Hi guys,

Next month I'll be making a photography trip to Toulouse and Barcelona, hoping for some decent southern autumn weather. I hope that you can help me with a couple of questions. For starters:

For Toulouse:
* Is there any regularity in Beluga arrivals/departures? Days of the week, times of the day?
* There's a nice Scamble airfield guide for TLS, but it seems to omit a spot next to the Rwy 14R end and taxiway, probably on a hillside. Is this an accessible and nice spot?

View Large View Medium Photo © Javier Gonzalez - Iberian Spotters

View Large View Medium Photo © AlphaSierra - Roma Spotters Club

* The Taxiway company offers two Airbus works tours (I know, no photography), an A380 factory tour and a bus tour. Has anyone done the latter? Is it worthwhile?

For Barcelona:
* Has anyone visited one of the 'Exhibiciones Aéreas' days at Sabadell? Are these anything like airshows?
* I'm thinking of renting a bicycle to get around at BCN, taking it in the train to the airport which is allowed. Does this sound like a good idea?

Thanks,

Peter 

Hi Peter,

the spot on 'the hill' at TOU is here: http://goo.gl/maps/K99Ja

Regards

Andreas

Thanks Andreas!

That looks good, I read one report that the view isn't so clear though.

For landings from the 'left' you have to have your camera ready, but the locals shoud tell you  
Apart from that it is a great spot.

Hi Peter,

Toulouse could be fun, or not at all... I've been there twice last year, but both days were very slow with movements. The only highlights I managed to catch was an all white Beluga, a German AF Transall and nice BBJ. I was there in September, both times on a Tuesday.

I did, however, had a nice tour around the A380 productionline, which can be booked online.

Hope you fair better catching some interesting stuff!

Cheers!   

Thanks Lifeliner. Yeah, I realize it's probably going to be slow. I want to see the Ailes Anciennes museum, and get a feel of the place. At around what time did the Beluga move, for what it's worth? I'll book the A380 tour, thanks!

Peter 

The Beluga departed around 9.30.

Oh, next to the A380 tour, other tours are organized. Although I liked it, there are also tours to other production lines and the delivery center.

Have fun!

Cheers!   

When I went to Toulouse I was in touch with both T.Laurent and French Frogs(yannick), not sure if the latter is still around.
But I met Laurent and did some spotting on the hill. The locals are quite a useful resource, but be warned some of them don't speak english very well so it will be hard to figure out what traffic is flying today.
I think weekdays will have activity and weekends will be quiet.

Airbus tours is great! They recently launched the entire airfield tour where I believe the bus will drive you along the whole airfield between the various aprons and factories.

Quoting BO__einG (Reply 7):

Thanks. I'll send a message to TL.

View Large View Medium

Photo © T.Laurent

It looks as if he has airport access, or is there a tower or something on the north side?

Quoting BO__einG (Reply 7): be warned some of them don't speak english very well so it will be hard to figure out what traffic is flying today.

Who says I don't speak French   Well, not a lot.