Chicago O'Hare International Airport
| Continent: North America | Country: United States | Region: Illinois |
| Chicago O'Hare International Airport | |
| Location | Chicago, Illinois |
| IATA code | ORD |
| ICAO code | KORD |
| Airport type | Commercial |
| Website | http://www.flychicago.com/ohare/home.asp |
| Overview map | Google Maps |
| Communications | |
| Tower | 120.75(south) 126.9(north) 127.925 132.7 |
| Ground | 121.675 121.75(outbound) 121.9(inbound) |
| Clearance | 119.25 121.6 |
| Approach | 119.0 128.45 121.15 124.35 125.7 |
| Departure | 125.0 125.4 127.4 |
| ATIS | 135.4 |
| Departure | 122.95 |
Official Spotting Locations
There no official spotting locations. All non-official spotting locations are checked by airport security, Aviation Police or Police patrols.
Other Spotting Locations
USG Parking Area
Main spotting location is located near USG Corp. parking area at Scott Ave close to Mannheim Rd (US12/US45) and Lawrence Ave intersection. There is nice view of south side part of airport and full view of 28, 27L ,27R and 22L glidepath. Also thru fences, Delta, Mike and Quebec taxiways are visible when aircraft taxiing to Rwy. 22L for departure. To take a photo at 28, 80mm and up lenses are OK. Close to service gate at the end of Scott Ave even 17-20mm lenses are OK when A340 or B747 is approaching. Good spotting place all day when wind is from the west, southwest or northwest. Parking lot is in Schiller Park, but Scott Ave is in Chicago as is Mannheim Rd in the airport area.
Also you can take some shots from Hwy I-294 heading southbound directly under glidepath to Rwy 28 at your own risk (as we know 2 hrs standing limit)
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Balmoral Avenue
When driving by Mannheim Rd north take exit to Balmoral Ave east. Pass first stop sign and bridge over railroad, turn right twice and park at Metra Station parking lot. You may need to buy a ticket at pay station (sometimes Metra people or Rosemont police can check tickets) and go on the bridge. Nice view from the bridge, and when camera has min. 200mm lens good place to take a picture of taxiing aircraft to/from Rwy 22L, approaching aircraft to Rwy 28 (summertime early morning).
- JetPhotos.net sample photo: large
- JetPhotos.net sample photo: large
Cell Phone Lot
Off of Mannheim Road south of Higgins/Touhy is the Airport's "Cell Phone Lot. You may park in this lot for free as long as you do not leave your vehicle unattended. There is an electronic arrivals board as well as an outhouse for emergency relief. Gives a nice view of approaches to 27R and 27L or departures from 9L and 9R.
Allstate Arena
The next good location is Allstate Arena area located at Mannheim Rd(US-12/US-45) between Higgins Rd (IL-72) and Touhy Ave. Full view of Rwy 22R all day (different places depend on where the sun is). From 9-10 am in the morning till 2-3pm a good place is the small parking lot opposite car wash just across Mannheim Rd.
In the summer, Sundays on the south side of Allstate Arena building is a flea market. You can walk between sellers, look for some good views and take shots. In wintertime, access to the parking is closed.
- JetPhotos.net sample photo: large
In afternoons, a good place is a huge parking lot between Target store and Touhy Ave (closer to Touhy).
In late afternoons a good place is the back of the Allstate Arena parking lot close to Hwy I-90
- JetPhotos.net sample photo: large
Also in this area you can find a spot to see arrivals at new Rwy 27R.
Westside of the airport
At the west end of airport is York Rd/Elmhurst Rd and along that street is a lot of places where one can take shots. First of all is a Thorntons gas station area and there is a good place to take a shot of aircraft climbing out from Rwy 32L and approaching Rwy 14R, mainly in the afternoon, but in the next two years this runway will be closed.
Early morning at sunrise you can stop at a small construction area with separated parking (with an orange fence around) north of Devon Ave heading north at east side. Approaching aircraft to Rwy 14R are clearly visible.
Departure 32L
Arrival 14R
Arrivals/departures at Rwy 14L/32R Drive east on Touhy/Higgins, after crossing the railroad turn right at Mt Prospect Road towards employees airport gate. After 50-100 feet turn right on a small circle. A good place to take some shots , but sometimes Aviation Police can be there. This Rwy also will be closed in about two three years.
The best way to get around is a car. Without a car you can get one maybe two places but you'll never know the wind direction even if you check METAR.
Interesting place is an area near Rwy 10. Construction has created two hills between York Rd and the airport south of Rwy 10 glidepath. Access is easy - just past the railroad climb on chosen hill (one is closer to the glidepath and one is more south). There is no fence separating the airport from the hills. The whole airport is visible. On summertime afternoons a good place is an abandoned fast food restaurant near Foster Ave.
Rwy 10 arrivals and 28 departures are visible from both locations.
Irving Park Road
Irving Park Road (IL19) is the road at south side of the airport. You can stay there for a little while but not long because of the police. It's a good place to take a shot when arrivals 4R, or 22L take offs. But don't stay for long. There is a point you can take a shot of landing aircraft without any obstructing objects because the fence is below road and runway. But the best place to take a shot of arriving aircraft at 4R is a local road close to trailers' parking. Driving west by Irving Pk take at lights (close to 4R apron) left and behind curve left once again. Stop at curb. Arrivals at 4R and 22L departures are clearly visible.
Locations to Avoid
Cargo South
Avoid to take a shots at South Cargo Area. A lot of Aviation Police and sometimes you can meet a FBI patrol.
West end
At west end do not look for the quiet place between manufacturers' shops. Also try to not block the traffic at all streets around airport.
Higgins/Mannheim
Do not try to search the place for spotting close to General Aviation ramp near Cargo North. Also bad place is the 3 floor parking behind to office buildings located at Higgins Rd at rwy 22R approaching lights.