New Birmingham Airport Viewing Facility

[Hassaan]

I spent a couple of hours in the new viewing area this morning and had an interesting chat with a gentleman who is usually pretty well informed. He said the previous 'airport director' was very pro spotters and there was a viewing area under consideration for the land behind the Tristar hotel, apparently some raised mounds and an undercover area. He then said the 'new director' doesn't want to know, he is, in this chaps words, "interested in making big money and nothing else" and they had to fight for the token gesture that is there now. Apparently there was to be six benches and a small shelter but as yet there are still only three benches, they also apparently pushed for the area to be tarmacked rather than the soft surface they have put down but BHX weren't interested, judging by the channels eroded away by the recent rain it isn't going to last very long.

Which sounds similar to what I proposed a while back. It's a shame that the airport isn't interested but I do hope they don't give up. The new director doesn't seem to be pro spotters at all but if he's interested in making big money and nothing else then surely a viewing facility would help towards that? That could bring nearly as much revenue as other facilities in the airport would do, such as the shops. They had to fight to get three benches in the site. I was wondering though, wouldn't that noise bund restrict the view to some extent anyway?

This chap that you spoke to, seeing as he is well-informed, I hope he or some others manage to change this guy's mind as there should really be more of a push for a viewing facility at BHX. Mind you, MAN is the only major airport in the country with an official viewing area. BHX could join it in those ranks and Midlands residents would be more open to visiting BHX as opposed to travelling to MAN.

What is this undercover area? And raised mounds would be nice of course. But I do hope they don't give up as I mentioned above as I'm sure there is definitely a market for this.

 

[Ray Finkle]

I don't know what sort of undercover area it would have been, from what I could gather it was only preliminary discussions that hadn't yet got as far as the details but they were positive. The guy is a member of local associations who meet with the airport company from time to time and have pushed very hard to even get what is there now, unfortunately, as far as the airport company is concerned, it goes no further with evidence as such in the snide remark in your reply from Mr Kehoe "5. We have spent £200m of shareholders funds putting the airport right – and sorry no funds for the spotters".

It is a shame as the location is fantastic and with a couple of minor alterations it could be even better. The main issue is the fence obscuring photographers, either lowering a section of fence onto the slope or a raised decking area, if anyone has seen the raised deck at West Midlands Safari Park for viewing the hippo's something similar would be ideal. Alas it's not to be, but at least the picnic tables are getting good use with people stood on top of them to get their photo's

 

[Ray Finkle]

A shelter, of sorts, has now been erected in the viewing area, it's not a new one though as it's filthy, I have a feeling it was one of the old bus stops from long stay 1. Still only three benches, it was very busy there today.

 

[Hassaan]

I'd have thought the funds are there. The area behind the TriStar Hotel was about to be constructed before the airport said they weren't interested, wasn't it?

Also, doesn't the noise bund obstruct the view somewhat?

 

[Ray Finkle]

I don't think it was 'about to be constructed' but from what I can gather it was being discussed.

 

[Hassaan]

Well, just to bring up the email that was composed last year:

Good afternoon Sir/Madam,

My team and I would very much like to bring to your attention our proposals for a new and exciting project at Birmingham Airport. Initial plans are underway for the construction of a new viewing facility and we are currently looking for sponsors, investors and/or interested parties to collaborate on this venture and we feel your input would be invaluable. Birmingham Airport currently handles circa 9 million passengers per year with plans in place to significantly increase this number and over recent years hundreds of millions of pounds have been spent on infrastructure projects with the most important of these the runway extension which is now open. This will enable potential new long haul flights to reach destinations previously unavailable and in turn provide more 'interesting' aircraft for viewers to see, a recent example being Air India having started a Birmingham-Delhi service on Aug 1st 2013 with their new Boeing 787 aircraft.

The concept is similar to the viewing facility at Manchester Airport which now sees over 300,000 visitors per annum and was listed in the top 10 of Greater Manchester's attractions, we aim to grow the Birmingham visitor centre to the same scale and beyond. Initially the area will provide viewing mounds giving a wide angle view of the airfield and runway with excellent photographic opportunities, a restaurant/coffee shop and a children's play area. Long term we plan to add a shop selling aviation/photographical related products and interactive displays ranging from display aircraft to flight school simulators. There will also eventually be the ability to offer packages to schools for day trips and to cater for children's birthday parties. We also have the idea of possibly getting a hotel operator to work alongside us and offer 'spotting weekends' for enthusiasts who live farther afield, where entrance to the viewing area is included in a package with an airport hotel room.

We have two, very brief, outline sketches of potential sites.

The first is within the boundary adjacent to the airport fire station.

http://oi42.tinypic.com/53ssxy.jpg

The second and preferred option is to the rear of the Tristar hotel just off the A45.

http://oi39.tinypic.com/254y5i8.jpg.

The second position is due to become a car park with a Centro bus road alongside it so just a small area would be needed to form the viewing facility and associated car park. The site has easy access from the A45 with the road alongside the Travelodge hotel already there and is currently an unused bit of wasteland keeping construction costs to a minimum. We, however, remain open minded and will look to confirm a location once all interested parties have offered their input.

The project will be aimed at a wide variety of people from serious aviation enthusiasts to families looking for a day out with the kids and revenue will be made from car parking charges and income from the restaurant. Entrance to the facility would be a nominal fee for those arriving on foot. Parking could cost £3 an hour and a flat charge of £12 for coaches/visits lasting over 3 hours, although until the interactive displays are fully operational we may charge slightly less but again all interested parties will have an input. We plan a year round operation with opening times around 6am and closing times varying from 4pm in the winter to 8pm or even 10pm in the height of summer.

We are very excited about the potential of this proposal and hope you share our vision and would like to work further with us to make this a reality. Should you require any further information or would like to discuss the proposals further then please do not hesitate to contact me. I thank you for your kind attention and eagerly await your reply.

Kind regards.

Parts of that might be outdated so it needs to be updated and probably a bit more info to sound more convincing.

So it was being discussed and nothing seems to have come of it - yet. Is it worth still looking for sponsors?

 

[Ray Finkle]

Unfortunately I think the idea is pretty much dead. The current administration have no interest and, more importantly, no money for this project, so that only leaves a site outside of the airport boundary which won't offer views that are better than anything that is currently available free of charge

 

[Hassaan]

On this subject I set up an e-petition: http://epetition.birmingham.public-i.tv ... ition/2988

A decent amount of support so far. It needs a bit of a push now.

 

[Ray Finkle]

Only 35 signatures so far, it's going to need some serious exposure to get more. The council website suggests 20,000 signatures are needed for a debate to take place. 10,000 signatures and it will be referred to the appropriate Overview and Scrutiny Committee for a Senior Officer to attend and answer questions and 5,000 signatures will see it referred to the Council Business Management Committee to determine whether an Overview and Scrutiny Committee or City Council should debate the petition.

Good luck.

 

[Hassaan]

Any suggestions on how it can be given more exposure? An ad on this site linking to the petition is a start. I posted it on the flyintobhx Facebook group and that's where the bulk of the 35 signatures came from, mostly on Saturday which is when I posted it.

I've tried contacting the Birmingham Mail to run an article on it but I've heard nothing back as of yet. If fellow posters could help get the word out that'd help too.

 

[Ray Finkle]

Check your pm's mate.

I've been having a think about the viewing area today and although it's subjective my opinion is that there are not going to be many, if any, places better than where it is now.

So what about some low cost improvements maybe implemented gradually?

Firstly that horrible sand/gravel stuff could do with being replaced with turf, not only would it look so much better it would give families somewhere to spread out the picnic blankets on a warm day, like they do at Sheldon Country Park.

For the photographers one or two raised decks would be ideal to see over the fence, nothing too spectacular just some steps and a platform but set back enough from the fence to keep the security risk to a minimum.

Both of these would be relatively cheap but would turn it into a decent area and without fancy displays and catering facilities you can keep it free, after all there are more than enough places to eat within the airport, which is only a short walk or bus ride away.

Thoughts?

 

[Hassaan]

I can see where you're coming from and seemingly it wouldn't be so bad but I don't know... I suppose it's just a matter of opinion though. I'm not sure it has scope to stand out as a visitor attraction of Birmingham being attached to the end of a car park but that's just me. I suppose we'll just have to see how things develop this year.

 

[Ray Finkle]

I can see that you would like a dedicated visitor centre with displays and attractions galore but I'm not convinced it is viable. Manchesters AVP was developed because there were very few places for spotters/photographers to go, since then it has grown organically to what we see today. BHX however has always been pretty good for viewing, even back in the day when the grass slope, where the 20's stands are now, used to be packed every weekend.

If a dedicated centre was to open I'm sure it would get an initial rush of customers and do very well for the first few months as people flock to something new. Over time though the novelty will wear off and I can't see a family of four paying £10 each, or whatever the price will be, just to let the kids watch planes for a couple of hours when Sheldon Country Park has great views with parking and access totally free. Likewise the regular spotters and photographers tend to move around.

I'd love to see a visitor centre open with all the bells and whistles but unless it is either the only place to view, or is so much better than what is currently available free of charge I'm not convinced there would be enough people going on a regular basis, long term, to make it profitable.

 

[Brummiegem]

I would also like to see a dedicated viewing facility,with raised areas for photographers to get pictures without having to stick lenses through gaps in fences and the like.
I do however like the Sheldon country park area.I can combine my 2 favorite photography subjects,aircraft and wildlife in 1 visit,great.
Unfortunately during a couple of visits in the last year I have noticed the attitude some people have towards people with an interest in aircraft as, well not too friendly.In fact some people can be down right offensive.I like to think I have a live and let live attitude,each to their own sort of thing.I just don't know why some people just can't get on with their own lives and let others do the same without the nastiness.It is not as if anyone or anything is being harmed or a nuisance is being created.
Most people however are very friendly and have a genuine interest.In fact if you have an air band radio it is amazing how many people suddenly become your friend and want to know when the next aircraft is arriving or taking off.
Alas unless the airport hierarchy believe they will make some money from it I do not think a proper facility will happen.9th September 2001 changed aviation in many ways.Unfortunately for our hobby not for the better.

 

[Hassaan]

I did mention - admittedly not clearly enough - in the description regarding the positioning that it would be "one which would be situated in a position able to provide views of aircraft that are not available on any other site at the airport". The issue being I'm not able to edit the page.

 

[Ray Finkle]

"one which would be situated in a position able to provide views of aircraft that are not available on any other site at the airport".

Just out of interest where would this be?

 

[Elmdon80slad]

Hi all,

I am just saying hello and showing i am still alive lol, its good to see my little dream is still inspiring people to do there best for something BHX deserves, perhaps one day TPB at the airport will see the potential of this...

Oh. just while its on my mind a few ideas -

1) canvas Solihull town center and Brum for signatures.
2) contact both Brum and Solihull council leaders.
3) try the local millionaires.
4) try well known celebs who like investing AKA Dragons.
5) contact local radio, tv and papers see if they will do an article about it.

Just a few ideas folks, hope it works and keep up the enthusiasm everyone, always remember Brum deserves something decent...

E. :good: :good: :good:

 

[Ray Finkle]

Good to see you're still around :good:

Without the support of the Airport Company I think it'll be very difficult indeed, maybe drumming up a bit of local interest could help them change their minds?

I wonder if Ozzy is into his aircraft.

 

[Aviador]

Good to see you're still around :good:

Without the support of the Airport Company I think it'll be very difficult indeed, maybe drumming up a bit of local interest could help them change their minds?

I wonder if Ozzy is into his aircraft.

Is Ozzy ever actually in the UK?

 

[Ray Finkle]

Apart from the Black Sabbath tours I think the last time he was back 'home' was in 2007 when he got his name on the Birmingham Walk of Stars