NETHERLANDS
AMSTERDAM (EHAM/AMS)
First thing you need to do before you leave is find out the runway direction at Schiphol - http://www.luchtverkeersleiding.nl/frameset.php?source=baan_actueel is the official site telling you which runways are in use at any moment in time, however a look the day before won't tell you much as they change with great frequency. This is so important as one wind direction will mean the Panorama Terrace is great, the other will render it pretty useless. There are 5 main runways, 18R/36L, 18C/36C, 18L/36R, 09/27 and 06/24, plus a 6th for lights – 04/22. 18R/36L is known as Polderbaan and takes about 15 minutes to taxi to/from. When I visited they were using 36L and 36C for departures, and 06 and 36R for arrivals. This renders the Panorama Terrace pretty useless as the aircraft are departing away from you and the regional aircraft that land on 06 turn off before they come in to view. I chose to walk up and down the piers getting everything that was parked up, and then sit and log the arrivals. To do this, start from the southern side of the terminal (pier G I think) and work your way back to B. Pier B gives a great view of arrivals on 06, very easy to get the KL regional fleet - don't forget to log everything parked remote as well as cargo beyond it. If you wait an hour or so, all the remote regionals will have taxied out. Please note that in order to get to pier B you have to pass through immigration. You only need to show your passport but if you tell them your flight or destination and it isn’t from pier B you won’t be allowed through. Similarly, to get back to the other piers, you’ll have to go through immigration again. Very quick procedure, two desks, show your passport. Once you're done here, head for the longer of the two D piers, which will give you views of the biz ramp and KLM hangars on the other side. Walk right to the end, in front of you is 36R and to your right is 06 - you will need good bins if you are to get the regionals arriving on 06. This is gate D28 and there are some very comfy loungers! If they are using the opposite runways, Panorama Terrace is perfect - once you're landside follow the signs to the terrace. If they are using the other runways, you can easily spend the whole day on the Panorama Terrace, which I believe is being extended further. It used to be free, but the airport recently placed gates at the entrance to the terrace and the charge will apparently be 1 Euro each time you enter, meaning you’ll have to pay each time you need to use the toilet or buy food or drink. At the moment the gates aren’t operational and therefore entry is still free. Open 7am-8pm Summer, 9am-5pm Winter dependent on the weather, and it’s right next to cafes (where you can still view if it’s too cold or the terrace is shut), restaurants and toilets. There is also a flight arrivals board at the door that also shows registrations. Once through customs follow the signs for ‘Panorama Terrace’. You’ll need to go up a couple of flights of stairs or escalators. You can’t get the piers that the US flights use, but if you are still missing a few you can wander up to the piers before you depart. Also worth noting you can check in at any time, no matter how long before your flight. Time it so there are no queues and you won’t miss much. Don’t forget to check out the DC9 forward fuselage next to the hobby shop in the terminal. N929L painted in KLM colours.
For more info visit http://www.schiphol.nl/, http://www.schipholspotter.com/, http://www.schipholview.nl/, http://www.scramble.nl/airports/publish/eham.htm and
http://www.plane-spotter.com/Airports/index.htm. http://www.scramble.nl/forum/ - look in the Amsterdam forum for news on what is expected on particular days, http://www.aviationphotos.org/phpBB/viewforum.php?f=1 lists the full arrivals plan dumped from the airport system for particular days - doesn't appear every day, but very useful when it does, please note registrations can change. This site http://www.ams-mov-info.nl/ is useful for tying up biz. Website http://www.aircolours.com/ also has some useful information and you can download a timetable.
The E-tap hotel, which is behind the Ibis Hotel, it’s cheaper than the Ibis and you can still use the Ibis services. Free shuttle bus, bars, eating places, there is a McDonalds within walking distance, which also gives runway views. The E-tap can be booked here http://www.etaphotel.com/etaphotel/gb/maporama/maporama_adr_ptint.html.
Correct as of 12 March 2008
BAARLO
Two museums, tours of both are done by PS Aero http://www.psaero.com/site/index.php. Tours are done on Saturday morning only, and you need to visit the site and contact them to book a tour. Make sure you ask about visiting Kessel too (the second museum). Often, if the tour group is small, they won’t take you to Kessel so make sure you request it as it’s well worth it.
Added 23 March 2008