SOUTH AFRICA
GRAND CENTRAL (FAGC/GCJ)
Friendly, ask for access and you should get an escorted tour.
Added 6 May 2008
JOHANNESBURG (FAJS/JNB)
2 viewing terraces, one in each terminal. The terrace at the international terminal is better. They both have reasonable views and all movements can easily be seen from both. The remote parking areas opposite by the hangars can be seen from the international terrace, with the cross runway storage/parking area seen from the domestic terrace. Some if not most of the aircraft can be read in the afternoons on these areas. The cargo/day stop parking area can be seen from the international terrace, but reading here is difficult. Hi Flyerz bar is excellent and ATC transmissions are broadcast to help with a bit of warning of something approaching.
The Southern Sun Hotel is about GBP50 a night and it has a shuttle to the airport. When you go to the highest floor you can overlook the SouthAfrican Express / Airlink platform including their hangars. If you stay at the Airport Grand hotel you can spot from the swimming pool area without bins, as they are on finals directly over the hotel. Contact through http://www.legacyhotels.co.za/. The airport bus runs every 30 minutes.
Added 10 January 2008
LANSERIA (FALA/HLA)
There shouldn’t be any difficulties with getting permission to go airside. Drop an e-mail to Lize Nel, the PR manager at the airport (details on the Lanseria Airport website) and just state you want to go airside to take photographs or registrations. On arrival, go to the permit office, which is a small hut just down the hill from the passenger terminal, about 100 yards. Here the staff will issue you with a permit that will cover you to wander about on foot - the only restriction is to remain off the main taxiways. You might be able to get a vehicle permit, this costs ZAR20, about £2. The only place the pass doesn't allow access to is the customs/commercial apron and Execujet South Africa’s apron and hangar on the right hand side of the airport approach road - but this can be seen and aircraft outside identified by stopping on the approach road to the airport. Allow plenty of time – it’s a big airfield and you need to go both sides of the runway as there is interesting stuff on each side. If all else fails, there's a nice cafe on the top of the small passenger terminal where comings and goings can be watched and photographed, but most of the parked stuff isn't photographable from there. DO NOT miss out on going to Rand either - there's usually more propliners at Rand these days than there are at Lanseria.
Updated 11 May 2008
RAND (FAGM/QRA)
If you ask nicely in the old terminal they may provide you with an escort around the ramps. There's also a nice cafe in the terminal at Rand where you can sit with a beer and watch the flying.
Correct 6 May 2008
WONDERBOOM (FAWB/PRY)
Friendly, ask for access and you should get an escorted tour. Allow a fair bit of time here as there are a lot of lock ups, hangars and aircraft are spread out a fair bit and in various stages of storage.
Added 6 May 2008