PHX Spotting

[INTENSS]

I'll be travelling to Phoenix right after Thanksgiving to visit my brother and will be using some of the time there to photograph at PHX. Any local spotters have good spots? How friendly (or not) is the airport/police around there?

Thanks for the heads up,

-Rich

[kcmh]

from what I have heard the garage is the best. Airport PD is pretty cool with you, just smile and wave and dont worry about it. check out http://www.cactuswings.com for more info

[INTENSS]

Excellent info...thank you kcmh.

-Rich

[airplanegeek]

true, parking garage is great.
there is a surface road on the north side of the airport that runs parallel to the runway. great views from their too.
also, if landing from the east (which is most common) one of the HP employee parking lots (circled in yellow below) is awesome. haven't been to it in a couple years, but even post 9/11 it was an unsecured lot. not sure if it still is. the red line indicates the main roadway through the airport and the yellow is the exit to take and how to get to it.
when you get to terminal 3, there is signage for HIGH PROFILE parking which offers good views too. also unsecured.
good luck and enjoy.

[iflypsa]

I wouldn't chance the east parking lots anymore. They are patrolled by HP security (the hangar lot) or the city (old Pilot lot, now employee parking.)

The garages are the safest bet, also Air Lane (not good for photos this time of year) and the end of 7R are safe bets.

[INTENSS]

Thanks everyone....I'll be out there in 3 weeks.

-Rich

[NOTAR520AC]

Parking garages are the way to go. PD has never given me any trouble in 3 years (then again I wear my badge from my flightschool). When I started spotting I talked with airport security and all they asked was that I remain in clear sight of the tower (top levels of the garage).



This might help. Don't even bother with Cutter (the exec FBO)- will turn you right around. Everywhere else is fine though.

Shoot me an email when you come into town- maybe I could meet you there.

Cheers.