Washington - Dulles Intl

1Museum

From the museum tower and the parking lot you can also enjoy the active aircraft pretty well. You definitely won’t be the only one checking out the flying activities. Lens requirements for this runway vary from where you park. You can park close to the entrance gate and shoot with 200 mm but you will have to fight with the trees which will be in your way. To avoid the trees you can park at the end of the parking lot. That’s the southerly part of the parking lot where nobody usually parks cars. The aircraft are higher so expect about 200 mm - 300 mm. Finally, you can walk just outside the parking booths into the grassy area near the approach for shorter lenses. This location is good from about 12:30pm until it gets dark.

If you are driving there then you will pay $12 for a parking (however, entry to the museum is free). DO NOT park anywhere along the access road to the museum - if you drive, be prepared to pay for parking.

2Daily Parking Garage 1

If they are using runway 19L/19R for arrivals Level 5 of Daily Parking Garage 1 (Dulles has two daily parking garages) is good for arrivals with big lens. A big lens is needed because usually domestic airliners will land there. Runway 19R is used for almost all international arrivals. For departures from 01R you will need at least 400 mm. With this you will get full frame 777. If you have DSLR with 300mm lens then you are set for most of the stuff that will depart.

This place is good for afternoon arrivals on runway 19L, or for afternoon departures from runway 01R. 99% of the time runway 01R will be used for departures (if winds are from the North). Departures from 01R start around 4:30pm, so if you are there and they depart from runway 30 don’t be alarmed. ATC will switch to 01R with the first international departure (usually this is an Air France 777, or KLM A330). Virgin and British Airways usually take off from runway 30 or 01L. Each hour cost $5; maximum for a day is $15.

3Daily Parking Garage 2

To see the cargo aircraft you go to the Daily Garage 2 and drive to the fifth level (top). From here you have a perfect view of cargo aircraft and runway 01L/19R operations. Bizjets using the Landmark FBO will also taxi by. Most local spotters use this spot when runway is used. Police may check your ID but will not otherwise bother you at this spot.

4Long Term Parking

This spot is located in Long Term Parking lot (purple). Right now almost nobody uses this spot much because parking garage No.1 is open; however, it can be useful for morning arrivals on 19L. Almost any focal length above 150 mm can be used because you are free to move around in the lot. This also allows to move around when the sun transits the runway centerline, so you could stay here all day. First hour costs $3, and the maximum charge for a day is $9.

5Signature and Dulles Jet Center

This is on the westside of the terminal. When driving towards Dulles exit right at the Services sign adjacent to the lake. At the top of the Services ramp, turn left onto Aviation Drive which changes into Wind Sock Drive). You will find a small parking lot on the left next to a fence. Officially you are not supposed to park here but if you do not stay too long nobody will bother you. On this platform you will normally find a large number of bizjets. Luftwaffe C-160s are often parked here as well. The German Air Force has a small base at Dulles and sees several Transall flights a week. The A310s can also be seen once in while. You also have a view of 19L. People are not very fond of photographers especially after 9/11 so be very careful here.

6Landmark/Runway 19R

When driving towards Dulles exit right at the Services sign adjacent to the lake. At the top of the Services ramp, turn right onto Aviation Drive and right again on Autopilot Drive. Follow the signs to Landmark (previously known as Piedmont-Hawthorne Aviation) on the left. Some spots can be found near Landmark but again they do not like photographers plus most areas are fenced anyway. A bit further is a parking lot (near the hangar of the now defunct Independence Air) just before the taxi driver lot. From here you can see many bizjets though due to various fences and distance photography is impossible.