YSSY spotting - Radar Field is off Limits

[paul b]

Does anyone know if the radar field is still accessible. Spotters wiki says it is fenced off and locked. Does this mean there are no good vantage points around there?

Also, was going to do some spotting the other day at 16L when it was quite active on the mounds underneath it but there was 2 fp in a marked car up there. Thought better of it. Is this off limits now when active?

Whats probably the best spotting area now?

Paul

[Nigel C]

Radar field will be permanantly off limits as far as I'm aware.

But do a search of the board and you'll come up with all sorts of spotting location topics.

[Brenden S]

I see that there has been a few photographers going to the Radar field of late. I take it that it is back open again?

[Dan Collins]

Have only been there once (a few years back) and there were no signs. I was kindly told that it wasn't a spotting area by one of the security patrols and so I moved along. It's a great place to spot from but I'm guessing we're not supposed to be there.

To answer Paul's question, I'm not sure that there is a 'best' location, but I look at things from a videographers perspective which means I like to see a bit more of the aircraft movement than a photographer might.

Good spots that never fail would be the Tower Mound (mornings), The Beach (afternoons), Swamp Rd/Qantas Dr for the big stuff, Foreshore Dr areas for the small stuff (16L/34R).

Dan

[Jaryd stock]

The radar field is definitely off limits, but underneath the container area near the Tempe dog park where Brendon gets his shots is open and not off limits...

[Brenden S]

So I guess those guys who have been putting pictures up on the net lately are not supposed to be there?

I was up at the container spot the other day, still a great spot fot 16L/R arrivals and 16R departures.

[Nathan M]

The radar field is defiantly off limits and I can only hope that for the sake of the responsible spotters in Sydney someone reports them to the AFP so that we can still continue to build a positive relationship with the airport as spotters. Going into off limits areas like this will be sure to spoil it for the rest of us responsible spotters thanks a lot guys!

[Brian Wilkes]

I do know a lot of overseas spotters head for that area.

[Hendra Barnes]

Edited.

[Nigel C]

I can confirm the radar field is still off-limits. The people who access this area are trespassing and really should take note of the signage they pass on the way. I agree with Nathan's sentiments regarding the behaviour of a selfish few.

[Tony G]

Well said Nathan. It would be nice.

[Bob C]

Let's not beat around the bush.

I've seen what happens at other airports when the actions of a few irresponsible spotters can ruin the hobby for many others and destroy strong relationships built up over years with airport authorities.

Firm action needs to be taken and SACL should issue an immediate formal warning on this board that the radar field is a "no go" area. Multi lingual "No Trespassing" signage should also be erected without delay.

Don't give miscreants any other warning - if anyone is found in the radar field, hit them with a hefty fine and impound their camera gear. That would soon stop trespassing.

[Sydney Airport]

Plane spotters are to be reminded about their conduct when taking photos on Qantas Drive. The radar field is off limits.

Climbing fences and signage is not permitted for safety and security reasons.

If you see someone acting suspiciously in this area where they should not be please contact SACL Security Operations immediately on 02 9667 9673 or the Australian Federal Police on 131 AFP.

[Nigel C]

The signage on the way to the off-limits radar field is quite clear. There are no excuses.

When first turning off Foreshore Rd...
http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x82/Kiska2/Restrictedareasign2.jpg

And if the first sign isn't enough, there are then 2 of these signs. Spotters are not authorised persons.
http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x82/Kiska2/Restrictedareasign1.jpg

[Bob C]

Well done SACL and thanks Nigel.

Can't be any clearer than that.

[Mark T]

I seem to recall that it was also possible to enter the Radar Field by "risking life and limb" and running across Southern Cross Drive near the Control Tower. This is another place where our overseas visitors may think it is OK to enter Radar Field and not sure if there are signs or fences at this location?

Cheers
M

[Bob C]

Maybe some time in Long Bay with a few Kings Cross "identities" will make overseas visitors and others realise that it is not ok to enter the radar field.

[Micheil Keegan]

Bob C are you trying to single handledly undo all the hard work put in by Members on and off this message board to make us not appear as criminals?

All this talk of sending people to Long Bay and confiscating camera gear seems a bit harsh. I don't understand why when we all have the same hobby people go out of their way to make it difficult for others.

Both Nigel and SACL have made it quite clear in this post that this location is off limits to photographers. Many overseas spotters would come here as their first point of research and I don't believe that this spot is listed on any of the Sydney Spotting guides.

Perhaps the Moderators could lock this thread now it has all been cleared up.

[matthew mcdonald]

Well said, Couldn't agree more Micheil.

[Benny Zheng]

Here's my 2 cents. I'm definitely agree with more signage such as no photography around the restricted areas. Coming from Singapore, I have seen may spots closed down by the airport authorities and left with only air shot spots. But I do need clarification on the saying of foreigners are the pure cause of this. I've know local spotters that spot at the radar field and therefore I do not agree on this point.

[Bob C]

No Micheil, not at all and I don't mean to offend and I apologise to anyone who feels that way. Unfortunately, it's the people who flaunt the rules and disobey signs who make it difficult for the vast majority of us.

The reference to Long Bay was somewhat tongue in cheek as I doubt that anyone would end up in the clink for trespassing.

I worked over many years to further the interests of spotters in Perth. But unfortunately, I have had personal experience of the damage miscreants can do which ruins the hobby for others. There are Perth based members of this Board who can confirm the work that myself and others of the then AEGWA executive did in Perth over 10 years ago, and others before us, with airport authorities to ensure that enthusiasts were understood and given reasonable access to pursue their hobby.

We worked with the authorities who issued us with ID cards, gave us frequent airside access and members of our group followed a Code of Conduct and we acted as a rudimentary "Airport Watch" and were given a number to call to report any suspicious activities.

And a couple of years ago when the the Sydney Airport Watch was first mooted, I had lengthy correspondence with the AFP representative , offering the Perth experience as a model. I still have that correspondence on file as well as my last ID card from WAC in Perth.

SACL and others can confirm these statements by reference to WAC or AFP.

Once again, apologies if I offended anyone which was unintentional.

[Bob C]

Further to my previous post, my correspondence with the AFP was dated 30 September 2009.

And I forgot to mention that members of AEGWA were instrumental in initiating discussions with WAC regarding the desirability of a dedicated Viewing Area.

This finally came to fruition in December 2011 after additional input from AEGWA and other interested parties. The Viewing Area has proved extremely popular with spotters and the general public and hopefully may be expanded and additional amenities provided.

[Nigel C]

Here's my 2 cents. I'm definitely agree with more signage such as no photography around the restricted areas. Coming from Singapore, I have seen may spots closed down by the airport authorities and left with only air shot spots. But I do need clarification on the saying of foreigners are the pure cause of this. I've know local spotters that spot at the radar field and therefore I do not agree on this point.

Benny, I certainly don't think anyone was pointing this issue only at foreign spotters only. I think the reference was made purely as a point to say that unless people are familiar with current local arrangements, then those who don't often spot at Sydney may inadvertently end up at the radar field through word of mouth or out-dated internet references.

If you know who the people are that have been accessing this area, then perhaps a friendly word to them about what is and what is not acceptable in terms of spotting locations would help resolve this issue before the authorities really clamp down on it hard.
As others have alluded to, the relationship between SACL and the spotting community is at a unique stage right now, and it would be in everyone's best interest if this relationship is given the chance to bloom through trust and respect on both sides.

Cheers