Some airports just “get” the aviation community. Be it through engagement, their passion for sharing or just plain communication. And one thing that airports can do to help spotters, given some of the hidden values they offer.
Dublin Airport is proposing a plan, that will create a dedicated viewing area.
The planning application submitted is to create a new dedicated viewing area for the public to watch planes take off and land on the airport’s runways.
The proposed Aircraft Observation Facility will be located on the site of the current informal airport viewing point on Old Airport Road, locally known as “The Mound”.
Some of the regulars to the blog will know of “The Mound”, as I’ve shot from there more than a few times
This site is owned by Dublin Airport, allowing them to develop it how they wish.
The facility will provide a comfortable and safe space for the community to view aircraft movements, with a clear view of the south runway (10R/28L) and the cross-wind runway (16/34) at Dublin Airport.
Facilities include a dedicated car park with 22 parking spaces (including two spaces for people with reduced mobility and two dedicated family spaces), bike parking, and an elevated covered platform with seating. The facility will be fully-lit, with power provided by solar panels located on the site.
In Quotes
According to Gary McLean, Managing Director of Dublin Airport:
“Aircraft observation facilities are a feature of airports around the world. As well as providing a plane-spotting platform, the facilities also create an interface between the airport and the local community, helping aviation enthusiasts to engage with the airport by observing aircraft movements and airport operations.
This location has been an informal ‘plane-spotting’ area over the past 40 years and we think it’s time to put a more formal facility in place. It’s a rite of passage for kids in Dublin to be taken to ‘The Mound’ to watch the planes landing and taking off at the airport. This new facility would make it safer and more enjoyable for users and we think it’s a facility that the local community will enjoy.”
Engagement as well as a free set of eyes
Spotting or recreation facilities like this bring engagement for the airport – which when looking out for positive news spins, will be more than a welcome thing.
Aircraft spotters can be rather the nosey bunch, looking for things that are outside the norm, and provided there’s access to a number to report issues, it could provide extra sets of eyes for nothing.
The Dublin Airport facility should offer some shade – good on those moist days you can get in the area.
My only minor moan is that 22 spaces – with four dedicated to families and reduced mobility- it could get busy, quickly on a busy day – especially when something out of the ordinary is due at Dublin Airport…
Images, Dublin Airport
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