East Midlands: Aircraft Spotting Locations

[tleeds]

This topic is for people who wish to mention or query any good spotting locations at East-Midlands Airport.

 

[tleeds]

I was thinking of travelling down to EMA from my home airport of LBA, to do some general spotting and maybe a bit of amateur photography over the end of summer and also into winter.

I was wondering if anyone knew of any good spots that they would like to share with me which offers a great sight of the apron?!
I'm presuming the best place to go is North of the runway at EMA, but any help would be greatly appreciated.

Regards,
Tom.

 

[Aviador]

I'll second that. I don't know where to go for spotting at East Midlands either. The airport has change so much over the years. The last time I visited, there was a first floor cafe where you could go to view the aircraft but I think that area is airside now.

 

[Seasider]

If you turn off the M1 at the junction for the airport, follow the dual carriage way underneath the approach, you will see a layby on the opposite side. Carry on to the roundabout and turn 180 (as if you are going back to the M1) and park in the layby. You can then walk 100m approx, and you will be able to take photographs of landing aircraft.
The best place for seeing "what is going off" is at the opposite end of the runway and to the north. To get there, follow the signs to the Donnington Park, pass the airport and and you come to a set of Traffic Lights. Turn right and ignore the Donnington Park signs on your left. You are now motoring past the western end of the runway. At the roundabout, you can go straight on and park near the Aeropark . A better thing to do is to turn left at the roundabout (you are travelling towards Castle Donnington) and after a few hundred metres turn right at the side of the Nags Head Pub. Follow this road to a crash gate parking sensibly. This is where all the locals go. You can see across to Cargo West and Terminal, not very good views of Cargo east. You will see all arr/dep. Disadvantage - you are facing south so photography is difficult up to 4pm.
Hope this is useful.

 

[tleeds]

That is very helpful, thank you very much seasider and lets hope the weather conditions are good for when I take my visit. :good:

 

[Aviador]

That is very helpful, thank you very much seasider and lets hope the weather conditions are good for when I take my visit. :good:

Don't forget to give us a full report and show off your pictures if you take any! 😉

 

[tleeds]

I will do Aviador :rockon:

 

[Seasider]

Tomleeds
Did you go?

 

[tleeds]

Unfortunately, I have not yet been able to find the time to go down to EMA. I hope to go within the next few months before the last week in October which is half-term week.

 

[Seasider]

I was at EMA on Sunday and walked the "Airport Trail". It is approx 6 miles but the airport isn't busy on a Sunday morning and I used it as a "recce".
In addition to what I have previously posted, there is a picnic area (limited parking) just to the north of the 27 approach and can be accessed from the A453. From there you can go under the approach and as the Triail carries on parallel to A453, follow the track to your right and in 100 yds there is a mound which allows you to photograph above the fence as aircraft taxi out for t/o.
If you follow the trail past the terminal and DHL, it goes north and you can then see the DHL ramp . Various points around here, to the south or north of 09 approach.
Don't forget this is the time of year to get your camera out and photograph the cargo aircraft now it is lighter in the evening.

 

[Aviador]

I visited EMA a week ago en route to the South West. We called in at the Aeropark where the vintage aircraft are parked up. It's was good to see a dedicated area for enthusiasts as they seem to be in decline at most airports these days. At the East Midlands Airport Aeropark there are two or three mounds that you can climb giving views above the fence line. The site offers good photographic opportunities overlooking the DHL cargo facility opposite with views of nearly all the airfield. I used a 200mm lens which was pushed to the limit for the further a field shots but it was suitable for the closer shots of aircraft landing and departing. The airport wasn't particularly busy when we were there and we only saw a couple of aircraft depart so timing a visit there is essential to ensure the best photo opportunities.

 

[Aviador]

Photos by Aviador and hosted here at Forums4airports!

 

[tleeds]

Thanks for those Aviador!

I am still to make my trip down to East Midlands after a few aborted attempts!

I hope to be studying at Loughborough Uni very soon, so I could very well be a new EMA spotter! 😆