Christchurch Spotting

[BenWriter]

Hi Guys

I've got a free day around NZCH tomorrow and was wondering if anyone knew of any good spotting locations around the airport and how airport staff are towards spotters ? Obviously I would just abide by what I know about YSSY in terms of spotting rules ect ... I think the old observation deck has been demolished with the new terminal upgrade, however I do have a car so I can get around to other locations. If anyone had any more info that'd be sweet

Thanks Ben

[Jarden S]

Hi Ben, you can take your car for a wee drive out of the terminal area and head south down John's road turn right at Avonhead road and go to the end where you will see a fence at that corner is where both runways meet you can take a few snaps the security is there sometimes but does not bother plane spotters. You will see mostly Air NZ stuff not a lot of variety compared with SYD.
Hope you enjoy your day...

[BenWriter]

Cheers, I headed out around the airport today on pound rd, I was pretty impressed with how close I was able to get and how "open" the area is. It was cool to be able to pull up on the side of the road take some snaps and move on to another location ... I went to both ends of the runway and the proximity to the threshold was great, even a nice spotter friendly carpark at one end ... The shots you would get from the cross runway when it in use would be amazing though considering they have to lower the boomgate when planes are arriving to prevent accidents ... Do you know if that runway gets used much ? I've only ever landed on the main one ... Thanks for getting back to us mate , I've got another free day on thurs so I'll try and head out to get the EK777

[Torin Wilson]

That runway is 29/11. 29 gets used quite often, 11 almost never.

If you want to get close you should try the fire station or NZpost. Drive up Wairakei rd as far as you possibly can when stuff is taxiing round to international gates, or onto the antarctic apron.

The fire station is good in the morning.

[Jarden S]

Runway 29 only gets use when CHC has a strong Nor-wester mainly in the summer months where aircraft circle over the city before heading NW for a long final to the runway.

[Gerald D]

Ryans Road off Russley Rd is excellent if r/way 02 is being used-you can almost touch the planes LOL