New Birmingham Airport Viewing Facility

[Elmdon80slad]

I was just doing a bit of pondering yesterday - does anyone have an idea of what kind of height the noise bunds are by the 33 threshold end, and what height of building would be required to give good vantage of the apron, runway and aircraft on approach to the 33 runway.

Just plucking ideas out of thin air.

E.

 

[Aviador]

I'm sure I read somewhere that they were 3m high, could be wrong though.

Just been reading BHX noise action PDF but it doesn't say how high they are.

 

[Hassaan]

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:

Nice to hear you're still around. :whiteflag:

I've contacted the Solihull city council and some MPs in Birmingham (close to where I live) to see if they are willing to show their support. I have also contacted Free Radio Birmingham. I suppose all I can do now is see if anyone's willing to help out - luckily I've still got til the end of this month.

 

[Hassaan]

"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?

Well, as far fetched as it does sound it would have to be airside. It's about getting the airport on side which won't be easy.

 

[Ray Finkle]

Get the airport on side and it'll be so easy, without them it'll be pretty much impossible.

 

[Elmdon80slad]

Remember when i suggested the Rugby training ground across the A45 by the 33 threshold, and contacted the clubs manager? i know this was left kind of in limbo as the idea of a porta cabin or two would seem a bit ridiculous, well i have been doing a bit of thinking, i still think this area would be a good place and independent from the airport, but i think something far more substantial would be a completely new ball game.

How about a two story permanent building with a solid sun terrace on top putting you at a height of about thirty feet, this could be a shared building that includes facilities for rugby/sports watchers, restaurant and a bar also some small shops, as this could be a joint funded venture on already established ground with car parking etc, the distance from the airport is the same as the views from the crash gate on the Cov road, behind the Monarch Maintenance building, and being on top of a two story building should give views of the whole airport and both runway approaches .

I have saved a pic showing the area when the new road was laid, and shows the location of the sports ground and how close in true terms it is to the airport, also bare in mind what modern digi cams are can do with cropping makes this location more than capable, and no difference in distance terms from the location i mentioned earlier- the crash gate on the A45 across the road from the Chip shop, i myself used to stand at the crash gate spotting and taking pics many many times.

E.

 

[Elmdon80slad]

Here it is - thanks to local press for the picture.

E.

 

[Ray Finkle]

It's certainly the best side of the airport for pictures after midday as the sun is behind for the rest of the day. I think it would be costly though but certainly something to look in to.

 

[Aviador]

"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?

Well, as far fetched as it does sound it would have to be airside. It's about getting the airport on side which won't be easy.

Well I can help you exclude the above option. There's absolutely no way the airport would allow a viewing area "airside". It maybe possible to move the airside/landside boundary slightly, but I expect the airport wouldn't be willing to do that.

 

[Hassaan]

Much as I'm not banking on it having an impact, I sent the petition to John Hemming MP and Sarish Jabeen (caseworker to Liam Byrne MP) to see if they had any way they could help out. Instead, John has let me know that he's written to the airport, while Sarish let me know that Liam will be writing to the airport and I will receive a copy of his letter in the post.

Well, it's something.

 

[Elmdon80slad]

Much as I'm not banking on it having an impact, I sent the petition to John Hemming MP and Sarish Jabeen (caseworker to Liam Byrne MP) to see if they had any way they could help out. Instead, John has let me know that he's written to the airport, while Sarish let me know that Liam will be writing to the airport and I will receive a copy of his letter in the post.

Well, it's something.

Good on you for keep trying, somewhere someone will be interested and see the potential of this venture, put it this way if Man is considered to have the best viewing facilities in the Uk, then BHX should have something.

E.

 

[Ray Finkle]

Yesterday the top two levels of the Elmdon MSCP were closed to vehicles although it was possible to leave the car on the floor below and walk up the stairs. A gentlemen there told me that JLR have leased the top two floors and it will soon be blocked off even for those on foot.

A real shame as it's a great spot and was about to become even better with Hangar 1 being demolished :s_sad

 

[Ray Finkle]

The Elmdon multi storey car park is open again for both pedestrian and vehicular access. It was very busy up there this afternoon.

Also the roof of hangar one has almost been completely removed so I'm hoping it won't be too much longer before it's totally gone. The views will be great :smile:

 

[jfy1999]

I have to go there someday.
I have always gone to the picnic tables at the long stay car park but you can't see what's parked up at the international pier.

 

[jfy1999]

I have to go there someday.
I have always gone to the picnic tables at the long stay car park but you can't see what's parked up at the international pier. However I have seen from videos taken from the Elmdon car park that many touchdown moments are obscured by that hangar...

 

[Ray Finkle]

It's a great spot even now but when hangar 1 is finally gone touchdown shots should be able. It's a shame hangar 2 isn't coming down aswell as it blocks a chunk of the terminal out.

 

[Ray Finkle]

A quick picture of what's left of hangar 1. I only had a zoom lens with me so couldn't get a wider shot but you can see OY-RUE (which is currently tech) and another aircraft on the Elmdon apron. It'll be a great view soon

 

[Hassaan]

This was the reply I received from the airport a while back which is an attached file.

It's a shame but I'm sure there are many contributing factors towards it. I suppose the Elmdon Car Park will be of much better use at some point when the hangars are either gone or scaled down. What are the best spots for long shots of the runway (either way), without the lights/fences obscuring the view?

 

[jfy1999]

There are several YouTube videos taken from the fields to the south of the airport, with great views along the runway, although a telephoto lens is necessary from such a distance.

The people who took them had to distinguish between public walking trails and private farmland as it's a bit indistinct in that area.

 

[Hassaan]

I can't help thinking an argument can still be made with regards to a viewing area - this time next year there'll be more movements for starters. I can't think of what I haven't tried as of yet, though.