Activity @ Imperial Beach (NOLF)

[Spotter2004]

I hope this is the right place

Hi there,

In a couple of weeks i'm visiting the USA and i was wondering if anyone knows if there's much activity at Imperial Beach (NOLF).

Thanks in advance

[Key]

Absolutely the right place. From what I think I know, it depends a lot on your luck, both with traffic and runway use. Better info very welcome of course!

Erik

[Spotter2004]

Hi Eric,

Thanks for the answer.
It's this or North Island.
But as you said, depends a lot on my luck for both places

[747woody]

I was there around five years ago and there was a reasonable amount of activity (as in always something moving) with a mix of MH-60Rs and MH-60Ss working the pattern. However in a couple of hours I probably saw only around five or six aircraft. There is a place to park on the north west corner and a path down the west side, close to the fence, so better in the afternoon if you're after photos. You are very obvious though.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/68498610@ ... S-2mHMerN/

You'd see a lot more by doing a harbour tour!

[Warthog 71]

I've been there many times. Park your car at the corner of 5th and Iris Ave and follow the McCoy trail until you reach the most southern point near the base fence. The afternoon is good for photography. Not much to say about flying activity but if you start at North Island (Coronado Beach or Loma Lighthouse) you will see if the choppers depart for Imperial Beach.

[Spotter2004]

if you start at North Island (Coronado Beach or Loma Lighthouse) you will see if the choppers depart for Imperial Beach.

Yeah, but then it's already too late

[Key]

Hi Eric,

Thanks for the answer.
It's this or North Island.
But as you said, depends a lot on my luck for both places

Sorry, stupid me: I was actually thinking of North Island when I typed that... But the better answers have already arrived!

Erik

[Le Addeur noir]

My last visit here was in 2013, and from the south-east corner is best (IMHO) for noting the helicopters here. There was always around 2 or 3 in the circuit, and over a few hours over a dozen chopprs can be seen, after that, the same ones tend to come back from North Island.

There's also sometimes US Army activity here, or at nearby Brown Field, which going by ADS-B is also worth a look at.

[Flyboy]

Hi,
Was there 22nd april this year in the morning. Al of the above is stil true. At the south corner in the trail they fly around you in the patern. Maximum is two at the helipads and one at the runway. pics on request if you send me a mailadres.

[Spotter2004]

Hi,
Was there 22nd april this year in the morning. Al of the above is stil true. At the south corner in the trail they fly around you in the patern. Maximum is two at the helipads and one at the runway. pics on request if you send me a mailadres.

I've send you a pm

[TomHouquet]

We were there in March and spend the morning along the McCoy trail. We had constant Sea Hawk activity, sometimes with 4 together on various heli spots doing circuits. Around noon we left for North-Island at the dog beach as the light became better there in the afternoon. On ADSB you can also somtimes spot Coast Guard at Imperial. Brown Field Municipal airfield gets regular military traffic also.

[Flyboy]

for those interested: enjoy

[SBGrad]

If your main goal is photos of flying 60s, NOLF is the best place, better than Dog Beach, better than trying for them flying over the Bay from Coronado or from Harbor Island. At NOLF you'll be closer AND they do more dynamic flying there. Keep walking down (south) along the NOLF perimeter fence and eventually the path rises slightly to the point where you can shoot over the fence. However, the best shots are usually when they cross over the fence. My personal record at NOLF is 7 birds in the pattern at once, but usually more like 2-3. If no birds are present, just wait, and some will show up within the hour.

Keep an eye out for the green and orange roundels on the Indian Navy MH-60Rs, I've seen at least 2 different birds. From what I can tell, the Indians use the call sign of the 60R RAG, HSM41 Seahawks.

Over Dog beach and over the Bay it's all straight and level flight, not much in the way of turns. If you're already at Dog for fixed wing action, sure, you'll catch a 60 or 2, but like I said, NOLF is better if you're really trying for flying 60s.

If you're after as many BUNOs as you can record, then Woody is correct, a harbor tour is better.