Airports and Plane Spotting
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Every airport around the world offeres a different experience for the plane spotter. Some have official spotting facilities, others a few convenient unofficial spots, and others still agressively discourage people from spotting or photographing aircraft.
This lens is a list of resources and information for the aircraft spotter and photographer to get the best out of their hobby.
This lens is a list of resources and information for the aircraft spotter and photographer to get the best out of their hobby.
Spotting Hindrances
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Airport Spotting Blog
As an outlet of news and guides for people who like to spot and photograph aircraft at airports around the world, I run the Airport Spotting Blog at www.airportspotting.com
There are new stories almost daily, so it'll be worth your while making repeat visits.
There are new stories almost daily, so it'll be worth your while making repeat visits.
Recommended Airport Spotting Books
The latest books for spotters and photographers
Spotting Guide - Manchester
The best places to spot aircraft at Manchester Airport
Manchester is one of the UK's busiest airports, and is one of the most spotter-friendly, with a dedicated viewing area.
The Aviation Viewing Park (AVP) has purpose-built mounds overlooking the runways and taxiways. It also has preserved aircraft, including Concorde, HS Trident, DC-10 and BAe RJX.
The top of the Terminal 1 Multi Storey Car Park is another favourite spot. It has views across most of the apron areas and across to the runways.
To the south of the main runway there are also various spots which are excellent for photography.
The Aviation Viewing Park (AVP) has purpose-built mounds overlooking the runways and taxiways. It also has preserved aircraft, including Concorde, HS Trident, DC-10 and BAe RJX.
The top of the Terminal 1 Multi Storey Car Park is another favourite spot. It has views across most of the apron areas and across to the runways.
To the south of the main runway there are also various spots which are excellent for photography.
Recommended Spotting Book
Recently released by Matt Falcus is this new book entitled Airport Spotting Guides Europe.It is a fantastic, handy reference if you're planning on spending time at Europe's best airports for spotting.
The book has a map, spotting locations, facts & figures, hotel recommendations, lists of operators, frequencies etc. and details of any stored, preserved or wrecked aircraft at each airport.
The book is available on Amazon. To buy a copy, click:
HERE for those in the UK
HERE for those in the US
HERE for those in Canada
Best Airports for Spotting
Some of the better airports for spotting, based on their facilities, include:
Manchester Airport, UK
A dedicated Aviation Viewing Park keeps spotters happy!
Frankfurt, Germany
One of the best mixes and quantities of aircraft at any airport in Europe. The dedicated terrace on T2 isn't as good as the old one on T1, but it's still good.
Zurich, Switzerland
There are changes going on with the official terraces, but this is one spotter friendly airport!
Dubai, UAE
Although there are no spotting facilities at the airport, the nearby Sheraton Deira Hotel is a prime location for spotters as it sits under the approach path with a rooftop pool area!
Las Vegas McCarran, NV
Las Vegas is one of the USA's busiest airports, and has various spots around the perimeter to watch the action. Be careful in the desert sun!
St. Maarten, Caribbean
Widebody aircraft come in so low over the beach here that people have to duck! Where else can you enjoy plane spotting on the beach with a cocktail?
Manchester Airport, UK
A dedicated Aviation Viewing Park keeps spotters happy!
Frankfurt, Germany
One of the best mixes and quantities of aircraft at any airport in Europe. The dedicated terrace on T2 isn't as good as the old one on T1, but it's still good.
Zurich, Switzerland
There are changes going on with the official terraces, but this is one spotter friendly airport!
Dubai, UAE
Although there are no spotting facilities at the airport, the nearby Sheraton Deira Hotel is a prime location for spotters as it sits under the approach path with a rooftop pool area!
Las Vegas McCarran, NV
Las Vegas is one of the USA's busiest airports, and has various spots around the perimeter to watch the action. Be careful in the desert sun!
St. Maarten, Caribbean
Widebody aircraft come in so low over the beach here that people have to duck! Where else can you enjoy plane spotting on the beach with a cocktail?
Great Stuff on CafePress
Featured Airport Spotting Lenses
New Guestbook
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gray_layton
Oct 11, 2011 @ 11:46 am | delete
- Great lens Mr. mattfalcus Im checking your other lens too
Craigslist Posting Service | Craigslist Posting Help | Craigslist Ad Poster | Cl Posting
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designerlaptopbags
Sep 28, 2011 @ 8:50 am | delete
- I think you will like it! I collect precast airliners.
Leather Laptop Bag, Designer Laptop Bags, Leather Laptop Case, Wheeled Laptop Bags
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tjacks55
Aug 14, 2011 @ 2:20 pm | delete
- A plane and train spotter for some years, I prefer being in a position to spot planes before they descend, and get a lot more joy of figuring out the model when it's still in the sky. I'm from Herefordshire and drive up to Stansted often for spotting. After parking at Stansted airport we get on top of our jeep and out come the binoculars for hours of jovial geekiness :)
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rebeccaNwill
Jan 7, 2011 @ 9:20 am | delete
- Great post! One alternative way of spotting planes is to book into an airport hotel. Many of them have views of the tarmac.
I've written a post about airport hotels near Birmingham Airport. Here's the link:
http://hubpages.com/hub/Hotels-near-Birmingham-Airport
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prettypaula
Mar 22, 2010 @ 10:40 am | delete
- Hi there,
Nice lens!
Just found this guide to Stansted hotels -would be interested to know of your experiences at Stansted?
http://www.squidoo.com/cheap-stansted-hotels
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RunwayModels
Apr 7, 2009 @ 4:18 pm | delete
- Hi Matt!
Love the lens! I`m a spotter myself. Will you have a look at my lens and promote it. I think you will like it! I collect diecast airliners! If you are a collector then you will know what I am talking about and if you don`t then you`ll get hooked! LOL!
Check me out at RunwayModels...I`m still pretty new at this so I need to know how to link up with others and all that stuff. I have favorited you on you airport and airliner lenses!
Cheers,
Ted Traikovski
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by mattfalcus
A writer of articles and books covering aviation and travel subjects.
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