While I was out at the Port Botany launching ramp yesterday to shoot the arrival of Cessna 650 N163JM, I thought I would also shoot the panorama from
this location. This is a great spot for photography, or just watching the arrivals and departures on Runway 16L/34R, and although it is more focused on
smaller Domestic aircraft (B737, A320, Dash 8 & ATR), I have seen an increase in the number of Asian A330 arrivals on this runway. The LAN Dreamliner
is also a regular user of this Runway, along with the Air New Zealand Dreamliner when it operates the ANZ103/104 service (once or twice a week). The
other good thing about this location is that you also have a clear view of traffic on the main Runway, 16R/34L, and although too far away to photograph,
you can still keep track of the action.
From the end of the rock wall breakwater in this panorama, to the perpendicular centreline of the Runway is 650mtrs, and to the RW34R Threshold, about
1.3Km. While Corporate Jet sized aircraft are a little challenging, the normal commercial traffic is fine with a long lens and a fast shutter speed. Like most
locations around the airport, heat haze is always going to be a problem on warmer days.
This is basically a 180 degree Panorama from the Port Botany Launching Ramp, taking in the Control Tower to the right (north), and the new container
loading facility on the left (south). The Qantas A330 near the centre of the panorama is at the Alpha 6 Holding Point on Runway 34L (Main Runway)
