Phoenix - Sky Harbor

1East Cargo

This used to be a number-reading spot for the cargo area and nearby gates, with a view onto the taxiways and runways on the southern half of the field. However, a lot of construction work is going on here, so the vantage points may have disappeared. Updates welcome.

2Terminal 2 parking

The top level of this garage is great for spotting and photographing on 8/26 and its taxiways.

3Terminal 3 parking

This garage offers views in all directions, including towards the ANG apron and hangars. In order not to be exposed to the sun all day, and avoid wire fences, choose level 4.

4Terminal 4 parking

The third parking garage in row, this one gives good views on the eastern half of the field. For runway photography, at least 300mm is needed.

5East Economy Parking

This is nearly under finals of 25R, and therefore not a good photo spot. It can be used however to check out the area of the south-easternmost hangar and adjacent taxiway. Alternative for that taxiway is the fly-over of Sky Harbor Boulevard, next to the hangar, but parking here is difficult.

6America West Hangar

America West was integrated with US Airways in 2007, but most people will know this building by its former user. Parking is possible on some of the lots, but be careful not to enter secured employee-only areas. This spot allows one to check the aircraft near the hangar and is a vantage point for landings on 26. Loitering in the area may not be appreciated by security.

7Final runway 26

Second in quality to spot 6, but less likely to upset security, is this location. From the Sky Harbor Expressway, one can reach 40th Street via Air Lane. There is a normally unused turn-off where one can pull off the road to observe landings on 26. To get here, enter the expressway (road 153) from E University Drive, not far from spot 15. Take the exit for 40th Street, it runs along spot 7.

8Northeast side

One of the locations to find bizjets at Sky Harbor. A little further west, Honeywell has its facilities, but these (or rather planes that may be near them) are better observed from the terminals.

9Northwest general aviation

Smaller planes are usually handled here. Restaurant 'Left Seat' used to have a balcony with great view over the aiport, but this has been closed. What remains is a reasonably good view from the restaurant itself. Expect singles and twins in this area, up to the size of a Beech 1900.

10Final runway 8

Standpoints to observe and photograph landings on runway 8 can be found in this area of parking lots and roads. It is not the easiest option, though.

11West Cargo

This road to the cargo facilities is open to the public approximately until reaching the apron. From here, one can read parked freighters, traffic on the taxiways to 7L and virtually anything coming in to land from the west. For photos, other spots are much better.

12Runways 7L and 7R

Old Tower Road is accessed from 24th Street, via either Buckeye Road or exit 150 of the Maricopa Freeway (road 60 / I-10). The road itself is a no-parking zone but at its beginning, one can pull off it and park well clear of the road. From here, the view is good on landings on either runway 7, and reasonable on departures from either one. Additionally, most or all KC-135s parked on their apron can be read of from this spot. Last but not least, it is adjacent to the westernmost corporate aviation platform on this side of the field.

13Old Tower Road FBOs

The bulk of bizjet traffic is handled in this area. FBO Cutter Aviation has an observation deck that was available to spotters in the past, but nowadays access is mostly denied. Peeking between hangars, one should be able to log most aircraft. Discretion and swiftness advised.

14South Cargo and military gate

Driving down the road as far as allowed, one passes the military gate. Several gate guards are preserved near that, so keep an eye out from all angles. Behind the cargo building, one can drive all the way to the fence for additional views on the Stratotankers, runways 7/25 and often a bunch of FedEx Ce208s.

15Salt River shore spotting park

On the South side, along the Salt river there is a pathway. At the Northern extremity of 40th street you will be able to leave your car, do not mind the garbage trucks that are here. There is a small spotting park with a bench and a shed for sunshade here. You can easlily read off the ANG tankers and have excellent views and photographic opportunities for runway 25L especially. (NB: only this spot was checked oct22)