Ottawa - MacDonald-Cartier Intl

1Runway 25 north side

As Alert Road has no exit from the Airport Parkway when heading south to the airport, you have to finish the looproad at the terminal and head back the way you came in. Turn right after the bridge crossing Lester Road/Uplands Drive. Just past the First Air platform is a crashgate, where spot 1 can be found. This place is best for photography after 03.00PM of aircraft using runway 25.

2Runway 25 south side

Possibly the best spot around the airfield is spot 2. Continue on Alert Road around the 25 threshold and park your car near the garbage bins on your right. Aircraft on finals and departing aircraft using runway 25 are an easy and willing prey. Move a little further up on Alert Road for excellent shots of departing aircraft using runway 07. Best for photography until 03.00PM when the sun passes the runway axis.

3Helispot and storage

Just follow Alert Road as it bends to the left. Right in the corner is a helispot for medevac helicopters, to your the right you will find a Boeing 727 in use as a training aid. Propliners can often be found at the hangars next to the helispot. As Alert Road has a dead end, you will not be able to reach the 32 threshold from here.

4Runway 32

As Alert Road has a dead end, you have to drive back to Lester Road to reach the 32 approach. Turn right to Lester Road, turn right again to Albion Road at the traffic lights and right again after about 3kms to Leitrim Road. After passing the threshold there are some spots just off the road on the left side where you can park your car. Aircraft on finals for runway 32 are best photographed after 11.00AM.

5Runway 14

To reach spot 5, continue on Leitrim Road from spot 4 and turn right to Limebank Road. Keep heading north when it merges with Riverside Road. You will pass Tom Roberts Road on your right leading to the control tower which is on airport property. Just past the 04 threshold there's room to park your car on the right side of the road. From 01.00PM aircraft on finals for runway 14 can be photographed here. To catch some of the light aircraft just head back south under the 04 approach.

6Light aviation

Spot 6 is home of the general aviation community. From Riverside Road, turn right on to Hunt Club Road and take the first road on your right again which offers great views of the platforms. The hangars here contain more interesing stuff.

7Runway 22

This is the place for landing shots of light aircraft as runway 22 is mostly in use. Follow the road along the light aviation platforms and turn right at Canadair Pvt. Find a spot to park your car on the other side of the road and unfold your chair on the grass.

8Canada Reception Center

As the gateway to the capital, the airport frequently hosts visiting government aircraft from other countries. These aircraft are normally parked at the Canada Reception Centre, which also handles Canadian troop flights. In fact this is one of the last remnants of the former CFB Uplands still in use. Park your car between Canadair Pvt and Convair Road, the latter being great for views of the large apron.

9Terminal

The terminal building provides some views of aircraft using runway 14/32 as well as aircraft parked in front of the terminal. Before entering the terminal at the departure level, check the platform just right of the terminal which handles regional jets and propliners.

10National Research Center

The hangar and platforms of the National Research Center can be found at the back of the terminal just off the Airport Parkway. The parking garage provides excellent views of the platform and inside the hangar.

11Government & general aviation

Coming from the terminal on Airport Parkway, turn right at the traffic lights. Turn right at the T-junction past the large hangar on your left, which houses the aircraft of the Canadian government, the Ministry of Transportation as well as 412sq Canadian Forces. At the other side of the hangar take a peek through the windows or on the platform to read off some of their aircraft. Look back at the terminal for parked airliners on the platform near the terminal. When turning left at the T-junction, try the roads, parking lots and hangar windows on your right hand side all the way up to the NRC-taxiway. General aviation and visiting aircraft can be found on the aprons and in the hangars. There's even a few good spots for photography.

12Cargo area

The cargo area can be found on the other side of the NRC-taxiway as seen from spot 11. Head back to Airport Parkway, turn right to Alert Road and take the first road on your right after the Lester Road/Uplands Drive intersection. Try the roads on your left to see the cargo aircraft parked on the aprons in front of the cargo center.