19 March 2024

Jandakot Airport: Royal Aero Club of Western Australia – spectator facilities

Copyright © 2014 David Eyre

Jandakot Airport opened in 1963 and is the second busiest airport after Sydney in terms of aircraft movements (though not so busy on weekends), and one of the largest aviation training airports in Australia.

The Royal Aero Club of Western Australia has viewing areas and a café. It is a great place to enjoy a coffee whilst watching the aircraft, and you could also enquire about flight training, scenic flights or Tiger Moth flights whilst there.

Opening Times:

Daily, 24 hours

Location:

Getting there is easy – from Roe Highway (near Kwinana Freeway), take Karel Avenue exit and follow the signs to Jandakot Airport, passing Spud Shed on the way. You will reach a roundabout and need to turn right, along Eagle Drive to the end.There is a public car park (ticket machines parking) opposite to the Aero Club.Alternatively, Transperth operates a bus service (routes 515 and 516) between Murdoch Station and Jandakot Airport.Located to the north of Runway 06L/24R
View Larger Map

Advantages:

  • 245 metres from centreline threshold of runway 06L. Excellent views of traffic landing on runway 06L and taking off runway 24R, which are generally aircraft arriving from or departing to Jandakot (e.g. RFDS). Recommend a zoom lens of 400mm or above to photograph aircraft taking off or landing.
  • 230 metres from centreline threshold of runway 12. Excellent views of traffic landing on runway 12, which can include aircraft arriving from or departing to Jandakot (e.g. RFDS) as well as training aircraft conducting circuit training. Recommend a zoom lens of 400mm or above to photograph aircraft taking off or landing.
  • 140 metres from centreline of taxiway which runs parallel to runway 06L/24R – most aircraft taxy along here if runway 06L or 12/30 are in use. Recommend lens of 300mm or above.
  • Rooftop and first floor: Excellent views looking down onto aircraft parked close to the Aero Club building, to the south, east and west. View of aircraft of Royal Aero Club and China Southern.
  • Ground floor: Excellent ground-level views of aircraft, unless an aircraft is parked in the way.
  • Ground floor and rooftop: In the open, so no reflections.
  • First floor is enclosed and shaded, sheltered from rain and sun.
  • Excellent views of aircraft taxying into and from the southern apron.
  • Great for late morning and afternoon photography
  • Elevated position
  • Large public car park just opposite (paid parking)
  • Disabled parking bays
  • Ground and first floor have some protection from sun and rain
  • Seating available
  • Rubbish bins available
  • Toilets available
  • Muzz Buzz Café – food and drink available. Café Hours: Mon – Fri 7am to 3pm; Saturday 10am to 3pm; Closed on Sunday.

Disadvantages:

  • 464 metres from centreline of parallel runway 06R/24L, too far for photographing aircraft using that runway. However, that runway is mainly used for circuit training.
  • 1 kilometre from runway 30 threshold, too far for photographing aircraft using that runway.
  • Ground floor: Limited shelter from building, so may be exposed to sun and rain. Parked aircraft may partly obstruct the view.
  • First floor is enclosed by windows, so there may be reflections.
  • Rooftop: In the open with no shade or shelter. Fully exposed to sun and rain.
  • Photographing smaller aircraft on runway requires a telephoto lens of at least 300mm (taxiway) or 400mm (runway 06L/24R).
  • Early morning photography may be facing into the sun.
  • Some aircraft landing on runway 24L turn off before reaching the Aero Club.
Royal Aero Club of Western Australia building, top floor viewing area, facing south. Morning photo. Runway 12 threshold visible at centre, runway 06L threshold at centre left. Jandakot Airport - Sat 15 November 2014 Photo © David Eyre
Royal Aero Club of Western Australia building, top floor viewing area, facing south. Morning photo. Runway 12 threshold visible at centre, runway 06L threshold at centre left. Jandakot Airport – Sat 15 November 2014
Photo © David Eyre
Royal Aero Club of Western Australia building, top floor viewing area, facing southwest. Morning photo. Runway 12 threshold visible at centre left. Jandakot Airport - Sat 15 November 2014. Photo © David Eyre
Royal Aero Club of Western Australia building, top floor viewing area, facing southwest. Morning photo. Runway 12 threshold visible at centre left. Jandakot Airport – Sat 15 November 2014.
Photo © David Eyre
Royal Aero Club of Western Australia building, top floor viewing area, facing southeast. Morning photo. Runway 12 threshold visible at centre right, runway 06L threshold at centre. Jandakot Airport - Sat 15 November 2014. Photo © David Eyre
Royal Aero Club of Western Australia building, top floor viewing area, facing southeast. Morning photo. Runway 12 threshold visible at centre right, runway 06L threshold at centre. Jandakot Airport – Sat 15 November 2014.
Photo © David Eyre
Royal Aero Club of Western Australia building, top floor viewing area, facing northeast. Morning photo. Control tower at left. China Southern WA Flying College and Air Australia International aprons visible. Runway 06L/24R is at centre right. Jandakot Airport - Sat 15 November 2014. Photo © David Eyre
Royal Aero Club of Western Australia building, top floor viewing area, facing northeast. Morning photo. Control tower at left. China Southern WA Flying College and Air Australia International aprons visible. Runway 06L/24R is at centre right. Jandakot Airport – Sat 15 November 2014.
Photo © David Eyre
View east from Royal Aero Club of Western Australia building, top floor viewing area. Morning photo using 17-55mm wide angle zoom lens at 17mm. Air Australia International and China Southern WA Flying College apron areas, with grass Helitac parking area in the distance. Runway 06L/24R also visible. Jandakot Airport - Sat 15 November 2014. Photo © David Eyre
View east from Royal Aero Club of Western Australia building, top floor viewing area. Morning photo using 17-55mm wide angle zoom lens at 17mm. Air Australia International and China Southern WA Flying College apron areas, with grass Helitac parking area in the distance. Runway 06L/24R also visible. Jandakot Airport – Sat 15 November 2014.
Photo © David Eyre
View east-south-east from Royal Aero Club of Western Australia building, top floor viewing area. Morning photo using 17-55mm wide angle zoom lens at 38mm. China Southern WA Flying College and visiting aircraft apron areas. Runways also visible. Jandakot Airport - Sat 15 November 2014. Photo © David Eyre
View east-south-east from Royal Aero Club of Western Australia building, top floor viewing area. Morning photo using 17-55mm wide angle zoom lens at 38mm. China Southern WA Flying College and visiting aircraft apron areas. Runways also visible. Jandakot Airport – Sat 15 November 2014.
Photo © David Eyre
View southwest from Royal Aero Club of Western Australia building, top floor viewing area. Morning photo using 17-55mm wide angle zoom lens. Royal Aero Club apron and Runway 12 threshold visible. Jandakot Airport - Sat 15 November 2014. Photo © David Eyre
View southwest from Royal Aero Club of Western Australia building, top floor viewing area. Morning photo using 17-55mm wide angle zoom lens. Royal Aero Club apron and Runway 12 threshold visible. Jandakot Airport – Sat 15 November 2014.
Photo © David Eyre

2 thoughts on “Jandakot Airport: Royal Aero Club of Western Australia – spectator facilities

  1. Hello,

    Tony here from Canning Vale Probus club.
    My group is having a tour of the Royal Flying Doctors area on Monday 11th March.

    Can you provide details of cafe near the viewing area ie Phone number.
    My group will be about 15 of us for cuppa and cake.
    Question is lunch available there?

    1. Hi Tony,
      Aviators Cafe is located at the Viewing Area, Ph: 9417 7900.
      Muzz Buzz is in the Royal Aero Club, upstairs. Both have good views of the runways. Muzz Buzz is indoors. Ph: 9417 9015.
      Recommend you contact them to ask what lunch/tea/cake they will have available for a group of 15.
      Regards, David

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