Aircraft Spotting at South Ayrshire's Airfields and Airports
Spotting locations, viewing areas and advice on access for airports and airfields in South Ayrshire. 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 and Google Earth to make planning your spotting trips abroad so much easier and helping you log many more
PRESTWICK AIRPORT - TWR 118.15 & 127.15 / APP 120.55 & 129.45
Spotting Info
Just off A79, these viewing spots are marked in the Spotting in the UK download.
Good views of the main apron can be obtained from heading north on the A79 past the end of the runway and turn right at the next roundabout onto the B739 towards Monkton. The situation is fluid but most can be logged along the road towards Monkton. At the traffic lights turn right and there is a small area at the bottom for a few cars. You'll pass the Wheatsheaf Inn on this road, a good place for a drink - you can see terminal movements from the car park and it's a short walk to the fence for the views.
In the terminal, the spectators gallery is open daily 0700-1900 and entry is free. It's indoors so the glass isn't ideal but you can still get reasonable photographs. The gallery looks out over the stands on the west side of the pier and anything parked remote on this side. All movements on runway 13 are easily logged but any arrivals on 31 that turn off early will be missed. Departures on 31 can be seen but you'll have little warning to log them.
You can get close to the cargo area by the terminal by heading south on the A79 away from the airport and turning left onto Monkton Road at the roundabout as you enter Prestwick. Then turn left after about 300 yards and it brings you round to that side. There is no waiting there and a secure chain link fence preventing photos. You can drive down McIntyre Avenue (you passed it on the right on the way to cargo) for a different view of the biz.
For views of what is affectionately known as the 'old apron', head back to the roundabout and turn left onto Shawfarm Road. At the traffic lights turn left down Shaw Road, go past the cemetery, turn left and at the end you can pull off the road and it affords good photo opportunities of aircraft landing and taking off as well as the aircraft stored on the north side - N852FT B741F all white, unmarked and used as an airport training aircraft. If you don't have a car it's around a 20 minute walk from the terminal. At the top of Shaw Road is the car park for the mound. Park up and walk over. This is a favourite spot for the locals as it's great for photographs of movements. Also good views of aprons G and H, hangar area and northside ramps.
The light aircraft are kept by the control tower at the junction of the main and short runway. I think access to see them is difficult but you may be able to park in the industrial estate car park for a view of them. From Shaw Road mentioned above, rather than turn right to head back past the cemetary, turn left and drive to the end. The car park here is right next to the light aircraft.
Prestwick Airport Movements
Last reported April 2012. Want to update or confirm the information is still correct? Send in a report
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