connecticut plane spotters
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Connecticut Plane Spotters. June 24, 2014 Dennis Michaud John Jauchler. Who are we? Why are we here today?. Informal group of aviation enthusiasts and photographers – approximately 200 members We’ve b een photographing at Bradley for years - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Connecticut Plane Spotters
June 24, 2014
Dennis MichaudJohn Jauchler
Informal group of aviation enthusiasts and photographers – approximately 200 members
We’ve been photographing at Bradley for years
Many teens in our group, some of them aspiring air traffic controllers and pilots – we should encourage their interests
We continue to see security notched up, to our detriment:• Route 20 / Runway 6 lot closed by owner• Perimeter Road now off-limits• CSP tells us photography inside the terminal is not permitted• Bradley has made it clear that we’re not welcome
Who are we? Why are we here today?
We’re capturing history
Security – when we’re out, the airport has another set of eyes and ears
Good publicity! Literally millions of views of our Bradley photographs on sites like Airliners.net and Jetphotos.net from people around the world
Why we’re important
Phil Orlandella, former Director of Communications, Logan Airport:
“We ask them to assist us and even if they catch one sometimes, it’s a plus and it’s worth having them up there,” Orlandella said. Orlandella is referring to his recent decision to allow a group of area plane spotters to photograph from the upper levels of the central garage, with the runways in plain view. “It’s my opinion that if the so-called bad guy wanted to take different pictures at the airport then they wouldn’t be so obvious,” Orlandella said.
Matt Brelis continues this relationship
Miami – “The Holes” – lens holes in fence installed by airport authority in an otherwise unimproved area of airport property
Barnes Airport – Viewing deck, even with military Aerospace Control Alert mission there
Grand Rapids – fine airport-sponsored spotting park adjacent to runway Atlanta – photography from airport property allowed, including parking garages Charlotte – same Las Vegas – same Portland – spotters welcome to use parking deck Phoenix – same Memphis - same Fort Lauderdale – same BWI – spotter’s park on airport perimeter road & viewing deck inside airport MSP – viewing deck inside airport Manchester – viewing deck inside airportAnd many others…
What other airports are doing
Miami International KMIA “The Holes”
Charlotte KCLT “Airport Overlook”
Fort Lauderdale KFLL
Grand Rapids KGRR
Baltimore/Washington KBWI “Observation Gallery”
Las Vegas KLAS
Europe – Spotter’s Paradise!Amsterdam Schipol
So, why is the Runway 24 / Perimeter Road angle important to us?
A Little Context… Runway 6
…And the “Runway 24 Difference”
It’s been explained to us by CSP that the main issue is parking on the roadway• Lieutenant William R. Baldwin, CSP: “The issue is parking alongside the public
roadway or on the grassy areas of the perimeter of the airport.”
Fine, no problem – it’s OK with us to park offsite and walk in, we need the exercise!
But the issue continues to evolve:• First, it was 9/11 security concerns• We seemingly got past that; parking along the road became the next issue• We have a good solution for that, now “liability” is the reason we can’t be there
With no proper outlet for people to view BDL activity, there actually is a safety problem out on the Perimeter Road – people stop their cars in the middle of the road to watch the planes• The general public thinks aviation is as cool as we do!
Perimeter Road Issue
Why the sudden issue with liability? • Has something happened out there to raise concerns?• Overall chances of getting injured while taking photos along the Perimeter
Road can’t be any higher than dog walking, jogging, biking, etc. – all seemingly permitted activities in that area
If we stay on the Perimeter Road shoulder vs. on the grassy areas, can we be out there?
What areas on BDL property are OK? Mr. Waldron proposed the cell phone lot, which unfortunately is a poor spot for photography.• Parking garage?• Sheraton corridor inside the airport?• Elsewhere within the public areas in the terminal?
So, where exactly do we stand at Bradley?
Other larger airports have no problem with our activities, why is this such an issue at Bradley?
We’re capturing history – and if we have a good relationship with the airport, we’re happy to share our work
Next steps
Conclusion:
Above all, thank you for your time and willingness
to meet with us.
