klm77 From Canada, joined Sep 2009, 154 posts, RR: 0 Posted (11 months 4 days 22 hours ago) and read 7311 times:
Hey all, I'm going to be heading to a few cities in Europe this summer, CDG AMS PRG VIE and BUD. Not sure how much spotting I will get done but I still would like to know some good spots and info if possible, all I know is at CDG you need a spotter pass, how would I be able to get this. Thanks for the help in advance.
aerorobnz From Rwanda, joined Feb 2001, 6368 posts, RR: 13 Reply 4, posted (11 months 1 day 7 hours ago) and read 7079 times:
Quoting addew1 (Reply 3): wow, do you really need a spotting pass to spot at CDG? How come?
It is the law, and is policed by big military police with machine guns on the perimeter. Without one it results in a 400 euro fine if you get caught.
There are spots they won't disturb you, but you have to be looking for them all the time before you take a photo if you don't have a pass. It applies to CDG and Le Bourget only. ORY they don't care
dcaviation From United States of America, joined Aug 2011, 165 posts, RR: 0 Reply 6, posted (11 months 23 hours ago) and read 7026 times:
How long is this permit valid for? If I apply now but don't know when I'll be at CDG, how this will work?
I usually fly by wire, if I see cheap tickets Thursday for flights to Europe for Friday I'll go.
So how does this permit thing work?
Thought about this aswell. This permit makes it hard to take a last minute trip to CDG to spot that's for sure. The rules in europe seems a lot stricter then in Sweden.
LifelinerOne From Netherlands, joined Nov 2003, 1881 posts, RR: 8 Reply 10, posted (10 months 3 weeks 3 days 17 hours ago) and read 6625 times:
Quoting dcaviation (Reply 9): So what do I send to Mr. Xavier? Copy of my passport's picture page requesting permit for photography at CDG?
Yes, indeed. It took me about two weeks to receive it. I still have the life-time permit. However, I do hear rumblings that new permits aren't issued anymore. Anyhow, you will know it when you mail Mr. Xavier.
Quoting viv (Reply 5): It's not a spotting pass, it's a photography permit. You can spot all you want without a camera.
That's really depending on the Gendarme who will check you. I've witnessed a lot of people being sent away for just looking at the planes without the permit.
He understands English and you'll need a copy of your ID attached with the e-mail. Takes two to three weeks.
Excellent info as I will be heading to CDG next month.
2 questions
- Should I bother trying to get the letter translated into French at all or just submit the request in English?
-What about the spotting area called "The Mound" across the way from the Pullman Hotel, is that really gone now? I've read bits online that a new parking structure was being built there. Is that true? Is there any land at all left in that general area for spotting? I won't have access to a car so any spotting locations have to be within walking distance to the RER station.
LifelinerOne From Netherlands, joined Nov 2003, 1881 posts, RR: 8 Reply 12, posted (10 months 3 weeks 2 days 4 hours ago) and read 6490 times:
Quoting Charles79 (Reply 11): Should I bother trying to get the letter translated into French at all or just submit the request in English?
I wrote mine in English and received a French permit back. So, I assume he understands English... However, writing it in French may speed things up a little.
Quoting Charles79 (Reply 11): What about the spotting area called "The Mound" across the way from the Pullman Hotel, is that really gone now? I've read bits online that a new parking structure was being built there. Is that true? Is there any land at all left in that general area for spotting? I won't have access to a car so any spotting locations have to be within walking distance to the RER station.
I haven't been there for a while, but looking at new pictures in the database, it seems the location near the Concorde is still accessible, although large part of the mounds have been removed for a parking lot.
Now, if you are having a bad time at CDG, consider a visit to Orly. It has a rooftop terrace on the South Terminal. Although it's glass fronted and looking South, on cloudy days or later on the day, nice shots can be made.
Charles79 From Puerto Rico, joined Mar 2007, 1309 posts, RR: 5 Reply 16, posted (10 months 3 weeks 1 day 10 hours ago) and read 6416 times:
Quoting LifelinerOne (Reply 12): However, writing it in French may speed things up a little.
Thanks for the response, I wrote it in both English and French and sent it...hope to at least hear back from them.
Quoting LifelinerOne (Reply 12): It has a rooftop terrace on the South Terminal. Although it's glass fronted and looking South, on cloudy days or later on the day, nice shots can be made.
I'll certainly consider Orly as an option...even if I do get the permit I may still take a quick trip to ORY just to check it out.
Quoting ptrjong (Reply 13): Just get out on the south side... no problems with the flics at Orly.
Those shots do look nice but I would need a car for those...thanks for the suggestion though, maybe in a future trip I break down and rent a car for a day.
sahaair707 From Ireland, joined Sep 2007, 5 posts, RR: 0 Reply 17, posted (10 months 3 weeks 2 hours ago) and read 6331 times:
I'm heading to CDG myself in a little over a week for a day of photography/spotting, I actually got my permit about 2 years ago but this will be my first chance to use it.
Does anybody have any more information about the closure of the mound, and what are the alternatives - like the other poster I won't have access to a car.
LifelinerOne From Netherlands, joined Nov 2003, 1881 posts, RR: 8 Reply 18, posted (10 months 2 weeks 6 days 12 hours ago) and read 6298 times:
Quoting sahaair707 (Reply 17): Does anybody have any more information about the closure of the mound, and what are the alternatives - like the other poster I won't have access to a car.
The mound is still there, although smaller. You can still go up near the Concorde, the rest is now a parking lot.
sahaair707 From Ireland, joined Sep 2007, 5 posts, RR: 0 Reply 20, posted (10 months 6 days 5 hours ago) and read 5679 times:
I was in CDG earlier this week, unfortunately the weather wasn't great for photography, overcast sky and the odd shower.
While there I went as far as Concorde and it is pretty much as described in the link above, however it appears that the entire area in front of the fence has been recently dug up leaving no grass only flattened earth so don't wear your good shoes, also when I was there the grass was quite long around the taxiways making photography difficult.
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From Canada, joined Sep 2009, 154 posts, 
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Thanks for the answers. 
From Puerto Rico, joined Mar 2007, 1309 posts, 
However, writing it in French may speed things up a little.
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