New Birmingham Airport Viewing Facility

[Ray Finkle]

Bless you for trying Hassaan but if it could be done for £500 I'd pay for it myself There's some good words of advice above.

After spending an hour or so there yesterday (along with a few others) it seems a logical place for it. There's no need to alter transport infrastructure as it's already built, car parking included in the site already and the elevated position gives you a good overall view (possibly better if hanger 2 goes).

Just spent an hour or so up there myself and it really is a good view. Thinking about it, at the moment I can spend as long as I want up there, stood next to my car so I can sit down and warm up on chilly days, all for free, if this went ahead I'd end up having to pay for it. Not sure the local spotters would be on side

 

[Elmdon80slad]

I agree about the haedcore BHX spotter I used to be one atleast 25 years spent pinned to the spiral staircase on thr western, then mainly wknds at the visitor centre till it got to much and to much like a learning centre, my original vision was for an all family all weather attraction, to stand the test of time, and be there ready set in place watching over the airport as it expands.

 

[kebabselector]

Not sure the local spotters would be on side

Possibly not! Though somewhere to warm up for us cyclists wouldn't be too bad.

 

[Elmdon80slad]

Well ladies and gentleman it looks like this idea has died a death(perhaps never stood a chance) the good old days of Heathrow Queens building have long gone, taken away by TPB in the name of security incase of missile holding terrorists standing next to a visitor/spotter(like normal people would'nt notice).
Or perhaps it was just a bad idea for 1001 reasons

 

[Ray Finkle]

I would never say never, it's just unfortunate that we are in an age where every penny is accounted for and facilities such as viewing areas just aren't economically viable. To be a success it needs to have a view better and closer than places like Sheldon Country Park which can be accessed free, realistically that means building it on airport land and as they're not interested it was always going to be a long shot. Times change though and something may happen in the future.

 

[Hassaan]

Forgot about this idea for a while. I suppose the financial aspect is something I'm not really good at and I should stay away from. I suppose there's no point giving up but I've got to be a bit more realistic here. The idea of having it near the fire station was never going to happen, I suppose. The issue with the back of the TriStar hotel is apparently, the land has apparently been bought or something along those lines. What's really next?

 

[Ray Finkle]

The land behind the Tristar hotel is owned by the airport, part of it now has the new access roads running through it and the last plans I saw were for a surface car park. Opening a viewing area just for the sake of having one wouldn't work, for people to pay to use it there has to be views unrivalled by anything available for free (Sheldon Country Park, Marston Green railway footpath, Elmdon car park, golf course...etc) unfortunately that means using airport land and as said they just aren't interested.

Incidentally the small viewing area (currently two picnic benches) in long stay 1 car park is back down to a single fence again, it was impossible to take photos with the double fence. Hopefully when it reopens there will be slightly more effort than what was there before.

 

[Hassaan]

I suppose the long stay 1 car park is the only option. If they can make it so viewing is, well, easier, and probably throw in a shop or two, then that'll be nice.

 

[Ray Finkle]

If the rumours that hangars 1 & 2 are to be demolished next year are true then the Elmdon car park will become very popular.

 

[Hassaan]

That's our only chance, isn't it?

 

[Aviador]

I recently visited the EUREKA museum with the kids and it gave me an idea. They had galleries that were each sponsored by a separate company. There was a bank which was sponsored by the Halifax Bank, a shop which was sponsored by Marks & Spencer and a garage which was sponsored by Michelin tires.

This made me wonder if the concept could be used for a viewing area at an airport. The BHX viewing gallery came to mind. Perhaps if costs could be broken down to smaller sums of money companies might be more willing to offer support. Imagine if there was a selection of old aircraft on display from different eras? Boeing, Airbus or individual airlines might be willing to support individual displays with their logos displayed throughout. Costa, Starbucks, maybe Asda or Tesco could be persuaded to running a shop or cafe and so on. Mounds could also be sponsored, by naming them. You could have a Emirates viewing area or a Birmingham City Football Viewing area.

The options are endless, thoughts?

 

[Ray Finkle]

I recently visited the EUREKA museum with the kids and it gave me an idea.

What score did you get on that football game where you have to hit the buttons as quick as possible when they light up?


It's a good idea and would certainly spread the cost and make an investment more likely. I think the main stumbling block is securing a location, it has to be as close to the action as possible if people are to pay and that means using land owned by the airport who sadly aren't interested.

 

[Aviador]

I don't remember seeing a football game. :search: :sad:

 

[Hassaan]

It's a good idea and would certainly spread the cost and make an investment more likely. I think the main stumbling block is securing a location, it has to be as close to the action as possible if people are to pay and that means using land owned by the airport who sadly aren't interested.

I'm not sure what the airport are really requiring to interest them. If they want a well-thought out plan, costs etc etc etc. Elmdon80slad spent a long while on the venture but it came to nothing. He probably did double the amount of work I did over the summer - with me it was just estimated costs which were not taken seriously really by myself, the plan for a site, benefits etc and with investors it was all a case of "we aren't in a position to invest". My approach was definitely done badly. :fool:

This idea doesn't sound bad but if it's ever going to be taken any further we'll have to look right into it. :s_thumbsup

 

[Ray Finkle]

I don't remember seeing a football game. :search: :sad:

It was a large board with a goal painted on it with buttons all around it, the countdown clock started and the buttons lit up randomly, you had to hit them trying to get as many as possible. It was quite tiring

It's a good idea and would certainly spread the cost and make an investment more likely. I think the main stumbling block is securing a location, it has to be as close to the action as possible if people are to pay and that means using land owned by the airport who sadly aren't interested.

I'm not sure what the airport are really requiring to interest them. If they want a well-thought out plan, costs etc etc etc. Elmdon80slad spent a long while on the venture but it came to nothing. He probably did double the amount of work I did over the summer - with me it was just estimated costs which were not taken seriously really by myself, the plan for a site, benefits etc and with investors it was all a case of "we aren't in a position to invest". My approach was definitely done badly. :fool:

This idea doesn't sound bad but if it's ever going to be taken any further we'll have to look right into it. :s_thumbsup

Don't put yourself down, any effort is appreciated :good:

For the airport company to take it seriously they want a full, detailed business plan. Check out the link below to gain a small insight into what that entails.

http://www.startupdonut.co.uk/startup/b ... iness-plan

 

[Hassaan]

Hmm, so where next - that email of mine that Ray happened to tweak a bit (well, a lot!), would that help with the business plan?

 

[Hassaan]

I thought I'd bring this thread back to life. I think it would be interesting to try and get some more views (and support for that matter) on the ideas.

 

[Hassaan]

I might be being pretty stupid but I'm not giving up yet. Any ideas?

 

[Aviador]

I don't suppose there's any harm in trying the same companies you've already tried again so long as you use a different approach.

 

[Ray Finkle]

Get a solid business plan and try and convince the airport to free up some land. It's only my opinion but I think anywhere off site would just be too far away from the action for people to pay.