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) 128.15(far north) 127.925 132.7 |
| Ground | 121.675(metering) 121.75(outbound) 121.9(inbound) 124.125 |
| Clearance | 119.25 121.6 |
| Approach | 119.0 128.45 121.15 124.35 125.7 133.625 |
| Departure | 125.0 125.4 126.625 |
| 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
The main spotting location is located at the USG Corporation on Scott St. which is close to the intersection of Mannheim Rd (US12/US45) and Lawrence Ave. You can park in their parking lot if it is the weekend but when the building is open you should park on the street. From here there is nice view of the south part of the airport and a full view of runways 28, 27L ,27R and 22L glidepaths. Also thru fences, taxiways Delta, Mike and Quebec are visible when aircraft are taxiing to Rwy. 22L for departure. To take photos of runway 28 operations, 80mm and larger lenses will work OK. This is a good spotting place all day when wind is coming from the west, southwest or northwest. The parking lot is in Schiller Park, but Scott Street is in Chicago as is Mannheim Rd which are both considered in the airport area. DO NOT continue far north on Scott Street past the red warning signs, or the aviation police will come and could confiscate your photo equipment or you could even be arrested for trespassing on airport property.
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)
- JetPhotos.net sample photo: large
Balmoral Avenue
When driving on north on Mannheim Rd take the exit to Balmoral Ave east. Pass the first stop sign and bridge over railroad, turn right twice and park at the Rosemont Metra Station parking lot. You may need to buy a ticket at pay station (sometimes Metra people or Rosemont police can check tickets, except on weekends, when the train is not operating) and go on the bridge. There is a nice view from the bridge, however you will need a camera that has a min. of a 300mm lens to get any decent photos. This is a great place to take pictures of taxiing aircraft to/from Rwy 22L or aircraft approaching 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
Beeline Road
Runway 10 operations can be seen from Beeline road in Bensonville. You can park on the side of the road and watch with no problems. This location is likely the closest you can get to landing planes as they come only a few hundred feet directly above the road. However photography isn't the best here as you can only get direct head on shots of the planes. When aircraft pass over you can only see the bottom. Here is a head on sample from that location. [1]
14R/32L Spotting
On the west side of the airport is York Rd/Elmhurst Rd which has several places where one can take photos. First is the Thorntons gas station area which is a good place to take shots of aircraft climbing out from Rwy 32L and approaching Rwy 14R, mainly in the afternoon. Likely in the next year this runway will be demolished.
Early mornings 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.
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 the South Cargo Area. Aviation and Chicago Police frequent the area and sometimes you can meet an FBI patrol.
West end
At west end avoid private property between the manufacturers' shops. Also try to not block traffic on all streets around the airport.
Do not go near the hill that construction near runway 10 has created as it is airport property. If you are seen near or on the hill, you will be charged with trespassing on airport property, government property, and railroad property. This is a serious offense, do not go here as was stated before!
Higgins/Mannheim
Avoid the area around the General Aviation ramp near the North Cargo area.
Cemetery
You can still go to St. Johannes Cemetery to watch planes on 10/28 or see the Fedex ramp from very close however if you are seen with a camera the police will tell you you can't take pictures and they may ask you to leave.