Please click on the image to see large version of the map.
Spotting points: how to reach
No. 1 can be reached by bus line 91 departing from Bologna towns and stopping at Lippo di Calderara close to Via della Surrogazione.
Driving a car or motorcycle is best to reachother points.
The building of a new railway station on the line Bologna-Verona close to spotting points 4 and 5 will get them accessible by train soon.
Spotting point 1- Lippo di Calderara.
Description
This point can be used in early moring hours and only in summertime. You can take pictures to the planes engaging high speed taxiway G or on the runway; in the latter case is more difficult as viewing angle is limited by recently built noise-reducing hills. With long telephoto lenses shots on Taxiway Tango can be taken, with air terminal as background. The spot is located at the end of Via della Surrogazione, a street originating form the village of Lippo di Calderara. To reach from the airport roundabout, take direction Lippo di Calderara, follow Via Triumvirato until crossing runway 30 threshold and continuing to another roundabout: take the second street to the left and to the next crossing, the first left. This street leads to a crash gate and parking is possible on both sides. Also located in Via della Surrogazione is Hotel Restaurant EMI, just 50 meters from the spotting point.
Suggested hours
Wintertime: only at dawn
Summertime: from dawn to 11 am
Lenses
Film cameras
| Biz/Executive | >200mm |
| ATR/BA 146 | 180/200 |
| CRJ 900/F 100 | 150/160 |
| B 737/A 320 | 135/150 |
| MD 80 | 130/140 |
| B 767/A 330 | 100/120 |
Digital cameras
| Biz/Executive | >130 |
| ATR/BA 146 | 120/130 |
| CRJ 900/F100 | 100/110 |
| B 737/A 320 | 90/100 |
| MD 80 | 85/95 |
| B 767/A 330 | 65/75 |
Photo
Note
A 3 step ladder is necessary.
Spotting Point 2 - Reno River bank
Description
This point is located on the Reno river bank close to runway 30 threshold on the way from airport to Lippo di Calderara village. Here you can take shots of landing and departing planes planes from runway 30,and also at holding points Kilo and Juliet.
Suggested hours
Wintertime: from dawn to 1 pm
Summertime: from 9 am to 1 pm
Lenses
Film cameras:
| Biz/Executive | >200mm |
| ATR/BA 146 | 170/180 |
| CRJ 900/F 100 | 160/170 |
| B 737/A 320 | 140/160 |
| MD 80 | 120/140 |
| B 767/A 330 | 80/100 |
Digital cameras:
| Biz/Executive | >130 |
| ATR/BA 146 | 110/120 |
| CRJ 900/F100 | 105/110 |
| B 737/A 320 | 90/105 |
| MD 80 | 80/95 |
| B 767/A 330 | 55/70 |
Photo
Note
No stepladder needed.
Spotting Point 2 A
Description
Near spotting point 2 is on the airport ridge close to the fence..Just climb th ridge on the left of the street. Here you can take pictures of airplanes landing and departing form runway 30, especially at holding points Kilo and Juliet. The distance is less than spotting point 2a, being on opposite side of the street.
Suggested hours
Inverno: Tutta la mattina fino alle 13
Estate: Dalle 9 alle 13
Lenses
Film cameras:
| Biz/Executive | >200mm |
| ATR/BA 146 | 170/180 |
| CRJ 900/F 100 | 160/170 |
| B 737/A 320 | 140/160 |
| MD 80 | 120/140 |
| B 767/A 330 | 80/100 |
Digital cameras:
| Biz/Executive | >130 |
| ATR/BA 146 | 110/120 |
| CRJ 900/F100 | 105/110 |
| B 737/A 320 | 90/105 |
| MD 80 | 80/95 |
| B 767/A 330 | 55/70 |
Note
A 3-step ladder is necessary
Spotting Point 3
Description
Located few hundred meters from airport roundabout on the street leading to Lippo di Calderara. This point is usable when runway 30 is in use and not so easy being on the side of heavy traffic road.
Suggested hours
Wintertime: from 9.30 to 4 pm
Summertime: from 1.30 pm to 3.30 pm
Lenses
Film cameras:
| Biz/Executive | 250/300 |
| ATR/BA 146 | 210/220 |
| CRJ 900/F100 | 170/180 |
| B 737/A 320 | 150/170 |
| MD 80 | 145 |
| B 767/A 330 | 90/100 |
Digital cameras:
| Biz/Executive | 300mm |
| ATR/BA 146 | 140/150 |
| CRJ 900/F 100 | 110/120 |
| B 737/A 320 | 70/80 |
| MD 80 | 100 |
| B 767/A 330 | 40/50 |
Photo
Note
No ladders needed, you can climb the street guard rail.
Spotting point 4
Description
From the airport take to the right to Via dell’Aeroporto, then continue straight to Via della Fornace: you will find a railway crossing on the left and from there turn on the right to Via della Salute. Following this street after some turns you will find General Aviation Terminal on the right and next another railway crossing on the left. From this point you will see the aiport fence, with various angles of shooting possible. In the morning good shots of planes entering on runway 12 are possible. Taxiway Alpha becomes well lighted from 1 pm to sunset, the same for landings and lining up for 12. During the afternoon you can move along the fence to get the best lighting conditions, keeping in mind that taxyway Alpha turn has a parabolic profile and small plane landing gear can hide. In summertime, May to August is possible to shoot planes entering the runway with a high ladder positioning on the runway centerline and having a different perspective. In wintertime being the sun angle low is better to go along the fence, as the angled taxiway being good in late afternoon. In 2008 will open the railway station of Bargellino located on the street beyond runway centerline and about 700 mts from this spotting position. The trip by train from Bologna Station will take 10-12 minutes, so this place will be easily accessible for people without car too.
Suggested hours
Wintertime: from 8 am to sunset
Summertime: from 8 am to sunset
Lenses
Film cameras:
| Biz/Executive | 150/300 |
| ATR/BA 146 | 100/130 |
| CRJ 900/F 100 | 100 |
| B 737/A 320 | 80/90 |
| MD 80 | 60/70 |
| B 767/A 330 | 50/60 |
Digital cameras:
| Biz/Executive | 130/150 |
| ATR/BA 146 | 60/70 |
| CRJ 900/F100 | 50/55 |
| B 737/A 320 | 45/55 |
| MD 80 | 50/55 |
| B 767/A 330 | 30/35 |
Photo
Note
A 3-step ladder is necessary, in summertime also water supply, solar cream protection and hat.
Spotting Point 5
Description
From spotting point 4 beyond runway centerline there is an uncultivated field on the right with no fence at he end of this, close to a fenced gravel pit you can take pictures of landing plaens in summertime. In 2008 will open the railway station of Bargellino located on the street beyond runway centerline and about 200 mts from this spotting position. The trip by train from Bologna Station will take 10-12 minutes, so this place will be easily accessible for people without car too.
Suggested hours
Summertime: from dawn to 10.30 am
Lenses
Film cameras:
| Biz/Executive | - |
| ATR/BA 146 | - |
| CRJ 900/F 100 | - |
| B 737/A 320 | - |
| MD 80 | - |
| B 767/A 330 | - |
Digital cameras:
| Biz/Executive | - |
| ATR/BA 146 | - |
| CRJ 900/F100 | - |
| B 737/A 320 | - |
| MD 80 | - |
| B 767/A 330 | - |
Note
No ladders needed