GLOBAL SPOTTING REPORTS
USA - CA and NV
Los Angeles – Feb 2016
LANDSIDE
The Observation Deck is reportedly open but only on the weekends. It has excellent views of all movements. The multi storey car parks are not high enough to see over the terminals but from the one next to the Tom Bradley terminal its possible to monitor movements on the north side and also see some departures on the south side as they climb above the terminal.
From the departures level there is a good view between terminal 1 and terminal 2, again allowing the northerly runways to be seen. There is also a further view between terminal 3 and the Tom Bradley terminal allowing some international stands to be seen, similar to the view from the car park. There are no views between the terminals on the other side though.
For other times you will either need a hotel with a view or a car to get around the perimeter.
Imperial Hill – located on the south side of the airport and has excellent views of the runways and terminals on this side. Its possible to get some stuff on the other side depending on heat haze. To get here Take Imperial Highway or I-105 west. As the highway ends its possible to turn right into the area where the Biz park. Continue down the highway for about a mile and turn left into Main Street and then left again onto Imperial Avenue. Go up the hill and you will see the viewing area.
Also on this side of the airport is the Proud Bird restaurant and museum. It is located on Aviation Blvd with good views of arrivals on these runways and has a collection of old aircraft.
On the other side of the airport there are good views from Westchester Parkway. However this is a busy road and there is nowhere to park. The best place is on Lincoln Blvd driving towards the airport. Just before Lincoln Blvd goes underneath Westchester Parkway there is a small road to the right next to the last set of apartments. You can park here and then walk up the hill onto Westchester. From here there are excellent views of the runways and terminals on this side.
Also on this side of the airport is the In and Out Burger. This is on Sepulveda Blvd located further down Westchester and has good views of arrivals to these runways.
AIRSIDE
There are nine terminals here. The terminals I’ve flown from all had windows and views of the respective runways on that side.
On the south side are terminals 4 to 8 and once airside you can walk between all of them. To get from terminals 4 to 6 there is an underground corridor located about halfway along the piers, follow signs. From terminals 6 to 8 there is a walkway along the side of the terminals with views of the stands. The end of terminal 8 has the best views although the end of each pier has windows and all movements on this side can be seen.
It should also be possible to enter the Tom Bradley terminal from terminal 4 as I did see signs. The Tom Bradley terminal has good window views and faces the cross taxiway and hanger areas. From either end of the terminal its possible to sit and watch the respective runways. A good chunk of the traffic can be seen as some of them land or depart on the opposite side to there terminals and have to use the cross taxiways.
From the northern end of the Tom Bradley terminal there is a shuttle bus which will take you to terminals 2 or 3 which Delta now use, with the same shuttle buses also operating between terminal 2 and 3. The windows are not great in these terminals so would recommend going over to the Tom Bradley terminal if you have an extended layover. If you have time its worth trying to get over to terminal 4 as you can then get views of the Biz and cargo from the terminals on the south side.
HOTELS
The Embassy Suites by Hilton is located on the same road as Imperial Hill, opposite the biz ramp. Rooms on the 5th floor have good views of this side of the airport. Several stands can be seen on various terminals, as well as some of the biz but buildings and trees get in the way. Not ideal for photos but all movements on these runways can be seen. Movements on the far side can be monitored but too far away too read stuff. These rooms are executive rooms which includes free beer and nibbles between 6 and 8pm. The view from Imperial hill is better and is about a 10 or 15 minute walk away. After Imperial hill there are some shops for snacks etc and a Subway and other stuff. The hotel gets busy and I would trying phoning the hotel the day before the try and reserve a room. I couldn’t find an email address for them.
The Radisson was ideal. It has a rooftop bar area with excellent views of all approaches and some stands including the Biz and Cargo areas. However on my last visit in 2010 they wouldn’t let me in there claiming it was only available for special functions. Whether that policy has changed now I don’t know but you used to be able to sit there all day with no hassle. The rooms all face one side or the other but the windows make it very difficult to actually read anything off. Its possible to go into the emergency exit stairwell which leads upto the rooftop. You can stand here and see everything on approach.
There are other hotels in the area but don’t know which other ones offer good views. Most rooms will only ever offer views of one side of the airport. Its very difficult to get everything here unless you are on the observation deck.
WHAT TO EXPECT
One of the few airports in the US that has a good mix of all airlines. Each major has there own terminal with regular flights including lots of based express stuff.
There are lots of international flights with regular flights by Canadian and Mexican airlines. Most European and Asian carriers also have regular flights.
The cargo and Biz areas can also be busy and interesting.
Los Angeles - Other Airports
Van Nuys
LA’s Biz airport with many based aircraft. Very easy to drive around and get most stuff. Several Gulfstreams in storage here.
Burbank
Not far from Van Nuys and not particularly busy. Mostly Southwest Airlines but Ameriflight have several aircraft based and there may be a few Biz around. Its possible to get good views by driving around.
Long Beach
Gulfstream have facilities here and there should be a few aircraft parked outside. This is also home to the C17 production line and there maybe one or two visible. Jetblue have regular flights but that’s about it for passenger stuff. There should also be some Biz around. Mcdonald Douglas production line was here and B717 N717XA remains. Its not visible from the terminal area but can be found from the perimeter roads. Take a look at google earth. The multi storey car park provides good views of most stuff and there are some views from the perimeter.
Orange County
Again not very busy on the passenger side but quite a view smaller biz and GA aircraft. Located south of Long Beach.
LA Expo Centre
Several miles away from LAX. DC8 N8066U is preserved in United Airlines cls
Ontario
To the east of the city and not particularly busy. There maybe a few interesting aircraft on biz or cargo. Worth a quick look if your on your way to other places but otherwise don’t bother. Close to Chino and San Bernardino and you can go to Victorville this way.
Chino
Very close to Ontario. B727 N196AJ was WFU here. Mostly a GA airfield but there should be a few gulfstreams stored or on maintenance.
San Bernardino
Becoming increasingly popular for stored aircraft and a few bits and pieces remain of B727’s that have been broken up here. Not far from Ontario and a small detour on the way to Victorville
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Victorville
About 100 miles from LAX, further if you go via Mojave. Hundreds of aircraft are stored here and it can take some time if you are trying to get all of them. The main road into the complex will provide you with views of the aircraft parked around the hanger areas. However to see the majority of the aircraft parked in the middle of the field you will need to drive around the other side of the airfield. Unfortunately the road ends and becomes a dirt track. However its still possible to drive down the dirt track all the way around the perimeter fence. The aircraft are all packed in close together but its possible to get most of them by driving around.
Aviation Warehouse
Not to far from vicotrville, this company provides aircraft parts to be used in films or TV. Hundreds of bits and pieces remain, mostly smaller aircraft but there are some part remaining of B737’s and DC9’s. Most of them don’t have regs but its possible to tie some stuff up from previous reports if you take photo’s of everything. Most stuff can be seen from walking around the perimeter fence. I don’t think they allow tours. If you continue west along El Mirage road there is a Cockpit section of a B727 in a yard on the right side just before the T Junction close to 240st. Reported to be N7296U.
Mojave
About 100 miles from LAX and about 60 miles to Victorville. They may still offer tours but it depended on what time you where there and who was available. The refueller drives you around quickly for about 20 minutes which is nowhere near enough time to get everything. You need to concentrate on the stuff parked in the middle of the airfield that’s difficult to get from the perimeter. They break the aircraft up here and theres a lot of bits and pieces around that can’t be seen unless you get the tour. Some things can be quite distant and heat haze can be a problem.
California City
Close to Mojave and a graveyard for Gulfstreams. 24 Present as of Feb 2016. Mostly intact but a few fuselage sections. I asked at the office and they had no problem with me walking around the aircraft taking photos.
Palmdale
NASA have a large base here and they may have a few aircraft present. Amazingly it was possibly to drive right into there car park next to the hangers. N747NA B747sp, N817NA DC8 and a gulfstream where parked up. There is a Heritage Park here with several preserved aircraft including B747 N911NA and D328 N807LM.
San Francisco – Oct 2018
LANDSIDE
There is an airtrain connecting the various terminals and car rental. Some of the platforms have good views, particularly from the United Domestic terminal stop.
If you have a car then the best place is in the area of Millbrae just to the south. There is a park area next to the bay which overlooks all the runways and some of the stands. All movements can be seen. This is also where some of the hotels are located. There is car park here which allows free parking for up to two hours or paid parking for longer.
The Biz are located on the opposite side of the airport. To get to them you have to drive past the car rental and maintenance/cargo areas which are to the north east of the airport.
AIRSIDE
The United domestic terminal had good views from the various piers. The arrival runways could be seen and there where good views across to the Biz area. Anything on the other terminals that’s already in will probably be missed as the main departure runway is out of sight. Unless you use sbs and see them climbing out in the distance.
HOTELS
Across the road from the park mentioned above in Millbrae are the Westin and Aloft hotels. Both should have good views. Also the Marriot is slightly further down the road and should have good views across the bay to the two parallel runways.
WHAT TO EXPECT
United are the main operator here. Plenty of CRJ,s and E170s based as well as many international flights to Asia. Virgin America also have a base. On the international side theres a number of European and Asian carriers.
San Francisco - Other Airports
Oakland
Across the Bay from San Francisco. Couldn’t find views of the terminal area but its possible to get whats on the cargo and the Biz ramps by driving around. Fedex have a small hub here and usually have several aircraft parked during the day.
Hayward
A small executive airport just south of Oakland
San Jose
About half an hour south of San Francisco or Oakland. Not particularly busy with airliners but there should be some Biz parked up. There are several hangers on the opposite side to the terminal and most stuff should be seen by driving around. The multi storey car park have decent views of some stands and across to the Biz on the other side of the runway.
Travis AFB - Oct 2018
Located to the North East of San Francisco en route to Sacramento by about 60 miles. The perimeter road to the south of the airfield has distant views. Take Highway 12 – Rio Visata Road and make a left onto Branscombe Road. A good pair of binoculars will be needed to read stuff. The heat haze was already ridiculous at sunrise making it difficult to get stuff. There is also a museum here which requires entrance to the base. However reports suggest the security guards are not very helpful in allowing you access claiming there will be a long wait. 12 KC10s, 8 C17s and several C5s seen.
Sacramento Int’l
Not much to be seen here. The multi storey had some views of the terminal areas but its not very busy. Several Biz where parked up.
Sacramento McClellan - Feb 2016
A military airfield with a museum. Many old military aircraft preserved along with a Fedex B727 N466FE.
Sacramento Mather - Feb 2016
Another Fedex B727 Preserved here. However its parked off airport at the Fire department just to the east of the airport on Zinfandel Drive. UPS use this airport and there were some military choppers parked up.
Las Vegas – Nov 2015
LANDSIDE
The multi storey car park at terminal 1 has excellent views. All movements can be seen and many of the bizjet ramps can be viewed. Good photos can be had with aircraft departing past the major casinos.
On the perimeter there is an excellent viewing area on East sunset road which runs parallel to the east / west runways. However most of the bizjet traffic uses the other runway so some stuff will be missed. The cargo ramp can be seen from here.
On South Las Vegas Blvd there is a Jack in the box and petrol station close to the runway 1L and 1R thresholds. Theres no problem parking up here and it has the added benefit of food and toilet facilities. When I was there all traffic departed on these runways and most biz and some of the passenger traffic landed on them. Any biz that landed on the other runways taxied close enough on there way to the ramp. Some of the arriving passenger traffic on the other runways could also be read off in the distance.
A drive around the cargo ramps will get you a lot of whats around and combined with the top of the multi storey car park you should get most of it. The 6 EG + G B737s are based here and can be seen parked up.
AIRSIDE
Depending on which gates you are flying from depends what you will see. Given the views from the car park and perimeter I would stay landside as long as possible.
A + B gates look like they would have good views of the north / south runway and biz ramps.
C Gates where Southwest park looks like it would have good views of all the runways.
D Gates have good views of the east / west runways so most stuff would be seen.
E Gates are behind the D gates so views would be limited.
HOTELS
La Quinta Inn and Suites is located close to the viewing area on East Sunset. Rooms on the third floor – 338 to 358 (even numbers) have views over runways 25 thresholds and the cargo ramp. Anything landing or departing from here can be seen. SBS would be required at night. Its possible that traffic departing from Runways 01 could be seen on climb out in the distance but I didn’t hang around to watch. Views from the perimeter are much better than standing next to the window in the room and I don’t use SBS. Rooms 356 and 358 are Kings, 346 and 348 are queens, not sure about the others.
MGM – In my opinion probably the best hotel for views. Excellent views of the north / south runways and many of the biz can be logged. Most of the traffic on the east / west runways can be logged with a good scope. Not sure on room numbers but they have plenty.
Tropicana – Recent reports suggest the windows are covered with a film making it difficult to see through. Sounds like hard work.
Hooters – Seems to be the preferred hotel for views now. It would have very similar views to the MGM but is slightly closer. However the MGM is a much nicer hotel. Reviews of Hooters didn’t exactly inspire me to stay there but it is the cheaper option.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Movements are pretty constant given its now one of the busiest airports in the world. Southwest are probably the biggest operator with a good mix of all the other major airlines. Allegiant also have a large base here. Several flights from Canada and Mexico make up the numbers with a few European flights.
Cargo is quiet with a couple of UPS and a Fedex each day.
EG + G have 6 B737s based.
Lots of Biz based along with many visitors.
NBAA – This is held here every 2 years in November. If your going to visit Las Vegas then you will want to come when this is on. Unfortunately the days are short and the temperature is fairly cold at this time of year but its worth it for the number of Biz.
The airshow is held at Henderson about 10 miles away but most of the visitors arrive into the main airport. You can expect to see hundreds of biz movements during these few days. Far more than I anticipated. Then theres all the aircraft at Henderson as part of the airshow along with more biz at North Las Vegas Airport.
Henderson – Tickets for the Airshow are very expensive at around $400. However most of the inmates can be logged from outside. The terminal has an upstairs bar / restaurant with outside balcony giving good views of some of the ramp and runway. On the other side of the airport there is a small park with footpath allowing good views of the runways and ramps from the other side.
North Las Vegas – Mostly smaller Biz and general Aviation. A drive around the perimeter will get most stuff. Some of it isn’t that easy to see and unless you keep driving all the way around the perimeter you will miss stuff. Some D228’s remain derelict here.
