Atatürk International Airport
| Continent: Europe | Country: Turkey |
| Atatürk International Airport | |
| Location | Istanbul, Turkey |
| IATA code | IST |
| ICAO code | LTBA |
| Airport type | Commercial |
| Website | http://www.ataturkairport.com/eng/ |
| Overview map | Google Maps |
| Communications | |
| Tower | 118.1 121.8 |
| Ground | 121.8 121.9 |
| Clearance | 121.7 |
| Approach | 126.4 120.5 121.1 NORTH 120.5, SOUTH 121.1 |
| ATIS | 128.2 |
Official Spotting Locations
Ataturk Airport has three no official viewing areas.
Other Spotting Locations
Only you can spotting near aerodrome road seaside for 05 and 35 approach. And you can watch apron from Flyinn Shopping Mall. You can see Runway 35L-35R and apron. Another spotting location is Tarkim Flight Academy terrace. You can take 35R-35L and 17R takeoff photos.
Tarkim Flight Academy
All weekdays
08:00 - 18:00
Google earth coordinates 40°58'26.72"N, 28°48'17.03"
Spotting at Turkey.
General Information: Taking photos of aircrafts are not forbidden, but most of people think it is a kind of crime. We have the same thinking in Turkey. On the background, In Turkey, civilian use airports are also under act of special security areas, these are all airports, ports, power plants, nav aids, etc. In these areas unauthorized entry is forbidden, at these areas the taking pictures of buildings are not allowed, but aircrafts are free to take pictures. So how we are spotting? Just stay away from the fences, or do not make yourself so clear to the security watch boxes around the airports. Better way is stay on the buildings, parks, forest etc surrounding airports. If you face a security staff, most possibly they do not aware of ‘photographing aircrafts are not forbidden’ listen them calmly, mostly they ask do not take photos, take a coffee break, if possible change location and continue in convenience.
Spotting at Istanbul LTBA / IST Istanbul has three runways in open V style. If the wind is from north 80 percent of traffic uses runway 05 for landing and 35L/R for departures. In this configuration, private jets mostly lands runway 35L. (they vacate the runway at the end for general aviation area)
35L/R Take-Off, 05 Landing configuration. For this configuration there are two most popular spotting area. Sun is on the east side at morning hours so IBB Florya municipality park is the most convenient place. It’s located at the sea side of runway 05 approach. For afternoon ‘Kelesoglu’ business centre is available, at this building there is a small balcony at 3rd floor. It’s in the buildings common use area. ‘Tarkim flight school’ also uses third floor, so it’s easy to find that building.
17L/R Take-off , 23 Landing configuration. When the wind is from south, Take-offs on runway 17L/R landings are on runway 23. Kelesoglu building is useful for take-offs, but for landings there is no good place. The APlus shopping centre and roads around at Atakoy might be useful for 23 landings.
How to get there: To get IBB Florya park, from Ataturk airport, best and fastest way is take a taxi. To get Kelesoglu Building, take a taxi to Flyinn shopping centre at Florya, the building is the second next building facing airport and you may look for big name plate at the buildings. Be careful about airport taxis, mostly they are not happy for short distance passengers.
Spotting at LTFJ / SAW
Sabiha Gokcen is the another airport of Istanbul, growing number of traffic every year, It’s main base of Pegasus Airlines, second big user is the Anadolu jet. But unfortunately there is no good spotting place for both direction of airport. Airport security are not friendly, they are very unhappy with spotters. If you plan to visit around SAW expect a visit the security center.
- JetPhotos.net sample photo: large - Tarkim Spotting Location
- JetPhotos.net sample photo: large - Tarkim Spotting Location
- JetPhotos.net sample photo: large - 05 Approach
- JetPhotos.net sample photo: large - 05 Approach
- JetPhotos.net sample photo: large - 05 Approach seaside