Will Rogers World Airport: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 23:35, 22 December 2017

Region: Oklahoma

Will Rogers World Airport
Location	Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
IATA code	OKC
ICAO code	KOKC
Airport type	Commercial
Website	http://www.flyokc.com
Overview map	Google Maps
Communications
Tower	119.35
Ground	121.9
Clearance	124.35,121.9
Approach	120.450
Departure	120.450
ATIS	125.85

Spotting Locations

Post Office

This spot is located on Air Cargo Rd. on the east side of the airport. Take Air Cargo Rd. south until you see the post office on the left hand side, it is just north of the Employee Parking Lot. Pull into the Post Office and walk east down the south side of the building. There is a fence at the end which will provide good views of Taxiway E, Taxiway N, and Runway 17L/35R. This spot is best in the afternoon and late evening. A 70-300 is recommended, although a 70-200 will work absolutely fine. You will have to shoot through a fence at this location.

Long Term Parking Garage

Drive towards the Terminal and park in the short term parking garage (1st hr free). Then walk to the long term garage (just north of the short term garage). On either side there are stairwells which provide a good place to stand without blocking parking spaces. For the east side you can see traffic on the east terminal ramp, Taxiway E, Taxiway N, and Runway 17L/35R Ops. A 100-400 will work fine for the east side. For the west, you can see West Concourse North Ops (basically CO, UA) using the gates and the taxiway just north of the concourse. Runway 17R/35L ops are pretty much useless for the limited visibility and long distance to the runway. For terminal ramp and gate ops, a 70-200 is fine. If you want to attempt 17R/35L ops, bring the big nasty out. 300-500 if heat haze doesn't kill you. East side is afternoon/evening, west side is morning with limited afternoon if the light is right.

2nd Level Departure Road

Park in the short term, then take the elevator down to the basement, then catch the moving walkways into the terminal, then take the escalators to the top level and exit the Terminal, on the west side of the terminal a walkway goes down the departure roadway, near the west concourse. Follow this down until you can see over the wall comfortably, the wall starts about 25 feet high, then tapers off to about 3-4 feet. Good head on shots can be taken with planes using the UA/CO gates. Other than that, you won't get much other action from this spot. Police are on duty less than 200 feet away, bring all identification and leave at once if they ask you to. Don't argue your rights, just find somewhere else to shoot. They normally won't bother you. A 70-200 will work. Morning spot and some (very limited) afternoon/evening.

Surrounding Public Roads

There are 3 main roads that surround the OKC Airport, all provide some sort of viewing of the airport, all of which require a shoot and run technique. First, the road just north of the airport,54th Street, mainly arrivals and departures is all you will see. You have to find a place to exit the road (there is a curb, but some parts are flattened "driveways"). Make it quick -- get out quickly, take your pictures, and leave. Next is Portland Ave., it runs parallel to runway 17L/35R and does not have curbs, you can pull off wherever you want to, but there are "no parking" signs. Get out, get to the fence, take your pics, and leave. For 104th Street which runs on the south side of the field is good for departures and arrivals, which will be overhead, just as 54th Street. For 104th street, there is not really a good way to get anything arriving on Runway 35R in the morning. For the afternoon, there are a few driveways to farms you can pull into and sit for a few minutes. It takes a little bit of practice and planning to figure out which driveway is best. For runway 35L in the afternoon, the best driveway I have found is the 2nd driveway on the right if you were coming from MacArthur Blvd. 150-300mm would be required for that, although I have had moderate success with my 70-200 with a little bit of cropping.
For runway 35R on 104th street, there is really only one driveway nearby and it requires 300-400mm or so. The best advice is to drive around a little bit and test out which driveway/angle works best for you.

54th: Arrivals, 70-200mm will work, more will be better. Departures (overhead) 300-400+mm

Airliners.net sample photo: medium large
Airliners.net sample photo: medium large
Airliners.net sample photo: medium large

Portland: 300-400mm
104th: Same as 54th.

Spotting Locations Map

Loading map...

Note: This Google Satellite Photo is from 2001-2002. The buildings and roads may not be 100% accurate, the spots shown are where they are current time.

Aerial View:

Spotting Tips

Do some homework before you go.

1. Check the weather, and find out which runways are the actives. Generally if the wind is from the North, Arrivals will be on 35R and departures will be scattered between 35L/35R. If winds are from the south, any arrivals from the North, South, or East will land on 17L, and departures again will be scattered between 17L/17R. Most planes inbound from the west will take 17L. That's not always the case, so be flexible.

2. Go to Flightaware.com and print or write down the next 10-15 arrivals and departures by flight number, destination/or departure point, and ETA or the scheduled departure time. Now when spotting you have a general idea of where you need to be at each designated time. It is very easy to find yourself on the wrong side of the airport when something happens on the other side. If you are catching arrivals, listen to the approach frequency to get a heads up on where you need to be. If you are catching departures, listen to Ground to here what runway the planes are going to taxi to.

3. Have fun. If you encounter police officers or anyone else questioning what you are doing, please, don't give them a hard time. Be polite, courteous, and willing to show ID if asked to. I have not heard or had an encounter with anyone except for when I was spotting in the middle of the dark, which was suspicous.

Regular Traffic

Southwest Airlines (737-700) Callsign: "Southwest"

Delta Connection (CRJ-200, CRJ-700, CRJ-900) Callsigns: "Acey", "Comair", "Skywest", "Flagship"

Continental/Continental Express (ERJ-145, 737-500/700/800/900) Callsigns: "Jetlink", "Chautauqua", "Continental"

United/United Express (CRJ-200, CRJ-700, A319, A320, ERJ-145) Callsigns: "Skywest", "Lindbergh", "United", "Waterski"

American/American Eagle/American Connection (ERJ-135, ERJ-145, MD-80, CRJ-700) Callsigns: "Eagle Flight", "Waterski", "American"

Fedex Express(A300-600, A310) Callsign: "Fedex"

UPS (Boeing 757) Callsign: "UPS"

Alaska Airlines (737-700/800/900) Callsign: "Alaska"

Allegiant Airlines (MD83/88) Callsign: "Allegiant"

JPATS [Justice Prisoner and Alien Transport System] (737-300, 737-400) Callsign: "Justice"

Watch the weather at KDFW. If the weather is stormy, watch flightaware, OKC gets some good diversions, such as 777's, 757's, 747's and a load of MD80's.

Facilities and Transportation

@@ Line 21: / Line 21: @@
-==Spotting Locations==
+== Spotting Locations ==
 ===Post Office===
-The south side of the U.S. Post office on Air cargo Rd.
+This spot is located on Air Cargo Rd. on the east side of the airport. Take Air Cargo Rd. south until you see the post office on the left hand side, it is just north of the Employee Parking Lot. Pull into the Post Office and walk east down the south side of the building. There is a fence at the end which will provide good views of Taxiway E, Taxiway N, and Runway 17L/35R. This spot is best in the afternoon and late evening. A 70-300 is recommended, although a 70-200 will work absolutely fine. You will have to shoot through a fence at this location.
-Take Air Cargo Rd. South until you see the U.S. Post Office, Pull into the parking lot and walk down the south side of the building to the fence. '''Note: You have to shoot through a fence at this location.'''
-[http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&cp=pwzqm26w0hss&style=o&lvl=2&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&scene=11155430&encType=1 Bird's Eye View of spot]
-=====Photography=====
-You will need anywhere 50-200MM lens for traffic taxiing by, you will need 250-400MM for traffic using the runway. So the range is around 50-400MM needed here.
-=====Hours=====
-This is a P.M. spot. The best times are from 1PM to sundown.
-===Portland Rd===
-On Portland Rd. parallel the fence and runway 35R/17L. This road is on a slope, this spot is located at the top of the slope. '''Note: This spot requires a "shoot and run" technique. Park your car on the side of the road, put your hazard lights on, and wait till you see an airplane on approach or getting ready to take off, get out, take your pics, then leave. If the street is not very busy, you can hang around for a few minutes, but if the street starts getting busy, start heading out.'''
-'''Note 2: You have to shoot through a fence at this location.'''
-=====Photography=====
-For planes using taxiway "Hotel" (very rare) you need 200MM. For planes using the runway you will need 300-400MM. So a 100-400 is recommended at this spot.
-=====Hours=====
-This is an A.M. Spot, use this spot from sunrise to 11AM.
-===The Hangars===
-On S. Meridian there are a row of 6 hangars with some open space in between in which planes park between, getting you close to them. '''Note: You have to shoot through a fence at this location.'''
-=====Photography=====
-Anywhere from 18-105 mm is required here.
-=====Hours=====
-This is an A.M. spot. Sunrise to 11AM will work.
-=====Sample Photo=====
+===Long Term Parking Garage===
-{{anetlink|1304182}}
+Drive towards the Terminal and park in the short term parking garage (1st hr free). Then walk to the long term garage (just north of the short term garage). On either side there are stairwells which provide a good place to stand without blocking parking spaces. For the east side you can see traffic on the east terminal ramp, Taxiway E, Taxiway N, and Runway 17L/35R Ops. A 100-400 will work fine for the east side. For the west, you can see West Concourse North Ops (basically CO, UA) using the gates and the taxiway just north of the concourse. Runway 17R/35L ops are pretty much useless for the limited visibility and long distance to the runway. For terminal ramp and gate ops, a 70-200 is fine. If you want to attempt 17R/35L ops, bring the big nasty out. 300-500 if heat haze doesn't kill you. East side is afternoon/evening, west side is morning with limited afternoon if the light is right.
-===17R threshold===
+===2nd Level Departure Road===
-This spot is on S. Meridian, north of "The Hangars" as stated above. Landing and departing traffic can be seen from here.  '''Note: You have to shoot through a fence at this location.'''
+Park in the short term, then take the elevator down to the basement, then catch the moving walkways into the terminal, then take the escalators to the top level and exit the Terminal, on the west side of the terminal a walkway goes down the departure roadway, near the west concourse. Follow this down until you can see over the wall comfortably, the wall starts about 25 feet high, then tapers off to about 3-4 feet. Good head on shots can be taken with planes using the UA/CO gates. Other than that, you won't get much other action from this spot. Police are on duty less than 200 feet away, bring all identification and leave at once if they ask you to. Don't argue your rights, just find somewhere else to shoot. They normally won't bother you. A 70-200 will work. Morning spot and some (very limited) afternoon/evening.
-=====Photography=====
+===Surrounding Public Roads===
--500mm works here. RWY31 deps need 400-500 mm, but the 35L departures need 200-400 mm. 17R arrivals need 200-350.
+There are 3 main roads that surround the OKC Airport, all provide some sort of viewing of the airport, all of which require a shoot and run technique. First, the road just north of the airport,54th Street, mainly arrivals and departures is all you will see. You have to find a place to exit the road (there is a curb, but some parts are flattened "driveways"). Make it quick -- get out quickly, take your pictures, and leave. Next is Portland Ave., it runs parallel to runway 17L/35R and does not have curbs, you can pull off wherever you want to, but there are "no parking" signs. Get out, get to the fence, take your pics, and leave. For 104th Street which runs on the south side of the field is good for departures and arrivals, which will be overhead, just as 54th Street. For 104th street, there is not really a good way to get anything arriving on Runway 35R in the morning. For the afternoon, there are a few driveways to farms you can pull into and sit for a few minutes. It takes a little bit of practice and planning to figure out which driveway is best. For runway 35L in the afternoon, the best driveway I have found is the 2nd driveway on the right if you were coming from MacArthur Blvd.  150-300mm would be required for that, although I have had moderate success with my 70-200 with a little bit of cropping.  <br>For runway 35R on 104th street, there is really only one driveway nearby and it requires 300-400mm or so. The best advice is to drive around a little bit and test out which driveway/angle works best for you.
-=====Hours=====
+th: Arrivals, 70-200mm will work, more will be better. Departures (overhead) 300-400+mm<br>{{anetlink|1599371}} {{anetlink|0383758}} {{anetlink|1641848}}
-This spot is an A.M. only. Sunrise to 11AM will work.
+Portland: 300-400mm<br>
+th: Same as 54th.<br>
-===Parking Garage===
-The 5th level on the long term parking garage.
-Park in the short term parking garage just south of the long term garage.(1st hour free) Walk across to the parking garage and take the elevator to the 5th level and walk to either side, west or east. There are stair wells on each side where you can stand to shoot. The west side is mainly for gate shots and planes taxiing to the UA/CO gates unless you have a super long telephoto lens, the east side is closest to 17L/35R.
-=====Photography=====
-======East Side======
-Runway 17L/35R Operations need 250-400MM<br>
-Taxiway E (Echo) Operations need 200-250MM<br>
-Taxiway N (November) Operations need 130-200MM<br>
-Terminal Ramp East needs 130-150MM
-======West Side======
--500+. Also the bigger the better here, gate shots can be had with 120-300mm.
-=====Hours=====
-All day. (West side = sunrise-Noon)(East side = Noon-sunset)
-===Terminal Ramp===
-This spot is basically the closest to airside as you can get. This spot is located just south of 'The Hangars' on S. Meridian. You will see UA, CO, F9, and some AA action here.'''Note: You are under camera surveillance at this location.'''
-'''Note 2: You have to shoot through a fence at this spot.'''
-=====Photography=====
-Anywhere from 50-200 mm is normal.
-=====Hours=====
-Mainly PM. 1PM-sunset
-===SW. 104th Street===
-This street is located on the South Side of the Perimeter Fence.
-You can get here via Portland Ave. which runs North/South on the east Side of the Perimeter Fence. Or by just following I-44 to the SW 104th street exit, or Exit 112. Turn west on SW 104 until you pass Portland Ave.'''Note: A Shoot And Run Technique is required, as there are plenty of "No Parking" Signs present, just pull to the side of the road when you hear over the radio or see a plane on approach.'''
-=====Photography=====
-You will need anywhere from 100-300MM for traffic landing on 35R or 35L. I have never been here when planes are departing overhead so departure focal lengths are unknown, but I'd guesstimate 250-500MM.
-=====Hours=====
-This is an all day spot
 ==Spotting Locations Map==
-<googlemap lat="35.391009" lon="-97.595329" type="satellite" zoom="13" width="525" height="525" controls="large">35.398124, -97.592942, Post Office
+<display_points type="satellite" zoom="13" width="525" height="525">
-.396845, -97.597073, Parking Garage (West Side)
+.398124, -97.592942|Post Office
-.396856, -97.595195, Parking Garage (East Side)
+.396845, -97.597073|Parking Garage (West Side)
-.406215, -97.601126, 17R threshold
+.396856, -97.595195|Parking Garage (East Side)
-.396556, -97.600758, Terminal Ramp
+.406215, -97.601126|17R threshold
-.396537, -97.597722, Terminal Drive (Departure level, Second Level)
+.396556, -97.600758|Terminal Ramp
-.362859, -97.593184, Recommended Spot for 35R PM Arrivals
+.396537, -97.597722|Terminal Drive (Departure level, Second Level)
-.362946, -97.585545, Recommended spot for 35R AM Arrivals
+.362859, -97.593184|Recommended spot for 35R PM Arrivals
-.362946, -97.61065, Recommended Spot for 35L PM arrivals
+.362946, -97.585545|Recommended spot for 35R AM Arrivals
-note: Tree Cover is tall and scatered, position yourself accordingly
+.362946, -97.61065,|Recommended spot for 35L PM arrivals|Note: Tree Cover is tall and scattered, position yourself accordingly
-.362981, -97.600436, Recommended spot for 35L AM Arrivals
+.362981, -97.600436|Recommended spot for 35L AM Arrivals
-#758BC5
+.397219, -97.601016|The Hangars
-.397219, -97.601016, The Hangars
+.404372, -97.600973|The Hangars
-.404372, -97.600973, The Hangars
 .402623, -97.60108
 .401644, -97.600994
@@ Line 122: / Line 60: @@
 .399335, -97.60108
 .407521, -97.60108
-#758BC5
+.411438, -97.583313|Portland Ave.
-.411438, -97.583313, Portland Ave.
+.378273, -97.583141|Portland Ave.
-.378273, -97.583141, Portland Ave.
+.363156, -97.584858|SW 104 St.
-#758BC5
+.362876, -97.611465|SW 104 St.
-.363156, -97.584858, SW 104 St.
-.362876, -97.611465, SW 104 St.
 .362456, -97.591896
-</googlemap>
+</display_points>
-''Note: This Google Satelitte Photo is from 2001-2002. The buildings and roads may not be 100% accurate, the spots shown are where they are current time.''
+''Note: This Google Satellite Photo is from 2001-2002. The buildings and roads may not be 100% accurate, the spots shown are where they are current time.''
 Aerial View:
-[[{{ns:6}}:okcspots.jpg]]
+[[File:okcspots.jpg]]
 ==Spotting Tips==
@@ Line 147: / Line 83: @@
 ==Regular Traffic==
-Southwest (737-300, 737-500, 737-700) Callsign: "Southwest"
+Southwest Airlines (737-700) Callsign: "Southwest"
-Delta (CRJ-200, CRJ-700, MD-88, ERJ-145) Callsign: "Delta", "Acey", "Jetlink", "Comair", "Skywest"
+Delta Connection (CRJ-200, CRJ-700, CRJ-900) Callsigns: "Acey", "Comair", "Skywest", "Flagship"
-Continental (ERJ-145, CRJ-200, 737-500) Callsigns: "Jetlink", "Chatauqua", "Continental"
+Continental/Continental Express (ERJ-145, 737-500/700/800/900) Callsigns: "Jetlink", "Chautauqua", "Continental"
-United (CRJ-200, CRJ-700, 737-300, 737-500, A319) Callsigns: "Skywest", "Lindbergh", "United", "Waterski"
+United/United Express (CRJ-200, CRJ-700, A319, A320, ERJ-145) Callsigns: "Skywest", "Lindbergh", "United", "Waterski"
-Frontier (A319, Q400, A318, A320) Callsigns: "Frontier Flight", "Shasta"
+American/American Eagle/American Connection (ERJ-135, ERJ-145, MD-80, CRJ-700) Callsigns: "Eagle Flight", "Waterski", "American"
-American (ERJ-135, ERJ-145, MD-80) Callsigns: "Eagle Flight"," Waterski", "American"
+Fedex Express(A300-600, A310) Callsign: "Fedex"
-Northwest (E170, CRJ, DC-9) Callsigns: "Compass Rose", Flagship", "Northwest"
+UPS (Boeing 757) Callsign: "UPS"
-Fedex (A300-600, A310) Callsign: "Fedex"
+Alaska Airlines (737-700/800/900)  Callsign: "Alaska"
-UPS (767, 757) Callsign: "UPS"
+Allegiant Airlines (MD83/88) Callsign: "Allegiant"
-Airborne Express [DHL] (DC-9) Callsign: "Abex"
-Alaska (737-400) [MX work] Callsign: "Alaska"
-Allegiant (MD83/88) Callsign: "Allegiant"
-USAF (KC-135)
 JPATS [Justice Prisoner and Alien Transport System] (737-300, 737-400) Callsign: "Justice"
-Various Corporate Flights (Cessna Citations, Gulfstream Jets etc.)
+Watch the weather at KDFW. If the weather is stormy, watch flightaware, OKC gets some good diversions, such as 777's, 757's, 747's and a load of MD80's.
-Watch the weather at KDFW. If the weather is stormy, watch flightaware, OKC gets some good diversions, such as 777's 757's, 747's and a load of MD80's.
 ==Facilities and Transportation==

Will Rogers World Airport: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 23:35, 22 December 2017

Contents

Spotting Locations

Post Office

Long Term Parking Garage

2nd Level Departure Road

Surrounding Public Roads

Spotting Locations Map

Spotting Tips

Regular Traffic

Facilities and Transportation

Navigation menu

Will Rogers World Airport: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 23:35, 22 December 2017

Spotting Locations

Post Office

Long Term Parking Garage

2nd Level Departure Road

Surrounding Public Roads

Spotting Locations Map

Spotting Tips

Regular Traffic

Facilities and Transportation

Navigation menu

Search