Amsterdam Schiphol Airport

Continent: Europe

Country: Netherlands

Amsterdam Schiphol Airport
Location	Amsterdam, Netherlands
IATA code	AMS
ICAO code	EHAM
Airport type	Commercial
Website	http://www.schiphol.nl/
Overview map	[ ]
Communications
Tower	118.1, 119.225
Ground	121.95
Clearance	121.95
Approach	118.4
ATIS	132.925

Official Spotting Locations

Schiphol has three official viewing areas. The observation deck at Schiphol Plaza, the Mac Donalds overlooking 09/27 (Buitenveldertbaan), and a parking lot alongside 06/24 (Kaagbaan).

Observation Deck

The airport hosts a large outdoor observation deck with great views of the terminal. There is also Dakota's Café & Bar, just inside the observation deck with good view if the weather is bad. Unfortunately the platform faces the sun most of the day. For photography it is therefor not too great. If you want to catch registrations this is a great place though! Just don't forget to bring your binoculars!

opening hours:
summer 07:00 - 20:00
winter 09:00 - 17:00

For now access to the observation deck is free of charge, however there are plans to change this. The turnstiles have already been installed, so it is probably a matter of time only.

09/27 Buitenveldertbaan (Mac Donalds)

This spot is not that good. You will face the sun all day at this spot. On top of that, the Buitenveldertbaan is rarely used due to noise regulations. So this place is not really worth it.

Just in case you do want to go here, you can easily get here by busline 190, 191, 192, 193, 196, 198 or 199. Get of at busstop "Loevestijnse Dwarsweg", easily recognisable by the massive Mac Donalds sign.

06/24 Kaagbaan

This spot is really excellent, and quite possibly one of the best of the world. You are just a few hundred metres away from the Kaagbaan. This runway is used almost all day, and offers a view without fences. A levy is to keep you from entering the runway. along with video surveillance and regular driveby's by police.

To get a full frame side-on shot of a B747 you should need no more then 50mm. An F50 or ATR can be had at 200mm easily.

You can get here by bus by taking busline 191, 193 or 198 to busstop "Aalsmeerderweg". That's about a 15 minutes drive. From there another 15 minutes walk into the road on your left (yep, the Aalsmeerderweg) is all that is needed to get you at the spot.

By car you can also go here, and there is a lot space to park your car. When driving over the A4 motorway take exit the to Aalsmeer on the N201. At the end of the motorway exit, turn left towards Aalsmeer. At the first crossing you must go to the left, into the Aalsmeerderweg. At the end of this road is the parking lot.

You can either stay at the parking lot, or walk into the grass field adjacent to the parking area. Another option is to walk a bit further till the road makes a 90 degree turn. This is the closest you can get to cargo apron Gulf. Planes taxiing from Gulf to the runway pass by very closely. Mostly martinair MD11s and 747s, but also JAL Cargo 747. DAS Air Cargo DC-10 and most oversized charters.

Unofficial Spotting Locations

Schiphol has a lot of unofficial spots, mostly around the Polderbaan, but every other runway has one or two spots as well.

Polderbaan

The Polderbaan (18R/36L) is the newest runway, located in the middle of nowhere (by Dutch standards anyway). Because of that few people are annoyed by the aircraft noise, so this runway is used as much as possible.

When the wind comes roughly from the southwest to the west this runway is used for landings. When the wind comes rouhgly from the northwest to the east this runway is used for take-offs.

This spot can not be reached by public transport, so a car or a bike will be required. When coming from the A4 motorway you must take the exit to Hoofddorp. At the exit go to the left and follow this road.

Now you got two options. You can take the exit onto the N520 towards Boesingheliede. At the end of this road you must go to the left (onto Schipholweg), and then at the first crossing again to the left (IJweg). At the end of this road you can park and look over the Polderbaan from the east.

Another option is to stay at the N201. After 5 minutes you will be at a large intersection with on your left a fire station. At this intersection you must go to the right. Then take the second road to the right and continue to the end of this road. Now you will be looking over the Polderbaan from the west.

The eastern side of the polderbaan is preferably in the morning and early afternoon. After that the western side is preferable.

Facilities and Transportation

Schiphol has all fascilities you can think of. Shops, casinos, hotels, restaurants. You will find it here.

Car rentals
http://www.avis.nl/
http://www.europcar.nl/
http://www.hertz.nl/
http://www.nationalcar-rental.com/
http://www.schipholtaxi.info/

Bus companies
http://www.connexxion.nl/
http://www.schipholsternet.com/

Train company
http://www.ns.nl/

Links

Sorted alphabetically:

Spotters
http://www.aircolours.com/
http://www.ams-mov-info.nl/
http://www.schipholspotter.com/
http://www.schipholview.nl/
http://www.scramble.nl/
http://www.spottersunited.com/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Dutch_Aviation_Photographer/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dutch-spotters/

Aviation shops
http://www.lhshop.nl/
http://www.worldofwings.net/