Paulianer From Germany, joined Jul 2002, 875 posts, RR: 15 Posted (6 years 5 days 12 hours ago) and read 2412 times:
Hi guys,
I'll be in the US from May 26th to June 9th and will visit Anchorage, Seattle and San Jose. Now I need some information about the spotting situation there, where are the good spots, when is the light good and so on...
Any experiences or weblinks are very welcome and appreciated.
Thank you in advance.
Cheers from HAM
Tobi
Tobias Rose - Hamburg (HAM/EDDH) & (XFW/EDHI) - Canon EOS D60 - ICQ: 235621277 - MSN: Tobias.Rose@gmx.de
GOCAPS16 From Japan, joined Jan 2000, 4298 posts, RR: 23 Reply 1, posted (6 years 5 days 8 hours ago) and read 2401 times:
Hi Tobi,
I can give you a little bit of info at San Jose since I've done some spotting there several times. I believe the two places to shoot are at the observation deck and at the San Jose State University parking lot. Since there is a fence there, you might want to find a way to get a stepladder or a pickup truck. Here is a good site for SJC. http://flygga.tripod.com/SJC.html
At BFI, I believe there is a parking lot somewhere near the control tower. Bottom left is the lot.
But, however, if you go to Paine Field, just go to the Future of Flight Museum parking lot, and you have a superb view. and check out the museum, too.
QANTAS077 From China, joined Jan 2004, 5746 posts, RR: 49 Reply 2, posted (6 years 5 days 7 hours ago) and read 2383 times:
Anchorage you need a car if they're using 14/32 for takeoff/arrivals...you drive around postmark drive and turn left on to Point Woronzof dr and continue through the gates all the way around til you come to a dip in the road..that's the spot where I got these shots.
If they are taking off on 32 you won't shoot any arrivals as they will be happening on 6L/R or 24L/R...to get there you also need a car and preferably something you can stand on. To get to the spot you should go back the way you came to get to 32 spot and get on W international airport Rd til you hit Jewel Lake Rd, then make a right and continue all the way around til you get to Raspberry Rd, make another right and drive down til you hit Sand Lake Rd, make a right and head towards the hangars on the LEFT! do NOT take the right fork in the road or you'll end up on the airbase side...go all the way down to the end of the left fork and you'll end up at the fence. Its good for 6L/R arrivals and departures and 24 if they roll through that far.
watch out for bears! especially at this time of year...You might get the occasional 14 arrival against the traffic flow I found it to be very rare.
Brick From United States of America, joined Aug 1999, 1571 posts, RR: 8 Reply 4, posted (6 years 2 days 3 hours ago) and read 2267 times:
Quoting QANTAS077 (Reply 2): If they are taking off on 32 you won't shoot any arrivals as they will be happening on 6L/R or 24L/R...to get there you also need a car and preferably something you can stand on. To get to the spot you should go back the way you came to get to 32 spot and get on W international airport Rd til you hit Jewel Lake Rd, then make a right and continue all the way around til you get to Raspberry Rd, make another right and drive down til you hit Sand Lake Rd, make a right and head towards the hangars on the LEFT! do NOT take the right fork in the road or you'll end up on the airbase side...go all the way down to the end of the left fork and you'll end up at the fence. Its good for 6L/R arrivals and departures and 24 if they roll through that far.
I was at ANC earlier this month. Do not hang out by the fence at this spot! Airport ops and ANC police has repeatedly said they don't want anyone at the fence line. You can park and shoot from the "top of the hill" well back away from the fence with no problem, but do not approach the fence.
Two things to note about this spot: (1) There is a constant stream of construction vehicles going in and out of this gate right now. It is very busy, very dusty, and noisy. The construction superintendent may also come by and give you grief (his daughter that was attending the gate was really cute though!). Though he can't make you leave he can certainly call someone who will. (2) Heat distortion is brutal at this location. About 70% of my shots I took from this spot earlier this month had moderate to severe heat distortion. Because of both of these reasons, if you are going to be at ANC within the next couple of months, I'd skip this spot all together.
GOCAPS16 From Japan, joined Jan 2000, 4298 posts, RR: 23 Reply 6, posted (6 years 1 day 12 hours ago) and read 2234 times:
Quoting Flamedude707 (Reply 5): No need for a ladder at SJC, unless you go to the Long Term Lot. At SJSU, the road rises above the fence, so it doesn't obstruct the view.
Thanks for the correction. I believe last time I was there, I saw several a.net photographers on stepladders and one top of a truck.
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From Germany, joined Jul 2002, 875 posts, 
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