Airport Photography

[Scorpiоn]

I return to Simviation to ask a simple question, one that the FAA couldn't answer.  While I suppose I could provide a lot of backstory and beat around the bush a bit, I'll cut right to the chase.  I'd like to take photos of aircraft, and the airport itself, but I'm worried I might get arrested.  Despite the fact I have yet to do anything illegal, anywhere, anytime, the cops still give me a lot of heat. (three times now I've been stopped for simply walking down the road)  Add to the fact I look a lot like a Middle Easterner, I think you can understand my concern.  I guess I did ramble, roflwaffles.  So I guess the question is, what are the regulations concerning photography of aircraft/airport?

I'm just afraid they'll see this:

[Omag 2.0]

Hmm... tricky question... here in Belgium there is no problem, but I've heared the American airports can be quite different. Don't they issues security codes, that state in photography is allowed?

Personally, given your somewhat "heated" appearance ( don't we live in a aweful time that innocent eastern-looking people need to fear beeing checked out?), i'd try to get in contact with local spotter-goups. usually these people are known by the airport-staff ( at least in Belgium), so you wouldn't be that "suspicious" new guy that developped a firm interest in the local airport...

[Scorpiоn]

I'm not too sure at all.  My response from the FAA (we don't know, ask the airport) took a month to get, so I decided to ask here before waiting another month for the airport's response.  2-3 hours beats 2-3 weeks. Although I intend to ask KIAH and KHOU about any regulations their facilities might have. :-/

[Woodlouse2002]

My suggestion is that you shave. It's a start.

[Cobra]

Im sure it would look a bit suspicious standing under the flight path with a big 500mm lense, but hey...who wouldnt...

I'd just check that there isnt any obvious signs etc preventing it. Whats the worst that can happen really? Might aswell just forget about it and go down. Good luck

And all else failing shave the beard

[Hagar]

I can see your predicament Scorp. I suspect it's down to the individual airport & not the government or FAA. It's a little more relaxed here in the UK but spotters are no longer welcome at some airports including Heathrow & Gatwick. Others welcome visitors & have special public viewing areas.

It really depends on the type of aircraft you're interested in. The smaller GA & private fields probably wouldn't be as security conscious as the larger international airports. If you like warbirds the Collings Foundation West is based right on your doorstep. http://www.cfwest.net/
There's also a CAF squadron at Houston. http://www.westhoustonsqdn.org/

Good luck anyway.

[Mictheslik]

I regularly go down to bristol airport and have stood at the end of the runway at Gatwick a couple of times.....there are normally police patrols, but most of the cops I encounter are happy to stop and have a chat. They only bother you if your in somewhere which could restrict the operations of an airport, such as in front of a crash gate etc.

.mic

[Hagar]

I regularly go down to bristol airport and have stood at the end of the runway at Gatwick a couple of times.....there are normally police patrols, but most of the cops I encounter are happy to stop and have a chat. They only bother you if your in somewhere which could restrict the operations of an airport, such as in front of a crash gate etc.

I suspect it's a bit different in the US.

Check this out Scorp. All you need to know. Welcome to HoustonSpotters.net!

[Romulus111VADT]

You might try just going to the police station, sitting down and talking to them about your love of flightsims and of aircraft. Just tell them you like to take pictures of aircraft as a hobby. Maybe even take a photo album with your photos to show them. Then just ask them if it's alright for you to got to whatever the airport is and take pictures. They may even be able to provide you with a type of permit that will allow you to show cops that may question you. Or even try the same approach with the airport authority itself or the police may even assist you by going with you to the airport.

Being open, honest, cooperative and friendly will make them see that your not a threat. Arguing with them will only make them more suspicious.

Just some thoughts, take them for what they're worth. :-/

[Jakemaster]

I'm not too sure at all.  My response from the FAA (we don't know, ask the airport) took a month to get, so I decided to ask here before waiting another month for the airport's response.  2-3 hours beats 2-3 weeks. Although I intend to ask KIAH and KHOU about any regulations their facilities might have. :-/

You know, I've taken photos in airports with no problems, and I doubt it would be a problem.  But at KHOU you could go to the 1940 air terminal museum and ask nicely to get on the roof, I've seen them let spotters up there to take pictures (saw some on Anet too labled as being taken from the roof).

IAH has always seemed like it would be difficult to spot at.  I guess theres somewhere good to go as there are lots of good pictures on Anet, but the way I go to the airport you can't even see the facilities until you pull up to the terminal (too many trees :p)

I would just be careful about it.  Don't act suspicious (whatever suspicious is).  If you are going to take pictures, do it openly.  For example, if you are trying to get a shot of your plane from in the terminal, don't walk up slowly to the window, look around, whip out a camera, snap a shot, hide it, and back away.  Unless security is as stupid as they sometimes seem, they aren't going to suspect you if you openly take a picture, but if you act all sneaky about it they might get suspicious.

[Jakemaster]

I regularly go down to bristol airport and have stood at the end of the runway at Gatwick a couple of times.....there are normally police patrols, but most of the cops I encounter are happy to stop and have a chat. They only bother you if your in somewhere which could restrict the operations of an airport, such as in front of a crash gate etc.

I suspect it's a bit different in the US.

Check this out Scorp. All you need to know. Welcome to HoustonSpotters.net!

Awesome link!  I HAVE to go check out that spotting lot at IAH sometime...

[Boss_BlueAngels]

Well, one thing I learned from experience is not to point your telephoto lens at the control tower... no matter how curious you are as to what it looks like inside. lol

Also, if you're visiting a larger airport, make sure the President isn't going to be visiting in the near future.  Yet another lesson learned. lol

Make sure the spot you're taking pictures from is public property.


Ok, that's my "oops" list.  I've never had any bad experiences with the security officers, but have just received a few, "not today, please" talks with them.  


As someone who works at a local GA airport, just meet with whoever is in charge and let them know you're only going to be taking pictures for fun or whatever.  Be sure to ask them where you can and cannot go.  

[CSM]

also if military aircraft operate at the airfield do not photograph the actual airport just snap the pretty planes and the big one is taking the shots from public property, i got in trouble with the mp's over that one, they deleted all the shots i had on my camera  :'(

[Gunny04]

all of your shots? Sheesh... I'd swipe out the memory card they are usually small. Yep make sure you take pictures on public property, I got yelled at by a pilot for being on the taxi way at a local GA airport lol...

Gunny

[Jakemaster]

Well from Doug's link I would suggest that wherever you go if you will be somewhere that isn't an official spotting location that you call the airport security before you go, tell them when you'll be there and what you'll be doing so that they don't get suspicious.