotting-washington-dulles/] - Plane Spotting Hotels-Hotels with views of the airport at Washington Dulles and Airports worldwide.
*[http://www.washbaltspotters.net/ WashBaltSpotters.net] - Washington Baltimore Spotters Group - containing information about the area airports, spotting guides, traffic, news and photos
*[http://www.flyiad.net/ FlyIAD.net] - Spotters Guide to Washington DC Area Arports
*[http://www.dctower.net/ DCTower.net] - Flight info, weather, photos, forums, and much more for DCA & IAD

Washington Dulles International Airport

2013-11-02T14:34:08Z

Planespottinghotels: /* External Links */

{{categorybox|North America|United States|Virginia}}

{{infobox|fullname=Washington Dulles International Airport|
location=Dulles, Virginia|
iata=IAD|
icao=KIAD|
aptype=Commercial|
website=http://www.metwashairports.com/Dulles/|
mapurl=http://maps.google.com/maps?q=IAD&ll=38.949530,-77.447090&spn=0.056755,0.125081&t=h&hl=en|
mapsource=Google Maps|
atctower=120.1 (1R-19L), 128.425 (1L-19R, 12-30)|
atcground=121.9 (East), 132.45 (West)|
atcclearance=135.7|
atcapproach=126.1, 124.65 |
atcdeparture=125.05|
atcatis=134.85|
atcunicom=122.95}}

Dulles International is one of three major airports serving the Washington D.C. area (the other two being [[Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA/KDCA)]] and [[Baltimore/Washington International Airport (BWI/KBWI)]]). It is by far the largest of the three, and serves as the main international gateway for the U.S. capital city. The airport serves as an international hub for United, and, until the airline went out of business, also served as the hub for ill-fated Independence Air. The airfield has four main runways: 1L/19R, 1C/19C, 1R/19L, and 12/30.

==Official Spotting Locations==

Unfortunately, the old observation deck at the base of the original control tower has been closed and covered up, due to Main Terminal renovations. It is still visible in the Google Earth photo.

The best on-site "official" spotting is provided by the Smithsonian's Udvar-Hazy Center, explained below.

===Udvar-Hazy Center Observation Tower===
The observation and viewing tower at the National Air and Space Museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center provides fairly decent views of aircraft approaching the 1's, and departing the 19's, as the tower sits between the approach paths of the 1's.
This place is good ONLY to view airplanes on approach.

While good for viewing, you can get much better shots of arriving airplanes from the parking lot in front of the museum.

==Other Spotting Locations==

===Purple Economy Lot===
The Purple Economy Lot offers a great vantage point directly under the approach/departure path, less than a half-mile away from the threshold of runway 19L. Parking there is $3/hr, and no more than $9/day, so if you stay more than three hours, you're almost getting free spotting. The lot tends to be sparse, so you may stick out. As long as you have an ID and are causing no trouble, you should be fine. After all, they're making money from you.

===Central Airport===
The Daily Garages offer a better vantage point for all three runways. Daily Garage I offers a spectacular view of the Main Terminal and Signature Flight Support. If you have a decent lens, you should be able to get decent shots, but this point is more for overviews because of the distance. Daily Garage II offers a great view of the south cargo ramp, which houses DHL and UPS. Further north is Fed-Ex. Occasionally, Piedmont-Hawthorne will put larger customers down here, such as the UAE's B747SP. You will need a decent lens to get good pictures of the north cargo ramp.

Both garages are $5/hr with a max of $15/day. Again, make sure you have an ID in case you are questioned. They may ask you to leave here, though, because these lots tend to be more popular.

===Udvar-Hazy Center Parking Lot===
The parking lot for the Udvar-Hazy Center is considered by many to be better than the observation tower itself, especially for 1R landings. From the entrance to the parking lot, proceed past the museum and park at the far end of the lot. Other spots may have more trees to contend with. Parking is $15/day; museum admission itself is free. Restrooms and food are available in the museum.

===Westfield High School===
The school is a good distance away (3.75mi from the threshold of runway 1L and 3mi from the threshold of runway 1R), but offers a decent spot for approaches to runways 1L and 1R. As long as school is not in session, security tends to be lax or non-existent. The student lot is often used by parents to teach their children to drive, along with other activities, so your presence will go largely unnoticed.

The school is off of Route 50 on Stonecroft Blvd.

==Locations to Avoid==
Avoid Signature Flight Support and Landmark Aviation. Both are very strict about security and do not like anyone except customers. This includes parking or even standing in their lots.

==Regular Traffic==
IAD gets some great rare (for the USA) airlines, such as Ethiopian. The airport is also visited occasionally by the German Luftwaffe, RAF and other foreign dignitaries.

===Domestic Traffic and Aircraft===

*'''Air Canada Jazz''': Air Canada Jazz operates CRJ-100s and 200s.
*'''Air Tran''': Operates 717s and 737-700s
*'''American Airlines''': American has a large number of daily flights from its hubs. Several aircraft are used, including the 737-800s, 757-200s, and MD-80s.
**'''American Eagle''': American Eagle operates many flights using the ERJ-135/140/145.
**'''American Connection''': Operated by Trans States and Chautauqua using ERJ-145s.
*'''Continental Airlines''': One daily B737-300 or 737-500
**'''Continental Express''': Operates ERJ-135/145/145XRs.
**'''Continental Connection''': Operated by CommutAir using Dash 8-200s.
*'''Delta Air Lines''': Delta is using MD-88s, 737-800s, 757-200s.
**'''Delta Connection''': CRJ-100/200s and sometimes CRJ-700 or 900s
*'''JetBlue Airways''': JetBlue operates both A320s and Embraer 190s.
*'''Northwest Airlines''': Northwest operates A319/A320s.
*'''Northwest Airlink''': CRJ-200s.
*'''Southwest Airlines''': Southwest is using 737-300/700.
*'''Sun Country Airlines''': Sun Country operates one daily 737-800.
*'''United Airlines''': United has a hub at Dulles and operates many flights daily using several aircraft. This includes the 757-200, 767-300, 777-200, A319, and A320, in both new and old liveries.
**'''United Express''': CRJ-200, CRJ-700, Saab 340, ERJ-145, EMB-170.
**'''Ted''': Operates the A320, with 40 flights daily.
*'''US Airways''': A319, A320, B737-300/400.
**'''US Airways Express''': CRJ200, CRJ-700, CRJ-900.
*'''Virgin America''': A320

===International Traffic and Aircraft===
*'''Aeroflot''': Operates a 767-300.
*'''Air France''': A330-200s, and 777-200/300/300ERs.
*'''ANA''': Operates a 777-300ER.
*'''Austrian Airways''': Operates a B767-300ER.
*'''British Airways''': 777-200s, 747-400s, and occasionally 767-300s.
*'''Ethiopian''': Operates a 767-300.
*'''Iberia''': A340-300, and occasionally A340-600s.
*'''KLM''': Daily flight from Amsterdam using A330-200s.
*'''Korean Air''': Operates 777-200ER.
*'''Lufthansa''': A330-300s, A340-300s and B747-400s.
*'''Qatar Airways''': B777-300ER
*'''Saudi Arabian Airlines''': Operates a 777-200.
*'''South African Airlines''': A340-600
*'''SAS''': Daily flight from Copenhagen using an A330-300.
*'''TACA''': Operates an A319, A320, A321.
*'''Virgin Atlantic Airways''': Operates an A340-300 or A340-600

===Cargo Traffic and Aircraft===
*'''Airborne Express (now DHL)''': 767-200.
*'''FedEx''': Operates the 727-200, A300, A310, DC-10.
*'''UPS''': DC-8, B757, A300.
*'''Volga-Dnepr''': AN-124

===Military Traffic and Aircraft===
*'''Lufwaffe''': Daily C-160, A310.
*'''RAF''': C-130, VC-10.

==Facilities and Transportation==

==External Links==
*[http://www.plane-spotting-hotels.com/index.php/plane-spotting-washington-dulles/] - Plane Spotting Hotels-Hotels with views of the airport at Washington Dulles and Airports worldwide.
*[http://www.washbaltspotters.net/ WashBaltSpotters.net] - Washington Baltimore Spotters Group - containing information about the area airports, spotting guides, traffic, news and photos
*[http://www.flyiad.net/ FlyIAD.net] - Spotters Guide to Washington DC Area Arports
*[http://www.dctower.net/ DCTower.net] - Flight info, weather, photos, forums, and much more for DCA & IAD

Washington Dulles International Airport

2013-11-02T14:31:08Z

Planespottinghotels: /* External Links */

{{categorybox|North America|United States|Virginia}}

{{infobox|fullname=Washington Dulles International Airport|
location=Dulles, Virginia|
iata=IAD|
icao=KIAD|
aptype=Commercial|
website=http://www.metwashairports.com/Dulles/|
mapurl=http://maps.google.com/maps?q=IAD&ll=38.949530,-77.447090&spn=0.056755,0.125081&t=h&hl=en|
mapsource=Google Maps|
atctower=120.1 (1R-19L), 128.425 (1L-19R, 12-30)|
atcground=121.9 (East), 132.45 (West)|
atcclearance=135.7|
atcapproach=126.1, 124.65 |
atcdeparture=125.05|
atcatis=134.85|
atcunicom=122.95}}

Dulles International is one of three major airports serving the Washington D.C. area (the other two being [[Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA/KDCA)]] and [[Baltimore/Washington International Airport (BWI/KBWI)]]). It is by far the largest of the three, and serves as the main international gateway for the U.S. capital city. The airport serves as an international hub for United, and, until the airline went out of business, also served as the hub for ill-fated Independence Air. The airfield has four main runways: 1L/19R, 1C/19C, 1R/19L, and 12/30.

==Official Spotting Locations==

Unfortunately, the old observation deck at the base of the original control tower has been closed and covered up, due to Main Terminal renovations. It is still visible in the Google Earth photo.

The best on-site "official" spotting is provided by the Smithsonian's Udvar-Hazy Center, explained below.

===Udvar-Hazy Center Observation Tower===
The observation and viewing tower at the National Air and Space Museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center provides fairly decent views of aircraft approaching the 1's, and departing the 19's, as the tower sits between the approach paths of the 1's.
This place is good ONLY to view airplanes on approach.

While good for viewing, you can get much better shots of arriving airplanes from the parking lot in front of the museum.

==Other Spotting Locations==

===Purple Economy Lot===
The Purple Economy Lot offers a great vantage point directly under the approach/departure path, less than a half-mile away from the threshold of runway 19L. Parking there is $3/hr, and no more than $9/day, so if you stay more than three hours, you're almost getting free spotting. The lot tends to be sparse, so you may stick out. As long as you have an ID and are causing no trouble, you should be fine. After all, they're making money from you.

===Central Airport===
The Daily Garages offer a better vantage point for all three runways. Daily Garage I offers a spectacular view of the Main Terminal and Signature Flight Support. If you have a decent lens, you should be able to get decent shots, but this point is more for overviews because of the distance. Daily Garage II offers a great view of the south cargo ramp, which houses DHL and UPS. Further north is Fed-Ex. Occasionally, Piedmont-Hawthorne will put larger customers down here, such as the UAE's B747SP. You will need a decent lens to get good pictures of the north cargo ramp.

Both garages are $5/hr with a max of $15/day. Again, make sure you have an ID in case you are questioned. They may ask you to leave here, though, because these lots tend to be more popular.

===Udvar-Hazy Center Parking Lot===
The parking lot for the Udvar-Hazy Center is considered by many to be better than the observation tower itself, especially for 1R landings. From the entrance to the parking lot, proceed past the museum and park at the far end of the lot. Other spots may have more trees to contend with. Parking is $15/day; museum admission itself is free. Restrooms and food are available in the museum.

===Westfield High School===
The school is a good distance away (3.75mi from the threshold of runway 1L and 3mi from the threshold of runway 1R), but offers a decent spot for approaches to runways 1L and 1R. As long as school is not in session, security tends to be lax or non-existent. The student lot is often used by parents to teach their children to drive, along with other activities, so your presence will go largely unnoticed.

The school is off of Route 50 on Stonecroft Blvd.

==Locations to Avoid==
Avoid Signature Flight Support and Landmark Aviation. Both are very strict about security and do not like anyone except customers. This includes parking or even standing in their lots.

==Regular Traffic==
IAD gets some great rare (for the USA) airlines, such as Ethiopian. The airport is also visited occasionally by the German Luftwaffe, RAF and other foreign dignitaries.

===Domestic Traffic and Aircraft===

*'''Air Canada Jazz''': Air Canada Jazz operates CRJ-100s and 200s.
*'''Air Tran''': Operates 717s and 737-700s
*'''American Airlines''': American has a large number of daily flights from its hubs. Several aircraft are used, including the 737-800s, 757-200s, and MD-80s.
**'''American Eagle''': American Eagle operates many flights using the ERJ-135/140/145.
**'''American Connection''': Operated by Trans States and Chautauqua using ERJ-145s.
*'''Continental Airlines''': One daily B737-300 or 737-500
**'''Continental Express''': Operates ERJ-135/145/145XRs.
**'''Continental Connection''': Operated by CommutAir using Dash 8-200s.
*'''Delta Air Lines''': Delta is using MD-88s, 737-800s, 757-200s.
**'''Delta Connection''': CRJ-100/200s and sometimes CRJ-700 or 900s
*'''JetBlue Airways''': JetBlue operates both A320s and Embraer 190s.
*'''Northwest Airlines''': Northwest operates A319/A320s.
*'''Northwest Airlink''': CRJ-200s.
*'''Southwest Airlines''': Southwest is using 737-300/700.
*'''Sun Country Airlines''': Sun Country operates one daily 737-800.
*'''United Airlines''': United has a hub at Dulles and operates many flights daily using several aircraft. This includes the 757-200, 767-300, 777-200, A319, and A320, in both new and old liveries.
**'''United Express''': CRJ-200, CRJ-700, Saab 340, ERJ-145, EMB-170.
**'''Ted''': Operates the A320, with 40 flights daily.
*'''US Airways''': A319, A320, B737-300/400.
**'''US Airways Express''': CRJ200, CRJ-700, CRJ-900.
*'''Virgin America''': A320

===International Traffic and Aircraft===
*'''Aeroflot''': Operates a 767-300.
*'''Air France''': A330-200s, and 777-200/300/300ERs.
*'''ANA''': Operates a 777-300ER.
*'''Austrian Airways''': Operates a B767-300ER.
*'''British Airways''': 777-200s, 747-400s, and occasionally 767-300s.
*'''Ethiopian''': Operates a 767-300.
*'''Iberia''': A340-300, and occasionally A340-600s.
*'''KLM''': Daily flight from Amsterdam using A330-200s.
*'''Korean Air''': Operates 777-200ER.
*'''Lufthansa''': A330-300s, A340-300s and B747-400s.
*'''Qatar Airways''': B777-300ER
*'''Saudi Arabian Airlines''': Operates a 777-200.
*'''South African Airlines''': A340-600
*'''SAS''': Daily flight from Copenhagen using an A330-300.
*'''TACA''': Operates an A319, A320, A321.
*'''Virgin Atlantic Airways''': Operates an A340-300 or A340-600

===Cargo Traffic and Aircraft===
*'''Airborne Express (now DHL)''': 767-200.
*'''FedEx''': Operates the 727-200, A300, A310, DC-10.
*'''UPS''': DC-8, B757, A300.
*'''Volga-Dnepr''': AN-124

===Military Traffic and Aircraft===
*'''Lufwaffe''': Daily C-160, A310.
*'''RAF''': C-130, VC-10.

==Facilities and Transportation==

==External Links==
*[http://www.plane-spotting-hotels.com/index.php/plane-spotting-washington-dulles/] -Plane Spotting Hotels-Hotels with views of the airport at Washington Dulles and Airports worldwide.
*[http://www.washbaltspotters.net/ WashBaltSpotters.net] - Washington Baltimore Spotters Group - containing information about the area airports, spotting guides, traffic, news and photos
*[http://www.flyiad.net/ FlyIAD.net] - Spotters Guide to Washington DC Area Arports
*[http://www.dctower.net/ DCTower.net] - Flight info, weather, photos, forums, and much more for DCA & IAD

London Heathrow Airport

2013-10-22T18:07:03Z

Planespottinghotels: Plane Spotting Hotels link added to external links

[[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.

<display_points type="satellite" zoom="16">
51.480608, -0.443187|Heathrow Academy
</display_points>

==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.
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Or shots of landing a/c onto 27L also.
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Almost as good a spot is across the dual carriageway, which is perfectly fine, where landing a/c can be shot over the fence.
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===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.
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===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.
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===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.
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===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.
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Aircraft being tugged across the road are also easily shot here too.
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''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. <br />

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===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.

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===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.

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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.

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===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.

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===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.

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==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.

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===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.

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==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
*[http://www.plane-spotting-hotels.com/index.php/plane-spotting-heathrow/ Plane Spotting Hotels] Hotels with views of Heathrow including room numbers, photos and videos of the views available.