The Sheraton Deira hotel is well known amongst the spotting community for its roof terrace under the flight path to Dubai Airport. What better than spending time in the sun, by the pool, with exotic airliners flying overhead all day?

Well, it had to happen – eventually someone would find another hotel with decent spotting opportunities in Dubai. The Nojoum Hospitality luxury apartments may not be as cheap as the Sheraton, but if you’re in a group they could be superior. It is located on Abu Baker Al Siddique Road, only a couple of roads up from where the Sheraton Deira is situated.

Most of the apartments contain 2 twin ensuite bedrooms, however there are some with 3 rooms, however I don’t think these over look the airport. Each apartment has a massive living area with plenty of sitting space and a table to eat at and a TV, kitchen and utility area which is full stocked with plates, cutlery and glasses, a cooker and oven, microwave, washing machine, iron and board etc., along with a 3rd toilet in the living area. Most importantly, each apartment also has a balcony, and rooms over looking the airport can be requested. The hotel also has a roof top pool area with sun loungers, tables and chairs, but no bar!

When it comes to spotting, the Nojoum could be considered superior to the Sheraton as it is much better for photography when aircraft are landing over the hotel (despite the Sheraton being closer to the aircraft). However once aircraft change direction you lose the ability for photography, and for those without the help of an sbs box it can be very hard to read things off unless the reg is underneath the wings.

From the rooftop, there is an opportunity to look over the wall towards the airport. You have a clear view of the airport and by using a strong scope things parked on Terminal 2 to the left and Terminal 1 on the right can easily be read off, along with things taxiing along the edge of the airport.

A link to the Nojoum Hotel here: http://www.nojoumhospitality.com

If you have any inclination to visit Machu Picchu – one of the greatest archaeological sites in the world, and certainly the biggest tourist draw in Peru – you are almost guaranteed to pass through Cusco Airport.

Cusco was once the capital city of the Inca empire, of which Machu Picchu once belonged. The city is situated close to the Sacred Valley of the Incas, and is a taxi/bus journey, plus a train journey from the ruined city.

This shot is taken from the departure lounge.

The airport at Cusco is well set up to handle the amount of tourists it receives every year, but due to the demanding terrain and the fact that it is situated in a built up area, operations are limited to mainly mornings. Night flying is not permitted.Therefore, most flights operate until early afternoon and then the airport falls silent until the next morning.

Airlines using Cusco are LAN Peru (Airbus A319s), Star Peru (BAe 146 and Boeing 737-200), Los Andes (DHC-6 Twin Otter), Aerocondor (Fokker F-27 and F50), Aerosur (Boeing 737-200).

Spotting from within the terminal is only possible once you go through to the departure lounge, which is situated in the pier. Even then, it is quite limited as jetbridges get in the way.

Around the airport, you can follow the road running parallel to the runway to get some good shots of aircraft on the runway and parked at the terminal. Some of the best photographs are possible along this road – which heads to Pisac – as it passes the end of the runway.

Following complaints from aircraft owners over the taking and subsequent use of photographs of their stored airliners at Mojave Airport, photography by spotters on their airside tours are now firmly banned.

The airport has run tours on request for many years, giving spotters the chance to ride out to the lines of stored airliners at the desert airfield in California. This offers the chance to catch up with many older types stored here either permanently or temporarily. It can be difficult to log registrations from the perimeter road, so this tour is a major bonus.

Being able to step out of the van and take photographs at close quarters was also welcomed by spotters, but owners are apparently sick of seeing their aircraft in YouTube videos and social networking sites. It is not clear whether this is a result of malicious use, or simply enthusiasts sharing photos and videos.

The airport now encourages spotters to leave behind video and photo cameras before getting in the van to take a tour.

If after this news you are still interested in taking a tour at Mojave, you can do so by reporting to the Control Tower and asking at reception. In most cases the driver (Javier) can accommodate you for a spontaneous tour immediately.

On 18 August, the UK Home Office released a circular to clarify counter-terrorism legislation in relation to photography in a public place. This was a result of sections of the Counter Terrorism Act being used to stop innocent photographers taking photos and pursuing their hobby in public places.

Whilst this covers the whole spectrum of photography, no matter what your subject is, it is naturally of importance and relevance to aircraft enthusiasts who take photographs near airports as part of their hobby.

The circular can be read at this link. It is advisable to familiarise yourself with the rules and laws contained within, and even keep a copy handy in your camera bag. For a brief summary, here are some important points:

• Section 43 of the Terrorism Act 2000 a police officer may stop and search a person they reasonably suspect to be a terrorist, to discover whether that person has in their possession anything which may constitute evidence that they are a terrorist. This power can be exercised at any time and in any location.
• Digital images can be viewed as part of a search under section 43 of the Terrorism Act 2000 to discover whether the person has in their possession anything which may constitute evidence that they are a terrorist.
• When conducting a search under section 43, cameras, film and memory cards can be seized if the officer reasonably suspects that these may constitute evidence that the person is a terrorist.
• Officers do not have the power to delete images or destroy film.
• Section 44 of the Terrorism Act 2000 enable uniformed police officers to stop and search anyone within an authorised area for the purposes of searching for articles of a kind which could be used in connection with terrorism.
• Section 44 does not prohibit the taking of photographs, film or digital images in an authorised area and members of the public and the press should not be prevented from doing so.

The full article: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/about-us/publications/home-office-circulars/circulars-2009/012-2009/

Sharjah Airport has reintroduced the airside photo pass scheme which was abandoned a few years ago. Traditionally, this was one of the best opportunities for spotters and photographers to get amongst the excellent selection of rarer aircraft that could typically be found at this UAE airport.

Sharjah is famous for the Russian types, cargo aircraft, and Western types from years gone by. It also has been used extensively for storage and scrapping. Sadly the airport is much quieter these days, and many of the stored aircraft have gone. It has instead turned into a major hub for Air Arabia, and services a number of other airlines.

The airport’s website has the application form for the pass. Although it stated the price is AED350, the application form has the true price of AED1000. A little steep perhaps. A minimum of 10 working days is required to process the pass, with the UAE working week being Sunday to Thursday.

What does the pass allow? Well it allows airside access to the various ramps. Whereas in the past you were often free to roam as you wished, these days you will be escorted by an agent.

A quick link to the application form: http://www.sharjahairport.ae/photographyform.pdf

I spent a little time at Heathrow recently – my first dedicated spotting visit since the Queens Building viewing area closed. It had certainly been some time!

This was a good thing, however, as plenty of new aircraft went into the log, and I was pleased to see my first A380s at close quarters.

Now, since there’s no official viewing area, I thought I’d check out the alternatives. My main focus was on the Myrtle Avenue area, underneath the flightpath to runway 27L. This tied in well, since aircraft were landing on that runway.

To get there, head for Hatton Cross tube station, then cross over the A30 and turn immediately right onto Hatton Road. Myrtle Avenue is the first right. Click here to see a map of the area.

This is a residential street, so don’t park outside the houses. Go to the end, where you should find a space. Better still – park at the underground station and walk.

There is a large open area here which is perfect for photos when aircraft are landing on 27L. It is also quite a good spot for watching action on the ground. You won’t be able to photograph anything on the airfield or other runway, but you can quite easily see registrations.

Here are a couple of pictures from Myrtle Avenue.

Singapore A380 over Myrtle Avenue

Lufthansa Regional RJ85

Oman Air's leased A330 at Heathrow

This small airport is located to the north of Los Angeles LAX, and a mile or two inland from the famous pier and seafront in Santa Monica.

The airport handles mainly GA and biz movements, although it is very much hemmed in by buildings and the road network, so it’s quite small.

At any time you can expect to see a large number of light aircraft, and a few biz jets, plus a historic DC-3 N242SM mounted on a pole.

Parking at the playground car park on Airport Avenue, you can walk down the road picking off the aircraft you see parked about.

The Typhoon Restaurant on Douglas Loop Road has a panoramic terrace. Both are open for spotters to look over the biz jet ramps, which is an excellent spot for photography.

Kuala Lumpur’s modern new airport (KLIA) luckily provides very acceptable facilities for spotting aircraft.

In the International Terminal, follow signs for the viewing area, which is upstairs past the food court.

The large room overlooks most of the parking areas, and has views extending to both runways. It is surrounded by glass, but is usually acceptable for photography. There are seats and departures/arrivals boards provided.

You can see across to the pier, but not beyond it, which makes it difficult to see anything parked on the maintenance or cargo ramps. These can, however, be seen if you are in the remote pier departure areas.

Keflavik is the main international gateway airport to Iceland. It is the base of Icelandair.

Other carriers you’ll see here include:
Iceland Express (Hello)
Lufthansa
Germanwings
Bluebird Cargo
Star Air

The airport covers a vast area, being a former US air base. It has two runways, and a number of smaller remote aprons and hangars where the military operations used to happen. These are still sometimes used by biz jet and troop flights, and other operations.

The airport has one passenger terminal, with a long pier extending into the apron. Before going into the building, at departures level you can see the apron at either side of the entrances and get an overview of most aircraft parked there.

Once through security, you will have free reign of the pier, and can log most aircraft easily. You can see across to the runways from the end of the pier. The cargo apron is also visible alongside.

Traffic can be a little slow. You’ll find that the Icelandair flights all come in together 2 or 3 times a day, connecting European and North American flights together.

To see aircraft on remote aprons, a car is recommended due to the large area. You may also be able to get some landing shots at the end of the runway in use.

If you’re visiting Menorca, one of the popular Spanish Balearic islands and wanting a low down on where you can spot aircraft using the airport, read on.

The terminal itself is pretty useless for spotting, although once you’re airside you can see most aircraft and the runway.

Outside the terminal, head to the roundabout with a pyramid on and turn left towards San Climente . Then turn right after 300m down a track signposted restaurant. This spot faces the threshold of runway 19L and is ideal when approaches are from the north.

When approaches are from the south, a road runs past the threshold on its way to Binisfuller. This road joins the main San Climente to Es Canutels road. Various places to watch and photograph aircraft can be found along here.

Movements at Mahon are generally busier in summer, and consist mainly of charter airlines from the UK, German, Scandinavia and Italy, along with regional Spanish airlines. Sunday are usually the busiest day.