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Mineta San José International Airport (view source)

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{{infobox|fullname=Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport|location=San Jose, California|iata=SJC|icao=KSJC|aptype=Commercial|website=http://www.sjc.org|mapurl=http://maps.google.com/maps?q=SJC&ll=37.364427,-121.923523&spn=0.028936,0.059361&t=h&hl=en|mapsource=Google Maps|atctower=124.0 257.6|atcground=121.7|atcclearance=118.0|atcapproach=120.1 125.35 134.5|atcdeparture=121.3|atcatis=126.95<br />408-980-8459|atcunicom=}}
{{infobox|fullname=Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport|location=San Jose, California|iata=SJC|icao=KSJC|aptype=Commercial|website=http://www.sjc.org|mapurl=http://maps.google.com/maps?q=SJC&ll=37.364427,-121.923523&spn=0.028936,0.059361&t=h&hl=en|mapsource=Google Maps|atctower=124.0 257.6|atcground=121.7|atcclearance=118.0|atcapproach=120.1 125.35 134.5|atcdeparture=121.3|atcatis=126.95<br />408-980-8459|atcunicom=}}


Mineta San José International Airport serves the southern region of the San Francisco Bay Area, and Silicon Valley in particular.  Southwest Airlines is the dominant carrier, and it is also a focus city for American Airlines.
Mineta San José International Airport serves the southern region of the San Francisco Bay Area, and Silicon Valley in particular.  Southwest Airlines is the dominant carrier, and it is also a focus city for Alaska Airlines.


The airport has three parallel runways, 12L/30R, 12R/30L, and 11/29.  Normal operations sees arrivals and departures in the 29/30 direction.  11/29 is used by light aircraft only; airliners and all but the smallest business jets will normally use 30R for departures and 30L for arrivals.  When there are no departures, arrivals will sometimes use 30R.  
The airport has three parallel runways, 12L/30R, 12R/30L, and 11/29.  Normal operations sees arrivals and departures in the 29/30 direction.  11/29 is used by light aircraft only; airliners and all but the smallest business jets will normally use 30R for departures and 30L for arrivals.  When there are no departures, arrivals will sometimes use 30R.  
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==Official Spotting Locations==
==Official Spotting Locations==


===Terminal C Observation Deck===
With the closure and demolition of Terminal C, there are no longer any official spotting locations at KSJC.


The airport maintains an official outdoor observation deck, open 24 hours a day, at terminal C.  The door to the observation deck is marked by an overhead sign, and is in the hallway to gates C2-C8.  It provides an excellent overview of the runways as well as aircraft taxiing to the runways, however aircraft parked at C8 (JetBlue) and C9 (Delta, Delta Connection) may limit your photo opportunities.  This location is generally best for photos with the sun behind you in the morning until about 10:00 A.M., when the sun crosses overhead the field.  Since the security checkpoints have been rearranged at Terminal C, the observation deck is now past the security checkpoint and thus requires a boarding pass to access.
==Other Spotting Locations==
{{anetlink|894196}}
 
===Airport Boulevard Spots===
 
====Former San Jose State Aviation Department / Airport Blvd Shoulder====
 
Small parking lot near the corner of Coleman Ave. and Aviation Blvd. is the best spotting location for SJC.  San Jose State University (SJSU) Aviation Department used to be located here, so you will hear this spot referred to as the SJSU lot or the San Jose State lot.  Lighting is good from the early afternoon to evening.  There is no charge for parking.  It is recommended that you stay in the parking lot and do not walk out to the street shoulder unless for something special (see note below)
 
Excellent photos of Runway 30 landings can be taken here.  About 100 mm is sufficient for 30L MD-80 landings and about 300 mm is required for 30R B737 landings.
 
{{anetlink|2139615}} 30L landing
{{anetlink|2239256}} 30R landing will typically get you a view with the hill in the background
 
Taxiway W shots can also be taken here. FBOs are located on the west side of the airport, so you can see pretty much all business, private, and charter aircraft departure.  Departing traffic from the FBOs will taxi out in front of you here, provided if they do not use an intersection for departure.


==Other Spotting Locations==
{{anetlink|2216685}}
{{anetlink|2211391}}
 
All departing traffic requires photography through the fence, or a walkout to the shoulder on Airport Blvd.
 
Anywhere along the Airport Blvd curve near the southwestern corner of the Airport, where there are no sidewalks and just a dirt shoulder.  There are ground-level utility boxes that provide a good place to keep your footing when taking photos.  The height of the road shoulder provides enough elevation to see over the fence. 
 
''HOWEVER'', police have regularly asked spotters to leave from this location and instead go to the SJSU parking lot just up the street.  It's never been a big deal, but I've been told it's a safety issue with the proximity to the road and lack of sidewalk.  To avoid this issue, it was suggested park in the SJSU lot, walk out onto Airport Blvd when it's time to get your photo, and then walk back to "safety". 
 
*[http://www.flickr.com/photos/nickrailfan/4631343354/ Example Photo 1 by Nick George on Flickr]
*[http://www.flickr.com/photos/nickrailfan/4686986515/ Example Photo 2 by Nick George on Flickr]
 
====The Dirt Hill====
 
This spot signed as a '''Restricted Area'''.  Spot here at your own risk (even on foot).  Not recommended.


===San José State University Aviation Department===
Across Airport Blvd from the former SJSU parking lot, at Coleman Ave, there is a slight dirt hill that is in the middle of the curve made by Airport Blvd, near the I-880 ramps.  Park a chair here and watch planes takeoff and land from both runways.  You used to be able to drive a car up onto the hill but they caught onto it and chained off the driveway, however it is still open to pedestrians.


San José State University maintains a facility at the airport for their aviation department, located at the corner of Airport Blvd. and Coleman Ave. When classes are not in session it is generally not a problem to park and spot from here.  You can get excellent views of aircraft landing on 30L, as they will still be in the air and thus the fence does not get in your way. 30R is a little more difficult, as it is further away and you will need to get your camera lens over the fence. Along Airport Blvd. there are some utility boxes that you can stand on top of that will get you closer to the runway and over the fence line, however you are close to the road and as a result police may get nervous.  It is generally best to walk out there to get the shot you want, then go back to the parking lot.  This spot is best for photos with the sun behind you from mid day to sunset.
*[http://www.flickr.com/photos/nickrailfan/4444951438/in/photostream/ Example Photo 1 by Nick George on Flickr]
{{anetlink|897406}}
*[http://www.flickr.com/photos/nickrailfan/4686985623/in/photostream/ Example Photo 2 by Nick George on Flickr]


===Terminal A Parking Garage===
===Terminal A Parking Garage===


With an appropriate lens (200mm +), the top level of the Terminal A garage affords fairly good views of activity on the runways.  Unfortunately, due to the terminal building being in the way, it is difficult to shoot anything which is closer to you than Runway 30R/12L.  This location is best in the mornings, as you're facing west-southwest.
With an appropriate lens (200mm +), the top level of the Terminal A garage affords fairly good views of activity on the runways.  Unfortunately, due to the terminal building being in the way, it is difficult to shoot anything which is closer to you than Runway 30R/12L.  This location is best from sunrise to mid-morning, as you're facing west-southwest. This is also the only morning spot at SJC.
 
{{anetlink|2217454}}
{{anetlink|2134549}}
{{anetlink|1984629}}
 
===Guadalupe Park===
 
There is a grassy field at Guadalupe Park which gives some nice opportunities for shots of aircraft landing directly overhead. The park is right near the Target and shopping center along Coleman Avenue and Taylor St.
 
==Regular Traffic==
 
For the latest listings, please check FlightAware.com's KSJC Flight Tracker page, [http://flightaware.com/live/airport/KSJC here]. 
 
On a normal day, one might see the following aircraft.  Large or notable aircraft are in '''bold''':


===Long Term Parking Lot (Brokaw Rd)===
===Commercial Airlines, Aircraft, and Terminals===
 
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|'''Airline'''
|'''Aircraft'''
|'''Terminal'''
|-
|Air Canada Express (operated by Jazz Air)
|CRJ-900
|A
|-
|Alaska Airlines
|737-700, 737-800, 737-900
|B
|-
|Alaska Airlines (operated by Horizon Air)
|Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 (twin-turboprop)
|B
|-
|Alaska Airlines (operated by SkyWest Airlines)
|Embraer E170
|B
|-
|American Airlines
|A319, A320, 737-800
|A
|-
|British Airways
|787-9
|B
|-
|Delta Airlines
|A320, 737-800, 737-900
|A
|-
|Delta Connection
|CRJ-900 (operated by SkyWest Airlines), Embraer E175 (operated by SkyWest Airlines)
|A
|-
|Hawaiian Airlines
|A321neo
|A
|-
|JetBlue
|A320
|A
|-
|JetSuiteX
|Embraer ERJ-135
|Atlantic FBO
|-
|Southwest Airlines
|737-700, 737-800, 737 MAX 8
|B
|-
|United Airlines
|A319, A320, 737-800, 737-900
|A
|-
|Volaris
|A320
|A
|-
|ZIPAIR
|787-8
|A
|}
 
===Cargo===
 
All cargo flights arrive during the early evening hours (4-6pm) and depart during the mid-evening hours (6pm-8pm), making for some great shots. 


The Long Term parking lot has excellent views of both runways along their entire length.  Park along the chain-link fence and use either a step-ladder or truck bed to see over it.  Parking is $1.00/20min.  Security/police will usually question what you are doing, ask if you are paying for parking, and then usually will let you be.  Don't park outside to avoid the parking fees, since they will ask you to leave if you aren't a paying customer.  Late-afternoon/evening lighting is best for photos, and a long lens (200mm+) is recommended.
''FedEx Express'': '''A300-600''', '''MD-11'''


[http://www.flickr.com/photos/nickrailfan/4804259082/ Example Photo]
''UPS Airlines'': '''A300-600''', '''B767-300''', '''B757-200'''


===The Airport Blvd "Dirt Hill"===
===Private Jets and General Aviation===


If you park in the SJSU lot (see above) and walk across Airport Blvd at Coleman Ave, there is a slight dirt hill that is in the middle of the curve made by Airport Blvd, near the I-880 ramps.  Park a chair here and watch planes takeoff and land from both runways.  You used to be able to drive a car up onto the hill but they caught on to it and chained off the driveway.
Private jets takeoff and land frequently at KSJC, especially during morning and late-afternoon/evening hours.  There can be a handful of general aviation flights during the day also.


===Guadalupe Park===
==Map of Spotting Locations==


There is a grassy field at Guadalupe Park which gives some nice opportunities for shots of aircraft landing directly overhead. The park is right near the Target and shopping center along Coleman Avenue.
{{#display_map:
37.36337,-121.935786~Long Term Parking Lot;
37.351456,-121.921034~SJSU Parking Lot and Grass Area;
37.351473,-121.91995~Airport Blvd Shoulder;
37.350731,-121.919467~"The Dirt Hill";
37.370004,-121.928812~Terminal A Parking Garage;
37.343797,-121.906067~Guadalupe River Park
| zoom=14
| type=terrain
}}


==Locations to Avoid==
==Locations to Avoid==


===Airport Blvd===
===Long Term Parking Lot (Brokaw Rd)===


Anywhere along Airport Blvd near the southwestern corner of the Airport, where there are no sidewalks and just a dirt shoulder.  The height of the road provides enough elevation to see over the fence, but police have regularly asked me to leave from this location and instead go to the SJSU parking lot (see "San José State University Aviation Department" above).
'''This spot is now closed!'''


==Regular Traffic==
The Long Term parking lot has excellent views of both runways along their entire length.  You are also within a couple feet of the taxiway that most (if not all) private jets and general aviation aircraft use.  Park along the chain-link fence and use either a step-ladder or truck bed to see over it.  Parking is $1.00/20min.  Security/police will usually question what you are doing, ask if you are paying for parking, and then usually will let you be.  Don't park outside to avoid the parking fees, since they will ask you to leave if you aren't a paying customer.  Late-afternoon/evening lighting is best for photos, and a long lens (200mm+) is recommended.
 
*[http://www.flickr.com/photos/nickrailfan/4540195502/ Example Photo 1 by Nick George on Flickr]
*[http://www.flickr.com/photos/nickrailfan/4539561689/ Example Photo 2 by Nick George on Flickr]


==Facilities and Transportation==
==Facilities and Transportation==
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==External Links==
==External Links==


*[http://flygga.tripod.com/SJC.html Golden Gate Airliners - Spotter's Guide to SJC]
[http://flightaware.com/live/airport/KSJC FlightAware.com's Live KSJC Flight Tracker and Airport Info]
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