New Birmingham Airport Viewing Facility

[wolfheze]

Had a look at what Manchester have done and I have to say that apart from no actual dedicated viewing building it looks very good. Was it funded by the airport itself or was there any outside investment?

 

[Elmdon80slad]

Had a look at what Manchester have done and I have to say that apart from no actual dedicated viewing building it looks very good. Was it funded by the airport itself or was there any outside investment?

I think they are a private company who gained permission from the airport and had backers, amazing to think this is what they have and what Brum should have similar -

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[wolfheze]

The Concorde is obviously the thing that will draw in a lot of people and provide most of the revenue, I am assuming it's still owned by BA and just 'loaned ' ?
I was a bit sceptical about the idea of a facility off the airport site because of it being too far away from the aircraft on the ground. However I am probably harking back too much to the viewing lounge overlooking the apron at the old terminal where because of the frequent periods of flying inactivity the work going on with passengers embarking/disembarking, refuelling, baggage handling etc on the apron ( or the 'ramp' as it seems to be called these days) gave us something to look at. The situation now is completely different with the number of movements taking place so a facility off site giving good views of approach and landings/takeoffs would work quite well if it was publicised and promoted properly. However the amount of money and work needed to make it happen would be enormous and unfortunately the will to make it happen dosent seem to be there

 

[Elmdon80slad]

There does seem to be a problem with getting the Right person or company to See the Vision and build something that even comes second best to Manchesters, for some reason it just keeps coming up against a brick wall time and time again, i bet if it was a new office block containing IT companies it would soon get backing and be built.

E.

 

[Elmdon80slad]

Folks i have also tried Monarch Airlines last night, i found thier reply email section and put an explanation and request in, i received an auto reply but await a person to email back.

E.

 

[Ray Finkle]

Took the kids to Sheldon Country Park yesterday and there must have been around 200 people there. I'd say 80% of them left after Emirates arrived.

Had a quick trip to the top of the Elmdon car park today and again the top floor was full, with lots of cars on the next level.

There are also Tweets on a daily basis from people asking about the A380 schedule and asking where they can go to see it.

I'm not sure if the novelty will wear off in a few months but there is so much interest in the airport at the moment that now would be the perfect opportunity for a viewing facility?

 

[wolfheze]

Is there anymore talk of the car park being restricted to permit holders only?
The A380 passed directly over my house this afternoon . So quiet but yet distinctive sound

 

[CL44]

Not heard anything else about the idea of permits but bear in mind that this is NCP we are talking about. They never seem to rush themselves over anything (apart from charging for parking, rent etc). If I do hear anything I will post accordingly.

 

[Hassaan]

The A380 does seem to be capable of bringing in a crowd and even if the novelty will wear off at some point I imagine it won't be anytime soon as we're not into the summer yet. I've tried to ask Paul Kehoe about this. Firstly, he said in response to my suggestion:

As you know, we do have a viewing area designated in Car Park 4/5 which has a shelter and as someone pointed out the other day when the A380 came on the trial flight and stopped up on the taxiway by the viewing area - that it is the closest you can get to an A380 in the UK without actually getting on it.

I think the community are well well served by this and the opportunity to look at aircraft from a country park right under the flight path.

I responded:

I fondly remember the Aviation Experience facility above the terminal notably in the 2000s. I think it would be nice to see it relaunch in another form, maybe an outdoor shop with all the collectibles and things that were being sold in the original shop? I know the Long Stay Car Park allows great views of the A380, but I think there can be a variety of views around the airport. Thus I think a facility very similar to the Manchester Runway Visitor Park could be popular if the views are equally impressed. Add in raised viewing mounds, a shop, restaurant, play area and the 'Aviation Experience' and I do believe it'll be a solid revenue generator. My suggestion is the grass area next to the fire station which is very close to the taxi way.

To which he replied:

We have a viewing area – it works. There are other places where you can view aircraft. The fire station is an airside facility and therefore we cannot allow public access. Manchester have spare land, unfortunately we don’t so at this stage it is unlikely that there will be any new facilities built,

The “aviation experience” was not a great experience nor was it a solid revenue generator. The shop lost money, the viewing area was abused by a number of guests and in some cases it was an open urinal. We closed it and put to better use serving the local schools as an education resource.

If you want to approach us with a money spinning idea that makes a great return for the airport company, we would be happy to discuss but It would require evidence of the profitability of any scheme for the airport company.

Well, he hasn't completely ruled it out but he'll need some convincing. Anyone have any ideas?

Maybe we all need to pitch in with a very well written pitch document?

 

[Ray Finkle]

I know this view won't be popular but I happen to agree with Mr Kehoe.

The current viewing area is a great spot (if a little exposed in the winter) and you can't really get much closer to the aircraft without being on one. There is also easy access to all of the terminal facilities and if you park at either Marston Green or Hampton-in-Arden railway stations one stop on the train avoids the huge parking charges. A few more benches might be nice though.

Sheldon Country Park is also a fantastic spot and is packed on a sunny weekend. We often spend a few hours there with the kids and it's not uncommon for families to have full on picnics spread out with deck chairs and all sorts, I've even seen small tents.

The Elmdon car park is also another good spot with great views no matter which runway is being used. It'll be a shame if they eventually restrict access but given the problems they have after dark I can understand NCP's position.

There is also the prospect of the footpath off Catherine-De-Barnes Lane, the field next to it is often frequented by photographers taking head on runway shots (I have a feeling that it's private property though so wouldn't advocate going there).

You even have the option of the small bridge by the railway line which has a view over the northern apron and some of the runway or the golf course which offers limited views.

I take the point about Manchester's viewing park and it is a great facility but it originated from spotters having nowhere at all to go back then and has grown organically over the years. With companies much more prudent about how they use their funds I very much doubt that the facility, as it is in it's current form, would be built from scratch nowadays.

I'm ready for the flak but I can honestly say that I've never had a problem, whether by myself or with the family, finding somewhere to go to watch the planes or to take some photographs

 

[Elmdon80slad]

I respect your comments and will even agree that for a large percentage of mainly harcore local spotters, or even those just wanting to see something like the A380, then the surrounding area and tiny bus shelter is probably ok, but how about those people who might want to spend a whole day spotting at the airport say a family with kids wanting different things and needing good on the spot facilities - food/toilets etc, say they have traveled along way.
Something i will always compare to - London Haethrow and the Queens building that used to attract hundreads of thousands of people not just spotters but everyone, and from all over not just UK but all over - I have spoken to spotters who had flown in from many different places to spot at LHR, as at that time it was the best and most convenient place to spot anywhere.

 

[Brum X]

But even LHR doesn't have this facility any longer and it is a similar situation to BHX. You just have to park up alongside a main road next to the runway if you want to see anything.

 

[wolfheze]

If you use the second footpath up the road (it runs alongside the hedge) there's no need to venture into the field. I would imagine the landowner won't be too pleased if his crops start getting trampled

 

[Elmdon80slad]

But even LHR doesn't have this facility any longer and it is a similar situation to BHX. You just have to park up alongside a main road next to the runway if you want to see anything.

Indeed - resulting in many many people not visiting LHR anymore to view/spot me included, if like me you do not have any transport its just not an option to get a coach/train down to LHR and spend all day on foot just walking round the perimeter, everyone in that situation needs services/loos food etc, its different if you have a car.

E.

 

[Ray Finkle]

Some might say that was exactly what they were aiming for?

 

[Elmdon80slad]

Some folks i talk to on camera forums from the US can not believe tha lack of viewing facilities over here, many US airports have vastley better facilities and there aicraft shots show this, why is the UK different?

E.

 

[JENNYJET]

This is a perfect case for securing a lower cost option....an LAX style webcam. With all the unobstructed views atop the piers and outer buildings within the airfield, even on the tower there would be people willing to subscribe to such a facility to cover maintenance ( Countryman and Daniel at LAX regularly stops and needs a reboot ) e.g. £2 monthly, widely advertised and then sofa spotters can relish BHX!

Honestly, the new shelter fit 3 people at the most during a rainy and windy episode, no loo, shops a long walk to the terminal and stricter access unless a holder of travel documents..no entry?

Webcam is an option the company should consider at the very least!

 

[Kevin Farnell]

A webcam would be very nice, but it doesn't beat being there.
I've never had any problems accessing the 'landside' areas of the terminals. Admitted, it is a long walk from the viewing area. Back when there was the grassed area (along with hundreds of people on sunny weekends), there were toilet facilities along with ice cream and snack vendors.
I did hear many years ago (and have no idea if there is any truth in it), that a local bye-law requires BHX to provide a viewing facility. If so, I would expect that the current facility fulfils this.

Kevin

 

[Hassaan]

I asked Paul about the webcam but he hasn't mentioned anything but if anything surely that'd be possible?

With regards to the viewing facility, I see where he's coming from, that it's not needed. When these areas become crowded to the point they need managing (although I don't see that happening), then maybe that'll help the argument for one with a restaurant, play area etc. Because I can't see anything helping it at the moment, right now I don't think many people see it as a viable option sadly.

 

[Elmdon80slad]

I think alas we have seen the end of airports being enthusiast friendly, we had our good days folks at Elmdon - Westen End viewing picnic area/ Viewing Gallery above the Old International Hall Elmdon side/Spiral Stairs near the old terminal entrance/Visitor Center New Terminal side, all gone never to be replaced, and as Mr Kehoe says - You have your bus shelter think your self lucky we gave you that.....
The idea is Keep them away from the airport only want people paying money and flying in my airport - very poor attitude

E.