Blackpool Airport - Spotting Guide

Blackpool Airport – Spotting Guide

March 9, 2024 - last modified on March 10, 2024

Blackpool Airport (BLK/EGNH) is located in the North West of England, 2 miles away from the city centre, This airport has two operational runways 10/28 is 1,868 meters and runway 13/31 is 998 meter with both being asphalt. Blackpool no longer has a passenger terminal as it’s since been knocked down and replaced for energy college. Back in 2014 the airport lost all commercial flights, what was used for popular routes to summer destinations. These routes were served by Monarch, Ryanair, Jet2 and Citywing, which flew the last service from the airport 15th October 2014 to the Isle of Man.

On the bright side Blackpool does buzz from Hanger three, this is a privet company what accepts business jets to the airport and also a base for the odd military aircraft and the annual airshow traffic. With the airport being based next to the Irish and oil/wind farms with in the area there is a Helicopter company NHV in which base two helicopters, with to several flights a day going to and from the offshore rings. These have also previously been served by Bristow Helicopters. Blackpool has a number of flying schools what consist of light aircraft, Westair and ANT Flight Training using Cessna and Pipper aircraft.

Written by Kyle Kershaw. Last Update: January 2024

Rating
Movements
Photo Locations
Weather
Airport Information
Runways
10/28	1,868m/6,129Ft – Asphalt
13/31	998m/3,274Ft – Asphalt
Terminals	No Terminal at this airport other than the Oil rig and Hanger Three
Spotting Information
Ladder	Ladder only needed at spot 3.
Car/Public Transport	All spots are driveable. Squires Gate Train station can get you to spots 1,2 and 3, with local bus routes also covering most spotting locations.
Drinks/Food	Spot one best as you have Morrisons, Nandos, Greggs and a McDonalds.
Hotels	Premier inn located next to the airport on Squires Gate Lane.
Season	In summer you can get a lot of haze. Winter you’ll just have a lot of rain coming off the Irish Sea
Security	Friendly airport never had any problems and are all happy for spotters to view movements. Never come across police to move any spotter. All save around the locations most if not all covered by CCTV
Runway Usage
10/28	All dependend due to the wind coming off the sea, runway 28 is the preferred to be used. Most Aircraft use this runway to arrive and depart.
13/31	Only really used by light aircraft when there is cross winds at the airport as well as helicopters if runway one is in use.

	Spot #1 – Side Of Morrisons
WHERE	Behind of a Morrisons supermarket you can access a path in which you can spot at. Access to the complex is possible via A5230. The use of the car park is possible for a max of 3 hours but look out for the signage. Train is available from Squires Gate train station with about 10/15 min walk. Local buses to catch are Bus number 7. The Blackpool Transport tram to Star Gate will drop you off about 20/25 min walk away following the same route as the train.

WHAT	There you’ll get a view of the majority of the airfield, you’ve got taxiway Bravo right in front of you. All so you’ll have a perfect shot of some of the business jets what park up at hanger three and also the North West Air Ambulance. You don’t really see much of the runway from this spot as the ATC tower does block your view.

TIME	Best light for taxiway movements is from sunrise until noon. Ramp during midday.

MISC.	No ladders needed at this location as you are over the fence line. Morrisons, Nandoes, Greggs and McDonalds are available directly at this location, with restrooms in most listed you can use. No problems with police at this location.

FOCAL LENGTH	buisness Jet parked 160MM – Helicopter Parked/Taxi 125MM

	Spot #2 – Air Navigation And Blackpool Air Cadets
WHERE	Carry on Squires Gate (A5230) and when you get to the junction of the Ldil park on there and take a short walk to the Air Navigation car park where you’ll be able to see the movements in and around there hanger and the fuel pumps. If you don’t have a car use the same public transport connections as mentioned above.

WHAT	Main apron shots only from here with parked aircraft, you’ll have a few parked aircraft from what use hanger three at the other side of the airport, you’ll also get the Air Navigation aircraft parked up outside. You wont see any runway movements from this location.

TIME	From noon until sunset.

MISC.	From where you’ve parked thers also a pub called the Air Balloon where food and drink is avalible

FOCAL LENGTH	Business Jets parked 150MM – Light aircraft parked/Taxing 75MM

	Spot #3 – Leach Lane Crash Gate
WHERE	The crash gate is at the top of Leach Lane, Lythem St. Anns, on the other side of the airport. Only reachable by car.

WHAT	Runway view only with ladders but could possibly shoot few the fence but keep gate clear at all times. All aircraft will be visible here with it being the runway in front of you. Helicopters sent to Center the runway and depart straight up and head to the Irish Sea.

TIME	During the winter months possible all day long. In summer only from late morning until afternoon. Heat haze is an issue during this time.

MISC.	Nothing around this area so bring drinks and snacks.

FOCAL LENGTH	Business Jet Arriving/Departing 150MM

	Spot #4 – Dakota Court, Amy Johnson Way
WHERE	Search for GSF Car parts on maps and this will take you to the location which is a dead end road. There are limited car parking spaces. Don’t block the crash gate! This is also a 15 min walk from spot #1.

WHAT	Taxiway to runway is visible but only light aircraft will use this routing with as business jets are too big to use this taxiway. Also here you’ve got J-MAX where privet helicopters park and also have maintenance.

TIME	Best light for taxiway movements is from sunrise until noon.

MISC.	Ladder not needed as there are gaps within the crash gate. Nothing around this area so bring drinks and snaks Morrisons and McDonalds is a 5 min drive away

FOCAL LENGTH	Light Aircraft Taxing – 150MM – Helicopters Taxing 95MM