Birmingham Airport - General Thread

[Paulsstrange]

Richard that sounds very plausible to me stands a good chance the position no longer exists...

 

[andrew.clarkson]

Hi there Ray and all, I think at present ,birmingham airport needs stability, by the appointment of a new boss - ie- managing director or chief executive to take ownership of any big issues that need settling or resolving, plus the hemroging of airlines that are leaving. Plus also these ridiculous amounts of money paid out in severance packages for those ones leaving. What ever the amount of notice they give to leave, then pay the correct amount... Andyc

 

[58terminus]

I watched a KLM E190 land on 33 this lunchtime and pull up and exit right onto the old short runway.Impressive
but was the pilot just showboating? They still had to hold to allow the preceding aircraft,another E 190,to taxi past.
Must annoy the controllers

 

[Brummiegem]

I watched a KLM E190 land on 33 this lunchtime and pull up and exit right onto the old short runway.Impressive
but was the pilot just showboating? They still had to hold to allow the preceding aircraft,another E 190,to taxi past.
Must annoy the controllers

I would have thought that the pilot would have asked to leave the the runway at a specific exit point prior to touchdown.At the very least the pilot would get the request in as soon as he is on the ground.The ATC people would have to agree to any request as well,so I would have thought all would have been aware of the situation.

 

[58terminus]

I would have thought that the pilot would have asked to leave the the runway at a specific exit point prior to touchdown.At the very least the pilot would get the request in as soon as he is on the ground.The ATC people would have to agree to any request as well,so I would have thought all would have been aware of the situation.

That's what i would have thought but such a short landing seemed unnecessary.If requested before it leaves little room for error and if it was not then very little time to request next exit.
But as you say i am sure everyone was in control of the situation.
Still thing the pilots were just livening up a routine day.

 

[JENNYJET]

Ref: KLM E190 and short exit, how about the possibility of issues with the aircraft necessitating the need to exit the runway ASAP leaving it clear so if an incident occurs aircraft can utilize the other ground routes? I believe Atc prefer a clean open runway as it avoids closing the airfield! Just a thought folks

 

[pianokeys]

From memory he did ask if Tango was available. It was agreed. Other regular requests tend to come from the Stobart ATRs. Could there be a taxiway missing just about opposite the old Kilo exit, rather than trundle all the way down to Bravo ?

 

[Kevin Farnell]

I watched a KLM E190 land on 33 this lunchtime and pull up and exit right onto the old short runway.Impressive
but was the pilot just showboating? They still had to hold to allow the preceding aircraft,another E 190,to taxi past.
Must annoy the controllers

Was there another aircraft on very short finals after the E190?
It could be that ATC asked for it to vacate the runway ASAP to avoid a go around.

Kevin

 

[Ashwo99]

Hi all
I am usually resident at the LBA forum as it is my local, however I am going to Coventry University this September which makes BHX my temporary local. It is an airport I have never visited before so I would like to know how spotter friendly it is and if there are any good spots?

I know of the official viewing area but, assume, as is often the case this is not the best place to spot, any information would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks again
Alex

 

[Ray Finkle]

Hi all
I am usually resident at the LBA forum as it is my local, however I am going to Coventry University this September which makes BHX my temporary local. It is an airport I have never visited before so I would like to know how spotter friendly it is and if there are any good spots?

I know of the official viewing area but, assume, as is often the case this is not the best place to spot, any information would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks again
Alex

Hi Alex.

The official viewing area in car park 5 is one of the best places to get as close to the aircraft as possible, especially when using RWY33. It's easy enough to get from Coventry Station to Birmingham International then the air link over to the airport, the viewing area is only a short walk from there.

Sheldon Country Park, at the end of RWY15, is another decent spot and for variety there is the option to follow the path through the golf course up to roughly around the middle section of the runway where there is a mound offering decent views. From Coventry Station you can get the train to Marston Green then exit to the rear of the station, rather than onto the road, turn right and just follow the footpath down the hill and over the bridge (about a 5 min walk).

There is an excellent spot on top of the multi storey car park on the old Elmdon site. If you have access to a vehicle it's easy enough (it's pay and display so bring some change) but if not the X1 bus runs pretty regularly from Coventry City Centre. I think it calls at the airport and NEC first before heading down to the old terminal site.

If you are just watching then any of the spots are decent, some better than others depending on runway direction. If you are planning on doing any photography then mornings, with the sun behind, are better at the official viewing area then as it moves towards the afternoon the Elmdon side become more favourable.

There are a couple of other more difficult to find spots but those three above are by far the best and give a range of viewing angles.

Any further questions please feel free to ask

 

[Ashwo99]

Thank you very much for the very comprehensive reply, I will have to try out all three spots when I get the time.
I have been looking on FR24 at the current timetables, but I am unsure of how much the services are reduced in winter, so I would also like to ask when the best time of day to go in winter, that would be much appreciated.

Thanks once again for the information
Alex

 

[Ray Finkle]

If you go at a weekend then, compared to a weekday, there are reduced frequencies from the more business orientated airlines such as Lufthansa, Eurowings, SAS etc.

Personally I'd probably go for a Friday or a Monday to start where you'll also have the likes of Vueling, Iberia, Czech Airlines, Air Arabia etc operating. The downside is that Wizz and Blue Air don't do Fridays as their schedules are more Tue, Thur, Sat and Sun, PIA also operate Tue, Thur and Sun, so I guess it comes down to whether you are after something specific.

Over the winter Austrian do weekend ski flights and Swiss (amongst others) often upgrade weekend flights to A321's, especially around the school holidays. Winter also sees plenty of upgrades from Lufthansa, SAS, Air France etc as it's peak season for the NEC.

 

[Scottie Dog]

Just to add, off topic, all the best at uni. I'm sure you'll have great time.

 

[58terminus]

Was there another aircraft on very short finals after the E190?
It could be that ATC asked for it to vacate the runway ASAP to avoid a go around.

No Kevin. He waited patiently for the preceding Hop aircraft to come up the the taxiway and off they trundled line astern to the gates.I think both were parked before the next arrival.

 

[Ashwo99]

If you go at a weekend then, compared to a weekday, there are reduced frequencies from the more business orientated airlines such as Lufthansa, Eurowings, SAS etc.

Personally I'd probably go for a Friday or a Monday to start where you'll also have the likes of Vueling, Iberia, Czech Airlines, Air Arabia etc operating. The downside is that Wizz and Blue Air don't do Fridays as their schedules are more Tue, Thur, Sat and Sun, PIA also operate Tue, Thur and Sun, so I guess it comes down to whether you are after something specific.

Over the winter Austrian do weekend ski flights and Swiss (amongst others) often upgrade weekend flights to A321's, especially around the school holidays. Winter also sees plenty of upgrades from Lufthansa, SAS, Air France etc as it's peak season for the NEC.

Just to add, off topic, all the best at uni. I'm sure you'll have great time.

Thanks for the advice and kind words guys, I’ll definitely keep an eye on the BHX forums as well,much appreciated.
Alex

 

[Ray Finkle]

Thanks for the advice and kind words guys, I’ll definitely keep an eye on the BHX forums as well,much appreciated.
Alex

Best of luck at Uni and we're always here should you need anymore BHX advice

 

[rollo]

Enjoy your stay at university and don't forget Bagington it's an interesting airfield although sadly in decline but well worth a visit.
On a wider note don't bother with any of the West Midlands football league teams, useless doesn't describe them.

 

[Ashwo99]

Enjoy your stay at university and don't forget Bagington it's an interesting airfield although sadly in decline but well worth a visit.
On a wider note don't bother with any of the West Midlands football league teams, useless doesn't describe them.

Bagington, that’s now called Coventry airport right? I had a look at that, I will certainly have to visit as I believe that’s where the midland air museum is, if I recall, they have some of my favourite planes, including a De Havilland vampire and an Argosy, it’s on my list of things to do

Oh and about the football, wouldn’t worry about that as I don’t follow it, other than planes, it’s steam Railways and military history for me

 

[rollo]

Yep it's Coventry Airport the Museum is excellent you can while away a few hours there quite happily.
There is also a DC6 on the airfield converted into a restaurant(The DC Six I think it's called) if it's still going went a year or two ago, nothing special but an experience.

 

[Ray Finkle]

Yep it's Coventry Airport the Museum is excellent you can while away a few hours there quite happily.
There is also a DC6 on the airfield converted into a restaurant(The DC Six I think it's called) if it's still going went a year or two ago, nothing special but an experience.

https://www.dc6diner.com/