Metz - Frescaty (BA128)

1Rue de Metz

This street leads away from the village of Augny and turns into a country road to a crash gate. It provides excellent views of the runway and taxiway, and the west apron is in view as well. This is a good photo spot for passing traffic, although the nearby runway exit has been closed. Do bring steps to take pictures over the fence.

2Impasse du Glisu

Comparable to spot 1, but further south. The track can be very muddy after rain, though. The now empty dispersals are visible from here. This can be a good photo spot for landings on 01 in the afternoon, but the rest of the view is more limited than at spot 1.

3Threshold 01

The beginning of the runway is extremely close to the road, so taking position here is sitting front row for landings on runway 01. The runway is higher than the road so departures will usually stay out of sight. The road has a no-stopping zone underneath the approach path and cars have to be parked a bit further on, where the D68 meets the D5.

4Aeroclub

The parking lot here can be used for a stop, trying to log aircraft on the opposite side of the field, if any are there. Buildings, trees and the elevated runway make this difficult, though. Anything using that runway normally comes in view at some point.

5Threshold 19

Like on the other side, the runway threshold can be approached very closely here. A track giving access to some gardens crosses the centreline and ends at the fence. From here, one has a view of the main apron and could be blown away by larger aircraft using runway 19... The least conspicuous place to spend some time is along the trees south of the gardens, west of the runway. In the morning, photographers will prefer to stop along the D5b just outside the no-stopping zone on the east side. If a stay in this area upsets the authorities, the unpaved roads north of the D5b may serve as an alternative.