17
edits
Washington Dulles International Airport: Difference between revisions
Washington Dulles International Airport (view source)
Revision as of 20:26, 3 January 2007
, 3 January 2007→Other Spotting Locations
| Line 33: | Line 33: | ||
==Other Spotting Locations== | ==Other Spotting Locations== | ||
===Purple Economy Lot=== | |||
The Purple Economy Lot offers a great vantage point directly under the approach/departure path, less than a half-mile away from the threshold of runway 19L. Parking there is $3/hr, and no more than $9/day, so if you stay more than three hours, you're almost getting free spotting. The lot tends to be sparse, so you may stick out. As long as you have an ID and are causing no trouble, you should be fine. After all, they're making money from you. | The Purple Economy Lot offers a great vantage point directly under the approach/departure path, less than a half-mile away from the threshold of runway 19L. Parking there is $3/hr, and no more than $9/day, so if you stay more than three hours, you're almost getting free spotting. The lot tends to be sparse, so you may stick out. As long as you have an ID and are causing no trouble, you should be fine. After all, they're making money from you. | ||
===Central Airport=== | |||
The Daily Garages offer a better vantage point for all three runways. Daily Garage I offers a spectacular view of the Main Terminal and Signature Flight Support. If you have a decent lens, you should be able to get decent shots, but this point is more for overviews because of the distance. Daily Garage II offers a great view of the south cargo ramp, which houses DHL and UPS. Further north is Fed-Ex. Occasionally, Piedmont-Hawthorne will put larger customers down here, such as the UAE's B747SP. You will need a decent lens to get good pictures of the north cargo ramp.<br> | The Daily Garages offer a better vantage point for all three runways. Daily Garage I offers a spectacular view of the Main Terminal and Signature Flight Support. If you have a decent lens, you should be able to get decent shots, but this point is more for overviews because of the distance. Daily Garage II offers a great view of the south cargo ramp, which houses DHL and UPS. Further north is Fed-Ex. Occasionally, Piedmont-Hawthorne will put larger customers down here, such as the UAE's B747SP. You will need a decent lens to get good pictures of the north cargo ramp.<br> | ||
Both garages are $5/hr with a max of $15/day. Again, make sure you have an ID in case you are questioned. They may ask you to leave here, though, because these lots tend to be more popular. | Both garages are $5/hr with a max of $15/day. Again, make sure you have an ID in case you are questioned. They may ask you to leave here, though, because these lots tend to be more popular. | ||
===Udvar-Hazy Center Parking Lot=== | |||
The parking lot for the Udvar-Hazy Center is considered by many to be better than the observation tower itself, especially for 1R landings. From the entrance to the parking lot, proceed past the museum and park at the far end of the lot. Other spots may have more trees to contend with. Parking is $12/day; museum admission itself is free. Restrooms and food are available in the museum. | The parking lot for the Udvar-Hazy Center is considered by many to be better than the observation tower itself, especially for 1R landings. From the entrance to the parking lot, proceed past the museum and park at the far end of the lot. Other spots may have more trees to contend with. Parking is $12/day; museum admission itself is free. Restrooms and food are available in the museum. | ||
===Westfield High School=== | |||
The school is a good distance away (3.75mi from the threshold of runway 1L and 3mi from the threshold of runway 1R), but offers a decent spot for approaches to runways 1L and 1R. As long as school is not in session, security tends to be lax or non-existant. The student lot is often used by parents to teach their children to drive, along with other activities, so your presence will go largely unnoticed.<br> | The school is a good distance away (3.75mi from the threshold of runway 1L and 3mi from the threshold of runway 1R), but offers a decent spot for approaches to runways 1L and 1R. As long as school is not in session, security tends to be lax or non-existant. The student lot is often used by parents to teach their children to drive, along with other activities, so your presence will go largely unnoticed.<br> | ||
The school is off of Route 50 on Stonecroft Blvd.<br> | The school is off of Route 50 on Stonecroft Blvd.<br> | ||
<br> | <br> | ||
==Locations to Avoid== | ==Locations to Avoid== | ||
Avoid Signature Flight Support and Piedmont-Hawthorne. Both are very strict about security and do not like anyone except customers. This includes parking or even standing in their lots. | Avoid Signature Flight Support and Piedmont-Hawthorne. Both are very strict about security and do not like anyone except customers. This includes parking or even standing in their lots. | ||