GLOBAL SPOTTING REPORTS
USA - TX and OK
Dallas Fort Worth – Feb 2016
LANDSIDE
In the north west corner is founders plaza which is a viewing area overlooking the terminals and runways on the west side.
An sbs may assist with movements on the other side. A decent scope will get whats on the terminal depending upon heat haze and the UPS ramp is next door to you. Arriving aircraft pass right in front of you allowing good photos. Unfortunately there are no food or toilet facilities here although I believe there are plans to do this according to a local enthusiast.
AIRSIDE
The Famous DFW interterminal train takes you around every terminal passing nearly every gate allowing you to read stuff with you eyes. You have to be quick if your writing everything down though. Each terminal has a couple of stations from which you can get off and log stuff from as well. Trains are every few minutes.
HOTELS
WHAT TO EXPECT
American dominate and the majority of there remaining MD80s appear to be based along with a good number of American Eagle regional jets. Which was quite strange as at one point, one of the terminals only had MD80s parked on it, much the same as my first visit 23 years before.
UPS had several arrivals during the morning with very little else except a few flights by the other mainline carriers.
Dallas Love Field – Feb 2016
LANDSIDE
The Multi storey has views of one side of the airfield. But theres not much to be seen on this side except anything using this runway and a few small hangers.
A car is needed to see the majority. Gulfstream and Bombardier both have facilities here and by exploring the roads leading into the terminal area you can get good views of the ramps.
In the South East corner is the Frontiers of Flight museum. N102SW B737 is preserved here amongst other smaller stuff. Its possible to park in the car park here which has good views of this runway as well as some of the terminal stands and views of the Bombardier complex.
Further up the road from the museum its possible to explore several hanger areas. One of the roads leads upto what appears to be a viewing area although its not signposted as such. There is a big roundabout with car parking spaces next to the perimeter fence. This allows excellent views of the terminal area and across to the far runway and other hangers. Nothing should be missed from here and it was an excellent place to watch the rush hour Biz arrive.
AIRSIDE
HOTELS
WHAT TO EXPECT
Southwest dominate with a large number of flights.
The main reason to visit though is for the Biz. Morning and Evening saw quite a few movements with aircraft appearing from various hangers. Along with the Bombardier and Gulfstream facilities you can expect to log a large number. They also provide outfitting for large corporate jets with Kuwaits new B748 present at the time and previously the Mexican B787.
Dallas Addison – Feb 2016
A large number of Biz are based. There are lots of small hangers to try and explore with some older stored aircraft dotted in and around them. Ameristar are based and may have a couple of aircraft parked. Several larger Biz, gufstreams, globals where present.
Fort Forth Alliance – Feb 2016
West of DFW and used by Fedex. Several Airbuses and a couple of ATRs noted. Presumably similar to operations at Memphis with arrivals in the morning and departures mid afternoon.
Also a facility for outfitting large corporate jets but nothing was visible. The hanger doors where open but it wasn’t possible to tell what was parked inside.
Houston Intercontinental – Feb 2016
LANDSIDE
The best place is the multi storey car park next to the United Express terminal. From here all movements on the various runways can be seen and nothing should be missed. They are used to spotters here and I’ve never had any issues spending a few hours up there.
There is a road running past cargo and some hangers which may assist in getting the Fedex and some Biz or stuff on maintenance.
AIRSIDE
Good views but given the size and extent of the terminals you are limited to what you will see. Its best to spend time on the car park
HOTELS
Many in the area but not sure if any have views. Given the number of runways in use I doubt its possible to get a view of everything and with the views available from the car park its not really necessary.
WHAT TO EXPECT
United dominate with a smattering of the rest including a few Mexican flights. United have a large number of E170s, CRJ7s and E145s based most of which can be seen in half a day. However they do gradually rotate the aircraft each day between other bases in Chicago and New York.
Houston Hobby – Feb 2017
LANDSIDE
The multi storey car park offers good views from either side. Very few stands can be seen but some of the hangers on either side can be seen and some of the Biz read off. Most movements should be seen from one side or the other depending what runways are in use.
Ideally you will take a car around the perimeter. There are several hangers on each side to be explored and most things can be seen. There are also views across to the terminal where the majority of stands can be seen and a few places to park up along the road and watch the action. There are a couple of official viewing areas or small car parks. One being near the 30L threshold and the other being adjacent to the 17 threshold, which is near the 1940’s Air terminal Museum, and probably the best place to spot from.
AIRSIDE
HOTELS
WHAT TO EXPECT
Southwest are almost exclusively the only airline here and have a large number of flights.
Most Bizjets are based out of here as opposed to the Intercontinental airport and a reasonable number should be seen although it does depend on whether hanger doors are open or not.
Houston Ellington Field - 2017
A bit further south east from Hobby airport. The airfield partially belongs to Nasa although I’m not sure if they have any aircraft left flying. None seen this time. About 50 Biz were parked up for the Superbowl but I don’t think it would have too many visitors at other times.
Houston Sugarland – 2017
About a half hour west of Hobby is a small executive airport. About 50 Biz parked up for the Superbowl but probably not too much here at other times.
San Antonio – Feb 2016
LANDSIDE
The multi storey has good views of the runways and a few of the stands. Some of the GA and hangers can be seen as well as the stored aircraft.
However several hanger complexes can’t be seen from the car park and a car is required to get everything.
AIRSIDE
HOTELS
WHAT TO EXPECT
Not much to see here airliner wise. Just a few flights by the mainline carriers. However there are several stored aircraft which I think belong to a technical college and there should be a reasonable amount of smaller Biz and GA.
San Marcos – 2010
A small airfield home to Berry Aviation. At the time there where 6 D328s and 5 metros parked up. Not sure whats there now.
Randolph AFB – Feb 2016
Its not possible to enter this AFB and there is little in the way of views from the outside. However there is a preserved B737 here – 73-1153. From the road running alongside the eastern perimeter I found a grass walkway running down the side of a house. This then opened up into a field leading upto the perimeter fence from where the B737 could be seen. Take a look at google earth for the position of the B737 in relation to the road.
Lackland AFB – Feb 2016
There is a museum here. It should be possible to visit by turning up at the gate but I didn’t try. Most if not all of the aircraft can be seen from the main road running past it. In fact you could probably just park in the visitor car park and take a walk along the perimeter. I stopped quickly and took a photo of the DC9 – 71-0878
Continue further down the main road and you get views over the military ramp which had several C5’s. Just after this was Boeings C17 production centre with 10 C17’s parked outside awaiting completion or delivery. It wasn’t ideal trying to stop alongside a main road but there was a grass verge allowing stuff to be read off.
In the north east corner of the field is an outfitting centre for large corporate jets. The hanger doors where closed on my visit with nothing parked outside.
Texas Other Airports – Feb 2016
Lubbock
N103FE B727 is in long term storage. Some GA and Fed Ex caravans may be of interest.
Amarillo
N946NA NASA Gulfstream is preserved here.
Abilene
18 American S340’s in long term storage. All easily seen in a compound at the northern end of the field. One was also parked by the hangers near the terminal complex.
Oklahoma City
Ardmore
