Spotters Location Critique Extras: The Critique Scale

After looking over some of my reviews of spotting locations, I realized I should probably create a "critique scale" as a guideline for my personal reviews of "spotter friendliness" of the airports I've spotted at. The scores I give as well as these general guidelines are subject to change and I'll make exceptions where noted, but here are my spotters scoring guidelines and possible reasons why I would give that score on a scale of 0 to 5:


0/5 - Don't even bother.

• You'll most likely get kicked out (possibly arrested) for "security reasons" or for something else. 
• Unless you're inside the terminal waiting for your flight (if at an airport with commercial service), you're better off being safe than sorry. 
• There are no spotter friendly locations to photograph from at all.

1/5 - The worst. 

• Not really spotter friendly at all. 
• Photos probably could be taken but most likely not a lot to make it worth while. 
• Take extra care in not attracting unwanted attention to self.
• Traffic is just next to nothing and there's nothing significant to even photograph.

2/5 - Alright. 

• Spotting can be done, but most likely not a place with active movements at all.
• Probably not recommendable since the location would most likely be difficult to stay at.
• Again if spotting, take extra care in not attracting unwanted attention to self.

3/5 - Moderate. 

• Decently spotter friendly. 
• Aircraft movements might still be limited though.
• Timing is key if you're to photograph anything decent at these kinds of airports.

4/5 - Pretty good. 

• Spotting for sure can be done. Probably has an observation deck or other great vantage points where photography is possible
• Other nearby attractions such as a museum might make the place worth going to as well.
• Spotting most likely gets bland in terms of what airliners fly at that particular location after a few visits though.

5/5 - For sure the best. You can pretty much come back here many times as your heat's content and get good results every time.

• Spotting is doable on a public observation deck/area and offers a really great, unobstructed view.
• The airport also offers a variety to see as well.
• Other attractions are nearby making the place worth a visit.

Spotters Location Critique Volume III: Eastern Idaho

Eastern Idaho is a rugged, yet beautiful place to live. It's also a great place in my opinion to fly around. It's a good place to to practice while dealing with constantly changing terrain and seasons with the Rocky Mountains. Not only that, but Eastern Idaho does have a few, but not too much interesting aviation-related things worth pursuing. After spending some time in the region, I think I've finally gotten enough information and spent enough time to thoroughly critique three Eastern Idaho airports for the sake of planespotting and aviation enthusiasm.

1. Idaho Falls Regional Airport (IDA) 2/5

There really isn't much to see at IDA but the airport does serve as a crucial destination for the region as the second or third most heavily-served airport by commercial standards after Boise. The airports in Idaho Falls and nearby Pocatello are currently the only two airports in the Eastern Idaho region served by commercial carriers. IDA see's service from Las Vegas-based LCC Allegiant Air with services to nearby focus cities like Phoenix/Mesa or Las Vegas with their MD-80 series and SkyWest Airlines based in St. George, Utah with service to Salt Lake City as Delta Connection and to Denver as United Express on CRJ regional jets. From a spotter's perspective, there really isn't much to see at IDA since you can look at Allegiant and SkyWest CRJs from better locations. However, there are one or two things worth checking out at least once at the Idaho Falls Regional Airport: There is a company located on the airport grounds known as Pacific Fighters, where they restore vintage (mostly World War II-era) aircraft for private owners and museums. Two different aircraft have been restored and currently on display by Pacific Fighters. One is an F-86L Sabre Dog (an all-weather jet interceptor variant of the famed F-86 Sabre) mounted on permanent display as the airport's official "Gate Guard." The other is a much more rare airframe to see because this is the only one of its kind left in the world. And I'm talking about the Douglas A2D Skyshark, a development spin-off of the successful A-1 Skyraider attack aircraft. The Skyshark can be usually seen just beyond some chain-link fences on the ramp where Pacific Fighters is located but it does get moved occassionally over to the general aviation ramp where the Utah Helicopter flight school is located. Currently, access to see the Skyshark is limited because no one is allowed to pass throught the gates and fences (as is the case with pretty much every airport known to man!) but Pacific Fighters does welcome anyone wanting to see the aircraft.

(See this link to see photos of the aircraft mentioned)

Overall, I give Idaho Falls Regional Airport a 2/5 for a lack of anything plus restrictions in place that make it hard to see anything. But at least there is something worth checking out at least once thanks to Pacific Fighters; they should consider opening a museum to display the planes they've restored! Idaho could use a few more aviation museums...

2. Rexburg-Madison County Airport (RXE) 3/5

While attending school at BYU-Idaho, I would know what airport an aircraft flying overhead would be be coming from or going to and that would be Rexburg-Madison County Airport, located approximately 30 miles north of Idaho Falls. The airport is nothing more than for general aviation usage. The only thing to serve RXE on a daily basis is cargo feeder service from Ameriflight, usually originating from larger airports like Boise, Salt Lake City and possibly even Idaho Falls. But Rexburg does have something worth checking out and that would be the Legacy Flight Museum. What's unique about this air museum is that all the aircraft owned and displayed are in air worthy condition. So it's no surprise if you see a SNJ-3 Texan or a P-51D Mustang flying around. The museum also hosts a bi-annual air show usually around mid-June. During the other years in lieu of the air show, the Legacy Flight Museum hosts an open house known as 'Airport Appreciation Day' for the public, serving a free breakfast and offering an opportunity to see the aircraft; in addition to that, the museum owners and operators take use this open house as an opportunity to take people flying so the planes fly regardless. The Legacy Flight Museum's most notable aircraft is aviation legend Bob Hoover's former P-51D Mustang all painted in yellow nicknamed 'Ole Yeller'; this aircraft is a piece of history not only because it's a premier American fighter aircraft of World War II, but because Bob Hoover used this P-51 as the pace plane for the Unlimited Class at the Reno Air Races many years ago along with the famous radio call coined by him, "Gentlemen, you have a race." The P-51 was painted yellow for the sake of high visibility.

Overall, I give Rexburg-Madison County Airport a solid 3/5. Traffic-wise, there really isn't much to see and it's not worth spending a lot of time there. But if you're there at the right time for the air show or the open house (depending on what year it is), you're bound to catch the featured stars of the airport based there. Solid 3/5 because of the Legacy Flight Museum and what any visitor can catch a glimpse of there. I wouldn't recommend planespotting a whole lot but I would definitely recommend a visit to the Legacy Flight Museum.

3.) Stanford Field (U12) 2/5

Also known as the St. Anthony Municipal Airport. It is located further north from Idaho Falls; approximately 45 miles from IDA and just 15 miles north of Rexburg. Like many small airports scattered across the United States, the purpose of U12 is to provide convenience to the general aviation pilots by having a nearby airport for them to base their aircraft, to have places to fuel up aircraft, as well as to relieve larger airports with commercial service of traffic congestion. One of my uncles keeps his Mooney M20 at this airport, along with his flying partners who all base several of their private aircraft here at U12 so I have a connection to allow access to the airport grounds. But there really isn't much to see here in the first place and I usually take photos here whenever I go out flying with my uncle so I am somewhat biased with this particular airport. But on one end of the runway, the main road going to the airport runs right next to it so it's possible to photograph departing aircraft or arriving aircraft. Again, there's just not that much to see and it's probably not worth the time to planespot at U12.

Overall, I will give Stanford Field a 2/5 for ease of accessibility and a decent vantage point to see any (if there is any) aircraft. But the lack of activity and traffic might not be worth the time.

Spotters Location Critique Volume II: Oregon

Yes, you can do aircraft spotting in Oregon! Just keep it to a seasonal basis and make sure you don't ruin your camera when the rain starts falling! My dad was on a flight to Portland from Reno on Southwest Airlines one time; he reported the flight being less than half full. He was flying back after attending the Reno Air Races. And usually around the time when the air races happen, airline staff ask passengers if they're willing to give up their seats because flights get overbooked often. When this happens, passengers who volunteer to give up their seats usually get compensated with things such as free tickets for future travel or hotel accommodations if there are no more flights for the intended destination. My dad being the opportunist, hoped that would be the case but it wasn't and he had a theory why; a good percentage of those who attend the Reno Air Races are fellow aviation enthusiasts and general aviation pilots. The event occurs in September and in Oregon, it rains A LOT during the fall and winter months. And WHO would would want to fly in crappy conditions anyway? So usually no general aviation pilot would wanna fly in such poor weather Oregon is occasionally known for. So the theory is these type of attendees don't even live in Oregon (and for good reason) and that's why flights even on Southwest Airlines between Portland and Reno are half empty when other flights are overbooked for just one weekend in September.

Needless to say, I have done pretty much half my spotting since officially starting here in Oregon. But with the weather, Oregon does get to become Boregon every once in a while. I would like to pick apart three different airports here around the Willamette Valley:

1.) Portland International Airport (PDX) 4/5

Serving as a hub for Alaska Airlines, its sister carrier Horizon Air, as well as the small commuter SeaPort Airlines, Portland International Airport is the largest airport in the state of Oregon. Various U.S. carriers offer direct connections to other major hubs in the country as well as Canada, Japan, and the Netherlands. PDX is also a joint civil-military airport so the Oregon Air National Guard is present with the 142nd Fighter Wing's F-15 Eagle. The first time I spotted at PDX was when it was by a chain link fence next to the business aviation terminal. Didn't get the greatest results but I kept trying; otherwise I wouldn't have spotted here five times until present day. Second all the way to my fifth time was done on the top level of the short-term parking garage (which is $3.00 an hour) and let me tell you the view was great. You can see the entire length of Runway 10L/28R and a portion of 10R/28L despite the rest of it being obstructed by the main terminal building; at least one can get a good view of the Horizon Air ramp. Despite a good view and a decent place to do some spotting, I give PDX a 4/5 because the spotting gets bland. The majority of the air traffic are U.S. carriers with the only non-U.S. airline to serve PDX at present is Air Canada. There was a time however when a couple other international carriers flew to PDX on their routes; German carrier Lufthansa offered daily flights to Frankfurt for six years before the route was indefinitely suspended due to a lack of profitability. Then there was Mexicana Airlines with services to Guadalajara and Mexico City for five years until high fuel prices and changes in demand ended it in 2008. But if you the spotter are a fan of the Bombardier Dash 8, welcome to the "Dash 8 Mecca" of the west coast! And if you're lucky, you might catch the occasional "delivery flights" of new and used aircraft of foreign carriers as well as other "out of the ordinary" traffic come through PDX. Since there's no state sales tax in Oregon, aircraft companies such as Seattle-based Boeing can conduct "tax free sales" of aircraft when changing ownership. Boeing also has a paint facility at PDX for their aircraft prior to delivery.

Overall, I give PDX a 4/5 for a not-too-shabby place to go spotting but the airport sure could use a little more variety and a little more frequency. But I'll come back here because it's the major airport I usually frequent and if your timing is good, it'll be worth spotting here.

2.) McNary Field (SLE) 3/5

Located in Oregon's State Capital, Salem's McNary Field serves as a general aviation airport, an Army Aviation Support Facility for the Oregon Army National Guard, as well as home base of the Oregon Department of Aviation. The airport currently offers no commercial air service but has a history of airlines serving at some point in the past. Regional carrier Horizon Air offered commuter service to Portland and Seattle in the 1980s. United Airlines served SLE with Boeing 737 services to San Fransisco until 1993. The most recent services SLE had until recently was by Delta Airline's Delta Connection operated by SkyWest with flights to Salt Lake City from summer of 2007 until fall of 2008, and then again from April to July 2011 when commuter SeaPort Airlines started Salem-Portland-Seattle routes. Delta suspended the service and disappointed many nearby residents due to rising fuel prices despite the fact flights were up to 80% full. The airline released a statement that in order to make a profit from the route, flights needed to be 85% full. Local experts countered by stating that the only reason why Delta/SkyWest never got to that 85% capacity is due to the airlines' failure to compete more fiercely with the nearby Portland market. SeaPort Airlines tiny fleet consists of general aviation-sized aircraft (the Pilatus PC-12 and the Cessna 208 Caravan) capable of carrying at least nine passengers. The service ended after a little over four months due to fuel costs and the lack of ridership, which is just sad for aircraft that only seats nine. Other reasons were also cited such as lack of advertisement among other things.

Despite SLE coming up short on airline service, I give the airport a 3/5 for an okay view and the events that it may host. There's a restaurant located on the general aviation side called Flight Deck Restaurant & Lounge which offers views of the ramp and the entire length of the runway so anyone dining in can catch planes coming in and out, but air traffic at SLE can be next to nothing. The restaurant also hosts a static display/car show event called Hot August Flights which is held for one day when else? In August! It's usually a small fly-in event but it's an opportunity to go on rides and check out the things that are on display. Another event that usually occurs annually would be the Wings of Freedom Tour conducted by the Collings Foundation where they bring in World War II-era aircraft (usually a B-17 at least) and take people up for rides and put the aircraft on display for one weekend out of the year (usually in the summer). Overall, Salem is not the best but if you're there at the right time, you might be able to catch a few events held at the airport.

3.) Albany Municipal Airport (S12) 2/5

My uncle keeps his Cessna 172 in a hangar at this airport. Albany Municipal Airport is the oldest known operating airfield in Oregon (the airport opened in 1920). Because of this history, Albany Municipal Airport became the first airport in Oregon to be listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1998 as the Albany Municipal Airport Historic District. It also serves as the location for the aeronautics portion of the annual Northwest Art and Air Festival. Not much to really be seen at this airport since there's only an average of 68 aircraft operations a day. But spotting is possible if you have the right connections and timing. Plus, if you're a fan of light-sport aircraft and kit aircraft, there are plenty to be seen and kept in hangars at this airport. In fact, in a hangar across from my uncle's Cessna is a man restoring an ERCO Ercoupe. So unless you're really interested in light-sport or kit aircraft or that annual festival, I don't really recommend spending time spotting not just in Albany but any other small general aviation airport that only sees an average of under 100 aircraft operations. Remember, these airports only exist in order to accommodate private pilots and their personal aircraft.

Without being biased, I give Albany Municipal a 2/5 for it's history, events, and the slight uniqueness in terms of what aircraft are seen here.

Spotters Location Critique Volume I: Japan

Believe it or not, it is very encouraging for an aircraft spotter/photographer to be doing this sort of hobby in Japan. Most commercial airports in Japan have an official 'observation deck' open to the public (and usually located pre-security). I remember while living in Japan as a kid, my dad took me to the Tokyo Haneda Airports observation deck to watch airplanes and even have lunch at the ramen shops right there on the deck. During my most recent visit to Japan, I got to do aircraft spotting at four different airports. And here, I talk about and rate (on a scale of 1 to 5) each location:

1.) Toyama Airport (TOY) 3/5

One of four airports located in the Hokuriku region, Toyama Airport has an observation deck making it real easy to do some spotting. The downside is the amount of air traffic is next to nothing. The airport exists mainly due to the distance from major cities in Japan such as Tokyo or Nagoya so domestic flights to Tokyo and Sapporo are available. Given the size of the city this airport is located at, I suppose it's a decent location if one was hoping to spot airlines that serve mainland Asia... Actually, I went in the hopes of spotting a Vladivostok Air Yakovlev Yak-40, which is to me a rare aircraft and not many are flying these days. In fact, Vladivostok Air are in the process of replacing them which is of great significance due to the fact the Yak-40 is the world's first regional jet transport aircraft. When I went, I didn't see one as it turns out it was a seasonal service at the time. The Toyama-Vladivostok service was terminated not too long afterwards.

I give the location a 3/5 for the spotter-friendly observation deck and lack of traffic. Overall, Toyama Airport is decent for a spotter but there are better places.

2.) Komatsu Airport (KMQ) 4/5

The largest airport in the Hokuriku region would be in the city of Komatsu serving much of Ishikawa Prefecture as well as parts of Fukui Prefecture. Komatsu Airport is a joint civil/military airport so the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force has a presence there. Like Toyama, Komatsu Airport has an observation deck suitable for aircraft spotting and only exists to connect travellers to major Japanese cities. However unlike Toyama, Komatsu offers more destinations in the domestic market in addition to the international flights. Although not much better than Toyama in terms of air traffic, the area around Komatsu Airport has a bit to offer to enthusiasts. Across the street is the Ishikawa Aviation Plaza, a small air museum containing small static displays of retired aircraft that played a role in Japanese aviation, photographs taken and donated by past spotters, simulators and glass cases full of model aircraft displays. Also every September, the Air Self-Defense Force hosts the Kōkū-sai Air Festival where demo flights and acrobatics of Blue Impulse are displayed. However, cancellations of such events can occur as was the case for the 2011 Kōkū-sai; a Japanese-built F-15 was involved in an incident when the external fuel drop tank suddenly separated from the aircraft, causing the 6th Air Wing based at Komatsu to make the investigation to the incident priority over the scheduled airshow. Despite those factors, at least Komatsu is just as decent and spotter-friendly with a few extra accomodations.

I give Komatsu Airport a 4/5 for the spotter-friendly observation deck, slightly better variation but a lack of frequent air traffic, and for having an aviation museum nearby.

3.) Nagoya Airfield (NKM) 2/5

Currently the 'Secondary Hub' for the Shizuoka based Fuji Dream Airlines, Nagoya Airfield served as the primary airport for the city of Nagoya until Chūbu Centrair International Airport opened in February 2005. Like Komatsu, the airport is jointly operated with the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force. Despite the Air Self-Defense Force base having unique aircraft such as blue colored C-130s and the Boeing KC-767 stationed there, Nagoya Airfield is less than ideal for spotters. Back when it was serving as Nagoya's primary airport, the terminal did have an observation deck according to spotters who have previously spotted at the location a few years prior to the opening of Centrair. But the observation deck seems like it was no more some time around when air traffic transferred to Centrair. The best place I could come up with when I went was a parking lot for the nearby movie theater and shopping complex adjacent to the general aviation parking along some chain link fences. But, given the fact one can see unique and rare aircraft such as the KC-767 here as well as Fuji Dream's tiny fleet of E-Jets bearing their simple yet varying color schemes, the location is as good as it gets. And given that Fuji Dream serves only a few destinations with a tiny fleet to begin with, one can't afford to be picky when spotting these cute little planes and their one-of-a-kind paint jobs. But if you aren't picky about what you're spotting in Nagoya, then doing so in Centrair is a lot more recommendable. Centrair has an observation deck as well as the 4th Floor Sky Town Shopping Center open to the general public.

I give Nagoya Airfield a 2/5 for unique traffic spotted at the airport despite a lack of frequency and for being a little less spotter-friendly.

4.) Narita International Airport (NRT) 5/5

Handling the majority of international flights in and out of Japan, Narita International Airport is the second-busiest commercial airport in the island nation. Opened on May 20, 1978, Narita was constructed in order to relieve Tokyo's Haneda Airport, which was becoming overcrowded by the early 1960s. Despite the reasonable intention and purpose of the airport, the building of Narita was met by fierce protests from much of the nearby residents, tainting the major airport with a history of violence and a small number of fatalities. These conflicts led to making Narita among one of the most secure passenger airports in the world despite the history of protests and violence not much of an issue present day. Despite that though, Narita Airport has an observation deck surprisingly. Although the last time I was travelling through Narita I didn't get too much of a chance to go spotting, the observation deck is there and it's a really good location. One of the current issues that plague the busy airport is the arguements among so many airlines that want to use Narita. The "issue" at hand offers spotters a variety to see at Narita since so many airliners from around the world serve the airport. It's probably safe to say that a spotter can spot different things each day if one were to go spotting at Narita every day for a week. The only downside to spotting at Narita would be the price tag; because of the competitive arguments at the airport, Japanese aviation authorities have put strict limits on the number of flights each airline can operate from the airport. That has made the airport expensive for both the airlines and the passengers they fly. So if you're planning a vacation to Japan, arriving via Narita International Airport with some spotting time set aside, you better be ready to pay a little extra for using the airport! 

But overall, 5/5 for having spotter-friendly locations, great choices of restaurants, constant air traffic flow and varying airliners to spot. I will definitely be spotting again at Narita next time I have the chance.