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Photo copyright © by E. Tailliet
Hamburg's main airport Fuhlsbüttel (HAM) is located in the Northwest of Hamburg. With its two crossing runways (05/23 and 15/33) which are both used frequently it can be quite difficult to take photographs as several runway changes may occur throughout day. Traffic consists of scheduled services by major European airlines with Iran Air and Ghana Airways being the only intercontinental visitors, a lot of regional services and both German and foreign charter flights. Additionally, there are several interesting movements of aircraft visiting the Lufthansa Technik facilities. Beside the two viewing terraces HAM also has a number of excellent locations to take photographs around the runways. Feel free to send an e-mail if you have any further questions.
> Spotting Point 1: "The Bridge"
Runway: 05/23
Time: until 2:00pm
Lenses: 150mm-300mm
Access: Walk out of the parking lot in front of Terminal 1 and then stick to the left. You'll see a big road bridge over the main road between the motorway and the city center with a wide pavement on the left side. Walk over the bridge until you reach some stairs which lead you towards the runway. From the footpath that leads to these stairs the best shots of all aircraft approaching runway 23 can be taken.
Examples:
 
> Spotting Point 2: "Spectator's Platform Terminal 1"
Runway: 05/23
Time: until 2:00pm
Lenses: 80mm-250mm
Access: The access to the spectator's platform is located between Terminal 1 and the construction site for the new Terminal 2. Follow the signs until you reach a red tower with a lift and stairs. The entrance to the spectator's platform is on top of this tower. You'll be able to get shots of both arrivals and departures on runway 23, but also of aircraft vacating the apron in front of the terrace. Within the building drinks, snacks, postcards and models are available. Entrance fee is EUR 1.50.
Examples:
 
> Spotting Point 3: "Spectator's Platform Terminal 4"
Runway: 15/33
Time: until 1:00pm
Lenses: 60mm-250mm
Access: This spectator's platform belongs to a restaurant ("Europa Buffet") high above the departure hall of terminal 4 in level 3. In order to get access to the observation deck you have to purchase anything from the restaurant (they also sell little snacks, so you don't have to order a big meal there).
> Spotting Point 4: "GAT"
Runway: 15/33
Time: whole day (see description)
Lenses: 50mm-250mm
Access: Exit the airport following the signs "Centrum". Turn left (the first road) into "Weg beim Jäger" and follow it under the approach of runway 33 until you see the GAT entry on your right hand side (very well signposted). Turn right and drive straight on to a gate leading to the apron. A ladder is required for this spot. You are able to photograph aircraft taxiing from the Lufthansa Technik facilities to runways 23 or 33 for departure (until about 2:00pm), but also aircraft turning on runway 33 for departure (from 1:00pm till sunset) or approaching runway 33 (not very often; from 2:30pm).
Examples:
 
> Spotting Point 5: "Lufthansa Technik"
Runway: none
Time: from 2.00pm
Lenses: 60mm-120mm
Access: Leaving the airport terminal area by car stick to the right until you reach "Weg beim Jäger". Turn right and follow this road past the Lufthansa Technik area until you reach a roundabout. Take the second exit, a road called "Spreenende". After another two turns to your right into "Borsteler Chaussee" and then into "Eberkampstraße" drive left into a small road called "Moortrift". At the end of the road you will see the Lufthansa Technik apron right in front of you. A ladder is required. This spot is only useful for aircraft entering or leaving the Lufthansa Technik hangars via taxiway Yankee and sometimes for aircraft parked on the Lufthansa Technik apron.
> Spotting Point 6: "Amselweg"
Runway: 05/23
Time: until 2.00pm
Lenses: 60mm-300mm
Access: Leaving the airport terminal area by car stick to the right until you reach "Weg beim Jäger". Turn right and follow this road past the Lufthansa Technik area until you reach a roundabout. Take the second exit, a road called "Spreenende" and follow it till you reach "Borsteler Chaussee" where you have to to turn right. Turn left after a few metres into "Haldenstieg" and park your car somewhere near a big store called "Metro". Now walk right into a small path called "Amselweg" and follow it until you can view runway 05/23 right in front of you. A ladder is recommended, but you can also take photographs through the holes in the fence. There are some more spots in this area which offer basically the same photo opportunities (aircraft taxiing to runway 05 and touchdown shots on runway 05) within a short walking distance.
> Spotting Point 7: "Vogt-Cordes-Damm"
Runway: 05/23
Time: until 2.00pm
Lenses: 150mm-300mm
Access: Access is nearly the same as to location 6. At the (dead) end of the street "Haldenstieg" there is a small path taking you directly to the airport fence. Choose a place that is not obstructed with trees and you are able to take pictures of all aircraft landing on runway 05.
> Spotting Point 8: "The Benches"
Runway: 05/23
Time: from 5.00pm
Lenses: 150mm-300mm
Access: Coming from spot 7 just follow the foot- and bikepath next the the aiport fence right to the opposite side until you reach some benches. From this location shots of aircraft approaching or lining up on runway 05 can be taken in the late afternoon/evening.
> Spotting Point 9: "Garstedter Eck"
Runway: 15/33
Time: from 2.30pm
Lenses: 150mm-250mm
Access: Coming from the airport take the road leading to the motorway A7. After you passed the tunnel underneath runway 15/33 turn right into a small road called "Sachsenstieg". Then turn right into "Lurchweg" and follow this road until you can see the runway in front of you. From this spot touchdown shots are possible if runway 15 is used for landings.
> Spotting Point 10: "Wild-Life Resort"
Runway: 15/33
Time: from 2.30pm
Lenses: 50mm-120mm
Access: Coming from the airport take the road leading to the motorway A7. After you passed the tunnel underneath runway 15/33 turn right into a small road called "Sachsenstieg". Follow this road until you reach a strong left corner. Park your car, enter the wild-life resort and walk straight on until you reach the airport fence. Choose a spot that is not obstructed by bushes. This location is only useful when runway 15 is used for take-offs (very seldom), but if this is the case, beautiful line-up shots are possible. A ladder is recommended unless you want to shoot through the fence which is quite difficult.
> Spotting Point 11: "Ohmoor"
Runway: 15/33
Time: from 2.30pm
Lenses: 150mm-300mm
Access: Coming from the airport take the road leading to the motorway A7. Drive through the tunnel under runway 15/33 until you reach a big crossing. Turn right (direction "Norderstedt") and follow this road through a small wood. Just at the end of this wood there is a small road on your right (not very easy to see). Follow this road until it the first right bend. Park your car and walk through the bushes on your left. Walk a few metres along the farmer's fence and you'll have an excellent opportunity to shoot all aircraft approaching runway 15.
Examples:
 
> Spotting Point 12: "Viewing Platform"
Runway: 15/33
Time: until 9.30am
Lenses: 50mm-300mm
Access: Coming from the airport take the road leading to the motorway A7. Shortly after it end running parallel to runway 15/33 turn right and then left. Then turn left into "Wrangelkoppel". Turn left at the end of this road. If runway 15 is used for departures you can take pictures of taxiing aircraft, if runway 33 is in use the aircraft will take off right in front of you.
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Spotting Locations at Hamburg (HAM)