San Diego: Part 1: Threshold

[Foxtrot Sport]

So for the past week, I've been in San Diego for my sister going off to College.  For those of you that have been to KSAN, you'll know that it's loud, dangerous, and totally awsome.  The single runway for San Diego ends right at an intersection, less than a mile away from the middle of Downtown.  Of course, this makes for GREAT photo ops.  However, mine could've been MUCH better, I'm no photo person, but I had to show you guys these shots from an intersection just off the runway:


Please excuse the quality of this one, but I had to show you how CLOSE you can get to these as they come in.  This is with VERY little zoom, and there's a platform just behind me as I take this shot, with a row of threshold lights...


This one, I went to the side, away from the blast walls, so I could get a clearer shot, Which didn't quite work, but the effect is just as good



This last one, Clearest shot of the day, but behind the fence, he's probably at 50 ft.

-HF

PS. Part 2 coming

[RHeite]

I've got a lot of buddies that went to MCRD San Diego...the airport is right by it, and they used to love the irony of being stuck there, and those acft flying over all day...

[Silver1SWA]

Ah, I absolutely love working at SAN.  The airport is one of the most spectacular airports in the country IMO.  The approach, the location, the atmosphere, the weather, all very spectacular and unique.  It's very San Diego.  I love driving to work...I love seeing Downtown from the ramp, the surrounding terrain, the harbor, the Naval base with all the Aircraft Carriers and jets across the water and Every night at around 9:45 I often watch Sea Worlds nightly fireworks display while I'm standing next to one of our 737s.    It's just incredible.  Every night, I love driving home.  Getting on to I-5 on the best on-ramp in the country...it is on the elevated terrain and the on-ramp faces directly down centerline.  I also enjoy getting gas at the Shell station literally accross the street from the end of the runway.  Who cares about gas prices when you can watch planes soar overhead at 100-200 feet while filling up!  Lets put it this way.  The daily routine is actually enjoyable!

How long you in town for?

[Foxtrot Sport]

Yes, the onramp is truly one of a kind, with those 737s thundering down as you stare down the centerline.  Too bad it's not much of an International airport, or we'd need a bigger blast wall with 747s raring up to launch.  And 9:45 fireworks you say?  I flew out 2 nites ago and our flight was delayed from Phoenix due to storms, so we ended up leaving around 9:30.  Really lovely flying over L.A at night.

-HF

[Foxtrot Sport]

Okay, found a shot of the Airport, which points everything out.


The red arrow points out the Shell station, the blue arrow shows the area I stood while taking MY shots.  The Green arrow points out the platform holding lights.  And lastly, if you're interested, the purple arrow is a....strip club.

-HF

[Jared]

lol, very interesting shots! I love em all!

strip club you say? Been there?

[beefhole]

I absolutely LOVE San Diego.  Both times that I've been there I've stayed at the Lowe's Resort on the Coronado strip, and I've had an absolute blast both times

[RHeite]

I think it is safe to say that the purple arrow is of most importance...