[martyn29]

I went to Manchester Airport viewing gallery and really enjoyed myself, and was wondering if anyone else knows of good places to take photographs. I know that Heathrow used to have a viewing gallery but now they dont. any other airports have them?

[Bighat]

Originally Posted by martyn29

I went to Manchester Airport viewing gallery and really enjoyed myself, and was wondering if anyone else knows of good places to take photographs. I know that Heathrow used to have a viewing gallery but now they dont. any other airports have them?

The 'viewing area' at any major airport is usually the LAST place to get good photographs of aircraft.

Depending on the kind of shot you prefer, best to get OUTSIDE the airport perimeter, somewhere near the 'approach' or 'departure' of the runway(s) in use.

At LHR, most approaches come in from the east, over central London. To ease the burden on local people under the flight path, this chages during the day, usually at 15.00

So, when they are landing on runway 27L (over Hatton Cross LU station), walk down from the station alongside the Great South West Road (A30) towards the turnoff for terminal 4.

You will see a side turning (blocked off from the A30) itself where photographers tend to congregate. This is a good spot for approach landing shots.

When they are taking off from 27L, because of the fence, youu will need a pair of small steps (and a telephoto lens) to get them lining up inside the airport for departure.

Similar spots exist for landing/departure on runway 27R, and of course when landing from the west over Windsor, for approaches on 09L (very few approaches are made to 09R).

A large scale map of the area will help you select the best vantage point.

[Old Timer]

Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) is a very photographer/spotter friendly airport.

You can get there very cheaply, in fact cheaper than London !

Here is a link to the Plaza, which is the best place in the airport.

Taking Photographs at Schiphol Airport

You can also combine it with a trip to Amsterdam CS to photograph freight when it moves. I have some freight timetables for there if you ever want a copy.

Just outside and across from the station entrance is a lovely little bar/restaurant which has a terrace on the river front.

Just mind out for the trams !

[Aussie_Rail]

Definately recommend taking photos at the approach or when they take off. A friend of mine took me to a special viewing are at one of the approaches to Melbourne Airport a couple of months back. Its amazing to see how popular it is, they even had two ice cream vans there.

[Moodster020]

Were i work, i see them all the time. It's at the end of the doncaster airport runway. Keep seeing military aircraft & cargo planes about, one of those radome planes & also what looked like a pair of WW2 Hurricanes flying in formation hedge-hopping passed by the other week.

[martyn29]

brilliant thanks for all the advice! I am going to go to Myrtle ave for heathrow!

[Ferret]

Myrtle Avenue is excellent for 27L landings, and then you have the spot down by the BA hangars for 27R landings. Unashamed plug of some fots from Friday - http://www.ferret.fotopic.net/c1751422.html

The morning was spent near the BA hangars for 27R arrivals, and then when they switched to 27L at 15:00, I headed to Myrtle Avenue so the latter shots (G-VNAP onwards) are from there.

[Stacey]

Originally Posted by Ferret

Myrtle Avenue is excellent for 27L landings, and then you have the spot down by the BA hangars for 27R landings. Unashamed plug of some fots from Friday - http://www.ferret.fotopic.net/c1751422.html

The morning was spent near the BA hangars for 27R arrivals, and then when they switched to 27L at 15:00, I headed to Myrtle Avenue so the latter shots (G-VNAP onwards) are from there.

Very nice piccys there Ferret

- I've only graphed Southampton really - hmm... not the most exciting but got a few bits and pieces, usually from the bridge over Eastleigh Station...
My favourite shot being: http://staceys-fots.fotopic.net/p58489656.html (oh and http://staceys-fots.fotopic.net/p58489715.html) !!
but, I wouldn't mind getting somewhere else as well, been to BHX but not got any decent pics and I suffer a lot from burning out the sky so hoping to correct that sometime. I'm very 'green' when it comes to plane photography, much better with land transport!!!

[martyn29]

Originally Posted by Ferret

Myrtle Avenue is excellent for 27L landings, and then you have the spot down by the BA hangars for 27R landings. Unashamed plug of some fots from Friday - http://www.ferret.fotopic.net/c1751422.html

The morning was spent near the BA hangars for 27R arrivals, and then when they switched to 27L at 15:00, I headed to Myrtle Avenue so the latter shots (G-VNAP onwards) are from there.

where is the spot near the BA hangars is it far from Myrtle ave?
Great photos

[Ferret]

Well, you wouldn't walk it! However, if you get the 285 bus towards Heathrow Central from Hatton Cross tube station (5 mins walk from Myrtle Ave) that'll take you to a stop next to the 27R threshold and from there you can walk back. The bus is free for journeys around the Heathrow perimeter too

[martyn29]

Originally Posted by Ferret

Well, you wouldn't walk it! However, if you get the 285 bus towards Heathrow Central from Hatton Cross tube station (5 mins walk from Myrtle Ave) that'll take you to a stop next to the 27R threshold and from there you can walk back. The bus is free for journeys around the Heathrow perimeter too

sounds good to me, hoping the weather is going to be kind on thursday 17th!

Thanks for that!