Good places to park and watch planes by phx (and others)

[BIG CATS]

I go to the Terminal 2 or 3 parking garage and get the best views around. You have to pay, but its worth it. You have access to both runways, plus you can watch the pushbacks from the terminals below. The only downfall to Sky Harbor is the complete lack of variety of both aircraft and airlines. Plan on seeing all the Southwest 737 and US Airways A319's you can shake a stick at. Occasionally you might see a 757 or 767, but those are usually in the morning, and flown by FedEx and DHL. There is a British Airways 747 that flies in here, but thats in the evening, usually 5-5:30PM I believe.

Makes me miss my O'Hare spotting days. Now THAT is the airport to be to see international flights from all over the globe. LAX is also awesome for spotting, and only a 5 hour drive. Very worth it!

[locolobo13]

Try Falcon Field in Mesa. I think that is where the Commemorative Air Force flies WWII aircraft from. Not sure about times. Google them to see.

[Flavia84]

I second the post about LAX. The In-and-out burger by the approach end to the north runways is a prime spot for plane spotting.
Another good one is San Diego - and a shorter drive with less traffic. Makes for a great summer getaway.

Also, when she gets a little older you can arrange for an intro flight for her - https://www.eaa.org/en/eaa/aviation-...eagles-program

[Up2myeyeballz]

Oh wow! Thank you a for all the information! Will absorb asap, have two more phx trips in up coming days!

No problem on assuming a boy I'm prior, and my biggest regret was being offered air traffic controller at meps! I chose supply Still kick self. Daddy long ago went to rucker to fly helicopter ? Can't remember but looked like civilian ones, anyway had sinus/medical in this 10th month. We still talk about going to school together if we didn't relocate frequently.

I love that she loves aviation and will encourage it! Poor kid gets belly flips and take offs are very hard for her but her love on flying gets her through it. Wish I knew how to add a pic, not long ago our pilot let her sit in the cockpit for a bit.

Thank you, I now remember my teenagers doing the eea flight stuff years ago near Pittsburgh with a neighbor pilot!
Forgot all about that.

[MN-Born-n-Raised]

Originally Posted by Up2myeyeballz

Oh wow! Thank you a for all the information! Will absorb asap, have two more phx trips in up coming days!

No problem on assuming a boy I'm prior, and my biggest regret was being offered air traffic controller at meps! I chose supply Still kick self. Daddy long ago went to rucker to fly helicopter ? Can't remember but looked like civilian ones, anyway had sinus/medical in this 10th month. We still talk about going to school together if we didn't relocate frequently.

I love that she loves aviation and will encourage it! Poor kid gets belly flips and take offs are very hard for her but her love on flying gets her through it. Wish I knew how to add a pic, not long ago our pilot let her sit in the cockpit for a bit.

Thank you, I now remember my teenagers doing the eea flight stuff years ago near Pittsburgh with a neighbor pilot!
Forgot all about that.

The #1 tourist activity in Colorado is the United State Air Force Academy Academy (also known as USAFA). It's in Colorado Springs. When she gets older, take her there and plant a seed in her mind. It's a world class "college" but it is brutally competitive to get accepted because you need an appointment from a national politician. Cadets (students) get paid to attend. 50% of the 4,000 student body decide to fly planes. See United States Air Force Academy - Home . It's an amazing facility.

[SluggoF16]

Originally Posted by MN-Born-n-Raised

The #1 tourist activity in Colorado is the United State Air Force Academy Academy (also known as USAFA). It's in Colorado Springs. When she gets older, take her there and plant a seed in her mind. It's a world class "college" but it is brutally competitive to get accepted because you need an appointment from a national politician. Cadets (students) get paid to attend. 50% of the 4,000 student body decide to fly planes. See United States Air Force Academy - Home . It's an amazing facility.

The majority of classmates in my pilot training class were from "The Zoo". Nowadays it's about the only way to get to pilot training, ROTC's pipeline has been curtailed significantly as has OTS's. (I was ROTC)

[MN-Born-n-Raised]

Originally Posted by SluggoF16

The majority of classmates in my pilot training class were from "The Zoo". Nowadays it's about the only way to get to pilot training, ROTC's pipeline has been curtailed significantly as has OTS's. (I was ROTC)

Every year it gets tougher and tougher to get accepted into USAFA. If you are very smart and a D1 athlete, that is a path for the coach to pull strings. If you are not a D1 caliber athlete, then you still have to be athletic (normally varsity caliber and preferably a captain) plus in the top 3-5% SAT/ACT usually is the profile. Of course you need to interview well and not be DQed for all kinds of ailments. As you know, something as simple as allergies or mild asthma will do you in. Then getting one of those coveted fighter spots is another level or brutal competition.

We have a lot of pilots and trainers here in Marley Park. Everyone I met so far are fantastic neighbors and super people.