Plane spotting

[huskertko]

My two yr old son is infatuated with airplanes and helicopters, in fact he spends more time on the computer on FS than I do.  I take him to the local GA airport to watch take off, landings, and taxiing aircraft, which he absolutely loves.  

I am going to take my video camera and get some video to make into a DVD for him to watch at home, beats watching Barney 20 times a day.  Anyway i want to go to a larger airport (KMCI- in Kansas City to get some video of the "heavies" but I have no idea where to go to get the best shots, without drawing unwanted, or unwarranted attention to myself, ( i don't want a visit from security or worse the FBI).  Other than going to a parking lot on the glide path, any ideas of where to get the best video shots.

I don't know of anywhere off airport property, but if anyone knows the area and can offer suggestions, it would be appreciated.

[Chris E]

i dont know, but what i think airports should do, as i, like your son love to watch planes, they should have a building with a good view to watch from, after 9-11, security is so tight you cant just go and walk from gate to gate and watch the planes or anything, i think putting in like a little building or a small tower type thing off the main building would be good, especially with people shining laser pointers at planes landing, now you cant even be sitting next to the airport without security watching im sure, i dont know exactly where you can go, but i definitely think there should be a place!

[Hagar]

I don't know about the US but most airports in the UK still have a viewing area of some sort. I would ring the airport & ask them.

[Chris E]

yea, that is probably a good idea, but US airports now seem to not allow anything, as we have been having people shining laserpointers into the cockpits of landing planes, which can blind a pilot if direct, and with september 11, they dont seem to want to let anyone near the planes unless you are flying it, maybe there is a place, but i remember in denver int, i walked around to watch some planes taking off and landing, and there were security guards a ways behind me staring at me, and security at a gate around the corner watching me, that was when i left that area, hahaha

[beefhole]

Yea, you're lucky if you a buy a ticket and are even allowed on the plane these days...

[Felix/FFDS]

I don't know about the US but most airports in the UK still have a viewing area of some sort. I would ring the airport & ask them.

Shoreham is an exception - even if there's no flying around, I can think of few places that appear to be just pleasant to be there!  THe scenery is beautiful!

[Hagar]

[quote]Shoreham is an exception - even if there's no flying around, I can think of few places that appear to be just pleasant to be there!

[C]

Then there's always Old Warden. One of my favourite places on the planet.

Agreed.... as if you couldn't tell...

Also, check this out - I get the feeling the chap in the cockpit is now a very senior person at OW...

Jaguar at Old Warden

Charlie

[OTTOL]

I would ring the airport & ask them.

Excellent advice! Not all airports have turned to the "dark side" since 9/11. I flew out of KFLL for 20yrs and those guys have had a security program that rivals the Gestapo since well before 9/11.

....and with september 11, they dont seem to want to let anyone near the planes unless you are flying it

I had been hassled  by security personell in vehicles many times, even when in a proper pilot's uniform! How this does anything other than providing additional motivation for future terrorist attacks should be explained for me!  ::)
At any rate, I fly out of KBHM Birmingham now. I can walk around my own ramp at Birmingham in scruffy jeans, sneakers and a T-shirt and the only thing that the OP's guys have stopped me for is to ask if we had fresh coffee and donuts in the lobby! I am in a secure, fenced area which, for entry, requires either the standard, employee issued, remote gate control or a 12 foot ladder and a carpet. Point being, common sense prevails over knee jerk hysteria at Birmingham.
So, basically, all of this babble is to say that you should check with the airport authority or an FBO(fixed based operator) to gauge the level of acceptance for plane watching at your airport and if there are certain designated areas. BTW Birmingham has a very large, elevated viewing area with plenty of parking.
Executive Beechcraft(look for the Phillips 66 sign) is the FBO at MCI. It's located near the north side of the airport, between the main runways.
You may also want  to try a smaller airport(usually they are more accomodating to plane spotters). At Downtown MKC, there is Aero Centre on the west side and Executive Beech on the east side. As a last resort, perhaps St Joseph. If the drive isn't too much. Good Luck!

[Hagar]

Also, check this out - I get the feeling the chap in the cockpit is now a very senior person at OW...

Jaguar at Old Warden

Charlie

Ah. A Jag diverted from Duxford & did a quick run through during one of the displays last season. Shattered the peace for a few moments & didn't quite seem appropriate. Could this have been the same person? I'm probably wrong about that as I have no idea whom we're talking about.

[TacitBlue]

OTTOL mentioned St. Joseph: Its mostly Air National Guard C-130s there, but there are the occasional GA planes, and sometimes private jets. Theres also a charter service that flyes either Baron 58s or Cessna 310s, dont remember which. The only chance you will get to see heavies there is if the RC-135s (basically a modified 707) from Offutt AFB are doing touch-and-goes, which they do only once in a while. Oh, and once in a blue moon you might see T-38s at KSTJ.

(edit)

Did I mention I live in St. Joseph? thats how I know this stuff.

[jrpilot]

go onto the internet and go to google and search for  plane spotting at whatever airport you are going....that is what I did and I recieved direction into a residential area about 200 feet away from the TDZE....I was very happy

[C]

Ah. A Jag diverted from Duxford & did a quick run through during one of the displays last season. Shattered the peace for a few moments & didn't quite seem appropriate. Could this have been the same person? I'm probably wrong about that as I have no idea whom we're talking about.

Apparently this Jag was in the mid 80s. I believe its pilot may be an RAF test pilot who has now retired from the service and is Shuttleworth's Chief Pilot, Andy Sephton...

[Hagar]

Apparently this Jag was in the mid 80s. I believe its pilot may be an RAF test pilot who has now retired from the service and is Shuttleworth's Chief Pilot, Andy Sephton...

Ah thanks. Somehow I suspected as much.