Those of us of a certain age will remember with fondness the viewing balconies at Dublin Airport on the iconic Collinstown Terminal building, designed by Desmond Fitzgerald in 1937 and opened on a cold January morning in 1940. Many hours were whiled away there by the denizens of Dublin and their country cousins seeing off or collecting family members. Or people just watching the workings of an airport and the emerging Irish aviation industry.
The viewing platform close to the main Runway at Barcelona El Prat Airport
The 1950s gave rise to the aircraft spotter and aviation photographer as well as people in awe of what aviation was going to produce next. You might not be aware that this interest in aviation led to a considerable number of Irish “spotters” seeking careers in the aviation industry, many working from the ground up, so to speak. They went into Aer Lingus as flight crew, planners, engineers, Operations, catering, customer services, sales, and marketing. Others joined Aer Rianta (now DAA) working in the fire and rescue service, security, and aerodrome operations. The Irish Air Corps and the civil aviation authority (now Irish Aviation Authority/IAA) hoovered up their share of inspired people too.
Dublin Airport has grown beyond all recognition, being an island nation excellent connectivity is vital to our economy. Sadly, this (and security considerations, both national and global) saw the demise of the balconies.
Frankfurt’s Two Main Runways and Terminals can be viewed from the viewing terrace near RWY25L
There have always been unofficial areas where the enthusiasts can gather, chat, grab some photos, and engage in a bit of banter. Currently, “The Mound” alongside runway 28L is the best available, it’s a heap of soil accessible only to the sure-footed. Open to the elements, you need to be hardy and determined to stake out a foothold here. For everyone else, it’s just not suitable.
Esther Rowley is a well-known aviation photographer, confined to a wheelchair, which greatly restricts her options. All too often she misses out on the banter, the spread of knowledge, and the latest news. Her lack of inclusion is reflected in the experiences of many others. Esther tells us “Without access to the mound, I am unable to join my peers to take photographs and often feel left out. I try to take photos from my car window when I can but that doesn’t always work out well. To have an accessible platform would be a dream come true. It would give me so much more independence and it would allow me to enjoy my hobby to its fullest. It would be a benefit for everyone, and it would also be safer.” I pose this question, “Is this something that a combined approach by the DAA and Fingal County Council can get their collective teeth into?” A viewing platform or area will be far from the top of their agenda, but some bright sparks just might come up with a workable plan that could open a new window on aviation for so many and end the exclusion of Ester and the many others who want a look too!
Zurich Airport has a family-friendly area on the roof of the Main Terminal with views across the Airport
Some airports have come up with cost-effective, imaginative solutions, Barcelona comes to mind. Many are basic, and some are quite creative.
Some major airports across Europe have made plenty of space available for ’spotters’ and have a family-friendly feel to their facilities. In Amsterdam for example, the Polderbahn runway has a footpath with a cycle track, and is very common on weekends or holidays for families to be seen cycling around the airport, stopping off to watch the aircraft land/take off. Amsterdam also has a freely accessible roof terrace on top of the terminal where passengers often spend time if they arrive early or families can view the comings and goings on the ramp below. KLM donated a retired Fokker 100 aircraft to the terrace and enthusiasts can spend time looking around the aircraft.
At both Frankfurt and Zurich Airport, the airport authorities have roof terraces available at the terminal accessible through security check and for a small fee. It allows visitors to view the activity on the ramp and provides a lot of interest for children and enthusiasts alike. Both airports also run ramp tours from the roof terrace where enthusiasts/groups/school tours can get a close look at the aircraft and the airside operations of the airports. At Zurich in particular, the airport authority organises special ‘spotter’ ramp tours when the airport is busy with foreign visitors such as the WEF event in January.
The operators of Luxembourg Airport have provided Camera Holes at numerous locations
While many people wouldn’t think of Luxembourg as having a major airport but being the home base of Cargolux and central distribution depot for freight around Europe, the airport authority has provided ‘camera holes’ at various points around the perimeter so enthusiasts can get unobstructed views of the aircraft landing and departing.
I urge the DAA and Fingal County Council to be brave and imaginative. Let loose the many talented people in your organizations and inspire others to be our next generation of aviators.
