Spotting in AMS

yes i will go to thge city centres,thanks.

Sorry if I misunderstand you, but you want to go spot a few hours at AMS in the evening? In that case you won’t see much. It is dark at 1800. During the winter the terrace already closes at 17:00. Airside the windows are huge so spotting is possible, but due to the darkness a tripod may come in handy.

Just been to BCN a few weeks ago. Airside you can spot, but photography is bad due to backlit. Landside, unless you got a car you might as well not bother. Saves a lot of frustration. Just go into BCN, a beautiful city.

For a few hours, you may as well stay on the terrace.

seahawk: you’ve got mail

I would think the figures quoted for FRA is commercial only. AMS is huge in terms of landmass. Runways alone, AMS has like what, 7 or 8 whereas FRA has 3.

1. roger
2. roger
3. ok
4. 3 GB in CF cards
5. I hope

Thx for your advice m8.

1) bring sunblock
2) don’t overdress , expect 24+ degrees celsius
3) check this thread at scramble for last minute charters, special flights etc. Also check just prior to leaving as rampers working the morning shift usually update the information.
http://scramble.ykoon.nl/viewtopic.php?t=14030
4) have lots of memory (40gb image tank will do)
5) have fun!

Any last advice for tomorrow Peter ?

Check these pages on my site:
http://www.schipholspotter.com/airholland.htm
http://www.schipholspotter.com/18l36r-approach.htm

Which spot would be good for the Aalsmeerderbann ?

Which airport is bigger and has more traffic, AMS or FRA?

FRA handles around 9.000.000 more passengers and handles around 300.000 more tonnes in freight. In total movements FRA has 50.000 more. I am not sure if the figures above include the movements from the USAF base at FRA. As for the bigger airport. When counting landmass AMS is bigger by far even when you count the USAF base.
http://www.a2a.aero/stats_traffic.cfm

PS.. that leased 738 of Transavia looks brilliant!!

It sure does, but I am not convinced it is still here. The lease was only for four weeks. I believe the lease expired this weekend. If not it will be next weekend. Fortunately I did manage to catch it.

So do you think spending a day at the spotters area at the Kaagban will be a good idea.

That does sound best. The wind comes from the south so depending on how strong the wind is the Aalsmeerderbaan may be the preferred runway. But from the Kaagbaan it is just a short trip that is easy to find.

The good thing about FRA is that you can catch landings on both parallel runways.

Which airport is bigger and has more traffic, AMS or FRA?

PS.. that leased 738 of Transavia looks brilliant!! 😀

That is why I´m considering Thursday, I have a day off, weather looks good (better then sunday).

So do you think spending a day at the spotters area at the Kaagban will be a good idea.

I think I will be there between 9.00-10.00am and leave around 4-5pm.

I´m considering going on the next Thursday as it is a holiday in Germany. Is Thursday a good day for spotting ?

Don’t really go often on thursdays because I have to work then. For special flights you can best check www.aircolours.com. They got a comprehensive timetable listing the regular passenger and cargo flights. Also a page with some of the special flights that are already known. Their site seems to be down at the moment, but if you try later it should be back.

Weatherwise it will be good. 20% chance of rain, 50% chance of sun and 20/25 degrees in the afternoon. Wind from the south so expcet the Kaagbaan and/or Aalsmeerderbaan for takeoffs and the Polderbaan and/or Zwanenburgbaan for landings.

I´m considering going on the next Thursday as it is a holiday in Germany. Is Thursday a good day for spotting ?

I’ll go to AMS on Sunday afternoon. Staying at the observation deck. I’ll have a new lens to test. BW Roger

I’ll go to AMS on Sunday afternoon. Staying at the observation deck. I’ll have a new lens to test. BW Roger

FRA has a Syrian 747SP – not so easy choice

FRA has a Syrian 747SP – not so easy choice