Spotting at MEL--Review and Questions (56K Warn)

[Will H]

Hi everyone,
I'm new to this board and went out to MEL for the first time last week to do some spotting and thought I would share some pictures. I also have some questions about MEL spotting at the end.

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i221/Winglets747/dsc_3443.jpg

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i221/Winglets747/dsc_3536.jpg

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i221/Winglets747/dsc_3595.jpg

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i221/Winglets747/dsc_3618.jpg

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i221/Winglets747/dsc_3691.jpg

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i221/Winglets747/dsc_3697.jpg

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i221/Winglets747/dsc_3735.jpg

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i221/Winglets747/dsc_3795.jpg

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i221/Winglets747/dsc_3876.jpg

These were all taken near Point D (Gate 2) on the Rwy34 site. As I recently moved here from overseas I don't have a car, but didn't find the walk to that spotting point too bad. I'm curious about spotting arrivals at Rwy34.com points G and F (Operations Road). Is it possible to walk to those points from the main terminal area? (I know it would be a long walk. I would consider taking a taxi.)

The MEL map on Google (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Melbourne+VIC,+Australia&ie=UTF8&cd=1&ll=-37.682869,144.849844&spn=0.016812,0.028839&z=15) indicates taking Centre Road to Operations Road could potentially work, but there is a gap between where Centre ends and Operations begins. Otherwise it would seem I would have to take Melrose Drive, catch Link Rd to S Centre Rd and then to Operations Road. I'm also not sure which roads are airside and which aren't. Also, is there by any chance a shuttle bus that goes by the area?

Lastly, what are the most common runway configurations at MEL? (34 for arrivals and departures?)

Hope to meet you some of you around MEL and even SYD. If anyone is planning a spotting outing, I'd love to tag along.

Cheers,
Will

[Matt_L]

Great Shots Will and welcome to the board, a place where heated arguments and conflict are inevitable. Only Joking:D
I cant answer your questions as im not a melb local but im sure Marty or one of the other Melbourne spotters we have here will answer very shortly.
Once again great shots,
and Look out for the posting here - we have a spotters weekend in Sydney and I think its every 2 years now? but that info should come on soon.
Kind Regards,
Matt

[Rhys Xanthis]

Fantastic shots! I like the shot of the United 744. Great in lots of light!

[Marty H]

Gday Will,

You would have to go right around via Melrose Drive, link Rd and then Sth Centre Rd, is the best way to get around to Operations Rd, I can have a look tomorrow for you but Im fairly sure you cant walk through that 'gap' as that is very close to where the Tenix hangars are and sure its fenced off in that area.

Runway ops very much depends on wind, quite often have two active runways say 16 for arrivals and 27 for departures or even 34 for arrivals and 27 for departures, 09 is the least used runway for departures or arrivals.

Send me a PM if you need any further info.

[Karl M]

G'day Will,
Welcome to Melbourne.

The only way to get to RWY 34 from the terminal is via Melrose Drive then to Link Rd.
From Center road to Operations road is all Cargo Area/ Airside / Fenced Off!.

You could walk, but will take you from anywhere from 40min to 1 Hr at a guess.

Melbourne has some strange weather & by the time you may get there the wind may have changed as well as the RWY operations, so may be a waist of time! But you never know.

You could ask for taxi but dont count on it as they usually dont like to take you very far. I live 17km from the airport & I could not even get a taxi to take me that far once before.

Their is a public bus that runs up & down Melrose drive (www.tullamarinebus.com.au), you may try & catch that to a stop after Link Road.

Hope this can help.

Rgds
Karl

[Paul C.]

Some brilliant pics here, especially that Unitied 747-400.

[David M]

Nice shots Will and welcome to the board.

A gratuitous plug, but check out www.digitalairstrip.net for maps and photos from airport locations. I have added a few photos from Melbourne, however local knowledge from any airport would be great!

Feel free to add some if you like :)

Cheers

David.M.

[Will H]

Thanks for the info, everyone!

It doesn't look like the Tullamarine buses will be of much use--they have a limited schedule and destinations served--but thanks.

Cheers,
Will

[Sarah C]

Lovely shots Will. Love the angle of the aircraft and the shadows. They all look really nice against the blue sky. Well done!

[Kieran Wells]

Will,
welcome and awesome shots! I managed to catch the tiger plane in canberra 3 weeks ago..Livery is awesome up close. Interesting to see the 2 Star alliance liveries in Melbourne on one day. I have only got the Air NZ one here in Sydney.

Cheers mate.