If you're ever in the NYC area, specifically LGA, there is an awesome spot at the approach end of runway 04. This viewing area is only possible when they're landing or departing from this active runway otherwise no show.

Just outside the perimieter of the airport, or inside if you stand behind the car rental place, you will see the "heavy's" land only 15 ft above you! - Its spectacular.

Even better, you should pick up a scanner and maybe a chart that gives the tower frequencies and you'll be able tohear and watch the traffic a few miles out and watch it blossom in view as it decends down short final.

Just go to www.airnav.com and you can get the frequencies for the airports.

The following link lists some of the company frequencies. (it's the last post) http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum50/HTML/001884.html

In San Diego you can park just outside the fence at the end of the runway. Arriving aircraft fly just over your head and touchdown very close. Bring your earplugs.

Jay

IAH has the same kind of thing, on Lee Road you can see the activity on Rwy 9/27. About as close as you are in SAN, but the major difference is that SAN has shorter rwys, so the planes tend to be closer.

LAX also has Dockweiler Beach, just off the end of the rwys. Given that generally there is an onshore flow, the traffic there results in you looking at aircraft taking off. Lots of 747s take off at dusk. And, as mentioned before, Westchester Pkwy and Sepulveda (at the Lincoln intersection) are both good locations. The Sepulveda spot is better than the Avis parking lot because it's closer to the end of the rwys.

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Michael

NYCATL and Andrew M: It's not Haines Point (that's off to the side). It's Buzzard's Point, which is right under the approach or take off (depending on landing and takeoff directions). You're sitting there on the grass, and the airplane is literally right on top of you, regardless of which way it's going.

Just don't get so close as they did in the movie (I know it was fake) Pushing Tin where they get blasted into the air from the jet wash. Very funny http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

philforest has it right for DCA; on the grass right by the north end of the runway. No heavies, but the ATA & other 757's with Rolls Royce engines screaming into the sky are quite something. Haines Point isn't bad, either--one can almost imagining hitting the a/c from the driving range on the golf course.

For LHR, Windsor Castle isn't bad either; it's right on the take-off route for BA 747s.

For BOS, try a boat on a harbor cruise in the early evenn when lots of transatlantic flights are taking off.

[This message has been edited by chalf (edited 07-24-2000).]

Windsor is under one take-off/approach route for LHR, but if you want to get a better look, there are much, much better places to go at Heathrow! (see above)

Phil,

Thanks for the clarification. I guess I was just trying to include two favorite pastimes...one old : planespotting and one new : golf.

Also, if I can make another contribution...it's not the same as it used to be (with the high level wire installed), but for diversity of aircraft and different liveries...you have to include JFK at the Rooftop parking of DL (originally PanAm). As a kid, I would go there almost every Sunday around 5PM to view to the parade of international flights departing (with the excruciatingly long takeoff roll of the 747s), and heading over Far Rockaway then East along Long Island, on the way across the big pond.

The lounges at HKG all have reasonable views (if on the upper gallery level) as the runways run either side of the long glass terminal. If you just need to see Concorde three times a day (before the wing cracks get any larger) just buy a house in SW London (earplugs advised).

[This message has been edited by TexAAs (edited 07-24-2000).]

[This message has been edited by TexAAs (edited 07-24-2000).]

Does anyone know of any places at DFW? The closest I saw on this was IAH!!

RNO - The Reno Hilton, a room facing south
SFO - The Airport Marriott - a room facing the bay - or anywhere along the park and trail adjacent to the bay in front of the Marriott
MIA - 8th floor lounge of MIA Int Hotel
SJC - The Fairmont hotel - rooms facing south or west

[This message has been edited by JerryFF (edited 07-24-2000).]

Another spot to watch aircraft take off and land is Sunset Road in Las Vegas which parallels 7L/7R and 25L/25R.

To get there: Head south on Las Vegas Boulevard (the Strip) and turn left at Sunset Road. About 1-1/2 miles you'll see the radar tower on the right; on the opposite side is the parking area.

Most flights land on 25L and take off on 25R. There are two parallel crosswind runways, 1L/19R and 1R/19L, but there are no good spotting places nearby. Aircraft landing on 19L/19R pretty much parallel the Strip on final and cross the threshold over Tropicana Avenue.

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AlphaSigOU
Causa latet vis est notissima - the cause is hidden, the results are well-known.

DFW has an official viewing area off the depature end of Runways 17L/C/R and 35L/C/R. Prevailing winds are generally from the south, so most times you'll see departures on Runways 17L/C/R.

To get there, follow the signs on South Terminal Road just past the south rental car return area.



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AlphaSigOU
Causa latet vis est notissima - the cause is hidden, the results are well-known.