Planespotting

It is said it evolved in UK from trainspotting. Polish airports started to see groups of people of all ages standing by the fence, watching and photographing planes. Considered as a threat at first, later became accepted and even their input on airport security has been acknowledged. Spotters now have their legal associations, own photo shows, organize trips to airshows and other airports.

Katowice Airport started its cooperation with local spotters quite early. There are cyclic „Spotter days” where they are invited to access restricted zone, make photos and see all the details of airport operations. They are also invited to attend special airport events or arrivals of rare planes.

You don't have to be a declared spotter though. For many, watching planes fly is just an extra for a Sunday walk or bike trip. Or geocaching.

Viewing platforms

Not many airports in the world went this far: to build dedicated viewing platforms which allow comfortably watch airport life and make pictures without obscuring fence. In 2015 Katowice Airport opened two of them, named as 08 and 26. These designations come from official designators of nearby runway thresholds, which in turn come from the magnetic runway directions: 084 and 264 degrees.

Viewing platform 26

You are on viewing platform 26, on the east side of the airport. Great view of planes landing using runway 26, most commonly used. Nearby apron is used for aircraft de-icing in winter (worth seeing). You'll also be very close to planes taxiing for runway 26 takeoff, unless captain decides to use reduced takeoff distance from previous taxiway (this is about one in two departures). Personally I recommend this place at night – nice sight on the aerodrome, while surroundings are unnaturally (for an airport) calm and quiet.

Platform can be reached by car, place can accommodate 10-15 cars. You can also leave your car in vicinity of Cargo terminal and go by foot.

Note: if parking your car by the narrow forest road, do not block the road by any means. This is emergency road, which fire trucks use in case of accident.

Cache

Small-plus sized cache with a logbook, pencil, certificates for first three finders and few trade items. No tool is required for pickup, but lack of moguls is. If there are other people on the platform, DO NOT PICK UP, choose less popular time or weather. This is a part of cache difficulty.

Cache is approved and set up in cooperation with Katowice Airport.