Thursday June 07, 2007
and welcome to www.ringwayreports.co.uk -the Manchester Airport movements reports website.
MANCHESTER AIRPORT VIEWING AND PHOTOGRAPHY GUIDE
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Airport info Viewing at the airport Viewing off the airport |
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AIRPORT INFO top |
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Airport Location Manchester Airport is situated 8-10 miles south of Manchester City Centre By Road Take junction 5 of the M56 Motorway or junction 6 if you wish to visit the southside viewing park (signposted). Car parking is expensive in the Terminal Car Parks. Car Parking By Rail Manchester has its own Rail Station situated between Terminals 1 & 2. Check your local station for direct links to the Airport. If not there are 6 services an hour during the day, four on Sundays between Manchester Piccadilly and the Airport. Also evening and night services are catered for. For more information telephone National Rail Enquiries 08457 484950 or visit www.nationalrail.co.uk Official website |
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TERMINAL 1 CAR PARK LEVEL 13 top |
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Location The car park now appears to be classed as a designated viewing area with the aviation hobby shop and a small cafe situated on the roof of the Terminal 1 short stay car park. It offers reasonable views of the international pier on Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. However other parts of the airport are restricted (especially Terminal 3 British Airways Domestic). Photography is OK but with two potential problems: There are fences around with a only a few holes at certain points from which to take photos and only aircraft using Terminal 2 and certain stands on Terminal 1 can be photographed without obstructions. With the car park charges it is also the most expensive spot at Manchester. By Road Leave junction 5 M56 and head for Terminal One. Follow the signs for the Short Stay car park. Level 13 is the viewing area with plenty of parking space. By Train Up the escalator or ramp to the first floor from the rail station, turn left over link bridge to T1. On entering the terminal there are lifts to the left before the down escalator. Level 13. Turn left out the door and walk over to the far side. Facilities Snack Bar and a fully stocked Aviation Shop. Toilets are located on the ground floor in T1. Viewing There is a limitation to viewing Terminal 2 and small part of T1. Both Runways can be seen though 05R/23L is in the distance. Photo Opportunities Opportunities to photograph aircraft parked on Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 stands are sometimes limited. Patience and a big wallet to pay for the car park fee may be required!
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AVIATION VIEWING PARK top |
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This is the official viewing area and offers excellent views, photo opportunities and is now home to Concorde G-BOAC. The area is situated close to the Northern Executive Aviation ramp and maintenance areas. With Runway 23R / 05L directly in front. |
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THE AIRPORT HOTEL PUB top |
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Location The Airport Hotel public house is located at the threshold of Runway 23R. http://www.theairporthotel.com/ By Road Leave junction 5 and follow the signs for Terminal one. When you come to traffic lights get into the left-hand lanes. This will take you on ahead onto Ringway Road West. Keep going and turn right into Ringway Road. The pub is on your left side. Parking is limited and pay-and-display (do not park on the road outside as you WILL GET A PARKING TICKET). A great place if you want landing shots. In summer the tree line hampers viewing of taxiing aircraft to the hold of 23R. Only between 12.00 and 15.00. Views of departing aircraft can only be seen crossing 23R with Binoculars. DO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE On Foot Make your way through Terminal 1 to Domestic and Terminal 3. Go outside and make a right turn, follow the road straight in front of you. 10 minutes you will be at the Airport Pub. On the end of T3 you will see views of the T3 ramp and taxiing aircraft. Facilities As with most UK pubs, there's plenty of food and drink provided (a good pint of Robinson Real Ale!), Toilets are available. There is a large children's play area at the rear of the pub. Viewing Make your way to the rear of the pub and go out through the sliding doors. A small terrace greets you with the children's play area to the left and plenty of seating. Runway 23R holding point is on your right side. Landing Aircraft will come in on your left side if 23R is in use. Now that Runway 2 is in use 23R will only be used for landing aircraft. Runway 2 (23L) is used for departing aircraft. Photo Opportunities During the summer, the sun is behind from 3pm onwards and provides some great landing shots.
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APPROACH - RUNWAY 23R ARRIVALS [back to top] |
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Location Next to the final approach to Runway 23R. By Road From the Airport Hotel car park, turn right and proceed toward the junction (Ringway Road). Turn right, follow this road for about three quarters of a mile until the approach lights become visible. Take the first left and an approach light can be seen on the right with a row of houses on the left. Car parking on side of road after the double yellow lines on the right hand side. Please ensure you DO NOT BLOCK residents in by parking over driveway exits. ** Please note this is not an official area and RingwayReports cannot be held responsible for the actions of any visitors to this vantage point. RingwayReports recommends the official Aviation Viewing Park for spectators visiting Manchester Airport for the sole reason of viewing aircraft. On Foot From the Airport Hotel car park, turn right and proceed toward the junction (Ringway Road). Turn right, follow this road for about three quarters of a mile until the approach lights become visible. Take the first left and an approach light can be seen on the right with a row of houses on the left. Facilities There are no facilities. Viewing Only 23R arrivals can be viewed from this vantage point with aircraft on final approach as they pass. Photo Opportunities Opportunities to photograph aircraft on final approach to 23R.
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('JOE'S FIELD') SOUTHSIDE - RUNWAY 23R ARRIVALS/DEPARTURES top |
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Location Near the south side perimeter and 'trident' fire training area. This is not the best place to view from, but great for photographs. Opposite the Airport Hotel Pub. ** Please note this is not an official area and RingwayReports cannot be held responsible for the actions of any visitors to this vantage point. RingwayReports recommends the official Aviation Viewing Park for spectators visiting Manchester Airport for the sole reason of viewing aircraft. By Road Take the road leading up to the Airport Pub on the right, and turn right. Or the road out of the airport and take your 3rd exit of the roundabout follow the road up to the next junction turn right at the traffic lights with petrol station on the right. Follow this road for approximately one mile until the next right turning marked "Moss Lane". Turn right into Moss Lane and follow this road for approximately half a mile until an "S" bend. At this point you are able to park your car up in front of the gate. DO NOT OBSTRUCT the private path way gate and ENSURE that any parked vehicles do not block the road. On Foot A very long walk from the airport, but it can be done by following the same directions as above. Facilities There are no facilities. Viewing The sun is behind from dawn until 3pm and provides some great landing shots of aircraft touching down on Runway 23R. Runway 23L cannot be seen from this point. Photo Opportunities Opportunities to photograph aircraft on final approach to, or lining up for departure on, Runway 23R.
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('TRIDENT') SOUTHSIDE - RUNWAY 23R ARRIVALS/DEPARTURES top |
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Location Near the south side perimeter and 'trident' fire training area. This is not the best place to view from, but great for photographs. Opposite the Airport Hotel Pub. ** Please note this is not an official area and RingwayReports cannot be held responsible for the actions of any visitors to this vantage point. RingwayReports recommends the official Aviation Viewing Park for spectators visiting Manchester Airport for the sole reason of viewing aircraft. By Road Take the road leading up to the Airport Pub on the right, and turn right. Or the road out of the airport and take your 3rd exit of the roundabout follow the road up to the next junction turn right at the traffic lights with petrol station on the right. Follow this road for approximately one mile until the next right turning marked "Moss Lane". Turn right into Moss Lane and follow this road for approximately half a mile until an "S" bend. At this point park the vehicle up in front of the gate. DO NOT OBSTRUCT the private path way gate and ENSURE that any parked vehicles do not block the road. Use the fence step over and walk towards the Trident. Walk around the fence and head to the Airport perimeter fence. From here good photographs can be taken. On Foot A very long walk from the airport (!), but it can be done by following the same directions as above. Facilities There are no facilities. Viewing The sun is behind from dawn until 3pm and provides some great landing shots of aircraft touching down on Runway 23R. Runway 23L cannot be seen from this point. Photo Opportunities Opportunities to photograph aircraft on final approach to, or lining up for departure on, Runway 23R.
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SOUTHSIDE - RUNWAY 23L DEPARTURES top |
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Location There are a 'mounds' close to Runway 23L which offer excellent views of aircraft beginning their take-off run on the new runway (23L). Aircraft can be photographed easily and viewing is very good from the area. ** Please note this is not an official area and RingwayReports cannot be held responsible for the actions of any visitors to this vantage point. RingwayReports recommends the official Aviation Viewing Park for spectators visiting Manchester Airport for the sole reason of viewing aircraft. By Road Take the road leading up to the Airport Pub on the right, and turn right. Or the road out of the airport and take your 3rd exit of the roundabout follow the road up to the next junction turn right at the traffic lights with petrol station on the right. Follow this road for approximately one mile until the next right turning marked "Moss Lane". Turn right into Moss Lane and follow this road for approximately half a mile until an "S" bend. After the "S" bend and crash gate on the right, follow the road for a further half a mile until a small lay-by on the left. At this point park the vehicle and walk towards the wooden fence through the gate (ensure all gates are CLOSED after use). Walk (DO NOT DRIVE if the gate is open) down the road until the runway and airport becomes visible. On the left is another gate. Go through this and follow the path until a small mound. On Foot A very long walk from the airport (!), but it can be done by following the same directions as above. Facilities There are no facilities. Viewing From here the back of the FLS hangar and NEA ramp are visible, plus great views of the airport and appears the ideal place for photographs of aircraft taxiing onto the new runway 23L. Be aware Runway 23L is not used between 12 – 3pm local daily. Photo Opportunities Opportunities to photograph aircraft on final approach to, or lining up for departure on, Runway 23R.
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SOUTHSIDE - END OF RUNWAYS 05L/05R top |
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Location Close to the threshold of Runway 05L. Offers excellent views of aircraft lifting from Runway 23R. Aircraft are 'nose on' on departure and can be photographed easily. ** Please note this is not an official area and RingwayReports cannot be held responsible for the actions of any visitors to this vantage point. RingwayReports recommends the official Aviation Viewing Park for spectators visiting Manchester Airport for the sole reason of viewing aircraft. By Road From the Aviation Viewing Park. Turn left and head towards the runway tunnels. Drive under both tunnels and turn left at the roundabout. Park near the Moat House Hotel. The rest is on foot. On Foot Cross the road and walk up the steps up the banking. Follow the path past the new fire station, drop down the valley, cross the footbridge over the River Bollin. From here photos of aircraft rotating on Runway 23L or touching down on Runway 05R can be taken with ease.
Continue along the path and go under the tunnel on the far side. Turn left up a steep hill, then right through a gate, across the field, through the next gate bear left, then right. Down this footpath you will see the lights at the end of Runway 23R. From here nose on shots of aircraft departing Runway 23R can be taken as well as shots of aircraft about touching down on Runway 05L.
Facilities There are no facilities at any of the vantage points. |
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