Melbourne Tullamarine Airport: Difference between revisions

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atcdeparture=118.9, 129.4|
atcdeparture=118.9, 129.4|
atcatis=114.1, 132.7|
atcatis=114.1, 132.7|
atcunicom=}}
atcunicom=|
psh=http://www.plane-spotting-hotels.com/index.php/plane-spotting-melbourne/}}


There are many spotting locations around Melbourne airport, and access is very simple provided you have a vehicle. There is no public transport around the airport perimeter. Good photography can be achieved in most locations.
There are many spotting locations around Melbourne airport, and access is very simple provided you have a vehicle. There is no public transport around the airport perimeter. Good photography can be achieved in most locations.
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=== Operations Road Aircraft Viewing Area ===
=== Operations Road Aircraft Viewing Area ===
Operations Road Aircraft Viewing Area is an ideal spot to view/photograph aircraft movements. Excellent photography opportunities of aircraft movements on R16/34 are available. 70-300mm lens sufficient.
Operations Road Aircraft Viewing Area is an ideal spot to view/photograph aircraft movements. Excellent photography opportunities of aircraft movements on R16/34 are available. 70-300mm lens sufficient. All movements on the airport runways can be seen from here, although a good scope is needed to read aircraft off on R27/09.
All movements on the airport runways can be seen from here, although a good scope is needed to read aircraft off on R27/09.
Getting to this area is probably the most diffilcult for those not familiar with Melbourne Airport. Access to this area is from the southern end of the airport and is further around the road from the Maintenance areas of Qantas/Virgin/John Holland.
There is no public transport nearby and it would be at least a 45minute walk from the terminal area, so car transport is the best option.


Getting to this area is probably the most diffilcult for those not familiar with Melbourne Airport. Access to this area is from the southern end of the airport and is further around the road from the Maintenance areas of Qantas/Virgin/John Holland. There is no public transport nearby and it would be at least a 45 minute walk from the terminal area, so car transport is the best option.


=== Sunbury Road Aircraft Viewing Area ===
=== Sunbury Road Aircraft Viewing Area ===
Line 40: Line 39:
===Operations Road Runway 34 Landings East===
===Operations Road Runway 34 Landings East===


Photography of aircraft landing on RWY34 is best from the grassland on Operations Road just past Qantas maintenence. Before Midday has the best lighting. The area is not marked as a viewing area, but local authorities seemed to be very tolerant of spotters using this location as it is well away from any perimeter fences or buildings. 70-300mm lens is sufficient.
Photography of aircraft landing on RWY34 is best from the grassland on Operations Road just past Qantas maintenence. The best lighting is before mid-day. The area is not marked as a viewing area, but local authorities seemed to be very tolerant of spotters using this location as it is well away from any perimeter fences or buildings. 70-300mm lens is sufficient.
Once again, ther is no public transport to this loactionand it would be a 45minute walk from the terminal area.
A short walk to the perimeter fence allows you to photograph aircraft on Taxiway "K" about to line up on RWY34.
Once again, there is no public transport to this loaction and it would be a 45 minute walk from the terminal area.


=== Runway 27 via McNabbs Rd ===
=== Runway 27 via McNabbs Rd ===
Line 55: Line 55:
Runway 27 threshold just off Sunbury Road (look for the flight markers) is another good spot to photograph aircraft landing on rwy 27, although it can be quite noisy due to traffic on Sunbury Road. The airport itself cannot be seen from this location due to a small hill blocking the view. 70-200mm lens.
Runway 27 threshold just off Sunbury Road (look for the flight markers) is another good spot to photograph aircraft landing on rwy 27, although it can be quite noisy due to traffic on Sunbury Road. The airport itself cannot be seen from this location due to a small hill blocking the view. 70-200mm lens.


<googlemap version="0.9" lat="-37.664663" lon="144.838085" zoom="13">
<display_points type="satellite" zoom="13">
-37.690798, 144.844382
-37.690798, 144.844382|Rwy34 Landings (morning)
Rwy34 Landings (morning)
-37.68584, 144.838202|Runway 34 Approach (afternoon), Runway 34 Threshold
-37.68584, 144.838202
-37.678025, 144.835325|Operations Road, Aircraft Viewing Area
Runway 34 Approach (afternoon)
-37.6651, 144.82288|Mansfield Road RWY09 Threshold
Runway 34 Threshold
-37.656199, 144.844359|Gate B
-37.678025, 144.835325
-37.644901, 144.836741|Runway 16 Approach (morning)
Operations Road
-37.642811, 144.829038|Runway 16 Approach (afternoon)
Aircraft Viewing Area
-37.644123, 144.833482|Sunbury Road Viewing Area
-37.6651, 144.82288
-37.67118, 144.845217|Virgin Australia Terminal
Mansfield Road RWY09 Threshold
-37.66651, 144.849337|Qantas Domestic Terminal
-37.656199, 144.844359
-37.661703, 144.85453|Runway 27 Approach
Gate B
</display_points>
-37.644901, 144.836741
RWY16 Approach (morning)
-37.642811, 144.829038
RWY16 approach (afternoon)
-37.644123, 144.833482
Sunbury Road Viewing Area
-37.67118, 144.845217
Virgin Australia Terminal
-37.66651, 144.849337
Qantas Domestic Terminal
-37.661703, 144.85453
Runway 27 Approach
</googlemap>


== Locations to Avoid ==
== Locations to Avoid ==


While there's no real places to avoid, it's probably best if you don't do your spotting/photography from the terminal itself, as this will attract the attention of security. Also, don't park your vehicle in front of any emergency/access gates.
While there's no real places to avoid, it's probably best if you don't do your spotting/photography from the terminal itself, as this will attract the attention of security. Also, don't park your vehicle in front of any emergency/access gates and be careful on how close you stand to the fences as sometimes the security will ask you to stand 3 metres back.


==Regular Traffic==
==Regular Traffic==


===Australian Airlines===
===Australian Airlines===
*Jetstar: A320 and A330
*Jetstar: A320, A321, A330-200 and 787-8
*Qantas: Most aircraft types in the Qantas/Qantaslink fleet are operating on a daily basis with the exception of the B717
*Qantas: A330, A380, 717-200, 737-800, 747-400 (commences Dec. 2014), 767-300 and Dash 8
*Virgin Australia: B737, A330 may be regular by 2012
*Virgin Australia: E190, 737, A330-200 and 777-300ER (ends Oct. 2014)
*V Australia: B77W (3 weekly)
*Pacific Blue: 737-800
*Pacific Blue: B737
*Tiger: A320
*Tiger: A320
*Skytraders: A319
*REX Regional Express: Saab 340
*REX Regional Express: Saab 340
*Australian Air Express: B737F
*Australian Air Express: B737F
*Toll Express: B737F (night time only)
*Toll Express: B737F (night time only)
*Skywest: F-100 (once weekly arr Fri, dep Sun)
*Skywest: F-100 (once weekly)
*Strategic: A330 (2 weekly)


===International Airlines===
===International Airlines===
*Air Asia X: A330
*Air Asia X: A330-300
*Air China: A330
*Air Calin: A320-200
*Air Mauritius: A340
*Air China: A330-200
*Air New Zealand: A320, B777 and occasional B744
*Air India: B787-8
*Air Pacific: B763 (and B737/B744 during peak periods)
*Air New Zealand: A320, B777-300ER and occasional B747-400 or 767-300
*Air Vanuatu: B737 (1 weekly)
*Air Vanuatu: B737-800 (1 weekly)
*Cathay Pacific: A330
*Cathay Pacific: A330-300
*China Eastern: B763 (operated by Shanghai Airlines)
*China Eastern: A330-200
*China Southern: A330
*China Southern: A330-300
*Emirates: B77W
*Emirates: B777-300ER and A380
*Etihad: A345/A346
*Etihad: B777-300ER
*Garuda Indonesia: A330
*Fiji Airways: B737-800
*Korean Air: A330
*Garuda Indonesia: A330-300
*Malaysia Airlines B777
*Malaysia Airlines A330-300 and B777-200ER
*Norfolk Air: B733 (1 weekly) also uses Our Airline B733
*Norfolk Air: B733 (1 weekly) also uses Our Airline B733
*Philippine Airlines: A330/A340
*Philippine Airlines: A340-300
*Qatar Airways: B77L
*Qatar Airways: B777-300ER
*Royal Brunei: B772
*Royal Brunei: B787-8
*Singapore Airlines: A380, B777, B744
*Shanghai Airlines: A330-200
*Thai: B773, B772
*Singapore Airlines: A380, B777-300ER and A330-300 (A380 switches to 77W Oct. 2014)
*United: B744
*Thai: B777-200ER and B777-300ER
*Vietnam Airlines: A330
*United: B777-200ER (787-9 starts Oct. 2014)
*Vietnam Airlines: A330-200


===International Cargo===
===International Cargo===
*Atlas Air: B74F
*Atlas Air: B747-400F
*Cathay Pacific Cargo: B74F
*Cathay Pacific Cargo: B747-8F
*Malaysia Cargo: B74F (and B742 OPB Southern Air)
*Polar: B747-400F/B747-8F/767-300F
*Singapore Cargo: B74F
*Singapore Cargo: B747-400F


==Facilities and Transportation==
==Facilities and Transportation==
Public buses stop at Oaklands Rd/Sunbury Rd. From here you get dropped off at the Sunbury Rd viewing location and short walk to Uniting Ln. The following buses stop at Oaklands Rd/Subury Rd:
479,
500 and
478/479 combined

Latest revision as of 11:19, 17 August 2014

Continent: Oceania Country: Australia Region: Victoria
Melbourne
Tullamarine Airport
Location Melbourne, Victoria
IATA code MEL
ICAO code YMML
Airport type Commercial
Website http://www.melair.com.au
Overview map [ ]
Communications
Tower 120.5
Ground 121.7
Clearance 127.2
Approach 132
Departure118.9, 129.4
ATIS 114.1, 132.7
Plane Spotting Hotels guide

There are many spotting locations around Melbourne airport, and access is very simple provided you have a vehicle. There is no public transport around the airport perimeter. Good photography can be achieved in most locations.

Please note: While not essential, a ladder to get above the fenceline to photograph aircraft is an advantage, but please remember to keep at least 3 meters away from the fence due to safety and security reasons. Happy snapping!

Official Spotting Locations

Operations Road Viewing Area: Departing runway 16‎
Operations Road Viewing Area: Lining up runway 34
Operations Road Runway 34 Landings East

Operations Road Aircraft Viewing Area

Operations Road Aircraft Viewing Area is an ideal spot to view/photograph aircraft movements. Excellent photography opportunities of aircraft movements on R16/34 are available. 70-300mm lens sufficient. All movements on the airport runways can be seen from here, although a good scope is needed to read aircraft off on R27/09.

Getting to this area is probably the most diffilcult for those not familiar with Melbourne Airport. Access to this area is from the southern end of the airport and is further around the road from the Maintenance areas of Qantas/Virgin/John Holland. There is no public transport nearby and it would be at least a 45 minute walk from the terminal area, so car transport is the best option.

Sunbury Road Aircraft Viewing Area

Sunbury Road Aircraft Viewing Area is situated directly beneath the approach to RWY16. It is a great to place to experience the "feel" of a jet passing right over your head. Kids love this place!

Other Spotting Locations

Operations Road Runway 34 Landings East

Photography of aircraft landing on RWY34 is best from the grassland on Operations Road just past Qantas maintenence. The best lighting is before mid-day. The area is not marked as a viewing area, but local authorities seemed to be very tolerant of spotters using this location as it is well away from any perimeter fences or buildings. 70-300mm lens is sufficient. A short walk to the perimeter fence allows you to photograph aircraft on Taxiway "K" about to line up on RWY34. Once again, there is no public transport to this loaction and it would be a 45 minute walk from the terminal area.

Runway 27 via McNabbs Rd

Located on Mansfield Road via McNabbs Road, good shots of rwy27 departures and rollouts/taxiing can be taken from here, although once again the early morning sun can be tricky. Aircraft taxiing off rwy 27 pass within 50 meters of your location making for some stunning photography. 300mm lens for departures (although 500mm better), 70mm lens for rwy 27 taxiing shots.

Runway 16 Threshold

Some great side on shots of aircraft landing on rwy 16 can be taken from Uniting Lane, just off Sunbury Road (next to the Uniting Church) there are also some shady trees to sit under on those hot days. Alternatively, the spotters carpark on the corner of Oaklands and Sunbury Road sees aircraft passing overhead at 150 feet. 70-300mm lens.

Runway 27 Threshold

Runway 27 threshold just off Sunbury Road (look for the flight markers) is another good spot to photograph aircraft landing on rwy 27, although it can be quite noisy due to traffic on Sunbury Road. The airport itself cannot be seen from this location due to a small hill blocking the view. 70-200mm lens.

Loading map...

Locations to Avoid

While there's no real places to avoid, it's probably best if you don't do your spotting/photography from the terminal itself, as this will attract the attention of security. Also, don't park your vehicle in front of any emergency/access gates and be careful on how close you stand to the fences as sometimes the security will ask you to stand 3 metres back.

Regular Traffic

Australian Airlines

  • Jetstar: A320, A321, A330-200 and 787-8
  • Qantas: A330, A380, 717-200, 737-800, 747-400 (commences Dec. 2014), 767-300 and Dash 8
  • Virgin Australia: E190, 737, A330-200 and 777-300ER (ends Oct. 2014)
  • Pacific Blue: 737-800
  • Tiger: A320
  • Skytraders: A319
  • REX Regional Express: Saab 340
  • Australian Air Express: B737F
  • Toll Express: B737F (night time only)
  • Skywest: F-100 (once weekly)

International Airlines

  • Air Asia X: A330-300
  • Air Calin: A320-200
  • Air China: A330-200
  • Air India: B787-8
  • Air New Zealand: A320, B777-300ER and occasional B747-400 or 767-300
  • Air Vanuatu: B737-800 (1 weekly)
  • Cathay Pacific: A330-300
  • China Eastern: A330-200
  • China Southern: A330-300
  • Emirates: B777-300ER and A380
  • Etihad: B777-300ER
  • Fiji Airways: B737-800
  • Garuda Indonesia: A330-300
  • Malaysia Airlines A330-300 and B777-200ER
  • Norfolk Air: B733 (1 weekly) also uses Our Airline B733
  • Philippine Airlines: A340-300
  • Qatar Airways: B777-300ER
  • Royal Brunei: B787-8
  • Shanghai Airlines: A330-200
  • Singapore Airlines: A380, B777-300ER and A330-300 (A380 switches to 77W Oct. 2014)
  • Thai: B777-200ER and B777-300ER
  • United: B777-200ER (787-9 starts Oct. 2014)
  • Vietnam Airlines: A330-200

International Cargo

  • Atlas Air: B747-400F
  • Cathay Pacific Cargo: B747-8F
  • Polar: B747-400F/B747-8F/767-300F
  • Singapore Cargo: B747-400F

Facilities and Transportation

Public buses stop at Oaklands Rd/Sunbury Rd. From here you get dropped off at the Sunbury Rd viewing location and short walk to Uniting Ln. The following buses stop at Oaklands Rd/Subury Rd:

479, 500 and 478/479 combined