xcoaster1 From United States of America, joined Nov 2009, 33 posts, RR: 0 Posted (2 years 5 months 3 weeks 3 days 11 hours ago) and read 3956 times:
I'll be spending a week out in LA and have a day reserved before my flight back to DFW for some LAX spotting. I know the 2 main locations (In-N-Out, Imperial Hill), but was wondering if anyone had the best spots to see the international traffic arrive for this time of year.
I know the In-N-Out is questionable since the sun is low in the sky and I have a good line-up of times for the international arrivals. Would one think Imperial Hill would be the best spot? I'll be out there from about 800-1500 .. my flight back leaves about 1700, so that should give me a pretty decent day of spotting.
Silver1SWA From United States of America, joined Mar 2004, 4553 posts, RR: 27 Reply 1, posted (2 years 5 months 3 weeks 3 days 11 hours ago) and read 3957 times:
Imperial Hill is the spot to be this time of year, especially in the afternoon until sunset. Too bad you have to leave so early because 1500 is the start of when the light is best.
ALL views, opinions expressed are mine ONLY and are NOT representative of those shared by Southwest Airlines Co.
xcoaster1 From United States of America, joined Nov 2009, 33 posts, RR: 0 Reply 2, posted (2 years 5 months 3 weeks 3 days 11 hours ago) and read 3952 times:
Yes sadly this was a last minute NYE trip to LA .. If I had flown another airline or had more time, I would stay but the last Virgin America flight is 1700 .. I'm also disappointed not being able to catch the Qantas A380 .. I would take time out of my other days to see that beast !
But thanks .. looks like I'll have a full day on the hill at least!
xcoaster1 From United States of America, joined Nov 2009, 33 posts, RR: 0 Reply 3, posted (2 years 5 months 3 weeks 3 days 8 hours ago) and read 3928 times:
Another question .. LAX subject to wind changes .. everytime ive been there .. all the arrivals have come in over the 405, but didnt know with the winds, if they ever come in off the pacific.
dvincent From United States of America, joined Jan 2007, 1721 posts, RR: 12 Reply 4, posted (2 years 5 months 3 weeks 3 days 8 hours ago) and read 3919 times:
Once in a while they'll have reverse pattern at LAX, but the few times I've been there I've never had the luxury of watching departures that way.
WakeTurbulence From United States of America, joined Apr 2004, 1288 posts, RR: 18 Reply 5, posted (2 years 5 months 3 weeks 3 days 8 hours ago) and read 3913 times:
It is rare to have LAX operations to the east. It usually happens in inclement weather, and very rarely can happen in good weather. The wind comes off the ocean about 95% of the time. I looked at the forecast for the 5th, even with winds SSE at 5-10 operations are still likely to be to the west, but who knows.
-Matt
NZ107 From New Zealand, joined Jul 2005, 5704 posts, RR: 39 Reply 6, posted (2 years 5 months 3 weeks 3 days 7 hours ago) and read 3911 times:
Quoting xcoaster1 (Thread starter): I know the In-N-Out is questionable since the sun is low in the sky and I have a good line-up of times for the international arrivals. Would one think Imperial Hill would be the best spot? I'll be out there from about 800-1500 .. my flight back leaves about 1700, so that should give me a pretty decent day of spotting.Any suggestions or recommendations?
As long as you can get to Imperial Hill and back, it is a good spot... It also depends on what planes you want to catch because a lot of the planes only use one of the runways (basically all arrivals from Asia and Europe land on the 24s). The flights to Japan and Korea depart from the 25s meaning that Imperial Hill is a nice spot. But with a pair of binoculars, you can see landings on the 24s from Imperial Hill which isn't possible the other way around.
andrew50 From United States of America, joined Jun 2005, 96 posts, RR: 1 Reply 7, posted (2 years 5 months 3 weeks 3 days 5 hours ago) and read 3901 times:
Check out the Proud Bird Restaurant on Aviation Blvd. Go behind the restaurant, it is a great location. You won't get the Asian fleets, because they usually all get 24R, but it is a nice variety, cargo, lots of biz jets, and there is definitely no lack of heavies there either! I use a 70-200 over there and it works out nice, just have to watch out for a couple of trees.
JakTrax From United Kingdom, joined Jun 2005, 4782 posts, RR: 8 Reply 8, posted (2 years 5 months 3 weeks 3 days 5 hours ago) and read 3898 times:
I've only been to LAX once but Sepulveda Bld and the Proud Bird were my favourites. Looking at Imperial Hill I fail to see how heat-haze can't be a problem - looks a good distance from the action.
dvincent From United States of America, joined Jan 2007, 1721 posts, RR: 12 Reply 9, posted (2 years 5 months 3 weeks 3 days 4 hours ago) and read 3877 times:
Quoting JakTrax (Reply 8): I've only been to LAX once but Sepulveda Bld and the Proud Bird were my favourites. Looking at Imperial Hill I fail to see how heat-haze can't be a problem - looks a good distance from the action.
If you're getting departures, they tend to be well off the ground and less bothered by haze.
xcoaster1 From United States of America, joined Nov 2009, 33 posts, RR: 0 Reply 10, posted (2 years 5 months 3 weeks 2 days 15 hours ago) and read 3819 times:
I'm mainly aiming to see the Asian and Australian arrivals, we get very few out here at DFW.
I have a pretty good list going off arrivals times over the past few days and using some of the travel sites:
Qantas
Singapore
Korean
V Australian
Virgin Atlantic
China Eastern
ANA
JAL
Cathay Pacific
Emirates
Alitalia
Bluewave 707 From United States of America, joined Jun 2001, 3139 posts, RR: 7 Reply 11, posted (2 years 5 months 3 weeks 2 days 11 hours ago) and read 3795 times:
I've heard that Long Term Parking Lot C on the north side is good for spotting, as well as by the car rental lots ...
had heat haze issues on some shots in late November with some taxi shots ...
"The best use of your life will be to so live your life, that the use of your life will outlive your life" -- D Severn
vikkyvik From United States of America, joined Jul 2003, 8325 posts, RR: 28 Reply 12, posted (2 years 5 months 2 weeks 5 days 7 hours ago) and read 3662 times:
AIRLINERS.NET CREW PHOTO SCREENER
This doesn't necessarily affect what'll happen on the 5th, but when I flew into LAX an hour ago, we landed in reverse pattern (first time for me!).
It's raining, and winds are from the east at 10 mph, according to weather.com.
"Two and a Half Men" was filmed in front of a live ostrich.
xcoaster1 From United States of America, joined Nov 2009, 33 posts, RR: 0 Reply 13, posted (2 years 5 months 2 weeks 2 days ago) and read 3535 times:
Thanks to everyone for the help .. I had a good day today out there and some of yesterday .. got to see a few of what I wanted and Imperial Hill is very nice for departure shots .. but thanks again to everyone for the suggestions !
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