Spotting in MAD: any hint?

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SpottairBRU
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Spotting in MAD: any hint?

Post by SpottairBRU »

Hi everybody!

From 01/04 to 03/04 I'll be in Madrid, and will most probably spend one day spotting around MAD. I'll have my 120-400mm lens with me, but no car (although walking is not a big issue for me). Have you any hint to give? Any place to get good pics? Are there some exotic planes that come regularly? I know for example that there is the Cubana IL96, but are there other ones?

I know Google is a good friend, it does not know everything ;-)

Many thanks in advance and have all a nice day!
Fabien
Flown: AA5 / A300-310-318-319-320-321-330-340-380 / ATR42 / B717-737-747-757-777 / Bae146 / C130H / CRJ700-900 / Dash8-Q400 / E145-195 / Fokker 50 / HS748 / MD81 / RJ85-100 / Robin DR400

jan_olieslagers
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Re: Spotting in MAD: any hint?

Post by jan_olieslagers »

Perhaps not what you are really after, but I hear there's a nice aviation museum at Cuatros Vientos (sp?) aerodrome.

SpottairBRU
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Re: Spotting in MAD: any hint?

Post by SpottairBRU »

Thanks Jan O.! I did not know there was an aviation museum. Suddenly 48h in Madrid look very short :)
Fabien
Flown: AA5 / A300-310-318-319-320-321-330-340-380 / ATR42 / B717-737-747-757-777 / Bae146 / C130H / CRJ700-900 / Dash8-Q400 / E145-195 / Fokker 50 / HS748 / MD81 / RJ85-100 / Robin DR400

Sabena320
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Re: Spotting in MAD: any hint?

Post by Sabena320 »

Hi,

I've been several times to MAD and I know my way there quite well. It is really worth the effort to go spotting as the kind of traffic you see over there is amazing. MAD is really a very nice airport for spotting! Spotting on the approach points is only possible when 33's are in use (which is for 80% of the time), as there are no real spots at the 18's and they are not reachable without car (and even with car it's very difficult I think).

I don't know how spotting conditions are at the moment, last time I've been there is February 2009 and everytime something has changed. They were also building overthere so I don't know about the current situation. We always stay in the Holiday Inn which is just next to 33L where with some luck you have a room with view on the approach. There are no real fixed spots and you have to find yourself a suitable spot. There is lots of flat terrain where you can go on. These spots are good as from noon. In the morning I used to have a spot on the other side of 33L, but since I almost was attacked by dogs, I don't go anymore over there. Don't have a solution for the morning yet. You'll have to find a way yourself.

If you want to make it yourself easier, there is a pub with view on the 33L and T1-2-3 inside T2. This offers quite some nice photo opportunities if the windows are clean in the afternoon (otherwise there is backlit). This is for ex. one photo I took there: http://www.airliners.net/photo/Korean-A ... 1714105/L/ - http://www.airliners.net/photo/TAP-Port ... 1718368/L/

I don't know where you are staying, but airport is reachable by cheap metro. 33L is reachable by bus. First go to metro station Canillejas and there you'll have to take a bus for a few stops.

If you have any more questions, let me know ;)

Grts.

SpottairBRU
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Re: Spotting in MAD: any hint?

Post by SpottairBRU »

Thanks SabenaA320!

My hotel is near the airport, a few hundreds meters from Barajas metro stations. Thank you for the spotting hints, personal experience is always valuable! No problem if the locations nearby the 33's are favourable mostly in the afternoon... that will leave me the morning to explore the area and find the place where I'll spend the afternoon ;)

I've just one question regarding the general attitude towards the spotters, mainly from Police/Security: is there a good relationship between both parties? And another question: is listening to ATC with a scanner permitted in Spain?

I'll try to bring back good pictures :)
Fabien
Flown: AA5 / A300-310-318-319-320-321-330-340-380 / ATR42 / B717-737-747-757-777 / Bae146 / C130H / CRJ700-900 / Dash8-Q400 / E145-195 / Fokker 50 / HS748 / MD81 / RJ85-100 / Robin DR400

Sabena320
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Re: Spotting in MAD: any hint?

Post by Sabena320 »

Well, I never encountered any problems with officials, nor did I ever heard of any problems about it at MAD. So I wouldn't worry about officials.
I don't think that using your scanner in Spain is allowed, but who cares anyway ;)

I forget to mention that the main runway in use for landing is 33L. Runway 33R is only used for a few aircraft an hour, which are even most of the time Iberia. So you would have to stick to 33L as 33R is not worth the effort.

Guinness
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Re: Spotting in MAD: any hint?

Post by Guinness »

There is a spotting mound located between Terminal 1 & Terminal 2 and its well worth a visit.
Its very good for photos for most of the day and aircraft are very close as they taxi by towards T2 and the departure runways.

The best way to get there from the Airport Terminal is via the metro - you only need to go to the next stop ( Barajas) and the mound is a short walk from there.

some photo examples from the mound:-

http://flic.kr/p/69HN9o

http://flic.kr/p/8Jv1Px

http://flic.kr/p/6gszJ8

Hope this helps,

Guinness :D

hvs89
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Re: Spotting in MAD: any hint?

Post by hvs89 »


SpottairBRU
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Re: Spotting in MAD: any hint?

Post by SpottairBRU »

Thank you all for all the hints!

I tried the T2 spot with almost nothing to see. I found the famous "barajas hill/mound" (at least it should have been it according to the maps), and discovered that there are what seems to be construction works, with fences all around. Did not dare to pass them (I had already been "interviewed" by the Spanish police and did not want to attract more attention ;) ). After that, it was already late to go to other places (eg runways 33's). But the day of departure, I could get some consolation through T4-Satellite that provided some nice views (I'll post pics later this week).

All in all, not a too negative experience, I could get familiar with the airport and will probably hire a car next time I go there. And after all, the main goal was to try the LAN's A340 between CDG and MAD, which was well worth it (trip report is currently being written) :) !

Again, many thanks to all of you!
Fabien
Flown: AA5 / A300-310-318-319-320-321-330-340-380 / ATR42 / B717-737-747-757-777 / Bae146 / C130H / CRJ700-900 / Dash8-Q400 / E145-195 / Fokker 50 / HS748 / MD81 / RJ85-100 / Robin DR400

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