This if from one of the posts in Marshall's RDU topic:
this might be a good chance to start a "good runway observation points" listing for the major civilian and MILITARY airports in NC....dead end roads....empty parking lots.....something for tailspotters and radio listeners both !
So I thought I would throw out a couple here:
Charlotte Douglas has their observation area off of Old Dowd Rd on the west side of the airport. Not as nice as the one at RDU but still pretty good. The only drawback is that there is some ATC transmitters next to the parking lot and intermod can be a problem. The area currently overlooks runway 18R/36L but ATC has started calling it 18C/36C as the construction of the new runway progresses. An unofficial area I've found is the former parking lot of where the old terminal used to be on the south side of the airport off of Yorkmont.
For Asheville, there is a shopping center on the east side of I-26 opposite of the airport. Park at the spaces to the left of Lowe's that overlook the interstate, you have a good view of the approach end of Runway 34 and some of the General Aviation Ramp.
For Wilmington, they have a dedicated observation area on the east side of the airport off of N. Kerr Ave. It's just a fenced in paved area next to the tower but has good views.
For Seymour-Johnson AFB in Goldsboro, there is a shopping center with a Food Lion and Bojangles on NC 111 just south of US 70 where there is a good view of planes approaching Runway 25.
The best I've found for Pope AFB so far has been the Wal-Mart parking lot in Spring Lake on NC 210. Park on the left side of the lot overlooking the highway. You can't see the airfield but can see planes on approach for for Runway 23.
For Greensboro, it's best to go ahead and pay for parking, go to the food court area in the terminal, buy a $3.00 soft drink and sit at one of the tables overlooking the ramp and Runway 5/23. Hide your scanner and use earphones. Otherwise try various parking lots at fast food places around I-40 and NC 68.
For Winston-Salem, park in the lot on the left side of the terminal building next to the fence. No airline service and no TSA gets one in closer.
These are the areas I've found in my travels around NC. Maybe some of the locals in the areas I've listed can come up with some better ones. Does anybody know of a good area around Cherry Point?
this might be a good chance to start a "good runway observation points" listing for the major civilian and MILITARY airports in NC....dead end roads....empty parking lots.....something for tailspotters and radio listeners both !
So I thought I would throw out a couple here:
Charlotte Douglas has their observation area off of Old Dowd Rd on the west side of the airport. Not as nice as the one at RDU but still pretty good. The only drawback is that there is some ATC transmitters next to the parking lot and intermod can be a problem. The area currently overlooks runway 18R/36L but ATC has started calling it 18C/36C as the construction of the new runway progresses. An unofficial area I've found is the former parking lot of where the old terminal used to be on the south side of the airport off of Yorkmont.
For Asheville, there is a shopping center on the east side of I-26 opposite of the airport. Park at the spaces to the left of Lowe's that overlook the interstate, you have a good view of the approach end of Runway 34 and some of the General Aviation Ramp.
For Wilmington, they have a dedicated observation area on the east side of the airport off of N. Kerr Ave. It's just a fenced in paved area next to the tower but has good views.
For Seymour-Johnson AFB in Goldsboro, there is a shopping center with a Food Lion and Bojangles on NC 111 just south of US 70 where there is a good view of planes approaching Runway 25.
The best I've found for Pope AFB so far has been the Wal-Mart parking lot in Spring Lake on NC 210. Park on the left side of the lot overlooking the highway. You can't see the airfield but can see planes on approach for for Runway 23.
For Greensboro, it's best to go ahead and pay for parking, go to the food court area in the terminal, buy a $3.00 soft drink and sit at one of the tables overlooking the ramp and Runway 5/23. Hide your scanner and use earphones. Otherwise try various parking lots at fast food places around I-40 and NC 68.
For Winston-Salem, park in the lot on the left side of the terminal building next to the fence. No airline service and no TSA gets one in closer.
These are the areas I've found in my travels around NC. Maybe some of the locals in the areas I've listed can come up with some better ones. Does anybody know of a good area around Cherry Point?
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