ebentes From Brazil, joined Feb 2008, 2 posts, RR: 0 Posted (1 year 9 months 3 weeks 4 days 11 hours ago) and read 3845 times:
Hi guys..
I´ve bought a Star Alliance round the world ticket to fly in FEB 2012 with the following itinerary: MAO-GRU-ZRH-SIN-SYD-YVR-YYZ-NYC-MIA-MAO and I´d like to know if in SIN, SYD, YVR and YYZ airports there is an opened observation deck for spotting.
aussie18 From Australia, joined Jun 2005, 1609 posts, RR: 10 Reply 2, posted (1 year 9 months 3 weeks 3 days 21 hours ago) and read 3797 times:
AIRLINERS.NET CREW PHOTO SCREENER
Sydney's observation deck is great for 16R operations as you can get some nice touchdown shots and some nice shots with the city skyline in the background,Only downfall is when an aircraft is parked at certain gates with APU running it can generate alot of haze distortion which can be a pain.
When 34L is in use you can also get some shots of them heavies on climb out.
gmonney From Canada, joined Jan 2001, 2158 posts, RR: 23 Reply 4, posted (1 year 9 months 3 weeks 2 days 1 hour ago) and read 3676 times:
There is no observation deck at YYZ nor YVR, however both have fantastic locations to photograph aircrafts. It's not hard to sees from the photos from both locations that there is great variety and worth a stop. At YYZ, my home airport you will need transportation to get to the good spots. The wind is a huge factor, Rwy 23/24 is good, the 33's are great and 5/6's can be ok but the local authorities will escort you from the threshold of 06L. As well, in February you will be dealing with very cold weather in YYZ, however without shamelessly plugging my own photos, the clear air is amazing and can offer great photos, sorry I am going the shameless route!
dlowwa From Canada, joined Apr 2005, 7236 posts, RR: 32 Reply 5, posted (1 year 9 months 3 weeks 2 days ago) and read 3674 times:
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Quoting gmonney (Reply 4): There is no observation deck at YYZ nor YVR
Can't speak for YYZ, but that's certainly not true for YVR. Your info is out of date as there are now two observation decks here, plus the official viewing park at the east end of the south runway. The one in the domestic terminal opened two years ago, and the south terminal outdoor observation deck opened just last month.
rotate From Switzerland, joined Feb 2003, 1479 posts, RR: 18 Reply 6, posted (1 year 9 months 3 weeks 1 day 20 hours ago) and read 3643 times:
Quoting dlowwa (Reply 5): Quoting gmonney (Reply 4):
There is no observation deck at YYZ nor YVR
Can't speak for YYZ, but that's certainly not true for YVR. Your info is out of date as there are now two observation decks here, plus the official viewing park at the east end of the south runway. The one in the domestic terminal opened two years ago, and the south terminal outdoor observation deck opened just last month.
Ui! Thats great news Dana ... Is there any more info on the www re the 2 observation decks? What can you expect and what to see, opening times, etc ... Any info highly appreciated.
dlowwa From Canada, joined Apr 2005, 7236 posts, RR: 32 Reply 8, posted (1 year 9 months 2 weeks 6 days 12 hours ago) and read 3530 times:
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Quoting ryan h (Reply 7): First time to Vancouver for me, but have found Templeton street a great place for approach photos.
Templeton is great for blue-sky approach shots for 26R. It is relatively easy to access without a car, and no ladder is required.
Quoting rotate (Reply 6): Is there any more info on the www re the 2 observation decks? What can you expect and what to see, opening times, etc ... Any info highly appreciated.
Both open 24hrs as far as I know. The indoor one overlooks one of the domestic gate areas, so you'll mostly see small AC stuff, 319s and DH8s. It looks out to the west, so almost all international departures will pass by when taxiing to the south runway. They tend to be a bit closer if the 26s are active, but you will need to contend with the usual thick green glass, and reflections can be a problem. The new outdoor deck is basically just a raised platform they've built so you can see over the fence. It's right in the south terminal parking lot so it gives a pretty good overview of the south terminal ramp - lots of regional props and the like. It can be a bit cluttered at times, but you will be able to see all departures from the south runway. Heat haze will ruin many shots though, so keep that in mind for photography.
Domestic terminal at Sydney airport has a great observation area, not official - but where the upstairs loop road runs around between the two terminals - there is a stair-way at the end, going to the lower level road-way. Stand at the end of that, and you have excellent morning views of runway 16 right landings.
If a Dash-8 is parked in front of you - you'll get heat haze, otherwise - you can get nice images that look like you are really close to the planes.
CargoLex From United States of America, joined Apr 2010, 1153 posts, RR: 9 Reply 11, posted (1 year 9 months 2 weeks 5 days 12 hours ago) and read 3475 times:
I had a spotting question about YVR and the infamous "rental car" area (formerly Avis). Is it really okay to be on that street (outside of any rental car company's property, of course) with a ladder shooting aircraft on 26R? Obviously it's paramount to respect property and rules, and I've been wondering about this for awhile.
I generally avoid going there during business hours, as if there is going to be a confrontation, that's when it is likely to happen. Anytime after 4-5pm you should be fine, as everyone has gone home (it's used primarily as an employee parking lot). Not really a big issue this time of year, as bad light and heat haze make it one of the less desirable spots during the day, and by the evening, the sun is already crossing to the other side of the runway. In fact, don't think I've been there for a month or two.
Let me know next time you're up here, I might swing by and say hi. Can also lend my ladder if I'm not using it.
ryan h From Australia, joined Aug 2001, 1451 posts, RR: 1 Reply 13, posted (1 year 9 months 2 weeks 4 days 22 hours ago) and read 3447 times:
Most of my trips out to YVR have been when they are landing on 26. One day they were landing from the other end and found it hopeless. Does that happen much this time of year?
Want to try and get as much time around the airport before going home.
dlowwa From Canada, joined Apr 2005, 7236 posts, RR: 32 Reply 14, posted (1 year 9 months 2 weeks 4 days 22 hours ago) and read 3442 times:
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Quoting ryan h (Reply 13): Does that happen much this time of year?
As a rough guess, I'd say the 08s are in use 30-40% of the time. The weather is a good indicator (sunny skies mean 26s are more likely), but your best bet is to check the wind direction before you leave to know which runways are in use. From the west means 26s, from the east 08s. Of course you can also just pull up the live atc feed and listen to which runways are active, but looking at the forecast wind direction is usually a better indication of how it will be for the rest of the day.
AirplaneSpotter From Canada, joined Aug 2011, 1 posts, RR: 0 Reply 15, posted (1 year 9 months 2 weeks 3 days 10 hours ago) and read 3388 times:
Does anyone by any chance know great spots for viewing landings/deperatures at YYZ for runways 33R/15L. There was a great spot for viewing arrivals near 15L but recently it has been closed for spotting.
KeKeKumba From Canada, joined Jul 2010, 44 posts, RR: 0 Reply 16, posted (1 year 9 months 2 weeks 10 hours ago) and read 3247 times:
The Avis parking lot at YVR was fantastic when I was there (3 different trips in the span of 4-5 days). No troubles with anyone, no one even looked at us besides airport employees driving around. I just stood up on the edge floor of the side door of our rental car and that was enough for me to see over the fence. 110mm-280mm worked good for me.
dlowwa From Canada, joined Apr 2005, 7236 posts, RR: 32 Reply 18, posted (1 year 9 months 2 weeks ago) and read 3226 times:
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Quoting ryan h (Reply 17): Found today at yvr there is a newly built platform over near the south terminal.
Think I mentioned that already...
Quoting dlowwa (Reply 5): the south terminal outdoor observation deck opened just last month.
Quoting dlowwa (Reply 8): The new outdoor deck is basically just a raised platform they've built so you can see over the fence. It's right in the south terminal parking lot so it gives a pretty good overview of the south terminal ramp - lots of regional props and the like. It can be a bit cluttered at times, but you will be able to see all departures from the south runway. Heat haze will ruin many shots though, so keep that in mind for photography.
ryan h From Australia, joined Aug 2001, 1451 posts, RR: 1 Reply 19, posted (1 year 9 months 1 week 3 days 2 hours ago) and read 3092 times:
Quoting dlowwa (Reply 18): Quoting ryan h (Reply 17):
Found today at yvr there is a newly built platform over near the south terminal.
Think I mentioned that already...
Quoting dlowwa (Reply 5):
the south terminal outdoor observation deck opened just last month.
Quoting dlowwa (Reply 8):
The new outdoor deck is basically just a raised platform they've built so you can see over the fence. It's right in the south terminal parking lot so it gives a pretty good overview of the south terminal ramp - lots of regional props and the like. It can be a bit cluttered at times, but you will be able to see all departures from the south runway. Heat haze will ruin many shots though, so keep that in mind for photography.
Went to that spot today to find the deck is now closed off. A guy there said it was not finished, but looked finished to me.
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