Northern Ireland Aviation Enthusiast's Forum
General Aviation Discussion => Spotting Trips => Topic started by: Dave on September 06, 2010, 03:31:23 AM
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Time for another one of Dave's useless spotting trip reports, this time returning to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport with my girlgriend
for a "romantic" get away :D When I planned this trip, I envisioned nothing but fantastic summer weather for the entire trip. As
per usual, this turned out not to be the cae, instead we suffered Thunderstorms and rain the whole time.
We flew Belfast International to Amsterdam with Easyjet on the Wednesday afternoon, and for once we had pleasent transit through
BFS, with little to no queues through security and they didn't even check my camera bag this time around. Upon arriving into
Schiphol after a short sunny flight we spent an hour up on the Spotting terrace on the roof of the airport which covers 60% of the
gates.
The terrace is free to get up to and there are several cafes and restaurants if food is needed. Due to poor weather, we
didn't stay up there too long although did manage to catch a nice little Windrose Embraer 190 which is rare in Schiphol.
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4084/4962460320_455323cccf_b.jpg)
The following day, I was suffering from the flu so we opted to just hang about the Polderbaan carpark in our rental car, in the
warmth and out of the rain. For those that aren't familar with Schiphol, the Polderbaan runway was built 10 years ago and is
located about 4-5km away from the airport itself. Around the Polderbaan are unrestricted views due to the relaxed and friendly
nature of the Airport Authorities.
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4131/4961843941_34ce05814f_b.jpg)
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4113/4962437170_60e5da923c_b.jpg)
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4089/4961845207_aa155c7762_b.jpg)
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4108/4961867845_422da74a35_b.jpg)
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4088/4962438270_177ed50647_b.jpg)
The following day was pretty much similar, a few hours at the Polderbaan, and the rest of the day in our seemingly Titanic themed
hotel. This time aircraft were departing from the Polderbaan.
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4084/4961852497_c7ce7f4fee_b.jpg)
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4133/4962445572_34403506a5_b.jpg)
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4132/4961850849_83c35750f4_b.jpg)
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4084/4962445124_e31453cc63_b.jpg)
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4149/4961849679_9a4c047bb8_b.jpg)
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4110/4962442810_f1ba2dc217_b.jpg)
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4152/4946900952_fd4756c211_b.jpg)
The sun did pop out for a few aircraft though :)
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4110/4962440194_d88cef117f_b.jpg)
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4105/4961853099_32124a69a6_b.jpg)
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4113/4962440784_981a813947_b.jpg)
Just before heading home on the Sunday, we headed back to the terrace in search for a TV for the F1 race at Spa, unfortunately the
bar didn't have BBC1, just eurosport which for some reason didn't cover the F1, thus we headed out to do yet more spotting before
flying home. Of course, it was raining at the time.
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4150/4962447988_9ba107ee68_b.jpg)
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4131/4961856227_7eafcd2f25_b.jpg)
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4145/4962450592_be62838dbd_b.jpg)
A bonus on the trip was seeing this old British Caledonian 747-200, which had been converted into a freighter. Until recently,
this aircraft had been grounded and stored somewhere in China but has since returned to the skies.
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4105/4962450990_3870a8bda3_b.jpg)
Any how, sorry to bore you all with so many pics, as usual, they were just a "small" collection from all the pictures I took
during the trip. All in all, a great trip despite the weather. The rental car which was a Toyota Aygo, was economic fuel wise and
comfortable and most importantly cheap, likewise the hotel was great, a real bargin at £40 a night per couple... a big saving on
the usual price of £150 a night :D
With KLM retiring their MD-11's soon, I'd recommend a trip to Amsterdam Schiphol for a day or two, just to see the last few
remaining passenger MD-11's, definately worth the trip.
Dave
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Nothing boring about the report or pics. However I don't know how I ould convince my wife that a trip to the airport would be 'romantic' lol. The weather may have been bad but it has certainly added to the pics. Especially like the spray on the last MD-11 photo.
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Yea Dave, we're all interested to know how romantic this wee trip really was???!! :)
Nice shots as always, did well in tough conditions.
Col
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Well done Dave, great pictures as usual.
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Cracking airport and super piccies!
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Thanks guys! I had envisioned long evening walks along the pathway around the Poolderbaan in the beautiful evening sunsets which frequent Amsterdam as well as nice walks around Amsterdam itself along the canals, etc.
Unfortunately the poor weather and my flu destoryed all that, thankfully though we still enjoyed the trip.We shall return again during better weather ;D
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Unfortunately the poor weather and my flu destoryed all that,
But you soldiered through it to go spotting - my kinda guy :) :LOL
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Unfortunately the poor weather and my flu destoryed all that,
But you soldiered through it to go spotting - my kinda guy :) :LOL
:D Well thankfully the hire car kept us dry and warm whilst at the Polderbaan, and at least the local supermarket had salt and vinegar pringles to keep us going.... The first time I've ever found Salt and Vinegar crisps outside of the UK :D