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Malta International Airport: Difference between revisions
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===Airport Perimeter Near Taxiway C=== | ===Airport Perimeter Near Taxiway C=== | ||
[[Image: Charlespolidano_yak-42.jpg |left|thumb|200 px| | [[Image: Charlespolidano_yak-42.jpg |left|thumb|200 px|Yak-42 on taxiway C. Photo taken at 70mm.]][[Image: Charlespolidano_B738.jpg |thumb|200 px|Boeing 737-800 arrival on runway 31. Photo taken at 200mm.]]This spot is an excellent morning vantage-point for departing aircraft on their way to runway 31 or arrivals exiting runway 13 via taxiways C or D. Aircraft in the nearer parking bays in park 9 are also reachable. Runway 31 takeoffs can be photographed with a moderately long lens. There are cutouts for photographers at intervals in the fence so a stepladder is not necessary, though shooting takeoffs through the cutouts is difficult. | ||
However, heat distortion can be a problem on hot days when shooting at any distance and to avoid it you may find yourself limited to shooting aircraft on taxiway C. | However, heat distortion can be a problem on hot days when shooting at any distance and to avoid it you may find yourself limited to shooting aircraft on taxiway C. | ||
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===The Spotters' Wall (Safi side)=== | ===The Spotters' Wall (Safi side)=== | ||
[[Image: CharlesPolidano_A300.jpg |thumb|200 px|Runway 13 departure (130mm).]][[Image: CharlesPolidano_B738_2.jpg |thumb|200 px|Runway | [[Image: CharlesPolidano_A300.jpg |thumb|200 px|Runway 13 departure (130mm).]][[Image: CharlesPolidano_B738_2.jpg |thumb|200 px|Runway 31 rotation (135mm).]]The Spotters' Wall, as it is known, is really an elevated viewing platform. Built by the Malta Aviation Society some years ago, it offers unobstructed views of runway 13/31 and it is the place from which to shoot takeoffs in either direction. With any luck the aircraft will rotate right in front of you. It is easily the best spot for photography at MLA. Its only drawback is its very popularity: it can get crowded if there is a particularly unusual movement. | ||
Across the road from here lies the Medavia/NCA aircraft maintenance complex. Aircraft cross the road to the complex and back via a gate in the airport perimeter just beyond the viewing platform, with road traffic being temporarily halted by barriers. Aircraft crossings are infrequent, however, and you would need to be very lucky to witness one. | Across the road from here lies the Medavia/NCA aircraft maintenance complex. Aircraft cross the road to the complex and back via a gate in the airport perimeter just beyond the viewing platform, with road traffic being temporarily halted by barriers. Aircraft crossings are infrequent, however, and you would need to be very lucky to witness one. | ||
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'''Time of day:''' Late afternoons, evenings and nights. | '''Time of day:''' Late afternoons, evenings and nights. | ||
'''Directions:''' As above, but continue on the road as it winds along the airport perimeter fence. You will pass by the huge new Lufthansa Technik | '''Directions:''' As above, but continue on the road as it winds along the airport perimeter fence. You will pass by the huge new Lufthansa Technik hangar which is being built inside the airport grounds, following which the road rises briefly and levels out again. At this point you have reached park 4. | ||
{{jplink|5876060}} (Il-76 nightshot - 110mm) | {{jplink|5876060}} (Il-76 nightshot - 110mm) | ||