Spotting - fascinating exercise, especially for North-European citizens, which consisting in photographing of natural planes, first of all passenger. On a circle of admirers adjoins to collectors of engineering and modelling.

      In itself photographing of passenger planes - quite legal occupation. It even some kind of advertising of airline, to which posesses the plane. Naturally, photographing should be made, so that nobody's interdictions on photographing of any objects or territories were not broken, not created thus of a handicap of activity of other people or the organizations.

      For example, in Germany and Holland for spotters the greatest possible conditions are created. Around of the airports are run of bicycle, on which it is possible to approach in a convenient point of shooting, the specially equipped places are allocated, on buildings of the airports viewing platforms are located.

      On the this WEB-page is describe only the technical party of photographing, i.e. a practical opportunity and conditions to make of qualitative pictures of planes at the concrete airport. Conditions of an organizational opportunity of photographing are necessary for specifying. (But I do not think, that they will worsen, i.e. planes will forbid to remove in general).

      Naturally, first of all spotters interest points, to which comfortably it is possible to be indefinitely long. I.e. from them on the plane, acceptable distance up to it, the plane it is possible to see a good kind long before the moment of shooting. Spotters at photographing to anybody and nothing creates handicapes and the unhealthy attention does not draw. I.e. this place not on highway and not opposite to a military barracks.

      AUSTRIA

       VIENNA - SHVEHAT

      To reach very simply and quickly. The underground line U1 up to the area st. Shtephan (Stephansplaze), there change on line U3 up to stop City Air Terminal. Cost of trip to the underground on all lines 1,5 Euros. At this stop they have something such as suburban station. Rise upward, buy the ticket for 3 Euros, are again lowered downwards and sit in an electric train up to the airport. Frequency of following of electric trains - half an hour. At the airport the electric train does 2 stops: under the terminal 1 and under the terminal 2. In the terminal 1 unique place, whence is possible to photograph planes - restaurant on 2-nd floor where conducts the escalator from the centre of a hall. The review from restaurant magnificent, but glasses - average quality, i.e. it is necessary to search for a site of a glass through which it is possible to photograph with the minimal distortions. The building of the airport is located from the north from fly up strip. Therefore to photograph it is recommended in cloudy, soft on light, weather since the sun all time is behind planes. Under such circumstances photos look rather decently. The objective is necessary for shooting middle size planes и with a focal length of 300 mm. But for planes which approach on terminals, with a focal length of 85 mm, and an objective suffices for the big planes - 50 mm.

      And still it is important. Austrian-decent citizens live in Vienna. Which sincerely consider, that at restaurant it is necessary to eat. I.e. to visitors of restaurant your photographing is indifferent, and somebody from the personnel of restaurant will ask you something to order.

     BULGARIA

       BURGAS

       One runway with orientation 041 - 221 degrees. Is more comfortable to photograph outside of a building of the airport.

      Lengthways south-west an end face passes highway Burgas - Pomorie, near to which it is possible to settle down for photographing. It is very desirable to have an objective of 300 mm. By city bus from railway station Burgas to reach to the airport and to pass on foot aside highway.

      For a case of landing from northeast convenient approaches to this end face runway are not found out (to stamp it is necessary on fields).

      Burgas airport have a museum of aircraft (to the right from the buildings of air terminal) with several natural exhibits.

      The airport serves charter airflights to a resort the Solar coast, it is essential enlarge in the last years. Flights basically in a season (May - September).

     WEB-page with the time-table http://www.bourgas-airport.bg

      VARNA

     One runway with orientation 093 - 273 degrees. The building of the airport is situated to the north of parking of airplanes and runway. To photograph is possible from a platform of the summer cafe, which located on 2-nd floor, if there will let, of what I doubt.

      At the same time, conditions for shooting on the side of the western end face runway are ideal.

By city bus № 409 (goes from a resort Gold sand, stops near the Cathedral (Sea club), city bus station), it is necessary to leave at the third stop behind the airport, to curtail to the left to go by a vineyard and apricot garden on the south. Approximately in 20-25 minutes you will pass in a viaduct under road Varna - Veliko Trnovo. 15 more minutes of walking, and you will cross glide path. The aerodrome is bent around with asphalt road, on which it is possible to come nearer to a fence of aerodrome (minutes of 5-10 walkings). From here it is possible to photograph within all day (the sun will shine planes of you from 8.30 a.m. before 7.00 p.m.) an objective with a focal length since 135 mm.

Features of the airport of Varna are:

1)     primary direction of a wind in the afternoon on the part of the sea, i.e. in your side. In this case on landing planes will fly by you.

2)     in a calm a primary direction of take-off in your side. And as length runway is middle long, in a combination to the convenient approach it is possible to photograph and on take-off an objective with a focal length of 300 mm.

      Assortment - the Bulgarian and European planes, serving resorts Gold sand and Albena. Similar, that each European country has the its day. The Bulgarian planes also arrive not all each day.

      Doubtless advantage of photographing is extremely quiet conditions in a combination to a beautiful nature and pure air.

     Across east end face runway also there passes a country road, but on it is necessary to search for convenient approach.

     WEB-page with the time-table: http://www.varna-airport.bg

      SOFIA

      One runway with orientation 092 - 272 degrees.

      The airport is located in the east from city. To reach by city bus to the airport and on foot to go to the right or to the left, on a direction of landing, to end face runway. From the western side the approach to a runway sideways after 12.30 p.m, objective with a focal length of 300 mm for planes such as В737. On the side of an end face runway is inhabited constructions and road. To photograph from road it is possible, but to be covered there is no place. The road goes across glide path, therefore on conditions of an arrangement of the sun it is possible to remove all the day.

      From east side access to a runway is sideways possible, apparently, in area of an end face. Under glide part restrictions on cross moving, apparently, are not present, i.e. on conditions of an arrangement of the sun to photograph it is possible all the day.

      The traffic: on average 2 planes at one hour, basically European the countries.

     WEB-site with the time-table: http://www.sofia-airport.bg

     CZECHIA

      PRAGUE - RUZINE

      Aerodrome has three runways. This is two about parallel with orientation 35 - 215 degrees and 64 - 244 degrees and third runway, which their crossing with orientation 124-304 degree.

     The building of the airport is located in a southeast from airfields. In the left part of a building there is a closed viewing platform (the ticket was cost 10 czech crones). Perhaps, this is the best point for photographing.

      It is possible to approach to northeast end faces of almost parallel runways (at a southwest wind).

To reach by the city bus from station of underground "Dejvitska" to the airport. To the right on a motorway it is to pass about half an hour (on road it is necessary to pass only minutes 10. Further it is possible to go on a footpath parallel to it).

      For photographing strongly recommended to pass to other party of road. From runway you leave few, but will be considered, that to the airport you have no any attitude.

      For landing parallel and perpendicular runways may alternate.

      Up to others end face of runways from the airport to pass far, directly to them fields adjoin. I saw these places only from a window of the bus.

      EGYPT

      The airports of Cairo, Hurgada and Charm - al - Sheikh are located in desert, where completely there is no place to disappear from the sun (if, certainly, to not arrive here on the automobile) and frequently strong winds blow at low humidity. In such conditions the big stock of water is important. On all the day it from 1,5 litres at temperature of air up to +30 degrees, humidity of 30-50 % and speed of a wind up to 15 м/с up to 6-7 litres at temperature of air up to +35 degrees, humidity of 10-20 % and speed of a wind up to 30 м/с. At temperature 35 degrees are higher and 10 % on foot are lower than humidity to go in desert at all it is not recommended.

      CAIRO

      Most likely, it was built by Italians. Arrangement runways same, as well as at Roman airport Fiumichino name Leonardo da Vinchi. Two parallel runways with orientation 046 - 226 degrees, between which it is located runway with orientation 160 - 340 degrees.

      HURGADA

      Comfortable photographing during all day is possible only outside of territory of the airport.

      The territory of the airport is situated through road from located on coast of Red sea of hotels.

      The airport has 2 runways with orientation of 162-342 degrees, one of which (western) is used as runway, and east - as taxi way. The approach to runways from part of sides is not present (distance from a fence more than 1 kms). However there are excellent approaches for photographing landing planes from the part end face of runways. From located opposite to the airport hotels to located from the side end face runways points of shooting it is possible to reach on sidewalk along roads for 50 minutes - 1 hour. And if to take advantage a fixed-route taxi (cost of ticket is a 1 egyptian pound (1/6 dollars), for 25 - 30 minutes.

      From the part end faces of the runway through highways from aerodrome is situated the neutral desert, therefore, if to depart from road of meters on 300 m to desert, it will be an ideal place for photographing as ZOOM - objective, as and objective with the fixed focal length. For shootings planes such as В737 from both parts of glide path objective with a focal length of 135 mm can be used.

      In desert winds blow, sometimes very strong frequently. But about Hurgada desert is not sandy, a wind does not drives sand. It is possible to lie in the strongest wind on the ground and quietly to breathe. However in air there is a smallest clay suspension, which may spoil a photocamera. It is necessary for holding in several polyethylene bags and to pull out only at the moment of photographing.

      In case of northern wind (photograph is possible with southern end face runway) approximately before 2.00 p.m. is possible to hide from the sun under the breakages, located to the east (a side of the Red sea) from glide path. However at 1.00 p.m. the sun passes through a plane glide path, and it is necessary to pass in open desert.

      On conditions of solar light exposure it is possible to photograph in the winter before 17.30 p.m., in the summer before 19.00 p.m. local time.

      The opportunity of stay in desert of the men is determined not only temperature of air, but also humidity. Dry air in windy weather forces to drink frequently, increasing i.e. the charge of drinking water. If at normal humidity of air per day it is enough 1,5 - 2 litres of water, at dry air is demand 3 - 5 litres.

      The airport Hurgada works round the clock, and the most interesting planes may arrive only at night. And in the afternoon in succession may arrive pieces 5 Hapag Lloyd or pieces 8 Air Berlin B737-800.

      Planes of the majority of airlines may arrive the one time (one day) per one week.

     More less regularly at the airport it is served 20-30 airlines from 10-20 countries. In decreasing order quantities of arrivals planes on the countries landing as follows: German, Russian. Egyptian, Italian, French, Ukrainian, Polish, Slovak, Czech, Belgian, Byelorussian.

      SHARM EL SHEIKH

       Two parallel runways with orientation 040 - 220 degrees and distance about 500 m between them. Similar, that for landing the one runway is used only (instead of serially). The aerodrome is located in desert. On the part of east end faces of runways through a motorway there are residential buildings. To reach from city on taxi or on foot from situated at coast of hotels (about 1 hour of walking).

     FRANCE

     NICE

      The airport is located in a southwest of city at the end of quay on peninsula. Without dependence from a direction of a wind planes landing from the party opposite to city and take off in a direction on city, at once fly from it aside sea to the right. To approach to landing end face of runway overland it is impossible. The minimal distance, on which it is possible to approach, about 600 meters. The territory of aerodrome is patroled by helicopters. A building of the airport (both terminals) are arranged so, that the review on planes is possible only after passage of the control.

      CONCLUSION: the airport Nice for spotters is absolutely unpromising. Though you also may see people, observing for planes in the field-glass.

     GERMANY

      FRANKFURT-on-MAIN

       The good traffic, and at east wind also good conditions for photographing. Though on a building of the airport there is occasionally opened open gallery with a kind on parking of planes, on conditions of an arrangement of the sun qualitative photographing is possible only outside of territory of the airport, since the building of the airport is located in the north from runways.

      Two parallel runways with orientation 070 - 250 degrees and distance between them of 200 meters. And the one runway is perpendicular it with orientation 180 - 360 degrees.

      On crossing of these runways there is a special platform for photographing (planes should come on landing from the west or the north - south). From a building of the airport to approach to this platform long and difficultly.

It is more convenient to pass one stop for the airport (from city) on S-bahn (electric train) and to go aside aerodrome (on the south) twenty minutes. To reach a fence, to turn to the right and to go along the road, which are bending around aerodrome One hour up to a platform. Along all road from a stop of an electric train up to a platform there passes a bicycling - foot track.

      Usually two runways are used for landing (for example, two parallel runways), and two for take-off, i.e. one runway is used for take-off and landing. Parallel runways alternate for landing: planes serially may landing that on one, on another runway. And take-off may be carried out from one of parallel runways and perpendicular runway.

      Planes, which landing on parallel runways, can be photograph from a platform from 9.00 a.m before 6.00 p.m. (landing on southern (near) a runway the plane will be photograph slightly in a nose, landing on northern (distant from a platform) runway the plane will be photograph slightly in a tail. Planes take-off / landing on a perpendicular runway are better for photographing from 2.00 p.m. before the late evening. At presence of an objective with a focal length of 300 mm and more from 2.00 p.m. before 6.00 p.m. is possible to serve three runways.

      This platform it is possible to use at strong northern or southern wind, since for certain the perpendicular runway will be involved for take-off / landing, and its distance up to a platform only 150 meters. And on length perpendicular runway the platform is located approximately in the middle.

     WEB-page with time table http://www.frankfurt-airport.de

     STUTTGART

     One runway with orientation 074 - 254 degrees. One of the best places in the world for occupation of the spotters. Even ripe apples at the end of August are stipulated.

      At east wind arrive at one stop on S-bahn (electric train) up to the airport Stuttgart (cost of the ticket from central railway station Stuttgart is 2,60 Euros). To leave to the right, further to turn to the left in a southern direction and to go about half an hour on bicycle track. The objective suits for many types of planes with a focal length of 135 mm. Use of an objective with the fixed focal length also is possible, since it is possible to move across glide path is possible. Time of transition glide path is 6.00 p.m. To photograph it is possible from sunrise up to sunset.

      At the western wind to reach on S-bahn (electric train) to the airport Stuttgart (cost of the ticket from central railway station Stuttgart is 2,60 Euros). To pass in east direction on bicycle track along a fencing of the airport about one hour up to east end face runway. Not reaching an end face under runway there is an autofoot tunnel, to which can take advantage to pass on a point of photographing at position of the sun before 6.00 p.m. After 6.00 p.m. it is necessary to go in end face runway. Through a highway there is a corn field, from which it is very convenient to photograph even an objective with focus of 135 mm.

      On a building of the airport there is a viewing platform (cost of entrance is 2 Euros). The sun begins to cover runway on the side of a platform from 6.00 p.m. However, up to this time it is possible to photograph planes on taxi (if the plane will substitute the appropriate side).

      HUNGARY

      BUDAPEST - FERIHEGY-2

      Two parallel runways with orientation 130 - 310 degrees and distance between them about 1,3 kms.

      Travel from last station of underground KOBANYA by the bus (on it is drawn airplane) up to final stop Ferihegy-2. Time in a way - about half hour. At trip to the underground mean, that on each line of the underground the new ticket is punched.

      On a roof of airport Ferihegy-2 there are 2 terraces: at the left and on the right, with which it is possible to photograph. The entrance on each terrace separately and admission fee 250 Hungarian forints (1 Euro).

    2 runways are parallel each other and located with displacement and faces. One runway is used for landing, and another for take-off. The building of the airport with terraces is located between end faces runways. I.e. any trip plane, which landing and take-off, passes by terraces. Such plane will be covered by the sun on the side of terraces from dawn before 2.00 p.m. However, the planes at terminals will be covered before 6.00 evenings.

      The right terrace is angular. It "looks" at northwest and northeast. Those planes, which stand in a northeast part, will be covered by the sun from 10.00 a.m. up to a sunset. At the same time from the right terrace it is possible to photograph and planes, which are in a northwest part, i.e. the most preferable mode of photographing at airport Ferihegy-2 from the right terrace with from dawn up to a sunset.

      But, if you have appeared at the airport of hour at 2.00 p.m., and the plane is opposite to the left terrace, with right terrace it can be photographed only in a tail. Further it may taxi on take-off on left (southwest) runways.

      The planes at the terminals, it is possible to photograph objectives with a focal length of 50-85 mm, on taxi by terraces - 100 - 200 mm, for airplanes, which are on northeast runways, is necessary objective with a local length 300-400 mm.

      It is possible to pass on an arable land to east end face of this runways, and big planes (В767) it is possible an objective with a focal length not less than 300 mm to photograph above runway. This runway is below a level of surface, and on its sides high trees grow. Therefore it is better to pass to east glide path. On foot it will borrow 1 hour from a building of the airport or from the previous stop of the bus (but it is better to go from a building of the airport, though and the big garden is necessary to bypass). Picturesque farmland with deers and partridges. It is possible to pass on a country road further to the east lengthways glide path. There across glide path there passes a motorway with trees. This is the most comfortable place for shootings even an objective with focus of 200 mm. To photograph it is possible from both sides glide path.

      To work with a south-west runway it is much easier, since its end face is near a stop of the bus, and through road there are fields with trees. But, apparently, this runways, appropriate to tiny aeroportico Ferihegy-1, for landings from east direction is used poorly.

      Photographing at east wind (at western end faces both runways) is rather problematic, since the nearest approach to them is a road (on which the bus in the airport goes), and it from an end face of northern runway approximately 8 kms, from an end face of a southern runway approximately 4 kms.

     ITALY

      BERGAMO

      One runway have orientation 105 - 285 degrees. Photographing only outside. By city bus to reach to the airport. Also it is possible to reach from central railway station of Milan. To depart back meters 400 up to the previous stop of the bus. It is possible to photograph flying up planes from this place from 10.00 a.m. before late evening. Distance up to runway - 450 meters. If planes is landing from this party (from the west), it is possible to depart further away (on 1 km) up to meadow through road end face runway. For shootings this place is ideal. But at often full absence of a wind planes in this direction (to the west) only flying up. On opposite (east) end face of runway it is possible to approach on a bicycle, if aerodrome to go round from the north (30 minutes).

      Along a fence of aerodrome protection is goes, therefore it is better to not approach to it. Besides in it there is no necessity.

      To reach to the airport it is possible by the bus as from railway station Bergamo (a cost of ticket 1,3 - 1, 5 Euros), and from central railway station of Milan (4,5 Euros).

     MILAN-LINATE

      One runway with orientation 176 - 356 degrees. Photograph only from street. By the city bus-express (from central railway station) to reach to the airport. To photograph with airport land side (northern end face runway) since early morning till 1.00 p.m. For flying up planes is necessary the objective with a focal length of 300 mm, for landing airplanes is necessary objective with a focal length of 150 - 200 mm. After 1.00 p.m. it is possible to cross glide path on a motorway in city, but a place for photographing too not comfortable. In Linate landing only little and middle size the European planes.

      To reach it is possible by the bus from central railway station of Milan (2 Euros).

     MILAN-MALPENSA

      Two parallel runways with orientation 169 - 349 degrees and distance between them of 300 meters. Runways for landing and take-off it is alternate.

      The most comfortable photographing it is from a building of the airport (regular lines it is the most distant and big building. It is a final stop of city buses. From a building of the airport it is possible to approach on southern end faces runways only on a motorway. On foot it is impossible, since all is fenced. But if it will be possible to approach, to glide path it is possible to approach much closer, than it is from a point of photographing in a building of the airport. Taking into account that runways for landing alternate, to catch the desirable plane in an objective of the camera is a case of good luck. The plane may landing on distant in relation to the photographer a runway, but at the airport to approach close on the photographer, which located in a building.

      Northern end faces runways leave to a building of the airport. It is charter airlines. It is the first stop of the city bus at the airport Milan - Malpensa. Second (last) stop is a building of scheduled airlines.

      From a building of the airport - charter airlines can be photographed (not comfortably) landing (from the north) planes till 12.00. Flying up planes pass too highly. Glide path to pass it is problematic - everywhere is a wood.

      In the summer the sun ascends at 6.00 a.m., and cross of glide path the sun occurs about 12.00h. Up to this time from a building of the airport it is possible to photograph at the first o'clock after sunrise in any position of the plane, later - on taxi the covered side. On a building of air terminal it is possible to move within the limits of 150 meters. Glasses is tone. It is necessary to avoid at photographing patches of light from glasses on the opposite party of a building.

      Distance from a point of photograph to the nearest runway is a 650 meters, up to a taxiway is a 500 meters. Qualitative pictures to receive it is possible, but it is difficult because of low light exposure owing to tone glasses.

      The traffic is quite good. Planes are from all world, but not each day. It is convenient to spend the night on soft armchairs, at night of passengers practically is not present.

      To reach to the airport it is possible by the bus from central railway station of Milan (the ticket 4,5 - 5,5 Euros).

     WEB-page with the time-table of airports Linate and Malpensa

     http://www.sea-aeroportimilano.it

     ROMA-FIUMICHINO

      Two parallel runways with orientation of 162-342 degrees and to them almost perpendicular runway with orientation of 70-250 degrees.

      The unique pleasure spotter is that the building of the airport is in the south from airfield. On it all pleasures come to an end. The unique place, whence this most the airfield is visible, is a cafe in the left part of a building (the international airlines). The objective is necessary as a minimum with a focal length of 300 mm, since distances very big.

      Approaches to southern and western to end faces runways very heavy, to go far, on highway, and visibility of the plane at the moment of photographing is very much limited.

      At a weak wind the direction of take-off and landing runways may vary during of day and all this is unpredictable.

      At a weak wind or in a calm primary directions of flight are: landing from the north on both runways, take-off from perpendicular runway is to the west direction.

      To reach the airport is the cheapest from railway station Tiburtina. It is twice cheaper (about 5 euros), than to reach on the express train from central railway station Termini. Up to Tiburtina from Termini some stops by the underground.

      To northern end face of the western runway it is possible to reach by the local bus from airport Fiumichino. This bus passes by the western end face of a single runway, but prospects here any. Through road from aerodrome there is a wide massif of pines and to approach close to glide path it is not obviously possible.

      To northern end face of east runway it is possible to reach from central railway station Termini by a local electric train in direction town Chivitavekhia. Railways cross glide path of east runway, surface here semivillage with fields, railway station rather near from end face runway, and in case planes will come on landing here, this point may be considered as the best for photographing.

     WEB-page with the time-table

     http://www.adr.it

     MONTENEGRO CRNA GORA

     TIVAT

      Airport Tivat has no favour spotters owing to low traffic. But it is very conveniently located in relation to stops of public transport (bus).

      Planes come to landing from the southern side and are frequently well visible from beaches of Budva. Planes fly up basically to the north, is rare - to the south. Airlines basically, Russian and Yugoslavian, it is rare - 1-2 planes per day - West-European.

      From the southern side on each side glide path glades are located. Glades are closed from different directions by vegetation. Glades are located on distance of 100-150 meters from glide path. Pass to these glades from road Budva - Tivat free, on footpaths. It is very important, as the runway is surrounded with impassable prickly thrickets and to bypass it on perimeter in case of need it is completely impossible.

      To pass on these glades from side Budva (from a southern direction), it is necessary to ask to stop the bus driver before (or at once for) turn to city Kotor. To go from Budva it is possible by any bus in a direction to city of Tivat or city Kotor. The price of the bus ticket is 2,5 euros. Glide path in this place crosses road Budva - Tivat, and pass to glades will be seen on the side of road. East glade is located after turn to Kotor, the road on distance of 50 meters. To get on the western glade, it is necessary to pass from turn of road to city Kotor back 150 meters by autorefuelling and to turn to the right from road on 50 meters. The sun crosses a plane glide path at 12.00.

      The western glade is convenient for photographing planes on a background of mountains.

      To pass to northern side of a runway (from the side of city Tivat), it is necessary to go by bus in a direction only to Tivat and to ask to stop bus near the airport. At once the the airport there is an open area, whence it is convenient to photograph flying up planes (before 12.00 a.m.). If to go further along a runway (in northern direction), it is possible to bypass on asphalt road a runway on the right. Here is located the coast of a gulf, in which it is possible to bathe and thus to photograph flying up planes on a background of mountains. If to go along a runway (in a southern direction) on the same asphalt road all time adhering to the left side it is possible to leave on wood place, which is located approximately opposite to middle glide path. From this place the building of the airport and middle glide path are well visible. From this place it is convenient to photograph planes on glide path on start or run. Distance from this place to a building of the airport on road around of a runway approximately 3 kilometers. From a building of the airport up to a stop of the bus in city Tivat to go approximately 50 minutes on foot. To sit on the bus following to Budva or Kotor, it is unessential to go to Tivat. The bus can be stopped on road, and the ticket to buy at the driver. It even is cheaper.