New Birmingham Airport Viewing Facility

[Ray Finkle]

I don't mind at all.

Sheldon Country Park is a great spot for pictures. You are shooting into the sun for a couple of hours mid morning but on nice summer days you can photograph well into the evening.

My concerns would be that the land is council owned so there could potentially be alot of red tape to try and get something done, which could end up costing alot of time and money. Also the footpath that runs through the park offers the same views (albeit not on a raised platfrom) with parking nearby, for free. Would people pay to park/view when there is a spot only a few feet away that costs nothing? Not trying to be negative just thinking the way a potential investor may do.

It's definitely a great spot though and is always busy with families and spotters alike. It's also only 5 mins from my house so if something could be done I'd be a regular

 

[Elmdon80slad]

Thanks Ray,

I was just thinking about this location as the other locations I considered, I have come up aginst Issues with, and I have spoken to a council official about public park land and he did seem more possitive than with private land like the golf course(I never heard off them they just Ignored me) but I guess they hate spotters and guests... I am hoping my attraction would attract many many people due to Its varied ammenites and lots to do, and even many times more Interesting than Manchesters view park.
I believe some airports In america have this type viewing/visitor centre and they are normaly sited at either the end of the runway or adjecent to one of them, and with other attractions aimed at the whole family Including multi media and music etc.

 

[Ray Finkle]

God to hear council officials are positive about it.

Have you been in touch with the chaps at Birmingham Aviation Enthusiasts Group for ideas? I get the impression one or two are quite tight with the airport company, getting them on board may be able to open a few doors? A gentleman called Gordon Stretch is the main man.

http://bhxflightguide.blogspot.co.uk/

 

[Elmdon80slad]

Hi Ray,

Yep I have passed It by Gordon, he has been quite Interested (more so at first) but he has expressed the feeling that most "Spotters" would just want a free place possibly without the glitter of a proffesional visitor attraction, just so they could spot and take pics.
I have sent an email to Brum council asking them about Sheldon Country Park, and the Ins and Outs of leasing/using It, do you think this area would be of use say If the whole area was used say from where the landing lights are, to the per, fence and to the left as far as the path by the railway, and back as far at the unit(factory/superstore or whatever It Is) perhaps part of thier carpark could be used?.
Perhaps It could work on a basis of free to use the park area, cheap parking rate, and charging just to use other attractions ie - restaraunt and certain Inter-active facilities.

 

[Ray Finkle]

Fair point.

I think the car park would have to be either free or just a nominal fee, if it was too expensive I could see people using the estate 2 mins away and walking in free. I don't think a small entrance fee would put people off either. Not sure what the budget would be but for the first year or two whilst visitor numbers are being built up I'd possibly be tempted to rent spots to a catering van, coffee van and an ice cream van. This could generate an income and avoid the initial costs of building, fitting out and staffing a restaurant. Something more permanent could be added when numbers pick up.

Not sure about taking it all the way up to the perimeter fence, I think there would still need to be a path east/west from Marston Green to Sheldon. That close may also be in the RESA zone, I'm not sure how far it stretches.

Pinching your picture this is just a very rough idea.

The black would be an access road.
The blue would be car parking with the approach lights fenced off.
The red circle like area would be spotter mounds.
The orange area would be for catering/restaurant.
The yellow would be a recreation area with benches and maybe a small playground.
The purple would be interactive displays.

Any word from Monarch yet? If they can't stretch to funding maybe they could provide some sort of attraction. Have you contacted Emirates? They've sponsored various events in the city centre so may be interested.

 

[Elmdon80slad]

Hi Ray,

Intersting layout, I can see the advantage over keeping costs low, but I guess this would depend on who the Invester/s where, I had thought of using large porta cabins with built up platforms above these, as this would raise the viewing hight up quite high possibly 15feet or so, giving a better view down the runway and approach, and a novel attarction for a restaraunt Idea ontop of said cabin, I have today sent off an emeil to Brum Councils Leader Sir Bore to see If he can help, as I understand he overseas the leisure part of the council.
Great Idea about Emirates I will find thier contact and drop them a line.

Regards
E.

 

[Ray Finkle]

Like it :good:

 

[Elmdon80slad]

I have been woking on a few Ideas overnight(kept me awake) based on the park area Idea, I was wondering about how the Inclusion of an airliner relic say a Viscount fusalage, and set It out with a CGI cockpit screen and moving seats like cinemas to simulate movement of take off/landing In flight, and the cabin could be fitted out for music/video loving teens, with laptop screens on the backs of seats(like some flights) these could be Internet enabled with headphones allowing download to Ipods etc, this could cater for both the aircraft buff and the teens wanting Interactive fun.
And how about a conservatory between the portacabins, providing protection from the elements and seating/dinning area.
More Ideas will no doubt mill around my head.

Picture enclosed shows the fenced area within the park area, and shows a paved area around the facilities, with the airliner, soft play area, paths leading from gates, the park could be freely open to all with no admission charge, just the normal charges for using facilities here, with the exception of the viewing platforms, these would be free however the one above the cafe/restaraunt would be mainly for eating custom.

 

[Ray Finkle]

Sounds like a great interactive idea :good:

If you have two portacabins with one used for catering could the other be used as a small classroom for schools on a day trip? They had a facility at the old viewing deck for kids to use on and it always seemed well used. It could end up being a decent alternative source of income. A few old computers with some sort of flight sim, maybe a short film, live ATC feed etc...

Any word from Monarch or Emirates yet? The promise of lots of free advertising space may get their interest :dirol:

 

[Elmdon80slad]

I was thinking about an excellent shop In the other cabin, I had wondered If the original Swinburn Aviation people, who used to run the little shop at the old airport side down Hanger Way, I think a relative of thiers used to run the original shop In the visitor centre at the new terminal complex, before Ian Allan took It over, I think the same chap used to do the movement sheets called A J Myatt.
Nothing back from Monarch.Emirates or city leader yet.

 

[Ray Finkle]

Nice idea about a shop.

Out of interest (if anyone knows) was the MAN viewing park purpose built as it is now or has it evolved over the years with bits added here and there?

 

[Elmdon80slad]

An overall view showing the layout with near by roads, and runway etc, also note the carpark that may possibly be used (the grey square above the park) and the red line around the airport marking Its boundary.

 

[Aviador]

I'm not sure but would that location be classed as been within the ILS critical area? It looks like a good location otherwise.

 

[Elmdon80slad]

Thats how I am seeing It aswel, I think because It would fall within the runway safety zone, It would most likely not be allowed, "no bother" I have another possible location up my sleeve, so just working stuff out.....

 

[Ray Finkle]

If Sheldon Country Park is not available there's another location that could be a possibility depending on airport co-operation.

Next to the new ATC tower there is a large mound of spoil with some great views (popular with photographers making the most of it whilst it's there). The plans are for it to be turned into a car park but maybe there is a possibility of a small section being used for viewing? Most of the terminals are visible, it would be roughly level with the touchdown zone for 33 when the extension is complete with departing views for 15. There would be adequate parking next door, good access straight off the A45 and I think it's far enough away from the Elmdon apron to allow privacy for the medevac flights.

Somewhere behind the Tristar hotel would be good maybe towards the construction exclusion zone, you can make out the runway top right. The plans are below and I've included a photo I took from that mound to show the possible view.

 

[Elmdon80slad]

Just to update all - I have recieved the following official response from the airport commitee regarding my venture, and It Is unfortunate news but It does show that the airport have looked at the proposal and are taking It seriously, but It does however show that anysuch venture would need to be done Independently, and not Interfere with the airports expansion etc.

"Anyone - any Ideas ?"


e.

 

[Aviador]

That's most annoying. Spotters and enthusiasts offer a huge amount of support to airports particularly when local nimby groups are trying to stop any such developments. It's deeply frustrating to say the least when the airport says "it would need to be done Independently, and not Interfere with the airports expansion". It reads to me that they see spotters and enthusiasts as a hindrance.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Just to update all - I have recieved the following official response from the airport commitee regarding my venture, and It Is unfortunate news but It does show that the airport have looked at the proposal and are taking It seriously, but It does however show that anysuch venture would need to be done Independently, and not Interfere with the airports expansion etc.

Sorry if I'm being obtuse but I can't seem to find a link to the official response mentioned above.

 

[Elmdon80slad]

Hi, I have struggled to post the airports response as I had to save It as a pdf, but when I tried to include It here as an attachment It says, the extension pdf It Is not allowed.

 

[Elmdon80slad]

I will try again with the pdf, here goes....