1Final 15
When 15 is in use for landings, this spot is good for photos of planes on short final. To get here, use the loop road from Myllykyläntie and park where the path to the spot begins.
2Threshold 22R
Runway 22R is the one used most for departures, with a huge de-icing area near its beginning. From this spot, ground photos of departing aircraft are easily made. Obviously, aircraft landing on 22R also make for good subjects. Be aware he light can be unfavourable until halfway in the afternoon. Traffic on both parallel runways can be read off from here. This spot too is reached via the loop road from Myllykyläntie. Park at the end of the straight part and continue to the fence via the path. Heaps of stones can be used to get higher than the fence.
3Runway 04L/22R
The southern half of the runway actually has several spots along the fence. The marked position is a good one for photos of aircraft departing 22R. Use one of the gravel patches for parking.
4Final 04L evening
Opposite the DHL warehouse, a mound overlooks the touch-down zone of 04L, making it a perfect spot for photos later in the day if this runway is used for landings. The spot is also useable for near head-on shots of 22R departures, especially the slow climbers.
5Final 04L
A more conventional position on final can be found along the Tikkurilantie here. All landings on both runways 04 are easily read off from this spot. Cars can be parked along the road, for a walk up the sloping embankment.
6Final 04R evening
For a chance to shoot landings on 04R with good light late in the day, this spot is the best option. Cars can sometimes be parked near the entrance of the construction site here, with a nearby petrol station as an alternative. A mound next to the road is your vantage point.
7Final 04R
During most of the day, the light for photos of 04R landings will be better from this side. A so far unused patch of land makes for an easy place to stay. The road north of this spot, leading to a rather large quarry, is less suitable. Not only do heavy lorries not mix will with spotters' activities, but a patch of forest blocks the view on final for a large part.
8Hangar Area
The extension of road 138 leads to a gate for the technical area of the airport. Just before that, on the left, is a parking area for employees. Its entrance loop can be used for a short stop to see aircraft around the hangars. One of them is usually stored C-47 OH-LCD, near the large hangar west of this spot. However, it seems to be put inside for a short period of time, every few years. If Airveteran's other Dakota is at Vantaa, chances are it will be parked here as well. Walking here from the terminal takes about twenty minutes.
9Terminal
The best view from the terminal outside the secured areas exists in the Fly Inn restaurant. Unfortunately, at the time of writing (Summer 2009), this is closed due to fire damage. When open, the restaurant is very suitable to poll numbers, especially of international traffic. Photography is less than ideal, having to cope with windows and service vehicles hampering the view. Passengers past security however can walk the full length of the terminal and use the large windows to take notes and make some photos.
10Domestic apron
Between the domestic terminal and the Air Side Center, part of the domestic apron comes into view. Behind that are a taxiway used by most commuters plus other traffic for 15/33 and that runway itself. Photography is generally good, especially for taxi shots. Depending on the use of the runways, part or most of the movements can be read off here.
11Business Terminal
Corporate aviation has its own small terminal at Helsinki. Its parking lot is accessible for the public and good to catch some extra numbers and photos. Please behave discretely here.
12Final 33 pm
On the rare occasions of 33 being used as landing runway, this spot is the place to be for photos in the late afternoon or evening. Once again, parking is possible clear of the road, next to the spot.
13Final 33 am and cargo apron
An easy-to-spot mound separates the cargo area from the motorway junction. Cars can be parked on the airfield side of it, and the view from above on the cargo apron and runway is rather nice. This can also be a good spot to read off planes on aprons along 15/33.
14Runway 15/33 am and cargo
Following the road from spot 13 around the cargo apron, one gets to spot 14. This is a good spot for photos of 15/33 traffic in the morning. Additionally, it offers a new angle on planes parked on the westernmost apron of the airport. Registrations of domestic traffic and anything else using 15 or 33 can be read here.
15Final 22L
For landings on 22L, the spots are more remote. This one is on a pedestrian bridge crossing motorway 45. Follow the road called Tuusulantie to the north from spot 13 or 14 and try to park near the hamlet where the bridge is. The distance to the centreline is 500m, so a long lens is required. There are two alternatives to this spot. One is on Tuusulantie, a bit further north near the power lines. It may be easier to find parking nearby there. The other is closer to the field and closer to the centreline, but this requires a walk of some 500m through the woods. Follow the tree line from the bridge towards the field, cross the next patch of forest in the same direction and carry on until the view on final is good.
16Final 22L evening
Late in the day, approaches on 22L can be caught by camera from this location. From the junction of motorway 45 and road 152 (exit 'Korso'), drive underneath final to a large factory on the left. Park the car and walk along the factory fence (right-hand side, coming from the road) to pass the trees. From there, the view is unobstructed for photos.
17Suomen Ilmailumuseo
The Finnish Aviation Museum holds a lot of very interesting exhibits, both civil and military. It is open daily from 11:00 to 18:00 hours and adults pay 6 euros for admission. See the 'More Info' panel for the museum web sites.
