Bradley International Airport
| Continent: North America | Country: United States | Region: Connecticut |
| Bradley International Airport | |
| Location | Windsor Locks, Connecticut |
| IATA code | BDL |
| ICAO code | KBDL |
| Airport type | Commercial |
| Website | [www.bradleyairport.com www.bradleyairport.com] |
| Overview map | [maps.google.com/maps?q=BDL&spn=0.054417,0.129158&t=h&hl=en Google Maps] |
| Communications | |
| Tower | 120.3 |
| Ground | 121.9 |
| Clearance | 121.75 |
| Approach | 123.95 125.35 127.225 127.8 |
| Departure | 123.95 125.35 127.8 |
| ATIS | 118.15 |
| Departure | 122.95 |
Official Spotting Locations
Runway 06 Spectator Lot
For arrivals on Rwy 06 or departures on 24, you can catch some close-up action at the spectator lot at on the left side of Rwy 06. The lot is designed for spotters and spectators, so you don't need to worry about law enforcement. Be careful when the sun is facing toward you, however, because it'll make shots difficult. You may have the most trouble with early morning shots when the sun is coming up.
Directions: From I-91, take exit 40 for the Route 20 Connector to the airport. When Route 20 splits off right before the airport, continue to follow Route 20. After the split, you'll pass the end of Rwy 06 on your right about 1/2 mile from the split. The lot is on the right immediately after Rwy 06.
Other Spotting Locations
Arrivals on Runway 06
In addition to the spectator lot at the end of Rwy 06, you can also get some head-on and underbelly shots from the hill across the street. If you look across Route 20 from the spectator lot, you'll see the hill right under the approach path. You can follow the little road that is next to it and pull off and park. Then, just walk up on the hill and shoot away.
Directions:
From I-91, take exit 40 for the Route 20 Connector to the airport. When Route 20 splits off right before the airport, continue to follow Route 20. After the split, you'll pass the end of Rwy 06 on your right about 1/2 mile from the split. The hill and road are on the left across from the end of the runway.
Arrivals on Runway 24
For arrivals on Rwy 24, or departures Rwy 06 follow Route 75 past the airport (The airport will be on your left). If you want, you can get there from the end of 06 by driving back to the connector and following the exit to Bradley. Follow that road past the airport and you'll hit a "T" intersection with Route 75.
Turn left on Route 75. Continue following Route 75 past the airport and go about 3/4 mile.
The best location is the hill where Kelly Containers is located on the left. It is an active business during the week, but it is a great location to spot from on the weekends.
You can get some great shots of incoming a/c less than 1000 feet above. If going during the week, just park your car on the righthand side of the road right near the farm at the base of the hill near Kelly Containers. Incoming a/c pass directly overhead here, but you can walk along the side of the road toward Kelly Containers. I would avoid parking there during business hours though.