Washington D.C. (including Baltimore) - Best Vantage Point for Space Shuttle Discovery's arrival at IAD? [17 Apr 2012]

http://www.slashgear.com/space-shuttle-discovery-set-for-final-voyage-to-smithsonian-25210670/

Having taken about 9 fruitless trips to MCO in hopes of seeing a shuttle launch, and finally seeing the last one, I'd be insane if I missed Discovery's arrival at IAD which is really not too far from me.

Being an actual DC resident, I avoid IAD most days and fly from DCA, so I don't really know that much about the nearby area.

Where would be good places to watch the landing? I'm assuming the Observation Deck would be best, but would also be packed.

I don't recall any hotels being all that close to the airport-- are there even any from which you can actually see the runways?

Any guesses as to which runway would be used? 1C/19C and 1R/19L are the longest, so I'm guessing it's going to be one of those two-- a 747 with a Space Shuttle strapped to its back is probably going to need a long runway.

I do not mind at all paying for a hotel if it gets me a better view. The last thing I want to do is turn up 6 hours before the landing to stand at the top of a stairwell trying to tippy-toe above the crowd for a peek at the runway! Will also gladly camp out in a restaurant/bar if there's one on IAD property (and will spend big so they don't kick me out), buy a lounge day pass if that's what it takes... just want a good view and not to be shoved in like sardines!

Thanks for any suggestions!

http://www.slashgear.com/space-shuttle-discovery-set-for-final-voyage-to-smithsonian-25210670/

Having taken about 9 fruitless trips to MCO in hopes of seeing a shuttle launch, and finally seeing the last one, I'd be insane if I missed Discovery's arrival at IAD which is really not too far from me.

Being an actual DC resident, I avoid IAD most days and fly from DCA, so I don't really know that much about the nearby area.

Where would be good places to watch the landing? I'm assuming the Observation Deck would be best, but would also be packed.

I don't recall any hotels being all that close to the airport-- are there even any from which you can actually see the runways?

Any guesses as to which runway would be used? 1C/19C and 1R/19L are the longest, so I'm guessing it's going to be one of those two-- a 747 with a Space Shuttle strapped to its back is probably going to need a long runway.

I do not mind at all paying for a hotel if it gets me a better view. The last thing I want to do is turn up 6 hours before the landing to stand at the top of a stairwell trying to tippy-toe above the crowd for a peek at the runway! Will also gladly camp out in a restaurant/bar if there's one on IAD property (and will spend big so they don't kick me out), buy a lounge day pass if that's what it takes... just want a good view and not to be shoved in like sardines!

Thanks for any suggestions!

The A-380 uses 1R/19L, so my bet is for that one.

I, too, plan on being there on April 17 (note that if the weather's crummy, they may push back the flight--the SCA is pickier about wx than your average 747, especially when it's delivering a shuttle). It sounds like the Smithsonian will have some sort of organized activity for the occasion, to judge from comments on the NASA Tweetup Alumni group on Facebook.

At some point the Enterprise needs to leave (for NYC?), I wonder if they plan to do everything in the one trip.

I think the "rain" date is the 18th. There's a public ceremony on the 19th.

They've also said they plan to overfly the city - which might provide better opportunity, specially since runways can change.

For runway spotting, the local spotters group has good info here (http://www.washbaltspotters.net/files/iadspots.pdf).

I'm thinking the rotating rooftop bar at the Crystal City Doubletree would be a sweet vantage point for the Shuttle-laden 747's trip up/down the Potomac! :)

If they use runway 1R (most likely unless wind/weather changes things), the top level of Daily Garage 2 might be a good spotting location. The "control tower" at Udvar-Hazy would be a fabulous location if they use 1R, but I doubt anyone other than a VIP would have access there,

If they use runway 19L, the same top level of Daily Garage 2.

They've also said they plan to overfly the city - which might provide better opportunity, specially since runways can change.

For runway spotting, the local spotters group has good info here (http://www.washbaltspotters.net/files/iadspots.pdf).

Excellent tip with that PDF, thank you so much!

Still not sure where to go but I've got a pal who works for UA, based at DCA, who is going to ask his IAD co-workers if they've got any insider tips.

There is pretty good viewing for aircraft using runway 1R if you drive out route 28 (Sully Road) and take the "Air and Space Museum Parkway" turnoff.

Anywhere along there, including Historic Sully Way, has good views of arriving aircraft. Lots of people stop along there on weekend days just to watch the airplanes land.

You can probably guess the runway in use by the weather. Just call the Dulles aviation weather recording (703-661-2990), and if the wind is out of the north directions, they will probably be using runway 1R.

Udvar-Hazy has lots of updates/information on their website at http://airandspace.si.edu/collections/discovery/activity-detail.cfm?id=3783

If it is 19L, the top of Daily 2 works pretty well. I've always wondered if you pulled off into the grass from one of the highway on-ramps just north of 19L if the cops would show up. That would be another great vantage point.

If it is 1R, Udvar-Hazy parking lot probably works best, though there are other nearby spots that are suitable.

IIRC, the last Concorde fly-in (with media and all that) used 19L and the first A380 visit used 19C.

Weather permitting, you don't need to go out to Udvar Hazy to see it.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-buzz/post/space-shuttle-discovery-will-fly-over-washington-area-april-17/2012/04/10/gIQA4cT97S_blog.html

More from the Post - best locations

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/arts-post/post/discovery-best-places-to-spot-the-shuttle-flyover/2012/04/12/gIQASB0qCT_blog.html

Should make the inbound / northbound GW Parkway approach to the 14th Street Bridge be just a 'fest as people crowd into Gravelly to park and get set up for 10 am.

Tomorrow's the day and the weather forecast is great for Discovery's arrival.

The plan I've seen shows a landing on 1R (great for viewing final approach at Udvar-Hazy or nearby). Then use taxilane B (between the Main Terminal and the A/B Concourse) to go to the west side of the airport. This should allow a great view of the taxiing from the Main Terminal for those who can't get past TSA.

Finally stopping at the de-icing pad where the huge cranes are already in position to lift the shuttle off the 747 (adjacent to runways 30 and 1C) - viewable at a distance from the west end of the B and D Concourses.

Tomorrow's the day and the weather forecast is great for Discovery's arrival.

The plan I've seen shows a landing on 1R (great for viewing final approach at Udvar-Hazy or nearby). Then use taxilane B (between the Main Terminal and the A/B Concourse) to go to the west side of the airport. This should allow a great view of the taxiing from the Main Terminal for those who can't get past TSA.

Finally stopping at the de-icing pad where the huge cranes are already in position to lift the shuttle off the 747 (adjacent to runways 30 and 1C) - viewable at a distance from the west end of the B and D Concourses.

I already can't wait to see the shuttle and the 747 tomorrow - my vantage point will be my balcony overlooking the Monument/Jefferson Memorial/Potomac, and I'll be sure to snap some pictures...but I surely won't get any great pictures compared to real photographers :)

-jeremy

A few more pointers for those in downtown DC (although it doesn't seem to show any kind of flight path).

http://dcist.com/2012/04/the_shuttle_is_coming.php

Finally stopping at the de-icing pad where the huge cranes are already in position to lift the shuttle off the 747 (adjacent to runways 30 and 1C) - viewable at a distance from the west end of the B and D Concourses.

Will they tow Discovery from the de-icing pad to the Udvar-Hazy Center, and then later tow Enterprise to the pad from the Center? Can a conventional towbar be used for the Shuttle?

What are the callsign and ATC locator of tomorrow's flight? Will it be trackable on public tracking sites such as FlightAware?

Assume it is going to be 1R today due to the wind being out of the north.

Got a great view from Old Town. First pass was right over Old Town. Second pass came up river past National Harbor. Buzzed the bridge and continued up river to DC. Then 2 fly overs of DC and a trip out to Andrews AFB. Then it was off to Dulles.

Got a great view from Old Town. First pass was right over Old Town. Second pass came up river past National Harbor. Buzzed the bridge and continued up river to DC. Then 2 fly overs of DC and a trip out to Andrews AFB. Then it was off to Dulles.

In Old Town as well. That first pass was great! ^

What a great sight! It's landing at Dulles as I type...

Wow, that was much more extensive than I was expecting. Should have known that they'd approach from the south.

Right now, they're pulling it through the Dulles terminal complex so's the ramp workers can gawk -- so cool to see the SCA right behind SAA :)

Correction to my earlier post on the de-mating operation. It is due west of the D Concourse, between runways 1C and 1L. Closest view is from the southwest corner of the B Concourse (Delta gate area).

Correction to my earlier post on the de-mating operation. It is due west of the D Concourse, between runways 1C and 1L. Closest view is from the southwest corner of the B Concourse (Delta gate area).

The top of Daily Garage 2 offers a good view as well.

Saw it pass over the Mall area twice. I wanted to get to a better place, but gave up because the traffic was so horrible. It turned out okay and I managed to find a parking spot on the Mall.

I set out to go see it at IAD, but heard on the radio that 28 and the Toll Road were both jammed (as were the approches to Udvar-Hazy). Decided to instead go to Gravelly Point. 66 was jammed from Falls Church to Rosslyn. By the time I got to Ballston, heard on WTOP that Gravelly Point was full. Decided to try for my back up spot - the Employee Parking Lot at DCA.

That one worked great. Crowd of about 50 there (mostly airport/airline employees) but some others who where in the "know". Clean view of the approaches. Also a good place to tell when it was coming as they ground stopped all departures for about 20 minutes.

so cool to see the SCA right behind SAA :)

I used my Blackberry camera to take a screen shot of the WaPo Video site as it passed SAA. My SA friends and family were pleased. I've taken SAA 207/208 so many times, I feel famous!

I was on the Mall (by the Carousel) and it was amazing! I just hope the T-38 didn't take a downward photo of the crowd on the Mall, in today's world, the caption would be "GSA Workers?"

Also thought it was interesting - according to the audio feed from WaPo - that the T38 was short on fuel as they arrived. You would have thought they planned for it.

It looks like there were many points from which one could view the event. The Discovery has landed. USA Today photos.


http://i.usatoday.net/news/gallery/2012/n120417shuttle/21shuttle17-pg-horizontal.jpg


http://i.usatoday.net/news/gallery/2012/n120417shuttle/18shuttle17-pg-horizontal.jpg


http://i.usatoday.net/news/gallery/2012/n120417shuttle/01shuttle17-pg-horizontal.jpg


http://i.usatoday.net/news/gallery/2012/n120417shuttle/10shuttle17-pg-horizontal.jpg


Now, the transfer to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center.

I biked over to Gravelly Point in time to see all four passes. An amazing sight--and I'm glad Discovery got to enjoy a River Visual approach (and then some) on her last time in the air.

I saw it first time from the Ellipse, and then two passes over the Washington Monument from my workplace. (Hadn't realized they were making multiple passes -- really don't understand why they had to be all coy about that and the route.)

Really quite a sight.

I am across the ocean so I watched the live feed on NASA TV HD.

I captured screenshots of the Shuttle and SCA at Dulles airport and the go-around in the terminals. Never seen so many people on the runways and tarmac in the terminals. Quite some unique moments there.

Touch down

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This one is cute with the little United Express regional jet nose to nose. What a view for those passengers inside that plane!

http://i380.photobucket.com/albums/oo250/parisquilts/Forums/48766c93.jpg

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Passing a South African Airbus

http://i380.photobucket.com/albums/oo250/parisquilts/Forums/388d4d4e.jpg

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Had to split the post in two

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SCA engines shut down

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The combo did a few rounds inside the airport I can only imagine the eerie eyes of all the lucky flyers who were able to catch the scenes from either on board their flights or inside the airport. Quite a day for IAD!!! One that will never come again.

Discovery was in her world atop her 747-100 carrier amidst all the other planes.

She will be going to a very good home and she will never feel alone again. She will have two illustrious companions, the SR-71 and Concorde F-BVFA not forgetting so many other aircrafts big and small including a Branson Flyer.

Space Shuttle Discovery will now become a museum artifact.

RIP Space Shuttle Discovery.

Long may she rest in a peaceful new life at the National Air and Space Museum at Washington Dulles airport.

:)