SpottersWiki - User contributions [en]

Dallas Love Field Airport

2010-09-28T02:05:34Z

Zatexdp: /* Parking Garage */

{{categorybox|North America|United States|Texas}}

{{infobox|fullname=Dallas Love Field Airport|
location=Dallas, Texas|
iata=DAL|
icao=KDAL|
aptype=Commercial|
website=http://www.dallas-lovefield.com|
mapurl=http://maps.google.com/maps?q=DAL&spn=0.061173,0.118721&t=h&hl=en|
mapsource=Google Maps|
atctower=123.7|
atcground=121.75|
atcclearance=127.9|
atcapproach=124.3 (North Arrivals) 125.2 (South Arrivals)|
atcdeparture=118.55 125.125|
atcatis=120.15|
atcunicom=122.95}}



==Official Spotting Locations==

===Bachman Lake Park===

The best location at Dallas Love Field is from the park along Bachman Lake, which runs along the North edge of the airport property. DAL has 2 parallel runways: 13L/31R and 13R/31L. The wind normally blows from the South at DAL. Southwest Airlines' aircraft typically land on and depart from 13R with wind from the South. Alerican Eagle and Continental Express usually land on the opposite side, 13L. Either side of the lake is good for spotting, however the Shorecrest Drive side gives you a truly close experience, much like Maho Beach at St Maarten (SXM/TNCM). At the park there are several locations where you can spot from, as this is a public park area. Sunlight will not be a factor, because you can simply move to where the light is best.

==Other Spotting Locations==

===Parking Garage===

Other spotters have had great success at the Love Field parking garage. It is located within walking distance of the passenger terminal. It affords a close mid-runway view of 13R/31L, so you will see mostly Southwest Airlines' operations. I have never been there myself so I do not know how friendly police and security are to spotters.

You must shoot here only in the morning, because afternoon sun will be in your face.

I have had a lot of success shooting from from Parking Garage "B". I head to the top floor if the weather is good or the next to top floor if not. You can get stunning views of takeoffs and taxiing. Here's an example:

{{anetlink|1124454}}

===East Side Circle===

Another AM shooting location is just off Lemmon Avenue on George Coker Circle near Landmark Aviation / Associated Air Center. This spot faces the runway 13 near the approach end. The fence is very tall but with careful placement one can shoot through the chain link with limited success. It is a good place to park right at the fence with no hassles.

Example:
[http://www.airport-data.com/images/aircraft/small/523/523465.jpg]

===Frontiers of Flight Museum===

This is another AM location on the approach end of Runway 31. The fence is also high but it is another hassle free spot to watch.

Example:
[http://www.airport-data.com/images/aircraft/small/169/169230.jpg]

==Locations to Avoid==

I have spent dozens of hours in the parking garage "B" shooting and never, not once, been approached by law officers.

==Regular Traffic==

==Facilities and Transportation==

Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport

2010-09-28T01:39:01Z

Zatexdp: /* Regular Traffic */

{{categorybox|North America|United States|Texas}}

{{infobox|fullname=Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport|
location=DFW Airport, Texas|
iata=DFW|
icao=KDFW|
aptype=Commercial|
website=http://www.dfwairport.com|
mapurl=http://maps.google.com/maps?q=DFW&t=h&hl=en|
mapsource=Google Maps|
atctower=124.15(West) 126.55(East) 127.5(East backup) 134.9(West)|
atcground=121.65(East) 121.8(East backup) 121.85(West)|
atcclearance=128.25|
atcapproach=119.875(West Arrivals) 125.025(East Arrivals) 133.525(East Arrivals) 133.625(West Arrivals)|
atcdeparture=118.55(East Departures) 124.825(North Departures) 125.125(South Departures) 126.475(West Departures)|
atcatis=123.775 (Arrival ATIS) 135.925 (Departure ATIS)|
atcunicom=122.95}}



==Official Spotting Locations==
===Founder's Plaza===

''"Over the years, Founders' Plaza has become a favorite spot for families, aviation enthusiasts and Airport employees. The Observation Area offers magnificent views of many types of aircraft as they take off and land. In addition, the plaza provides convenient parking, picnic tables, telescopes, historic information, a commemorative monument and a radio that broadcasts air traffic control communications from the FAA tower."''

The original Founder's Plaza adjacent to runway 35C has been closed. As of September of 2008, a new Founder's Plaza has been erected, which sits on the northwest side of the airport. Lots of good action can be seen here, of course, more AA/Eagle than you'd ever think is possible, but also this is where most of the international cargo and airline heavies arrive. Best in the afternoon/late evening.

Directions:

Exit at Highway 114 on to Texan Trail and head south towards the
Airport. Founders’ Plaza is at Texan Trail and N. Airfield Drive.

==Other Spotting Locations==

===American Eagle Hangar Parking Lot===

It's a view of 18 R and L, closer to 18R which is the arrivals runway. You are west of the runway so afternoon light is best.

On the west side of the airport, taking Airfield Drive, you can turn onto the road that is opposite the Verizon area, where you turn onto a road that leads to the American and American Eagle hangar and an ATC control tower. If you follow the road all the way, veering left at the turn, you get into a parking lot in the American Eagle Hangar. There's no security check going here. I've heard that police are kind of rough, however, so stay in your car off and on. There's a big fence that is too tall to get over, so you have to shoot between the metal in the fence.

===Skylink Train===

The Skylink train, which is inside security, makes a full loop 50' above the ramp. This train has great views, and if you have about 15 minutes, it's well worth the ride to see all the terminals at DFW.

===The Club at DFW===

If you like the view from the train, you can get off at Terminal D and go to "The Club at DFW." This is a lounge run by Priority Pass, but they have a "pay per visit" fee and there's a coupon in "DFW People" magazine for like $25 per access. This magazine is located throughout the airport and in the parking ares too. The club has a view of gates D20-D30, including lots of AA heavies, and it facing runways 18R and 18L with a view of the cargo area and AA hangar areas too. It's a great view if you have money to burn! They have snacks and drinks for the thirsty spotter.

===Airport Westin===

Outside the airport is the Airport Westin on Highway 114. It is on short final to runway 17L and has a swimming pool area on top of the hotel. It has a great view. The area you are looking at from there incidentally is the area that the Delta L1011 crashed.

==Locations to Avoid==

===Location===

==Regular Traffic==

DFW is served by all American Airlines aircraft types except the A300 and all American Eagle types. International heavies are British Airways 777-200 GE90 (1 daily), Lufthansa A340(1 daily), Korean 777 (3 x week), North American and Omni Air International 767s for troop transports. Aeromexico 737-700s for charters. Lots of cargo, including a UPS hub that has 727s all the way up to 747s, including lots of equipment types. Lots of Asian cargo including Cathay Pacific, China Eastern, Air China, China Airlines, EVA, and Korean Air Cargo. Also you can see Air France 747s, Southern Air 747s, Kitty Hawk.

Other airlines served:
*United narrowbodies up to 757
*United Express Embraer 170s
*Pinnacle CRJs
*USAirways 737s and A320s
*USAirways Express on Mesa CRJ900 and Republic Embraer 170s
*Mesa Beech 1900Ds
*Midwest 717s
*Continental 737s
*Continental Express ERJs
*Delta 737-300 through 767-300, DC9 and A320s
*Delta Connection all types up through Shuttle America EMB170s

==Facilities and Transportation==
To get to any spotting locations you'll have to drive. Cabs are available but the minimum charge for a cab is $12. I've rented a car for as cheap as $16, so it's worth it to get a deal on a rental.

==External Links==
*[http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=107949255388270936306.00045148dd40019930e38&t=h&z=13 Google Map with spotting locations]
*[http://www.dfwtower.com/ DFW Tower.com] - Flight info, weather, photos, forums, and much more for DFW

Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport

2010-09-28T01:16:42Z

Zatexdp: /* Regular Traffic */

{{categorybox|North America|United States|Texas}}

{{infobox|fullname=Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport|
location=DFW Airport, Texas|
iata=DFW|
icao=KDFW|
aptype=Commercial|
website=http://www.dfwairport.com|
mapurl=http://maps.google.com/maps?q=DFW&t=h&hl=en|
mapsource=Google Maps|
atctower=124.15(West) 126.55(East) 127.5(East backup) 134.9(West)|
atcground=121.65(East) 121.8(East backup) 121.85(West)|
atcclearance=128.25|
atcapproach=119.875(West Arrivals) 125.025(East Arrivals) 133.525(East Arrivals) 133.625(West Arrivals)|
atcdeparture=118.55(East Departures) 124.825(North Departures) 125.125(South Departures) 126.475(West Departures)|
atcatis=123.775 (Arrival ATIS) 135.925 (Departure ATIS)|
atcunicom=122.95}}



==Official Spotting Locations==
===Founder's Plaza===

''"Over the years, Founders' Plaza has become a favorite spot for families, aviation enthusiasts and Airport employees. The Observation Area offers magnificent views of many types of aircraft as they take off and land. In addition, the plaza provides convenient parking, picnic tables, telescopes, historic information, a commemorative monument and a radio that broadcasts air traffic control communications from the FAA tower."''

The original Founder's Plaza adjacent to runway 35C has been closed. As of September of 2008, a new Founder's Plaza has been erected, which sits on the northwest side of the airport. Lots of good action can be seen here, of course, more AA/Eagle than you'd ever think is possible, but also this is where most of the international cargo and airline heavies arrive. Best in the afternoon/late evening.

Directions:

Exit at Highway 114 on to Texan Trail and head south towards the
Airport. Founders’ Plaza is at Texan Trail and N. Airfield Drive.

==Other Spotting Locations==

===American Eagle Hangar Parking Lot===

It's a view of 18 R and L, closer to 18R which is the arrivals runway. You are west of the runway so afternoon light is best.

On the west side of the airport, taking Airfield Drive, you can turn onto the road that is opposite the Verizon area, where you turn onto a road that leads to the American and American Eagle hangar and an ATC control tower. If you follow the road all the way, veering left at the turn, you get into a parking lot in the American Eagle Hangar. There's no security check going here. I've heard that police are kind of rough, however, so stay in your car off and on. There's a big fence that is too tall to get over, so you have to shoot between the metal in the fence.

===Skylink Train===

The Skylink train, which is inside security, makes a full loop 50' above the ramp. This train has great views, and if you have about 15 minutes, it's well worth the ride to see all the terminals at DFW.

===The Club at DFW===

If you like the view from the train, you can get off at Terminal D and go to "The Club at DFW." This is a lounge run by Priority Pass, but they have a "pay per visit" fee and there's a coupon in "DFW People" magazine for like $25 per access. This magazine is located throughout the airport and in the parking ares too. The club has a view of gates D20-D30, including lots of AA heavies, and it facing runways 18R and 18L with a view of the cargo area and AA hangar areas too. It's a great view if you have money to burn! They have snacks and drinks for the thirsty spotter.

===Airport Westin===

Outside the airport is the Airport Westin on Highway 114. It is on short final to runway 17L and has a swimming pool area on top of the hotel. It has a great view. The area you are looking at from there incidentally is the area that the Delta L1011 crashed.

==Locations to Avoid==

===Location===

==Regular Traffic==

DFW is served by all American Airlines aircraft types except the A300 and all American Eagle types. International heavies are British Airways 777-200 GE90 (1 daily), Lufthansa A340(1 daily), Korean 777 (3 x week), North American 767s for troop transports. Aeromexico 737-700s for charters. Lots of cargo, including a UPS hub that has 727s all the way up to 747s, including lots of equipment types. Lots of Asian cargo including Cathay Pacific, China Eastern, Air China, China Airlines, EVA, and Korean Air Cargo. Also you can see Air France 747s, Southern Air 747s, Kitty Hawk.

Other airlines served:
*United narrowbodies up to 757
*United Express Embraer 170s
*Pinnacle CRJs
*USAirways 737s and A320s
*USAirways Express on Mesa CRJ900 and Republic Embraer 170s
*Mesa Beech 1900Ds
*Midwest 717s
*Continental 737s
*Continental Express ERJs
*Delta 737-300 through 767-300, DC9 and A320s
*Delta Connection all types up through Shuttle America EMB170s

==Facilities and Transportation==
To get to any spotting locations you'll have to drive. Cabs are available but the minimum charge for a cab is $12. I've rented a car for as cheap as $16, so it's worth it to get a deal on a rental.

==External Links==
*[http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=107949255388270936306.00045148dd40019930e38&t=h&z=13 Google Map with spotting locations]
*[http://www.dfwtower.com/ DFW Tower.com] - Flight info, weather, photos, forums, and much more for DFW