Top 10 Spotter Friendy Airports

You don’t need a car to spot at BRU, just get off the stoptrein at Kortenberg and walk along the road until you come to 25L, that’s what we did last year, but this year a couple of our Luchtzak friends gave us a lift from Leuven station.

You don’t need a car to spot at BRU, just get off the stoptrein at Kortenberg and walk along the road until you come to 25L, that’s what we did last year, but this year a couple of our Luchtzak friends gave us a lift from Leuven station.

COMET,

I would agree that BRU is OK for us going to the airport by cars and knowing the area. I consider that it would be very difficult for a foreigner without assistance of local spotters.I learned two days ago that a new fence would impede access by car to the bike track near the radar station but haven’t checked it yet.

CDG is going more and more difficult.

UPF is Ok with viewing teraaces or alternatively the fence on the other side of the runway.

COMET,

I would agree that BRU is OK for us going to the airport by cars and knowing the area. I consider that it would be very difficult for a foreigner without assistance of local spotters.I learned two days ago that a new fence would impede access by car to the bike track near the radar station but haven’t checked it yet.

CDG is going more and more difficult.

UPF is Ok with viewing teraaces or alternatively the fence on the other side of the runway.

We got moved on in September, but just from one place. When we went and stood in a different bit no one bothered us. They get a bit sensitive if you are near the refugee centre and the fuel tanks, but closer to the road at the end of the runway and they don’t hassle you unless you park your car wrongly.

Our spotters group consisted of Luchtzak and Airliners.net spotters who spot at BRU most weeks (or even most days) and they knew all the best places. At one point I even found myself standing on top of a junction box under the approach path to 25L to video an approaching Algerian 727. I have got some truly stunning video in BRU. It is really my favourite airport in Europe, nothing beats landing there from the UK, but I am not as keen to leave as I am to arrive!

We got moved on in September, but just from one place. When we went and stood in a different bit no one bothered us. They get a bit sensitive if you are near the refugee centre and the fuel tanks, but closer to the road at the end of the runway and they don’t hassle you unless you park your car wrongly.

Our spotters group consisted of Luchtzak and Airliners.net spotters who spot at BRU most weeks (or even most days) and they knew all the best places. At one point I even found myself standing on top of a junction box under the approach path to 25L to video an approaching Algerian 727. I have got some truly stunning video in BRU. It is really my favourite airport in Europe, nothing beats landing there from the UK, but I am not as keen to leave as I am to arrive!

I hate BRU with a passion. It is the only place where I got harrased by the security morons and the one and only airport where I got lost LANDSIDE! Even LHR is more logical in layout which tells you something about BRU.

I must admit the new terminal looks sweet.

I hate BRU with a passion. It is the only place where I got harrased by the security morons and the one and only airport where I got lost LANDSIDE! Even LHR is more logical in layout which tells you something about BRU.

I must admit the new terminal looks sweet.

Rudi – I know the Brussels Airport cafe you mean. It’s official name is “Wingtips” but the “food” in there is so inedible that I call it “Gloptips”.

A good place at Brussels is not on the airport site, but near to the end of runway 25L. That is a ten minute walk from Kortenberg station (stoptrein to Leuven from Brussels Noord stops there). The views of landing aircraft are unsurpassed there, I met up with a load of Belgian spotting friends from the Luchtzak forum in September for a spotting session there, and we had some great sightings and took some superb photos and video. That is where I always spot now when I go to Brussels.

I know that it can get warm in BHX’s Aviation Experience, but last week the weather outside was so gross it was nice to be undercover. But I get hardly any chance to go spotting, unless I am flying off somewhere, that I will grab any opportunity I can, so I am maybe not as choosy as people who are able to spot more regularly. I doubt that most photographers would have been in BHX last Tuesday afternoon, but as I won’t be spotting now until March at the earliest, I took the chance.

Rudi – I know the Brussels Airport cafe you mean. It’s official name is “Wingtips” but the “food” in there is so inedible that I call it “Gloptips”.

A good place at Brussels is not on the airport site, but near to the end of runway 25L. That is a ten minute walk from Kortenberg station (stoptrein to Leuven from Brussels Noord stops there). The views of landing aircraft are unsurpassed there, I met up with a load of Belgian spotting friends from the Luchtzak forum in September for a spotting session there, and we had some great sightings and took some superb photos and video. That is where I always spot now when I go to Brussels.

I know that it can get warm in BHX’s Aviation Experience, but last week the weather outside was so gross it was nice to be undercover. But I get hardly any chance to go spotting, unless I am flying off somewhere, that I will grab any opportunity I can, so I am maybe not as choosy as people who are able to spot more regularly. I doubt that most photographers would have been in BHX last Tuesday afternoon, but as I won’t be spotting now until March at the earliest, I took the chance.

I’ve been a little surprised by Comets comments. Not so much about BHX and MAN because BHX has both great indoor and outdoor facilities. I have been at MAN in the pouring rain and its not much fun. Having said that, I’ve always been on the car park and have never been to the remote viewing area. The indoor BHX site can get a little warm – but who am I to complain?

I’ve enjoyed Brussels in the past, spotting from the cafe on the top floor landside (wingtips cafe?). But when I was there this summer the new pier built between the terminal and the runway normally used for takeoffs has made spotting very difficult. I’ve been to the car park but viewing isn’t great and I’ve never seen anyone else there, so felt a bit conspicuous. Is there somewhere I’ve missed (bearing in mind I’m a carless spotter and not a photographer)?

I’ve been a little surprised by Comets comments. Not so much about BHX and MAN because BHX has both great indoor and outdoor facilities. I have been at MAN in the pouring rain and its not much fun. Having said that, I’ve always been on the car park and have never been to the remote viewing area. The indoor BHX site can get a little warm – but who am I to complain?

I’ve enjoyed Brussels in the past, spotting from the cafe on the top floor landside (wingtips cafe?). But when I was there this summer the new pier built between the terminal and the runway normally used for takeoffs has made spotting very difficult. I’ve been to the car park but viewing isn’t great and I’ve never seen anyone else there, so felt a bit conspicuous. Is there somewhere I’ve missed (bearing in mind I’m a carless spotter and not a photographer)?

Future Pilot – I am a girl, so you should say Comet is entitled to her opinion. But not many girls are into spotting, flight sim and Belgian beer I suppose.

Ooops! 😀 soz about that never figured as you said! 😉 😎 🙂

Future Pilot – I am a girl, so you should say Comet is entitled to her opinion. But not many girls are into spotting, flight sim and Belgian beer I suppose.

Ooops! 😀 soz about that never figured as you said! 😉 😎 🙂

But not many girls are into spotting, flight sim and Belgian beer I suppose

More’s the pity! 😎

But not many girls are into spotting, flight sim and Belgian beer I suppose

More’s the pity! 😎

I have never been to any other spotting areas at MAN and i’m sure they are great aswell but Comet is entitled to his opinion and i agree with him that BHX has a great outdoor spoting area. 🙂 😀 😎

Future Pilot – I am a girl, so you should say Comet is entitled to her opinion. But not many girls are into spotting, flight sim and Belgian beer I suppose.

I have never been to any other spotting areas at MAN and i’m sure they are great aswell but Comet is entitled to his opinion and i agree with him that BHX has a great outdoor spoting area. 🙂 😀 😎

Future Pilot – I am a girl, so you should say Comet is entitled to her opinion. But not many girls are into spotting, flight sim and Belgian beer I suppose.

Isn’t it closed after noon on Saturday, or something?

It’s virtually closed on Saturday afternoons and Sunday mornings. I guess there’s no demand from the business community.

Isn’t it closed after noon on Saturday, or something?

It’s virtually closed on Saturday afternoons and Sunday mornings. I guess there’s no demand from the business community.