Liverpool Spotting

[Jonathan Gallagher]

Hi there looking at coming over on Friday for a few hours, just want to get few things sorted out and understood before i arrive!

Are the windows in the terminal (by Burger king) still open for views across the stands.

Has the Dungeon Lane re-opened, to cars!

And i have been told that getting into the hanger (With all the props and tins in) at Liverpool is easy to access with hi-vis. How do i do this. Or do I just hang around to some one comes over or go into the reception (don't know where this is, is it just by the gate in the Tin hut place)

Thanks for any help you can give
Jonny

[viscount]

Some answers.

First, not been in the terminal for around three weeks, so unsure if the few panels of window in the Burger King food area are still available to 'land side' visitors or not. View is rather restricted even if they are.

Dungeon Lane is open again full length (the road past the GA entrance and traffic light controlled across runway threshold) and the Bailey's Lane barriers closed again (road with houses between Hale Road and Dungeon Lane).

The light aircraft hangars and apron are behind a secure, gated (with key pad security code) fence, WITHOUT public access. Yes, the rule is that anyone with rightful business on the air-side, active side of the fence, should be wearing a 'high-viz' vest (regretably though "spotting" is not considered rightful business). There is no 'reception' as such and the apron is security patrolled at times. It is not a matter of friendly or unfriendly, simply a matter of CAA backed security.

However, with a little patience as aircraft move in and out, and use of the www.nwan.co.uk 'Residents List' the greater majority of those outside can be successfully logged.

There is currently absolutely no problem with parking and watching/photographing etc from the GA car-park (which is outside the apron security fence) beside the GA apron, or from the 27 'mound' (beyond the runway traffic control lights and the Dungeon/Bailey's junction). It is quite likely that anyone sat in cars on the GA car park who are watching each arrival, behaving like spotters are forum users, so do introduce yourself.

[Squire of the Gate]

Adding a further request to this..........
Its years since I've used public transport to get to Liverpool Airport (using the car instead).
What are the views from Liverpool Airport if arrriving by public transport.
I seem to remeber last time standing in the Car park to the West of the GA ramp without hassle.
Also does the carpark (multi storey) give any views (thinking more of getting whats in rather than staying here) ?

[Squire of the Gate]

Just bumping this with the upcoming Czech aircraft.
Anyone able to confirm what the options are around the terminal if arriving on Public Transport with a limited amount of time (priority being to see the parked aircraft).

[viscount]

Hi Squire of the Gate,

The number of decent viewing areas at LJLA is diminishing. There is a run-down on www.nwan.co.uk

By public transport, into the terminal. Well, there are views if you walk right (having been facing the terminal front). At the roundabout/former Royal Mail building, and then further along by the security gate of the stands most often used by visiting airliners. By going left along the road and into the car park there are views of everything parked on 'Tango' apron - mostly used by EasyJet and Wizzair aircraft, along with some visitors on football busy days. There are absolutely no airside views from landside in the terminal - any aircraft on stands infront of the terminal cannot be seen from the two locations on either side. Neither the multi-story car park, or top floor of the hotel, have sufficient height to see effectively over the roof of the terminal.

The 'bund' bank at Speke Hall (National Trust) does have distant views over the main apron and 09 threshold - but no weekday bus access. Its a long hike and 'Tango' and the GA are completely out of sight.

Should you have time, then (especially if you have a day bus pass) catch an 89 from the terminal for two stops, past TNT, getting off just past the hangars on right (Get off just before the bus enters the housing estate). Otherwise a 25+ minute walk from the terminal. Walk up the Lane by all the GA company signs and either turn first right to the GA car park. There is a bank on the right which gives just enough height to photograph without the chain link fence interfering. Into sun though on sunny days. The view of aircraft parked on the GA is now very restricted due to new offices and fencing. Or, carry straight on, through the traffic lights and past a closed off road entering from the left, there is then a raised bank and car park. Excellent spot for landing action shots when the prevailing 27 is in use. Very restricted view across airfield to the tails on airliners on remote terminal stands. The GA Car Park and '27 Mound' are good spots for seeing aircraft landing on 27, not so great when 09 is the active though.

The only way of seeing everything on the terminal aprons is a further hike of near an hour (each way) or so along field tracks that form the Mersey Way foootpath, running close to the 27 Mound. Much of the apron can be seen from a track that runs from the base of the Control Tower to the boundary fence, although car parking there is discouraged.

Situation is not good at present for anyone wanting to see all the aircraft present without the time to sit and wait for them to move.

Locals tend to congregate on the GA car park and/or 27 mound for arrivals, or when the times are inconvenient the departures of visiting aircraft. If you do get down to the 27 end, introduce yourself to any of the camera toting locals and you'll find if they are locals they will be forum members, and even visitors are likely forum users too.

[Squire of the Gate]

Cheers Viscount.
Much appreciated.