Izmir - Adnan Menderes / Gaziemir

1Civil terminal

Adnan Menderes' civil terminal is well signposted from the D-550. Just follow the road to the terminal, which makes a loop. Because this road is elevated, good views of the aircraft parked in front of the terminal can be obtained.

2General aviation

Spot 2 is located just south of spot 1 and gives views of the general aviation activities at Adnan Menderes. Just continue your loop around the terminal and turn left once your loop is complete. Follow the same road to the terminal again but keep right this time. There are some parking lots here around the offices where you can park and practise your hobby.

3Military aprons

Continue on the road you left for spot 2, make a left turn and a right turn, so you are driving on a road parallel to the one you just left, but closer to the runway. This road leads around the southern treshold to the military gate. Proceed towards the military gate until all trees on your left are gone. You can stop here for a minute or two to read the CN235s on the military platform. This spot also gives distant views of the coast guard helispot across the runway to the north. Beware of the military traffic here.

4West side approach 34 & military aprons

After leaving the airport premises head south on road D-550. Before the road bends east, there's a small exit with a big parking lot on your right. From here, you can watch the aircraft on finals for runway 34L/R. Good binoculars are required to read off some of the CN235s on the military platform.

5East side approach 34

The east side of approach 34 can be reached from spot 4 by following the D-550 to the east. Just after the bridge over the railway line there's another exit to your right, with a road leading to some houses. From here you have views of aircraft on finals for runway 34L/R as well, although aircraft using 34R are passing more or less overhead.

6West side approach 16

The north side of Adnan Menderes can be reached as well by taking the D-550 north. Turn right just before a large mall, where the lawn dividing the traffic lanes is getting wider. From the D-550 you can already see the bridge across the railway line. To your left is a huge parking lot beside the mall which provides views of the aircraft using runway 16L/R.

7East side approach 16 & eastern ramps

Follow the road across the railway line. After the road bends to the right, there's enough room to stop your car on both sides of the road. Stop on the right side of the road for views of the aircraft on finals for runway 16L/R of Adnan Menderes. When coming back to this spot you can stop on the other side of the road to read off some of the helicopters parked on the eastern ramps of Gaziemir. As this road is busy and guards are vigilant on both airfields, this is definitely not a spot for the weak-hearted.

8Approach 35 & western ramps

After surviving spot 7 turn left at the first intersection. Follow the road uphill until the first paved road on your right. Turn left here between the large company buildings and follow this dirt road uphill. You have to try a few spots in this myriad of dirt roads to read off the hovering helicopters and to scrutinize the western ramps for instructional airframes of the air force technical school, which are occasionally towed outside. Finally, head back to spot 7...