Planespotting / Viewing Guides for Amsterdam-Schiphol, Maastricht airports, and other airports and airfields in Netherlands- AircraftSpotting.co.uk

Planespotting Guides for Netherlands' Airfields and Airports

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Spotting locations and the best spotting hotel rooms for planespotters travelling to airports and airfields in Netherlands. Use the hotlinks above or scroll down for spotting information on spotting locations, airfield hangar access, aviation museums, preserved aircraft. Plus all the information has been plotted as Points of Interest and can be downloaded to your SatNavs, Google Earth and Google Maps to make planning your spotting trips abroad so much easier and helping you log many more

Planespotting at Netherlands' Airports & Airfields has been plotted on Google Maps, Google Earth, and can be added to your SatNav - click to download.
All 16 Dutch locations - where they are, viewing spots, hotels and preserved aircraft can be seen on detailed satellite images, making planning your spotting trip exceptionally easy. All these spotting points of interest can be added to your SatNav to give you another excellent resource to make your trip that much easier and more enjoyable. Please read the Download Instructions for example screenshots and further details

AMSTERDAM-SCHIPHOL AIRPORT (EHAM/AMS) - TWR 118.1, 118.95, 119.225 / APP 118.4, 121.1 / GND 121.7, 121.8

Airport Info
Wind and runway direction at Schiphol is very important - LVNL 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. One wind direction will mean the Panorama Terrace is great, the other will render it pretty useless. There are 4 main runways, 18R/36L, 18C/36C, 18L/36R, and 06/24, plus a 5th for GA - 04/22. Runway 09/27 is rarely used, only in very strong winds. 18R/36L is known as Polderbaan, is northwest of the airport and takes about 15 minutes to taxi to/from. N929L DC9 forward fuselage is in the plaza area of the terminal, near the stairs to the terrace and railway station, across from Burger King. Wednesdays are a big day for Cargo flights, along with Saturdays, although there is always plenty there anyway. Tuesdays or Thursdays are Turkish but a lot come in over the weekend too. The local spotters here, whether up on the terrace or around the perimeter, are extremely friendly and will help any way they can. The airport has free Wi-Fi for an hour, which is great, but when using it, do not access any of your personal information using your passwords, online banking etc - it's very easy for people to monitor this. Download 'Blacksheep', an add-on. This won't prevent attempts on your connection but will alert you to them so you can immediately close the connection for a bit, before reconnecting. Or the Premium Service, 15EUR for 24 hours. These viewing spots are marked in the Spotting in Netherlands download.

Panorama Terrace
The Panorama Terrace faces east overlooking pier D, with 18L/36R beyond it, and 04/22 and the biz ramp at Schiphol East beyond this - it's well signposted. Once through customs follow the signs for Panorama Terrace. You'll need to go up a couple of flights of stairs or escalators. Good binoculars are required to read the biz ramp, though heat haze and parking positions may hinder this. Eclipses N500UK and N514EA have been stored on the biz ramp for some time now. To the left is one half of pier E, a small remote parking area and the eastern half of 09/27. At this pier E end of the terrace (northern end), there's a gap in the buildings that will allow you to quickly read off those arrivals that taxi through there from the 18/36 runways and you can see arrivals on the distant 18R. Because of this, there could be a fair amount of dashing from one end to the other, reading and photographing the arrivals and departures. To the right of the terrace is one half of pier C and the threshold of 24. Beyond runway 24 are the S stands and Martinair cargo area - a good pair of binoculars is required to read these, there's a gap in the fence behind the extreme end of the Dakota Bar. No good here for arrivals on 06 (usually KLM commuters for their remote apron) as most will exit the runway early for the remote apron or piers B and C. Those that do taxi round are easily read off however. Departures on 36L and 36C with arrivals on 06 and 36R is no good for the Panorama Terrace as the aircraft are departing away from you and the regional aircraft that land on 06 turn off before they come in to view. The opposite wind direction is perfect for the terrace - arrivals will be on the distant and out of sight 18R and 18C but you'll log them when they taxi in to stand or on taxi out for departure on either 18L right in front of you, or 24 to the right. Entrance is free, open 0700-2100 Summer, 0900-1700 Winter (though these times aren't always kept to, often asking people to leave shortly after 2000) and dependent on the weather, and it's right next to cafes (where you can still view from with ease if it's too cold (look at the forecast as the wind over the terrace can be fierce) or the terrace is shut), restaurants and toilets. Food and drink up here are expensive though; the supermarket at the bottom of the terrace entrance is a good alternative. There are also flight arrivals and departures screens at the door that also shows registrations, though be aware these are sometimes running with a delay. The arrivals screen has the registration and which runway they are going to land on. No power points on the terrace to run your laptop, SBS etc from, but there are in the restaurant next door. PH-OFE F100 is preserved on the terrace and is open for viewing. It also provides good cover when it rains!

Airside Spotting Info
Firstly 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. You can walk up and down the piers, logging as you go without any problems. Depending on runway usage and whether you want to log arrivals or departures will depend on how you approach this. For example you can start from pier G (if 09/27 is in use for arrivals due strong winds gate G8 is a great place to stay) and work your way back round to B, not forgetting the end of both forks of pier D: the left fork is slightly closer to the biz ramp, the right fork has good views of the eastern cargo area. 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 security, which may mean you need to show a boarding pass and passport and therefore may not be allowed through if you're not flying from piers B or C. 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 and to keep a constant lookout if you are to get the regionals arriving on 06. This is gate D28 and there are some very comfy loungers here!

Other Spotting Info

Across the road from the Ibis and Etap hotels detailed below, you'll find a McDonald's opposite the 27 threshold. This is a fantastic for landing shots when 27 is in use, and good for 18L/36R movements. The biz ramp is the other side of the runway though most are parked nose or tail on - it's a short walk to the biz ramp from here though. If you don't have a car, you can get the free bus from the terminal to the Ibis and Etap, and then it's a short walk across the road to McDonald's.

You can get the 193 and 199 buses to the GA apron at Schiphol East. They stop just outside the main terminal entrance and will take you to Schiphol Oost for 2EUR each way. Just get off the bus at the first stop by the GA buildings and a quick walk around the fence, in between the buildings and back to the terrace will take about 50 minutes. Most logged at this GA area are visible from the terrace, but unreadable. A hangar here also has windows to look through.

To log those on the cargo stands, exit the terminal following the road behind the cargo buildings. Do not get on the motorway. Head under the taxiway and take the 3rd left turn. Follow the road and on the right hand bend is a crash gate with views along cargo. This is probably walkable but may take a while.

Just off airport to the south, at Boeingavenue 351 near the river, are the nose sections of XY-ADM F.27 and TA-02 F.28 stored outside and easily seen. Literally around the corner is the Luchtvaart Hobby Shop, containing the following 3 exhibits inside - G-BPMP DC-3 Nose, PH-749 Eaglet and W1748 Iskra.

Planespotting Hotels - their locations are marked in the Spotting in Netherlands download

The Ibis Budget is just northeast of the airport, is usually cheaper than the Hotel Ibis next door and you can still use the Ibis services. Free shuttle bus, bars, eating places, there is a McDonalds within walking distance, and also gives runway views of 09/27 and 18L/36R. Also an easy walk to the biz ramp.
The Ibis Budget features on

for reviews, prices and room availability

The Hotel Ibis has views of the airport, request one when booking. Even numbered rooms on the third floor, 32xx series should be good. Right next to the Ibis Budget detailed above, it's also an easy walk to the biz ramp.
The Hotel Ibis features on

for reviews, prices and room availability

The citizenM Hotel is a short walk from the terminal, closest to exit A. Third floor, even-numbered rooms have views over pier G and its remote stands, H stands and movements on runways 18C/36C and 18R/36L, obviously the higher the better, top floor is the 5th. Request an airport view when you make the reservation or an airport/runway view can be booked on a computer screen when checking in - there's no reception, just self-service screens. If you're not happy with your room, there'll be a member of staff to ask and help you. They're very accommodating and will try and get you a higher room if possible as you can't do this via the screens. The rooms are not very big, though the bed is and takes up most of the room. Be aware that this hotel only has double rooms - that's one double bed. No good for photography as the venetian blinds are adjustable but immovable and are operated by the tv remote. There's only a small gap between each blind, and can only be opened and closed, rather than raised to the top of the window. They're also enclosed within the window and so can't be moved by hand. Wi-Fi is free so use of SBS and PlanePlotter works well - this will give you advance warning of any arrivals you may want that may land out of sight for example. The room also has a UK socket as well as several European ones. The bar/coffee shop is open 24 hours and hot and cold snacks are available also 24 hours. No parking at the hotel however. The self service check in system allows early check ins (before 1400) and late check outs (after 1100) for a fee, though checking in after 1200 sometimes has no charge. It's a great alternative to the more expensive Hilton, and the Etap and Ibis located just outside the airport boundary. No views of runway 06/24 so checking runway usage is very important.
The citizenM Hotel features on

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The Hilton Hotel is also within talking distance from the terminal, though not as close as the citizenM detailed above. Room 416 and other even rooms in this range has views of 18R/36L and 18C/36C and the remote KLM stands - ask for a high room on the side facing the runways.
The Hilton Hotel features on

for reviews, prices and room availability

The Bastion Hotel is just west of the 06 threshold. Top floor, southeast facing rooms are required for views of 06 and the cargo areas, make a request during booking and/or check in. Room 3230 on the 2nd floor right at the end faces north and has good views of departures on 36C and arrivals on 18C. Easily readable, even through dirty windows. Movements on 18L/36R are visible, though at a distance - SBS or equivalent will tie these up. Any end rooms on this floor (and only the end rooms due to other buildlings) and above will have these good views. They have a bus shuttle to/from the airport, it's not free but is a reasonable rate. If you wanted to, you could walk to the cargo crash gate noted above, or to the intersection where the taxiway to/from Polderbaan 18R/36L crosses the A5.
The Bastion Hotel features on

for reviews, prices and room availability

Schiphol Traffic - daily flight logs to tie up your requests, fantastic resource
SchipholSpotter.com for off-airport photography spots, car required
Schiphol Forum - for movements, good for biz
Monthly Schiphol Movements - a complete list, great resource, though 8 months in arrears for non-members
Cargo Timetable - flight numbers of yesterday's, today's and tomorrow's cargo movements

BAARLO-PS AERO MUSEUM

Spotting Info
In the south of Baarlo town, alongside the N273. Two museums, one here, the other is in the village of Kessel (details below), tours of both are done by Piet, the owner of PS Aero. Tours are done on Saturdays every hour and a half, no exceptions, and you need to visit the site or contact them in advance to book a tour, costing 10EUR - well worth it. 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 also well worth it. If you're unable to visit on a Saturday, there's an F-104 on display outside the main office. There's also an Aldi supermarket nearby with an additional parking area behind the building (drive down the narrow alley on the backside), and from this area you can get close to the fence of the Autobedrijf. From here you should be able to log around a dozen of the exhibits outside, but none inside.

BUDEL AIRFIELD

Spotting Info
Just southeast of Budel town. Anything parked on the apron or outside the hangars can be logged from the car park but there's no access.

EINDHOVEN AIRPORT

Spotting Info
In the west of Eindhoven city. There is a purpose built car park for viewing, on the northern perimeter road alongside the river. It's located right next to the short final approach for runway 23 and has excellent views of the main terminal ramp, the Solid Air hangar and ramp before it and the cargo ramp and Aviation Cosmetics spray hangar and ramp beyond it. You can't log what's parked on the military ramp from here. To do this, head to car park P4 southwest of the terminal and very close to the Aviation Cosmetics hangar. From here you get views across the military ramp to log anything that's parked there, but it's no good for photos due to the fences. You can also see across the runway to the apron on the northside. At the military base on the southside, F-27 C-12 marked "C-8" is preserved at the main gate, with J-238 F-16, K-3068 NF-5, P-231 F-84F and K-167 F-84G marked "TB-22" all very close by and visible from the road running parallel with this area. These viewing spots and aircraft are marked in the Spotting in Netherlands download.

GRONINGEN AIRPORT

Spotting Info
South of Groningen city, off the E232. Access is possible to some of the smaller GA hangars, ask at each.

HILVERSUM AIRFIELD

Spotting Info
In the southwest of Hilversum city. Very friendly, ask in the tower for access to the hangars. Lots of small hangars here so they may not all be open. Some have gaps to look through if they are locked. Check behind the hangars as well as some aircraft have been left here previously. There are also a couple of hangars on the west side of the runway that has its own entrance with a coded gate if no one's there but may have one or two parked outside - these should be visible from main airfield side.

HOOGEVEEN AIRFIELD

Spotting Info
In the northeast of Hoogeveen city. Friendly, ask for permission at the tower for access to the hangars and flightline.

KESSEL-PS AERO STORAGE YARD

Spotting Info
Just northwest of Kessel village and visible from the N273. Access to the storage yard is by prior arrangement with PS Aero of Baarlo (details above) as you need to be shown round. If you're not able to arrange a visit, you can see around 10 aircraft in various states from the main gate. By driving around to the back gate, you can see more aircraft but only identify a few of these due to the way they are parked.

LELYSTAD AIRFIELD & AVIODROME MUSEUM

Spotting Info
South of Lelystad town, off the N302. Ask at the airfield control tower for access to the flightline and hangars. It's also a good idea to contact them in advance, whether it's an email or a phone call just to be sure, and when you do visit, make sure you take a hi-viz jacket with you. Keep within the red line and you'll need to ask at each hangar for access. Lots of hangars either side of the tower, have a good look around, some have gaps if they're locked up, and don't forget the hangars up by, and beyond, the Aviodrome museum area. You'll need a couple of hours for this place, plus time to visit the museum. At the very north eastern end of the airfield is a red fighter on display by the main road advertising the museum, and a few bits and pieces round the back of this hangar. Also home of the fantastic Aviodrome Museum. Open Tuesdays-Sundays 1000-1700, admission is 15.75EUR.

Public Transport from Amsterdam-Schiphol Airport
There is a train every half an hour, 27 and 57 past each hour. The journey takes 1 hour and costs 17.90EUR day return. On arrival at Lelystad Central station, exit and look for number 148 bus, it goes half hourly to coincide with the train arrival, except during 1000-1400 when it's hourly. The 15 minute journey takes you to the main road just outside the Aviodome and it's then a 7 minute walk to the entrance. The bus back leaves at 42 past each hour and again coincides with the train departure. There ae extra buses early morning and after 1400. On Saturdays and Sundays the bus is hourly all day.

MAASTRICHT AIRPORT

Spotting Info

Northeast of Maastricht city alongside the A2, these viewing spots are marked in the Spotting in Netherlands download. If coming from the city, you'll reach the various hangars and companies before the terminal, though most aircraft are hidden behind blast walls or buildings. Head past the airport, take the next exit and turn left. Head past the end of runway 21 and the next right takes you to the east side industrial estate. You can either park up here and walk down or drive down to the end and walk back. Either way, there are various companies and hangars along here to ask for access at, with varying degrees of success, including a friendly technical school housing a C150. There are also windows and doors to peer through if any are locked up. XW406 Jet Provost stored behind one of the hangars. You get good views of the stored aircraft on the ramp here, and a good view across to the aircraft parked around the terminal area.

Once you're finished here, head back out of the estate and turn left past the end of the runway again. Turn left at the lights and this road runs parallel with the A2. There are various places along here to stop off and log anything parked out that you couldn't read off from the industrial estate.

The terminal has a free viewing terrace, accessible through the side of the Tulip Inn hotel. This has excellent views of the runway albeit through glass unless you're quite tall. Good views across to the stored aircraft across the runway though they are often parked nose or tail on. This is easily rectified by taking a ten minute walk towards cargo from where you can get the angle. If you collect light aircraft then you'll need to go a bit further to the industrial estate - bus 59 continues its journey to Europalaan nearby on the main road, and 159 actually terminates somewhere in this industrial estate. The facility on the terminal side is a bit more difficult in that you can see the aircraft but most are hidden behind a blast wall or similar. Just head the opposite way from cargo for a relatively short way and you can read off some of the inmates. Together with what you can see from the terrace at least you should have an idea of what to try to tie up later. You also may get lucky with rear doors to hangars being open.
Spotting Group Maastricht and MST Aviation are both excellent sites for tying up the stored aircraft and movements so make notes of colour schemes.

Planespotting Hotels - its location is marked in the Spotting in Germany download
The Tulip Inn is right next to the terminal, which has a free viewing terrace.

MIDDEN-ZEELAND AIRFIELD

Spotting Info
East of Arnemuiden town. Friendly, ask for access in the tower. Lots of hangars in a nice long line to wander along. Home of the Flying Gyrocopter & Old Aircraft Museum, it's open at weekends only, 1400-1730 and both hangars around 20 aircraft in total.

OVERLOON-NATIONAL WAR AND RESISTANCE MUSEUM

Spotting Info
In the east of Overloon town, the National War and Resistance Museum is open weekdays 1000-1700, weekends and holidays 1100-1700, admission is 13EUR and houses 4 aircraft exhibits.

ROTTERDAM AIRPORT

Spotting Info
In the north of Rotterdam city. There is a small viewing area that overlooks the terminal apron and the biz ramp beyond it. Turn right out of the terminal and walk along the backs of the buildings for the GA area. Turning left out of the terminal and following the road round to the left will bring you to the various biz hangars. Easy to log anything that's parked outside, or in the hangars if the doors are open. Just keep away from the fence.

SEPPE AIRFIELD & MUSEUM

Spotting Info
West of Sint Willebrord town just off the A58. Friendly, ask for access, though it has been known to be denied. Home of the Seppe Flying Museum, it's open Wednesday-Sunday 1300-1700.

SOESTERBERG MILITARY AVIATION MUSEUM

Spotting Info
Just south of Soesterberg town, alongside the A28. The Militaire Luchtvaart Museum is open Tuesday-Friday 1000-1630 and Sunday 1200-1630. Their website has good details on visiting via public transport. Admission is free. Once a year, for one day, on their National Museum Open Day, one of their storage hangars at the former Soesterberg Air Base is opened up to the public. Usually around April, it's well worth attending.

TEUGE AIRFIELD

Spotting Info
Just north of Teuge village. Friendly, ask for access to walk airside. You have to ask at each hangar for access, with mixed results.

TEXEL AIRFIELD & MUSEUM

Spotting Info
An island just north of Den Helder, it's only a short ferry trip away. The airfield is towards the north end of the island, just north of Zuid Eierland village. Friendly, ask for access in the tower. A hi-viz is required. They have a popular annual fly-in. Home of the Texel Aviation & War Museum, it's open Tuesday-Sunday 1100-1700, admission is 4EUR and has 4 aircraft exhibits.