Amazing Airport Engineering
Kansai International Airport
This airport is considered to be one of the greatest engineering achievements in the world, second only to the Panama Canal. It is the answer to a series of natural challenges. Firstly, Japan is short on flat space, so the solution was to build a man-made island for the airport in the Bay of Osaka – 2 and a half miles long and a mile and a half wide. Secondly, the sea bed is made up of clay, so the island had to be supported by columns under the ground, to stop it sinking and disappearing under its own weight. As if that weren’t enough, the area is prone to typhoons and earthquakes, so a sea wall had to be constructed to protect the airport from water surges and the building had to be designed to withstand the disruption of an earthquake. All in all, quite a challenge. Construction began in 1987 and the project was completed in 1994. The very next year, Japan was hit by the devastating Kobe earthquake. The airport was at the epicentre and survived without damage, to sighs of relief from its designers. But there were soon concerns that the island was sinking faster than expected – at a rate 50 years ahead of schedule. With water now creeping onto the runway on bad days, its future is uncertain.
Dutch Airport, North Sea
The engineers who are planning to build an airport in the North Sea will be looking closely at Kansai’s fate, as there are some similarities in the design. At present, the North Sea Airport is no more than an idea, but it would also be created on new land built above water. In some ways it is more ambitious than Kansai; the airport would be located 12 and a half miles off the Dutch coast and is part of a plan to create 95 square miles of new land. Passengers would make the journey from the mainland in underground tunnels and the planes would take off from floating and rotating runways that could turn to face the wind. The project would take 25 years to complete. Some have suggested that a similar scheme in the Thames estuary could be the answer to London’s airport needs.
Terminal 5, John F Kennedy International Airport
The abstract curves of the TWA terminal at JFK Airport in New York belong to a different era of air travel. Finished in 1962, its designer Eero Saarinen intended it to be an uplifting place, expressing the drama and excitement of travel. Its concrete structure was a masterpiece of engineering, supported by an invisible steel web, and designed without the aid of the computer programmes that architects use today. But as the world moved into the new millennium, the airline that used the building went bust and it was left empty for many years. Happily, parts of this landmark structure are now in use again as they have been incorporated into the new Terminal 5. The new parts of the building are very much a product of the modern era of air travel. There are extra security lanes and soft rubber flooring in the checkpoint, which is kind to shoeless feet, and a long bench where you can put your clothes, belongings and self back together after the thorough security process. The building’s architecture allows people to flow through it in a new and efficient way, navigating by intuition rather than signage. For example, a blue glowing wall suggests that something fun and exciting can be found on the other side, and passengers who are drawn towards it will come into the Marketplace – the airport’s hub for shopping and dining. The 2 parts of Terminal 5 contrast and complement each other, embodying 2 different ideas of air travel.
Hong Kong Airport
This is another airport out at sea – 16 miles off the coast of Hong Kong. It was a massive construction project. Two mountainous islands were pulverised and the rubble was recycled to create a flat platform for the airport, filling 1 and a half miles of sea. Connecting it to the mainland meant building 22 miles of motorways and tunnels, a high speed railway and the world’s longest suspension bridge, which spans a gap of 1.3 miles. The project was completed in a decade and the airport opened in 1998. It was designed by Norman Foster and, at the time, it also had the largest passenger terminal on the planet.
Stansted Airport
Stansted Airport was a landmark in airport architecture and all the newest terminals have been influenced by its model. It was also designed by Norman Foster and completed in 1991. His innovations were to take mechanical systems out of the roof, put them underground and to utilise as much glass as possible in the walls of the building. This left a light and lofty space above the heads of the passengers and allowed them to see where they needed to go. Some earlier terminals could make you feel that you were enclosed in a dark and airless box, but Stansted let you see the sky and the planes outside; it made a refreshing change.
Credits
Photo 1 – Wikipedia – http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kix_aerial_photo.jpg
Photo 2 – Building Sustainable Design – http://www.bsdlive.co.uk/story.asp?storycode=3123252
Photo 3 – TWA DCS Alumni Association – http://twdcs.org/member-news.html
Photo 4 – The Independent Traveller -http://www.yourglobaltravelguide.com/
Photo 5 – Wikipedia – http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:London_Stansted_Airport.jpg
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Plane spotting – the best airports
Any hobby which involves “spotting” has got a bad reputation. Whether it’s trains, birds or planes, the image of the bespectacled anorak is a hard one to shake. Most people see it as a rather dull pastime, tame, boring and geeky, but essentially harmless.
So the news in 2001 that a group of British plane spotters had been charged with “espionage” was greeted with much amusement. With a bright rain jacket and a bobble hat, your average plane spotter hardly looks like a character from a James Bond film. But for the people involved it was no joke. They were facing 20 years in prison for their alleged crimes at a Greek military air base. Eventually they were released, having – with great difficulty – convinced the authorities that they were only at the base because they enjoyed taking notes of planes for hours on end.
Britain has traditionally been more tolerant of this kind of eccentric hobby. In fact, the skills of spotters were once much valued. During the war years, a Royal Observers Corps was set up to keep its eyes on the skies. It was important for them to be able to identify planes by their silhouette, so that they could report sightings of any enemy aircraft. And, later, as passenger air travel increased, most airports were happy to provide a viewing terrace for anyone who wanted to watch the action.
But more recently, spotters have found the friendly welcome lacking a little. Security fears have meant that viewing facilities have been reduced and many airports now try to discourage spotters. However, others have taken a different view. Some police forces are enlisting the help of the spotters by asking them to keep an eye out for any suspicious behaviour at the airports. And journalists investigating the controversial and mysterious US policy of “extraordinary rendition” have made use of their flight logs, notes and pictures. The spotters’ evidence helped to reveal the truth about what was going on.
So it seems we can’t underestimate the plane spotter. He’s on the front line in the fight against terror and he’s uncovering government secrets…maybe he’s got more in common with James Bond than we gave him credit for. So, plane spotters of Britain, we salute you. Just for you, here’s a quick guide to 5 of the best airports in Europe for followers of this noble and daring hobby. Just let us know if you see anything interesting.
Manchester Airport
This is the real deal, knee-trembling stuff for the plane-o-phile. Excellent viewing facilities and a busy mix of different aircraft coming in from across the Atlantic, Asia and the Middle East. There are cargo carriers providing daily widebody aircraft for added excitement.
To be right amongst all the action, you could book a room for the night at the on-site Radission SAS Hotel Manchester Airport. Although it can be expensive, it’s the best hotel for spotting in Manchester. It’s located behind Terminal 2, and you can get a good view of the runways and aprons from the restaurant and the bedrooms on high floors.
Frankfurt Airport
Germany’s busiest airport has an exotic mix of aircraft on show from all over the world. It’s one of the few places in Europe where you can see Russian models in abundance. Good viewing facilities.
While you’re there, you could stay at the InterCity Hotel Frankfurt Airport. It’s on the south side of the airport and some rooms have a limited view of the runways. There are TV screens in the lobby which often have information on aircraft registrations and movements.
Paris – Charles de Gaulle Airport
Plenty of action on the runway here, with both native and overseas airlines. There are good spotting locations but if you want to take photographs, you’ll need a permit. Apply to xavier.huby@seine-saint-denis.pref.gouv.fr
For overnight accommodation, you could try the Ibis Hotel. Less expensive than some of the other airport hotels, it still offers great opportunities for spotting. If you want views over the runways at Terminal 2, choose a north facing room. South facing rooms look out over Terminal 1 and the charter terminal.
Rome – Fiumicino/Leonardo da Vinci Airport
An opportunity to get a look at some Italian models rarely seen outside the country, as well as a large number of international airlines. The road around the perimeter offers a chance to pull up and take pictures. But you’ll have to be quick, because the Italian police disapprove of this kind of activity.
If you’re travelling here, you could book into the Hilton Hotel Rome Airport. Go for a room on a high floor with a number ending in 10. These offer views of the planes at the domestic terminal.
Zurich Airport
A mouthwatering daily mixture of aircraft from across Europe, North America and Asia. In January, the World Economic Forum brings in fleets of private jets from across the globe. Viewing facilities are amongst the best in Europe.
A nearby hotel is the Park Inn Zurich Airport. It can be costly, but if you ask for a room overlooking the airport, it’ll be worth it because you’ll be able to see most of the action from your window. However, it’s not so great for photography, because of the distance.
Credits
Photo 1 – Pseudonym – http://49th-parallel.blogspot.com/2007_05_06_archive.html
Photo 2 – FotoIntern – http://www.fotointern.ch/archiv/2009/01/28/lokaltermin-bei-plane-spotter-vor-dem-wef/
Photo 3 – How Stuff Works – http://history.howstuffworks.com/world-war-ii/nazi-germany-conquers-france1.htm
Photo 4 – Aloxe – http://www.flickr.com/photos/13274211@N00/561290914/
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Which is your favourite airport for plane spotting? Please leave your comments below.
Airports named after celebrities
More than 50 airports worldwide have been named after the great and the good, from politicians, to musicians, to sportsmen. Usually they don’t get to enjoy the honour because they have to be dead first, but that’s not always the case. George Bush senior has an airport in Houston, Texas named after him, and he is still very much alive.
The celebrities are usually local people who have achieved fame and acclaim in some area of their life. It makes sense that an airport, as the gateway to its community, would want to celebrate its greatest local hero. But some are more obvious choices for such an honour than others, as we will see.
LaGuardia
Naming airports after celebrities is not a new idea. The name might not sound familiar to us now, but Fiorello LaGuardia was the New York City mayor who championed the construction of the airport in the 1930’s, and when he died in 1947, the airport was named after him.
John Wayne and Bob Hope
Having an airport named after you is a great honour – so much so that it can cause a strange kind of rivalry to develop. In 1979 the Orange County Airport was re-named after John Wayne, who had just died. His fellow actor Bob Hope was said to be jealous that Wayne had an airport named after him, and he didn’t. If only he could have known that, in 2003, after his death, he would be honoured with his very own Bob Hope Airport in Burbank, where he kept his personal aeroplane.
John F Kennedy
Often the death of an admired person will result in an immediate name change for an airport. Idlewild Airport in New York changed its name to John F Kennedy just a month after he was assassinated.
John Lennon
However it’s not always an instant occurrence. Liverpool waited 22 years after John Lennon’s death before they renamed Liverpool airport in his honour. He is hailed as one of the city’s greatest sons and the move was a popular choice.
George Best
But sometimes the renaming of an airport can cause controversy. George Best was a widely respected footballer, but his troubled private life led people in Belfast to question whether a better figure could have been chosen to represent their city. For now though, Belfast has George Best airport.
Ronald Reagan
At other times the naming of an airport can cause a fuss for political reasons, such as when Washington’s National airport was renamed after Ronald Reagan in 1998.
Genghis Khan
But it could be even worse. In 2006, Mongolia’s Buyant Ukhaa Airport changed its name to Genghis Khan. This was done without much publicity, so passengers at the time were a little surprised to hear the announcement that they would be touching down at the airport of a bloodthirsty tyrant who created terror across 2 continents. It certainly wouldn’t encourage me to pay a visit, anyway!
Robin Hood
So we’ve established that you don’t have to be dead to have an airport named after you, and you don’t necessarily have to be very great or good either. And it seems that you don’t even have to be real to achieve this honour. Obviously there was a lack of local heroes around in Doncaster and Sheffield, since they chose the legendary figure of Robin Hood to represent the airport. And wasn’t he supposed to be from Nottingham, anyway? That’s really scraping the barrel.
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If you could name an airport after someone, who would it be? Please leave your comments below.
Picture Credits
Fiorello LaGuardia – Library of Congress – http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Fiorello_LaGuardia.jpg
John Wayne – Roger Gaw – http://nerdiest-kids.com/top-ten-badasses-of-cinema/
Bob Hope – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Bob_Hope_in_The_Ghost_Breakers_trailer.JPG
John F Kennedy – Library of Congress – http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:John_F_Kennedy.jpg
John Lennon – Roy Kerwood – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:JohnLennonpeace.jpg
George Best – Expo67 – http://expo67-cavestones.blogspot.com/2009_01_01_archive.html
Ronald Reagan – Wikipedia – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Official_Portrait_of_President_Reagan_1981.jpg
Genghis Khan – Abdullah – http://www.p0ach.com/2009/05/04/unawakened-earthlingsgenghis-khan/
Robin Hood – Wikipedia – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Robin_Hood_Memorial.jpg