Spotting at Turkey
General Information
Taking photos of aircrafts are not forbidden, but most of people think it is a kind of crime. We have the same thinking in Turkey. On the background, In Turkey, civilian use airports are also under act of special security areas, these are all airports, ports, power plants, nav aids, etc. In these areas unauthorized entry is forbidden, at these areas the taking pictures of buildings are not allowed, but aircrafts are free to take pictures.
So how we are spotting? Just stay away from the fences, or do not make yourself so clear to the security watch boxes around the airports. Better way is stay on the buildings, parks, forest etc surrounding airports.
If you face a security staff, most possibly they do not aware of ‘photographing aircrafts are not forbidden’ listen them calmly, mostly they ask do not take photos, take a coffee break, if possible change location and continue in convenience.
Spotting at Istanbul LTBA / IST
Istanbul has three runways in open V style. If the wind is from north 80 percent of traffic uses runway 05 for landing and 35L/R for departures. In this configuration, private jets mostly lands runway 35L. (they vacate the runway at the end for general aviation area)
35L/R Take-Off, 05 Landing configuration.
For this configuration there are two most popular spotting area. Sun is on the east side at morning hours so IBB Florya municipality park is the most convenient place. It’s located at the sea side of runway 05 approach. For afternoon ‘ Flyinn shopping centre ‘ is most convenient as comfortable place for spotting. On the second floor open terrace for smokers is very close and good for spotting to departing aircrafts and general airport traffic.
17L/R Take-off , 23 Landing configuration.
When the wind is from south, Take-offs on runway 17L/R landings are on runway 23.
Flyinn shopping centre is useful for take-offs, but for landings there is no good place. The APlus shopping centre and roads around at Atakoy might be useful for 23 landings.
How to get there
To get IBB Florya park, from Ataturk airport, best and fastest way is take a taxi. Alternate way is from the some parts of city take train called Banliyö ( French originated word for suburb ) leave the train Florya, again taxi to the IBB park.
To get Flyinn shopping centre, take a taxi to Flyinn shopping centre at Florya, be careful about airport taxis, mostly they are not happy for short distance passengers.
Alternately, from the some part of city, take train to the Florya and taxi to the Flyinn shopping centre.
Spotting at LTFJ / SAW
Sabiha Gokcen is the another airport of Istanbul, growing number of traffic every year, It’s main base of Pegasus Airlines, second big user is the Anadolu jet. But unfortunately there is no good spotting place for both direction of airport. Airport security are not friendly, they are very unhappy with spotters. If you plan to visit around SAW expect a visit the security center. Just we can say a couple point. You can see on google map.
Spotting Locations Photos
Flyinn
Flyinn balcony
Flyinn 35L Take-off
Sea Side
05 Landing
05 Landing
35 Landing
Spotting Points LTBA/LTFJ
View Spotting Points in a larger map
Comments
By Ger Buskermolen
338 days ago12
Can you confirm the shopping centre “Fly Inn” has also balcony on a higher floors or do you take pictures within this building?
Best Regards,
Ger Buskermolen
The Netherlands
By ltbaspotter
338 days ago12
Hello Ger,
Yes you can take photo from Flyinn balcony.
Check link
http://www.jetphotos.net//viewphoto.php?id=7126186
Best Regards
By JAMES ROSE
305 days ago12
My friend Peter Kendal and myself are coming to Istanbul Ataturk on the 30th July for a 2 day visit , it is our first visit and we are both avid aviation enthusiasts and have been interested in aircraft especially bizjets and airlines for 35 years!!
Any tips re watching aircraft/taking photographs would be really appreciated.
Many thanks for your help
James Rose and Peter Kendal.
By ltbaspotter
305 days ago12
Hello James,
We are so happy for interesting with our webpage. We will so happy if I can help you. You can take photo from “Flyinn Shopping Mall” there is a good place for 35R/L take off only you can take photo afternoon. and the another place is seaside you can take 05 and 35R/L landings photos. you can take photo morning and afternoon from seaside. Other place is “Kelesoglu Building – Tarkim Flight Academy” 3rd floor. You can see small balcony. there is a good place see apron and runway 35R/L. If you can ask me anything about spotting in LTBA you can ask.
Take care
Besrt Regards
By james
251 days ago12
is it safe to spot at the flyinn and is it ok for photos will you get any hassle with staff
By ltbaspotter
251 days ago12
Hello James,
Yes there is safe for spotting you can take photo from there without any problem with staff.
By John king
189 days ago12
Excellent info on Istanbul – please could you advise if there are good views of the apron and runways from the terminal as I will be transiting IST going to China many thanks in advance John
By ltbaspotter
187 days ago12
Hello John,
Thanks for your comment. I think you should take photo behind windows. There is a no any view terrace on international terminal. I hope they will make good viewing terrace for spotters I hope
Where will you fly to China?
Thanks
By John king
178 days ago12
I am visiting Beijing & Hong kong for a week hope to do some military bases in the Beijing area
By R.Salzinger
177 days ago12
Very good information on this page.
But one doubt remains, when is the best time of the year (in regards to sun position) to plan a visit to IST?
Thanks!
Renato
By Fayaz Rasac
172 days ago12
Hello for what time of the day is good the spotting of the shopping mall flyinn? Any authorization needed?
It can be for both runways?
regards,
Fayaz Rasac
By ltbaspotter
172 days ago12
Hello Fayaz,
You can spotting afternoon from Flyinn shopping mall. Good time from Flyinn. You don’t need any authorization.
Runway 05 is little far to Flyinn if you have 400mm lens you can take nice photos from Flyinn or you can go to seaside IBB park When do you think come to Istanbul?
Thank you.
By DCAviation
133 days ago12
Thanks for this informative web site. I will be arriving in IST in couple of weeks for 2 days of spotting. Is it safe to take pictures from the balcony of the mall? Or is security going to chase me away?
Thanks
By Alexander Mishin
130 days ago12
Guys, BIG Thanks for this information!:)
http://airbus-2006.livejournal.com/189342.html some photos from LTBA
Best regards from Russia!
By ltbaspotter
130 days ago12
There is a safety place. You can take nice picture from Flyinn balcony
By ltbaspotter
130 days ago12
Alexander you have so good photos. I love them. You have different angle. I think you took from Polat Hotel is it right? Do you have photos in jetphotos or airliners.net?
By David Connolly
63 days ago11
Hello – I like your website! Can you help at all with the stored aircraft at Istanbul IST? I visited last week and noted several aircraft to the left of 35L while on takeoff?
David
By ltbaspotter
61 days ago11
Hello David,
I liked if helped our website to you. I can help you. I think you saw in GA terminal stored aircraft. They are BEA aircrafts. http://www.bea-air.com/ Did you enjoyed in LTBA for spotting? How was it?
Bulent