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Malta International Airport: Difference between revisions
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'''Time of day:''' Early to mid-morning only. | '''Time of day:''' Early to mid-morning only. | ||
'''Directions:''' As with the previous spot, but keep following the road till you see the steep dirt track | '''Directions:''' As with the previous spot, but keep following the road till you see the steep dirt track on the opposite side of the road which provides access to the chapel. Cross with care. The track is accessible by car, but be careful when re-entering the main road. | ||
{{jplink|5704512}} (Boeing 737-300 - 210mm) | {{jplink|5704512}} (Boeing 737-300 - 210mm) | ||
===Runway 32 Threshold=== | |||
This is an excellent location for photos of aircraft approaching runway 32. There is a wide roadside walkway and few obstacles for photography. The only drawback is that the road is beneath the level of the runway at this point so aircraft can only be photographed on approach. | |||
'''Time of day:''' You can shoot from either side of the flight path so this spot is good for the whole day, although photos will not turn out so well when the sun is at its highest. | |||
'''Directions:''' As with the previous spot but keep following the perimeter road until it bends right at the end of the runway. The walk from the terminal should take perhaps 30 minutes (a non-walker's estimate!). If driving, parking is possible at the gaps in the crash barriers on either side of the road. | |||
{{anetlink|1033736}} (Boeing 737-700 frontal view - 165mm) | |||
{{anetlink|0975329}} (A320 side view - 200mm) | |||
{{jplink|487300}} (Boeing 757 overflying the road, with the walkway to the right - 35mm) | |||
===Crash Gate off Road to Safi=== | |||
Offers a view of runway 32 takeoffs and touchdowns. However, this is an awkward spot as an old building on the right will restrict your view of incoming aircraft and moreover you will need a stepladder to clear the gate. | |||
'''Time of day:''' Afternoon and evening. | |||
'''Directions:''' As with the previous spot but follow the road up the hill. Near the top turn right to take an old country road to the village of Safi. Before you get anywhere near Safi you will come to a fork in the road. Keep right and you will soon reach the gate. This spot is really for drivers as it will add some 20-25 minutes to your journey from the terminal if you are on foot. | |||
===Viewing Platform on the Safi Side=== | |||
Built by the Malta Aviation Society some years ago, this elevated platform offers unobstructed views of Runway 14/32. This is the place from which to shoot takeoffs from 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 unsuitability for morning photography, and its very popularity: it can get crowded if there is a particularly unusual movement. | |||
'''Time of day:''' Afternoon and evening. | |||
'''Directions:''' Starting from the terminal, go left as you leave the terminal building and head for the airport McDonald’s restaurant. Pass it by and you will reach the road to Zurrieq. Turn left and follow the road through the tunnel which goes beneath Runway 14-32. Once out of the tunnel you will reach a roundabout: go left again and carry on till you reach the viewing platform. The walk should take about 20 minutes. | |||
If arriving by bus, there is a bus stop shortly before the tunnel which is served by all the buses mentioned below other than the airport bus proper. From there, follow the above directions. | |||
If driving, head for the airport but take the road to Zurrieq at the Gudja/airport/Luqa roundabout. Parking is available next to the viewing platform and across the road. | |||
{{jplink|118458}} (the viewing platform) | |||
{{jplink|5665688}} (A300 Runway 14 - 125mm) | |||
{{anetlink|1037541}} (Boeing 737-800 Runway 32 - 100mm) | |||
==Locations to Avoid== | ==Locations to Avoid== | ||