Good mountains for spotting KPHX

F

flyeagle111

CFO
Hey everyone, I will be flying into Phoenix Tuesday morning and will be staying in Scottsdale for the week. Any ideas for spotting at KPHX at area mountains? BTW, anybody flying in/out Tuesday A.M. or Sunday late afternoon? Thanks.
 
flyeagle111 said:
Hey everyone, I will be flying into Phoenix Tuesday morning and will be staying in Scottsdale for the week. Any ideas for spotting at KPHX at area mountains? BTW, anybody flying in/out Tuesday A.M. or Sunday late afternoon? Thanks.
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Spotting what in the mountains.....planes? Or sightseeing?
South Mountain isn't bad. Or the Tempe Buttes.

Am in PHX part of next week.
 
I used to go to Governor Hunt's Tomb near the Phoenix Zoo to plane spot and listen to ATC on a handheld while I was training in the Phoenix area. Its up on a little rise (not so much a mountain!), very near the approach path to Rwy 26 about 2.5 miles out from the threshold. Typing "Governor Hunt's Tomb" into Google Earth's "Fly To" function will show you the spot.
 
Couple of good other areas are:

1. The Left Seat restaurant on the north side of the Sky Harbor on Airlane. They have a upper deck viewing area/patio.

2. The top of the Terminal 3 or 4 parking garage.
 
If you're looking at somewhere on the airport...the parking garages can't be beat. If you're there when they're in west flow, you can go to either the SE or NE corner of the T4 garage and have a great view of 25L/25R and 26, respectively. Go all the way to the top of the garage if it isn't too warm. If it is, go to the second to the top floor and you'll stay relatively cool.

The po po doesn't really care either. You should try a tower/TRACON tour while you're out there too.
 
That sounds like a good idea! I just hope the security isn't like ORD security who escorted me to my car for "watching planes" from the parking deck. I even told them I had just been up to the control tower earlier that day with a security clearance and they still wouldn't let me. :(
 
The parking garages are the best spot nowadays to spot at PHX. If you're ontop of the parking garages you are okay with the 5-0. They may come over to ask you what you're doing but if it's a nice day you probably won't be the only one up there. I prefer T-3, it affords better photo opportunities of the transition between the north/south side of the field. If you're looking to spot from a mountain, I would recommend Papago Park in Tempe/Scottsdale.
 
MikeD said:
Couple of good other areas are:

1. The Left Seat restaurant on the north side of the Sky Harbor on Airlane. They have a upper deck viewing area/patio.

2. The top of the Terminal 3 or 4 parking garage.
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Best and most popular place. What brings you to the valley of the sun?
 
MikeD said:
Couple of good other areas are:

1. The Left Seat restaurant on the north side of the Sky Harbor on Airlane. They have a upper deck viewing area/patio.
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When I was there a few years back, the resturant was still open but the upper deck was not.

I'm not sure if that's the case now or not.
 
N519AT said:
When I was there a few years back, the resturant was still open but the upper deck was not.

I'm not sure if that's the case now or not.
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My info is old, so you've got the most current. Wonder why it got closed? My cargo company, back in the day, was 15 feet from the entrance of the place.
 
MikeD said:
My info is old, so you've got the most current. Wonder why it got closed? My cargo company, back in the day, was 15 feet from the entrance of the place.
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The waitress said it was due to security reasons. Lame.
 
Ok, looks like I'll try terminal 3 and 4! RWH, my family will be coming out to AZ more and more since we just got a place in Scottsdale. I'll be there in July to and I am not looking forward to the 120 degree weather! BTW, does anyone else's parents/friends think you are nuts for "spotting planes" like me?
 
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