Runway Visitor Park

I’ve always wanted to visit the Runway Visitor Park at Manchester Airport. Aviation enthusiasts like myself will have seen countless YouTube livestreams from the runway visitor park.

Something I always did as a kid at primary school when I was supposedly ill and took the day off from school was to watch endless videos of the likes of the PIA 747 and Thomas Cook departing / arriving at Manchester Airport. It almost become something I’d do religiously even on weekends when the one computer in our household was not being used! So to visit the infamous runway visitor park that played a key deal in my love for planes was a fantastic experience.

Recently, I happened to be travelling to Manchester for some work and was fortunate enough to stop by at the Runway Visitor Park. I was lucky enough to see the likes of Qatar, British Airways, Jet 2, EasyJet and more taking off and landing at Manchester. There is nothing better than to hear the GE90s spool up just before they run down the runway. Here are some photos I took on the day:

Seeing the planes up-close as they turn into the taxiway was beyond amazing. The photos I took on my phone don’t do it justice really!

A commentator who was providing details about the planes was also present at the site. For example, the type of aircraft, airline, the destination they’re flying to and some fun facts about the aircraft which was great to hear. It almost felt as though I was a kid at a fair of some kind! What a great atmosphere.

One of the infamous Concorde was also present at the Runway Visitor Park – unfortunately it is stored in one of the buildings (I knew this before so there was no nasty surprises)!

A visit to the aircraft AVRO RJX100, G-IRJX

It’s been over 20 years the AVRO RJX-100 aircraft has been sat at Manchester Runway Visitor Park. It was first flown in September 2001 during the flight test stage development. However, it never flew again due to the economic turmoil that would follow from September 11.

It has been preserved in Manchester and continues to be preserved here. The aircraft has four AS977-1A turbofan engines supplied from Honeywell. This aircraft is fitted with an electronic full authority digital engine control (FADEC)* – something you’ll come across in the PPL study.

FADEC engines work to optimise engine efficiency by taking multiple variables into account – such as air density, engine temperature, pressures and throttle position to provide optimised fuel flow, bleed valve position and much more.

Below is a photo of my silly poses with the aircraft:

The Airport Pub, Manchester

I have to say by far the best location to see planes on approach to 23R or lining up for take-off has definitely got to be The Airport Pub. They have a viewing area outside which is open early to late at night. This area is dedicated to viewing planes – so it’s a great location for kids and kid adults like myself into planes.

At the Airport Pub – you’re effectively under the flight path and directly behind the runway. That is how close you are to the Runway 23R. You are so close you can see the inside of the cockpit as the pilot turns to line up! The highlight has to be getting a a few waves from pilots – something I sure look forward to doing when I’m an airline pilot! Here’s a snapshot as I’m getting a wave from a BA pilot (exciting stuff! I won’t bore you with the long recording, but here’s a photo):

On a nice, hot day this location is great for a view with a cool drink. And on a cold day – there is nothing better than a nice coffee, a fury coat and the view!

Overall experience

My overall experience of visiting The Runway Visitor Park has to be one of excitement, gratitude and inspiration. It was exciting being able to see these huge planes up-close from the various locations I was at – from the visitor park, the airport pub and one of the terminal car park top-floors (where I bumped into a plane-spotting photographer).

I was grateful to be able to visit this place given I watched videos of this place religiously on youtube as a kid – you might be surprised to hear for some odd reason I favoured UK based takeoff/landings videos more than other videos as a kid weirdly enough so I have seen a lot of Manchester based videos – especially when Thomas Cook and Monarch used to operate from here.

And it was an inspiring moment – a moment to reflect and think how far we have come as an aviation industry – with all these magnificent planes built for any travel, anywhere. It was also a moment to reflect that one day my life-long dream to the cockpit will be one of reality with a little sweat, tears and hair loss (from the ATPLs). For those on their journey or have finished their journey to the cockpit – I wish you nothing but the best. I look forward to meeting you in the flight deck.

Happy flying – Blue Skies + Tailwinds.