Manchester Airport Visitor Centre & Spotting Facilities

[backtrack]

Re: viewing A380 take off Manchester

I dont know Billy, but im heading over to MAN on friday, so im interested also in a reply to this thread.

 

[Aviador]

Re: viewing A380 take off Manchester

If you look at the photo thread: topic130-10.html these pictures were taken from the dedicated visitor centre. The site is sign posted for those who aren't familiar with the area but there is a charge to use it. I think it's about £3.00 for an hour so it's not cheap but it's still one of the best places to view the aircraft and you can grab a cuppa while you are there. I know there are other locations around the airport but you may risk getting a parking ticket.

 

[User0001]

Re: viewing A380 take off Manchester

Somewhere southside of Runway 23L will be the 'closest' to take off, as 90% of the time it uses 23L for take off.

They have recently started blocking off a lot of the southside viewing areas however, as the security fencing is being upgraded, so just bear that in mind and get there early incase the paths are blocked and you have to go elsewhere. (some conspirasists seem to think MAN is blocking off the 'free' viewing areas to make them pay to use the AVP, but dont listen to them as they are just grumpy old men who like it their own way).

 

[Aviador]

[textarea]Manchester airport named one of world's top destinations for plane spotting

Manchester has been named as one of the best cities in the world . . . for plane spotting. Thousands of aviation enthusiasts flock to Manchester Airport's runway visitor park every year to watch aircraft take-off and land. They travel from across the globe to see the airport's range of jets – from the world's largest passenger plane to small Cessna aircraft operating private flights. Most airports have viewing decks or observation stations where spotters can indulge their passion but Manchester goes one further and provides a dedicated park. Now a major American guide – produced by news channel CNN – has recognised Manchester's efforts – and described it as one of the top places in the world for spotting. Billed as a paradise for aircraft lovers, it is one of only three European airports to be included on the list.

Read more at: http://menmedia.co.uk/manchesterevening ... e-spotting[/textarea]

Credit to them. I don't know why more airports don't capitalise on making money from spotters. Most UK airports have a decent aviation enthusiast following and would support a similar style viewing park.

 

[Jet2Palma]

Hey there,

I'm visiting the aviation viewing park in a couple of weeks and I will need someones help because I am getting the train to manchester airport but could someone please tell me the best way to get from the airport to the aviation viewing park?

Taxi, bus, walk? What is the best option! Any help appreciated!

 

[adam]

taken from aviation park website
http://www.manchesterairport.co.uk/manw ... rdeContact

By train: Manchester Airport train station is less than 3 miles from the Park. The 200 bus currently runs an hourly service to the Runway Visitor Park. For exact times please contact Traveline on 0871 200 2233. Alternatively we are a short taxi ride away.

 

[adam]

search for the 200 bus timetable on here
http://www.tfgm.com/journey_planning/Pa ... brary.aspx

 

[Hassaan]

Visitor centre or viewing park? Anyway I went there last year and I enjoyed it. The raised viewing mounds really work and nice to see the static aircraft too. Of course I've since removed the video I took of the action because the quality was quite awful.

 

[Aviador]

An excuse to visit again maybe, perhaps we should have a forum day out? A meet at Manchester would probably suit most as it's relatively easy to get to from both Leeds and Birmingham.

 

[Aviador]

I'm having a trip over tomorrow with the kids. I'll be there in time for the Emirates A380 at lunchtime. I'll be taking photos with my Sony A330 DSLR camera. Say hello if you spot me! I'll be popping some pictures into our Manchester Airport Gallery tomorrow evening all being well.

 

[Manniashraf]

What's the prcies these days at the viewing park ? And how does it work ? leasantry:
Regards

 

[Aviador]

I didn't notice the price to be honest because we parked elsewhere and walked in, I think it was £3 per hour up to a maximum of £12.

 

[andyc941]

From13:00 today, MAG officially opened a new “Spotters’ Car Park” just off Shadowmoss Road. At the same time, a twin car park serving the Shadowmoss Metrolink stop was opened nearby.
The new car park is situated very close to the junction of Ringway Road and Shadowmoss Road close to the Runway 23R approach lights. To access, exit Ringway Road onto Shadowmoss Road. After about 100M, turn right in to the main entrance for the large new Manchester Airport long-term car park. But before you reach the main barriers for that, you will see two additional car parks to your left and right. A turn to the right will take you into the ‘Spotters’ Car Park’. A left turn will take you into the Metrolink Car Park. Both facilities are ‘Pay and Display’ with a ticket barrier marking the entrance. The sign-post for the spotters’ car park lists it as SHADOWMOSS CAR PARK SOUTH.Parking costs £2 for the first hour with a machine advising prices for longer stays.
The new spotters’ car park is part of MAG’s response to parking problems on 23R approach.They wish to accommodate those who enjoy viewing aircraft from the approach lights, but at the same time resolve the parking issues on Shadowmoss Road .
Information is from Liam McManus from the Manchester mailing list thank you

 

[andyc941]

Also he wrote, For photographers, the car park itself is too close to the aircraft. You would get away with photographing aircraft of executive-jet size from here, or you could take nose-on pics of airliners on final approach. For side-on views of larger types you would need to park up and walk a couple of minutes to a more set back location such as the railway bridge (close to the ‘Airport Hotel’) on ‘Old’ Ringway Road.
Full credit to Liam McManus for the information i might try it out at weekend. :smile:

 

[andyc941]

Seen this posted on another forum.It streams looking at the approach.to 23R. You do have to pay to use it,but you do get a 2 day free trial.
http://www.manchesterairport.live/manchester-airport-webcam/
Credit to Michael Vickers.

 

[Leo Martin]

Hi,

I'm new to MAN, having only been once before and that was to the Aviation Viewing Centre, I would like to delve deeper into the various locations of MAN.

I'm planning on coming up to MAN in the next few weeks, to catch the Etihad 789 and wondered where the best position to see it is, preferably somewhere new and good for the sun at 1400. I was looking at the spot off Moss Lane, just passed the pony centre, is this any good... or even still there?

Thanks.

 

[ethanegcc]

Hi, the best location for the Etihad 787-9 in the afternoon would be the Aviation Viewing Park - however, it depends on the way aircraft are landing. For 75% of the year, they do land on 23R so you could also try the Terminal 3 car park, although it does incur a charge:

 

[ethanegcc]

(click to enlarge)View attachment 4478

 

[ethanegcc]

The other possibility is that the aircraft are landing in the opposite direction. You will then have to check the operational hours of runway '2'

If landing on RWY 05L, you can either use what is usually the RWY 23L threshold spot (shown on map) or the runway viewing park. On a sunny afternoon, the RVP is probably better.

 

[ethanegcc]

If Runway 2, is in operation, you could try the 'touchdown' point on RWY05R. It involves a lot of country lanes and you will probably need google and/or satnav for the first time