Eeeik, you go away for a couple of months, and looks what happens, you leave Nigel in charge and he's organising a circus at his own farm. I reckon now that he's started, he can continue to help prepare the weekend, eh! Back to you Nig..... :p

Well, lots of ideas and lots of interest, with 50% of the 62 voters so far hedging for May 2012, we may just have our date secured!

Just to clarify, we must be very realistic and sensible in deciding when to have such a weekend, and I think there's been some very valid debate that supports having the weekend in May will be most suitable. It also makes logical sense to go with the majority vote, as a Spotting Weekend is only a success when people come and participate. So, if we've already got 30-odd starters, we're in good shape. You've also got plenty of time to prepare :)

The past 8 Spotting Weekends have all occurred in February. I continually receive feedback from many people with different ideas and reasons why; asking to change the dates to a different part of the year. So that's what we're doing. Let's mix it up. Now, I know we're never going to please everyone with a new date, but we can only try. And hey, if it doesn't work out this time, well, we learn our lesson and can always choose a different month in the future.

Also, as a long time member, and once a schoolboy-plane-spotter myself, let me assure you that no one is trying to push away the new kids or the 'younger generation'. That's not what these weekends are about. I attended my first Spotting Weekend at YSSY almost 12 years ago when I was a younger lad, and since that day I've formed many great life-long friendships. Every time we've held a spotting weekend, we've always encouraged kids and families to come along and join in the fun, participate and meet new people. We've always fostered a friendly and welcoming environment. And if a weekend goes ahead in 2012, it will be no different!

You only get out of it what you put in, so I encourage you to attend. Our online environment at times can be very critical and bitter... Though, outside along the fence-line and along the runways the atmosphere is very different. I challenge you to get away from the online-forum for a weekend, be forthcoming, meet new people, travel to Sydney, get out, enjoy your hobby. You'll be amazed at what you might learn and what new friendships you forge.

Now, it is true what people say, the organising of such a weekend can be quite overwhelming, so again, it really comes down to how much you want to get out of the weekend. I for one prefer simplicity by keeping the weekend pretty stress free, allowing people to do what they like and spot where they like during the day and then meet together for dinner on the Saturday night. This has worked well in the past.

I can easily put the wheels in motion and reach out to the relevant authorities to start the process of creating our 9th Spotting Weekend (with Nigel's help of course ;)). But for those of you with the more grand ideas, we might be best starting an organising committee where we can round-table what's realistic vs overkill. This will help push the weekend forward and together we can share the workload.

If you'd like to join in, and you think you have a sensible idea, please let me know via personal message. Together, let's bring the 2012 Spotting Weekend alive.

I'm alright for any weekend :)
If you can, please make them away from my school examination periods so i'm less rushed ect. I don't think i'll be able to attend the dinners though. :(
I think i'm one of youngest members here :D If there using 16, i'm guessing there wont be any Qantas drive spotting. Or what about rwy 25.

Hi Brad,
just curious to why you think there will be no Qantas Drive spotting?
I cannot see any other posts suggesting this.

The dog park is really only good for 34L departures Chris. The row of trees along the bottom of the hill are growing like wildfire & are now obstructing any decent views of 16R arrivals especially of Qantas Drive.

Horrible Casurina's they are too!! AND, they (most like a lot of other plants) detest Glyphosate... not that I would condone the use of it :D

But yes, the dog park is a great site of an afternoon, and with the golf driving range there, toilets and refreshments can be found. Its also good to take a fold out chair as well... Most of the people up there are OK with 'spotters' being in there, but there are some that take exception to being in a 'DOG PARK' that is a leash free area as well. So, if the dogs a male, WATCH YOUR GEAR!!!! ;)

Bring Macc along to chase them away Bernie

Hey shayne.
Qantas drive is never mentioned, out of all the times iv'e been there iv'e only met and seen one spotter, it seems no one go's there, is this because of parking?
It's a pretty long walk to Qantas drive from any source of parking really, IMO it's one of the most isolated spots in public transport prospective.

There is a bus stop about 200m away from the billboard area. The bus that stops there is the 400 so it means that you can connect to both the east and west sides of the airport. Not to mention that the International Terminal is only a 10 minute walk away where there are taxis and another route 400 bus stop.

So I'm not really sure what you mean about public transport issues there Brad? :confused: I mean, I am able to get buses there and on several occasions I have walked there from the domestic Terminal and Mascot.

Yep, I second that, it's pretty easy to get to if you ask me, the mound would be the hardest to get to IMO from a public transport point of view, just use the State Transit sight to give you options on getting there.

At the mound I get the long term car park bus, there more frequent then the 400 bus.
it seems such a long walk from QF drive to that bus stop.

The 400 comes like every 10 minutes doesn't it? It's an express route bus!
And to walk to QF Drive, it's just as long as it is if you were to be driving there in your own car.

They usually come around every 20 mins.

Almost 3 months has lapsed with no solid plans so far it seems.

With May 2012 rapidly creeping up on us I think you guys need to start some solid plans now ;)

You guys? Don't be thinking you can't be a part of this!

In response to your post, all I can suggest is that a night at the DoG be organised soon so the 'planning committee', i.e. all of you, can discuss the best date and a loose schedule of dinners/drinks/spotting etc.

How does 1800 on the Friday 16th December at the Duke of Gloucester Hotel, Randwick sound? Any takers?

What about a loose weekend of dinners/drinks/spotting scheduled for something permanent next year?

ie no mods/admins do any huge weekends of pressos or whatever, just a casual rockup spot then a few drinks somewhere.. Thoughts?

Nigel is correct, we're happy to have people from the floor start the planning. I'm also happy to nominate myself as the central point of contact if that's what most people prefer.

From a "date" perspective, I think it's fairly safe to keep 11-13 May 2012 blocked in your calendar for the Spotting Weekend next year.

Given the busy Christmas period ahead, I unfortunately won't get much time to make any "solid" plans until the new year.

Nig, unfortunately next Friday is a no-goer. May need to wait until Jan.

Kurt, early next year is fine with me too. I'll check my roster for possible DoG dates and let you know. I'll be working on the proposed spotting weekend dates, but I might be able to join Saturday night's festivities.

Beau, agreed, an informal weekend would be easy to 'plan'.

I'll back that weekend in as well, looking cheaper by the minute... :D

Nige have you found that email address for me yet mate?

Mothers' Day is 13/05/2012
 

In case it's important to anyone, note that 13 May 2012 is Mothers' Day.

ok is it confirmed that SYD spotting weekend will be held on May 2012? We need to check airfare regularly

any words about SYD spotting weekend??? I havent heard from you for long times... what happened?

I think everyone's been busy lately. I'll get around to organising a DoG night soon so people can gather, talk #%$@ and work out any details that may need to be sorted.

No eating and drinking?? :eek:

I thought that part was a given...then again, so is the talking #%$@

Can't wait to join the talking =D

We're still hopeful for a May spotting weekend, but we're all a little tight on time at present, anyone based in Sydney who may be able to help with organisation please email us boardadmin@yssyforum.net and we'll be able to get in touch once things firm up a bit. Thanks.

In the meantime we're still very much open to suggestion for any events/activities for the weekend, so feel free to discuss in here. We do have a small fund left over from the last spotting weekend that we are hoping to use to hire a mini bus and driver for the weekend to make things a bit easier for interstate visitors and people with transport in SYD, if anyone has any connections that may make that process possible please let us know.

I should be able to go-CANT WAIT!!! first time too

count me in...

I'd love to be there but unfortunately won't be able to make it, bad time of year for us!

So no midnight show from the 5th floor of the Formula 1 then???

Won't be the same without you guys.

Sorry guys, no show from the F1 windows this year! We're old and married now anyway, so the show would come from the stamford windows, and probably be quicker... Might try and come up for a weekend sometime in Sep/Oct this year to catch up with some folks, we'll see how it goes!

Hi All,

I am considering my options at this stage, as I have never been to a Spotters Weekend.

Where do you guys stay in Sydney?
Do we need a Hire Car to get around?

Please advise

Stuart

Hi Stuart,

Would be great to have you come along.

In past years we've managed to get some good hotel deals nearby, but more recently these rates are usually superseded by last minute accommodation websites. So your best bet is to find cheap accommodation near the airport via an online website. The F1 Hotel is the closest, then there's the Stamford Plaza, The Quest, Ibis and Holiday Inn further back. Currently on Wotif.com, the F1 and Ibis have the best rates under $130 per night.

Re transport, there's usually enough locals driving around that can swing by and pick you up and look after you during the day. We will encourage people who require transport during the day to make contact with us closer to the event so no one is left out. Of course, if you prefer your own freedom, then a rental car could be handy.... as walking to some of the spotting locations isn't easily achieved by foot.

At this stage we do anticipate the usage of a rental car/van during the entire weekend, so closer to the date we'll ensure you're well looked after.


In other news we should have a neat agenda for the weekend posted in the coming week.

Kurt - did you get my PM?

Yeah mate, just gotta get around to it :)

Wow, sorry I missed this earlier Lawrie. Yes, we're full steam this week with the organising. Definitely Friday 11th to 13th May. Book it in.