Recently, I've written about and introduced the basic concepts of aircraft spotting in addition to the simple and complex methods that can be used to make the hobby that much more interesting on this blog. Then came a thought in the form of two questions. Since we live in a post-9/11 world, we might ask:
1.) "Where is the best place to do aircraft spotting?" and
2.) "When is a good time to go aircraft spotting?"
It's probably useful that any amateur aircraft spotter pursuing this kind of hobby at least know some of the common sense answers to these questions in order to stay out of trouble:
1.) Where is the best place to go aircraft spotting?
In general, any decent public spot near an airport is ideal. Some major airports have official viewing spots like a nearby park or an observation deck where one can watch planes take-off and land. A notable example is Gravelly Point, a park in Washington D.C. just a couple hundred feet from Runway 1/19 of Washington National Airport. Depending on the wind direction, planes take-off/land right over one's head, making this one of few of the best spotting locations in the United States due to the unique location. Another notable example would be two specific locations around Los Angeles International Airport; the first location is in El Segundo on a spot called the "Imperial Hill" area (a.k.a Clutter's Park) where it's a prime location for viewing the south complex of the airport. The second location is right by an In-N-Out Burger in Westchester which sits under the final approach for Runways 24L and 24R, one of the few remaining spotting locations in southern California where spotters can see a variety of planes fly low from underneath the flightpath. But one of the most famous spotting locations would have to be Maho Beach on the island of St. Martin right by Princess Juliana International Airport, pretty much an aircraft spotting paradise. And of course, there are various commercial airports in Japan, most of which have outdoor observation decks on top of their terminal buildings.
For best-case scenarios, these "official" spotting locations would be ideal. But what if the airport you want to spot at does not have an official spotting location but you're gonna go spotting anyways? If you've read in one of my previous posts, you'll know I've done successful spotting at Portland International Airport (PDX). Though the airport does not have an "official" viewing park or terminal observation deck, there is still a short-term parking garage that can be accessed for an hourly fee. I figure if you paid to get in, you have every right to be there so long as you're not causing trouble. As planespotters, we do have a duty to follow a code of conduct as I have mentioned previously; we pick up after ourselves of our garbage, and if we see anything suspicious, we are obligated to report it to the proper authorities. I've even seen parents with their kids watch planes take-off and land on the top level of the short-term parking garage. Of course, we should aircraft spot when an opportunity is available and this is mainly up to the individual. And that leads me into the next question:
2.) When is a good time to go aircraft spotting?
There are various types of opportunities. And of course, there are times when you shouldn't be planespotting especially when high security levels are enforced; better to be safe than sorry on that one. A good time to go spotting is when you're waiting for someone or dropping someone off at the airport and you have a little time and drive over to the spotting location. This is a good way because it offers you time limit; you're either going until the passenger you're picking up/dropping off has arrived/departed respectively. When I'm planespotting at PDX, I'm always there because I either had to drop someone off or picking someone up. I don't go to the airport JUST to go do some planespotting.
Another opportunity to get some planespotting in is by means of an air show or some kind of public display event. Open to the public, air shows are an excellent way to go planespotting. You usually have to pay to attend these type of events but it goes to show you're a huge supporter of the aviation industry as well as the hobby itself. Air shows are a time when aircraft you don't normally see are displayed in addition to the aerobatics and stunts demonstrated; it's a chance of a lifetime to snap a photo of it, especially when the public is granted access to a military air base hosting the air show.
Whether you're planespotting at a public air show or at a commercial airport on a given day, it's just a thrill to watch planes ranging from jetliners to prop-jobs blast their way down a runway and take to the skies and even more so when you get a picture of it for your private collection. So long as one understands and demonstrate the code of conduct and some common sense, AND follow the rules (like don't take pictures when there's a sign that clearly says "don't"), we can keep pursuing the hobby. We can keep adding to our collection. And most importantly, we can do our part in contributing to safe air travel.
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