Belfast International Airport: Difference between revisions

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On approach to runway 25 there are a few places where photos are possible. 25 is the most commonly used runway.  
On approach to runway 25 there are a few places where photos are possible. 25 is the most commonly used runway.  


Upon exiting the airport, follow the main road towards Belfast which runs parallel to runway 25. You will come to a lay-by on the left hand side after about 1/3 mile. This is level with the end of runway 25 and you can see the threshold. Unfortunately you are also looking south so the sun can be a problem. There is a disused road here which used to be the main road to the airport from the south of the province, but during Northern Ireland's "darker" times it was closed for security reasons. People can be seen walking here so there is no real problem going through the barrier (However be careful about leaving your car unattended).  
Upon exiting the airport, follow the main road towards Belfast which runs parallel to runway 25. You will come to a lay-by on the left hand side after about 1/3 mile. This is level with the end of runway 25 and you can see the threshold. You can stop here for a few minutes although there are double yellows along the edge of the lay-by. Unfortunately you are also looking south so the sun can be a problem. There is a disused road here which used to be the main road to the airport from the south of the province, but during Northern Ireland's "darker" times it was closed for security reasons. People can be seen walking here so there is no real problem going through the barrier (However be careful about leaving your car unattended).  


If you continue another 1/4 mile on along the road towards Belfast you will pass a bar/guesthouse up off the road on the right side. Shortly after this there is a small road to the right which runs between the landing lights. There is a no-stopping zone directly under the approach but if you drive towards the church at the far end (Killead Church), you can pull in and take reasonably good air-shots on finals at the gate opposite the church hall. If the sun is out, especially in winter, this can produce some nice shots with a 300mm lens.  
If you continue a short distance along the road towards Belfast you will pass Ballyrobin Country House on the right side. 100yards after this there is a road to the right called Drennan's Road that runs between the landing lights. There is a no-stopping zone directly under the approach but if you drive towards the church at the far end (Killead Church), you can pull in and take reasonably good air-shots on finals at the gate opposite the church hall. If the sun is out, especially in winter, this can produce some nice shots with a 300mm lens.  


If you turn left at the church (away from the airport), after another 300yards you will see the main road from Nutts Corner to Antrim. Just before this there is a road on the left leading up to some houses and a furniture business. It's a public road and you may pull in here. The council have even provided litter bins! You get decent views of aircraft on short finals although photos aren't great as you are a bit "underneath". You used to be able to see the threshold of 25 about 1/2 mile away but the hedge has grown up too high now.  
If you turn left at the church (away from the airport), after another 300yards you will see the main road (A26) from Nutts Corner to Antrim. Just before this there is a road on the left leading up to some houses and a furniture business ("Creative Furnishings"). It's a public road and you may pull in here. The council have even provided litter bins! You get decent views of aircraft on short finals although photos aren't great as you are a bit "underneath". You used to be able to see the threshold of 25 about 1/2 mile away but the hedge has grown up too high now.  


There are other spots along the main road to Templepatrick/Belfast, but obviously the further away you go from the airport, the higher the aircraft are.  
There are other spots along the main road to Templepatrick/Belfast, but obviously the further away you go from the airport, the higher the aircraft are.  


If you want to see the freight apron, turn left out of the front door of the airport and walk towards the holiday (long-stay) car park. Once at the car-park entrance turn left and walk down to the airfield gate past the car hire outlets. You can take the car here as well but only for a brief stop as there is no parking. There are views of the aircraft on the freight ramp but no chance of photos due to the double set of chain-link fencing. You may also want to walk into the long-stay car park to get a different view onto the freight ramp.  
If you want to see the freight apron, turn left out of the front door of the airport and walk pastthe Park Plaza Hotel towards the long-stay car park. Once at the car-park entrance turn left and walk down to the airfield gate past the car hire outlets. You can take the car here as well but only for a brief stop as there is no parking. There are views of the aircraft on the freight ramp but no chance of photos due to the double set of chain-link fencing. You may also want to walk into the long-stay car park to get a different view onto the freight ramp.
 


==Locations to Avoid==
==Locations to Avoid==
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