Aviation News - May 2016

S

alzburg, Austria’s second-busiest airport, is renowned

for its charter traffic during the winter, bringing skiers and

snowboarders from around Europe. The best day to see

this is a Saturday and, while the days of numerous Russian

Tupolevs and Ilyushins are long gone, there’s still an interesting variety

on offer on a ‘Winter Saturday’.

From late December until the end of March a number of Russian

carriers visit the airport, albeit using Western equipment, as well as a

healthy mix of European scheduled and charter operators.

Located on top of Terminal 1, the open air visitors terrace affords

excellent views of the main ramp and runway. Photographers will be

delighted to learn the terrace is glass-free and photo opportunities of

aircraft parked on the main ramp are excellent thanks to their close

proximity and the elevated view – a Bombardier Dash 8-Q400 parked

on the near stands requires just 80mm focal length and an Airbus A320

parked on the far side of the main ramp requires 120mm.

Although the runway runs directly in front of the terrace, a

combination of lampposts and parked aircraft means taking good photos

of arriving or departing traffic is extremely difficult. Photographing a

Boeing 737-800 on the runway calls for a focal length of around 240mm.

The Flying Bulls’ Hangar-7 and Hangar-8 complex on the far side

of the airport is visible, but too far away for good photographs and the

general aviation ramps are obstructed by airport buildings and trees

(although some business jets are partially visible through the gaps).

The terrace is good for photography from noon until sunset and,

AIRPORT: SALZBURG AIRPORT W.A. MOZART

COST: FREE OPENING TIMES: 0600HRS TO 2300HRS

56 Aviation News incorporating Classic Aircraft May 2016

Viewing Area GuideViewing Area Guide

Above: Airberlin Bombardier Dash 8-Q400s are regular visitors to

Salzburg. All photos Key-James Ronayne

Below: Information boards on the terrace, detailing the types of aircraft

to be seen at the airport, are in German and English.

Salzburg Airport’s viewing terrace offers superb close up views as

Assistant Editor James Ronayne found out.

The terrace affords excellent views of the main apron and runway

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