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Plane spotters in the London, Ontario, area are getting their cameras ready now that London International Airport (YXU) has opened the city’s first public plane spotting park.
YXU Air Park, located on Creamery Road, offers local aviation enthusiasts and residents an up-close look at aircraft as they arrive and depart from Runway 15-33, the most frequently used runway at YXU. The airport said it wanted to create a place for families and plane spotters to “fuel their aviation passion.”
Built on an area leftover after a taxiway resurfacing, the air park was created with help from local aviation businesses and organizations, including International Test Pilots School (ITPS), Diamond Aircraft, Airshow London, and Fanshawe College Norton Wolf School of Aviation.
“One of our most frequently asked questions is where to watch airplanes take off and land,” Gerry Vanderhoek, manager of commercial services and passenger experience at YXU, said in a news release. “As someone who grew up in London who also enjoys watching the action at the airport, we are excited to see, with the help of our partners, the opening of the new YXU Air Park.”
London Airport’s president and CEO, Scott McFadzean, added that the city is “home to a robust aviation community that continues to grow, and many airplane enthusiasts come to LIA [London International Airport] to plane spot.
“We hope YXU Air Park inspires young enthusiasts on a family day out at the park, and offers the dedicated plane spotting community a place to comfortably park and capture photos!”
YXU Air Park is equipped with a parking lot, allowing visitors to either watch the aircraft from the comfort of their vehicles, or get out to have a closer look from the viewing area. The park also features informational signage to educate visitors on London’s aviation and airshow history, the most common aircraft types to visit YXU, and even how to pick up radio transmissions from aircraft using a cell phone.
The airport confirmed in a tweet that it hopes to add amenities such as benches or a play area for children in the near future.
Visitors can enjoy YXU Air Park free of charge.
How very sensitive and people-oriented of them. Quite unusual in these times. I went on a memorable tour of the Heathrow control tower with the ROC, when there WAS an ROC.