Photography at the airport has become more and more awkward recently (like most UK airports) what with the extensions to both the apron (new remote stands for Terminal 2) and the terminal building. For those of you that don't know, the 'official' picnic viewing area which was situated between the fuel farm and Terminal 2 is now closed. This was due to construction work of the new remote stands (20-25) which are now in operation.

There are still many locations to spot and take photos from (all listed below) but the perimeter fence restricts the view and step ladders* are required for the more professional photographers. Along with the fence, green 'wind breakers' have been erected within the fence which restricts your view even more. *Please note: Use your common sense and remove / take down your step ladders after or between taking photos. Airport police and security can be strict.

The best spot to view now being the extension area in the 'Long Stay 1' car park where the fence is only as high as you. Below, I have listed and detailed many locations in and around the airport to view, spot and photograph from. For any further information, I would be more than happy to provide you with further details. Happy spotting!

Read about the new security scheme available to all spotters of Birmingham - 'The Birmingham Aviation Enthusiasts Security Scheme'. Join today by clicking here!





Spot 1
Long Stay 1 car park extension area
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The extension area of the car park has now become one of the best places to spot from since the picnic viewing area closed down. From here, you are standing underneath the flight path (of Runway 15/33) and opposite the taxiway and holding point (Echo One) - very close to the action! When Runway 33 is in use, all aircraft taxi towards you and often hold in front of you allowing excellant photos. When Runway 15 is in use, the majority of arrivals now turn off before the end of the runway on the new turn off point (quite distant) and only large aircraft can offer good photos unless you have a long lense! Any aircraft that does taxi down to the end will again offer excellent photos. Also when on Runway 15, nice rotating shots can be made.

As mentioned above, wind breakers have been erected within the fence resticting your view and so step ladders are required. Again, use your common sense, take down your steps after or in between taking photos. If you don't have steps, then you will find areas in the fence where you can take photos from.

For those photographers that rely on the sun, the sun in this spot is good from around 8am til 4pm (in the Summer) and from around 9am til 3pm (in the Winter).

Remember that this spot is in the Long Stay 1 car park and so it is not free! Your looking at around £7 for up to 4 hours. For more details on car parking charges, click here .



Spot 2
Aviation Experience spectator's gallery
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This area used to be (along time ago now) a good spot to view from. But after lots of construction work and extensions to the terminal building, you are very limited as to what you can see! You still have a clear view of the runway itself but if attempting to take photos, you not only have a problem with reflections from the glass (which is tinted), but you are dodging roof tops of the terminal. Many parked up aircraft on stands cannot be seen again due to the terminal building. You also have a problem with the sun in the afternoon where it is directly in front of you.

The gallery which can be found on the third (top) floor of Terminal 1 is called "The Aviation Experience" and is billed as "an exciting all-new multimedia visitor centre". The entrance can be found on the 1st floor (opposite T1 departures) and also from outside adjacent to the arrivals doors of Terminal 1.

In addition to the spectator's gallery, there is a well stocked book store which sells a wide range of items of interest to both the serious aviation enthusiast and the casual visitor including books, registers, charts, videos, models, binoculars and air band radios and scanners. Hot and cold drinks and other light refreshments are also available. For more details on prices etc, click here .



Spot 3
Field behind the Tristar hotel
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Before describing this location, I thought I'd warn you all about this area, despite the good location offering excellent photos. Police and security have been very strict in this area in the past for several reasons. Firstly, the owners of the Tristar hotel don't like spotters at the bottom of their field. Secondly, the lane that leads down to this spot has been blocked off by police, not just to stop spotters from using this area but to stop accidents. The lane joins the very busy A45 Coventry Road (Dual-carriageway).

If you ever get to this spot, the views and photography is fantastic. Photograph aircraft lining up, taxiing and touching down. The sun also favours this spot, as the sun moves round. The sun is good for the whole afternoon and evening. Again you have a fence, but step ladders are needed or you can shoot through the fence. The top corner of the field is best.



Spot 4
Sheldon Country Park
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Sheldon Country Park is another interesting spot if you like approach shots. An awkward area though for those wanting to photograph aircraft on the taxiway due to the ground being uneven with dips and hills around the perimeter fence. When they are using Runway 15, you can get approach shots (side-on or below the aircraft) as you can walk around between the approach lights. So you can follow the sun round and get good photos throughout the day. When they are using Runway 33, you can only really get rotating shots as many aircraft landings turn off before the end.

The best way to get to this spot is from Marston Green train station, you walk out the doors and turn rightdown a path and then you are literally in the park. Also accessable from the local housing estate.

There are no charges for this spot as its an unoffical area.



Spot 5
Hatchford Brook golf course
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Hatchford Brook golf course runs along side the runway, you can access the course through an estate (I'm not going to guide you through the estate) but on arrival, park your car somewhere in the estate and then walk through into the course. You follow a path round and then it takes you to the perimeter fence. Along this path you will find a number of spots to view aircraft blasting past, rotating, and touching down offering some very good photos. Again, its an afternoon spot for the photographers where the sun will be behind you once the sun has moved round and also you will be photographing through a fence.



Spot 6
Marston Green train station bridge
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At Marston Green train station when crossing the tracks over the bridge, you get a good view of the taxiway and Runway. You can photograph and view aircraft taxiing down for departure and lining up on to Runway 15. Offering good photos during the morning only with the sun. There are no fences here obviousley but as your standing in Marston Green station, they probabley wont want you standing here for too long. So I recommend this spot only when you are awaiting a particular movement ie, the North American 757 (pictured below).



Spot 7
The footpath between the apron and the train line
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This walkway can be found at the end of Trident Road (which runs infront of the terminal) at the junction of Herald Road turn left and you will see a gravel/grassy footpath which starts on your right. This is located next to the airport apron security point (staff gate).

This long path runs all the way along past the apron with views of the whole pier line-up along with all the remote stands of the 70's and 80's. Photos can be taken of parked up aircraft and also of some aircraft taxiing in and out using the new Taxiway Uniform (U). The sun is good in this spot first thing in the morning and the sun soon moves round making this spot awkwud with the sun infront of you.
Update to this location - A new (inner) fence at this spot has been erected making photography alot more difficult. This is due to tightened security.



credit goes to Dave Sturges, Ian Busby, Ian Haskell, Jim Groom, John Gregory, Michael Brazier, Mick Bajcar, Russell Collins, Stuart Lawson, Tom Neilson and William Ronciere for the photos on this page.