San Antonio International Airport
| Continent: North America | Country: United States | Region: Texas |
| San Antonio International Airport | |
| Location | San Antonio, Texas |
| IATA code | SAT |
| ICAO code | KSAT |
| Airport type | Commercial |
| Website | [www.sanantonio.gov/airport/ www.sanantonio.gov/airport/] |
| Overview map | [maps.google.com/maps?q=SAT&spn=0.063358,0.118721&t=h&hl=en Google Maps] |
| Communications | |
| Tower | |
| Ground | 121.9 |
| Clearance | |
| Approach | |
| ATIS | 118.9 |
| Departure | 122.95 |
Official Spotting Locations
There are no official spotting locations at SAT.
Other Spotting Locations
Long-Term Parking
You can take the elevators to the top floor and you get a sweeping view of the main runway, 12R/30L, and to your left is runway 3. Most traffic is usually on 12R, you can get some nice rotation shots from that angle. Sometimes runway 3 is used and although I have never been spotting when runway 3 is used, I'm sure you can get some nice shots of approaching aircraft, the only problem is that the floodlights will probably get in your way. A quick call to Public Affairs at 210-207-3450 is usually a good idea prior to going out.
Raytheon Parking Lot
Located on the right side of John Cape Rd, this parking lot for Raytheon offers a close-up view to rotations on 30L and touchdowns on 12R. Airport Police driving by on the perimeter road don't have a problem with spotters there, but sometimes employees of Raytheon might ask you to leave. Most weekends the lot is empty and is perfect for spotting.
Approach View for 12R
There are a few good places along Hwy 281 for spotting approaches to 12R. In the mornings the lot for Adult Video Megaplex is good and in the evenings the lot for Motel 8 is good. Also on Warfield Drive (Drive NW on Rhapsody Dr: it's the first right... feel free to check mapquest), there are a few businesses off to the right that offer a great view looking down the center line of 12R. This road is up on a hill so you have a vantage point that looks down on the runway... it's an impressive sight.
Locations to Avoid
Regular Traffic
Aerolitoral (Saab 340)
America West Express (CRJ)
American (MD-80)
American Connection (ERJ)
Continental (737, 757)
Continental Express (ERJ)
Delta (MD-88, 737)
Delta Connection (CRJ, ERJ, E170)
DHL (727)
FedEx (A300, A310, DC-10, MD-10, 727)
Frontier (A318, A319)
Mexicana (A318, A319, A320)
Midwest (717)
Northwest (A319, A320, DC-9)
Southwest (737)
United (A319, 737)
United Express (CRJ)
UPS (A300, DC-8, 757)