Abu Dhabi - Bateen AB

1Main gate

Not a place to spend the day spotting but a peek between buildings and through the gate can produce a few numbers of aircraft on the ramp or taxiway.

2Final 31

5th Street leads to the back of the giant new mosque that dominates the entrance to the city. Parking is possible in the verge and provides a good view on the most used final approach. Photography is technically OK here with 300-400mm effective, and you can make the mosque your official subject. However, cars may suddenly leave the adjacent parking lot, including police cars.

3Park

The park and exhibition area north of the base offers ample parking space and a possibility for plane watching without attracting too much attention. Some photography possible albeit with backlight, but the sun is very high anyhow.

4North side

From the by-road of 8th street the C-130s and CN235s on the apron near the main gate come into view. They may be readable with suitable optics.

5Al Matar

This neighbourhood hugs the west side of the base so traffic in the circuit is low and close here. However, the use of cameras or binoculars is likely to upset the residents.

6Roundabout

North of the large roundabout on Airport Road a piece of land used to be unused. Loitering here was quite common and this would provide a view on helicopters hovering over the helispots on base. The distance is too big for photography. It is likely that new buildings or a park will be constructed at this location.