JeffM From United States of America, joined May 2005, 3266 posts, RR: 53 Reply 1, posted (8 years 6 months 4 weeks 1 day 18 hours ago) and read 2058 times:
I have spent a ton of time there. Nice background scenery. Albuquerque's airport is shared with the military. The do some sensitive and secret testing there, and do not like certain things included in any pictures, and get very, very serious about it. It took me days to get permission to shoot our own aircraft on the ramp. There are some outstanding locations on the base, but I don't think you can get on. I'm not saying you can't shoot off base there, and if you spend a few days you will find a good spot or two, but not many more. This time of year it will be hard to get the sun behind you without being on the base.
But, on the bright side, there are some good restaurants.
DLKAPA From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 2, posted (8 years 6 months 4 weeks 1 day 17 hours ago) and read 2047 times:
So is the base on the west side of the airport or the east side? I think that if I go exploring I can probably find a good place to spot later in the evening with the mountain backdrop,
But then again the last time I went "exploring," I wound up at Aurora Reservior
JeffM From United States of America, joined May 2005, 3266 posts, RR: 53 Reply 3, posted (8 years 6 months 4 weeks 1 day 17 hours ago) and read 2041 times:
The main runway is EAST/WEST, and I don't ever remember anything landing on the north-south in all the time I have spent there. The Military occupies approximately 3/4's of the property with the civilian airterminals on the north-west side. So the sun will stay south of the main runway (on base side). The mountains are to the east, so I doubt you will get a shot with them in the sunset.
If you go, be careful "exploring" around some of the areas around there. Crime is high, many distressed housing areas, and some of the indians and hispanics that live in them would love to see what is in your wallet. Prostitution is fairly prominent as well, and arrests are frequent.
I had the pleasure of spending some time with the 58th SOW (Special Operations Wing). They have some very unique (but nightmarish as I was an electrician) aircraft there such as the MH53J, TH-53A Pave Low, MH/HH-60G Pave Hawk, MC-130P Combat Shadow, MC-130H Combat Talon II, and one of my personal favorites... the CV-22. Many of those will only fly at night, but you just might catch a glimpse during the day.
DLKAPA From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 4, posted (8 years 6 months 4 weeks 1 day 16 hours ago) and read 2023 times:
any numbers I might contact to get any sort of permission before I go driving through any high-crime areas in my relatively new looking chevy silverado?
ShyFlyer From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 5, posted (8 years 6 months 4 weeks 22 hours ago) and read 1963 times:
The Sunport has a great observation spot next to the approach end of Runway 8. The Sunport Police make regular patrols in the area, but I've never been hassled (although they watched me closely for a few minutes until I brought out my camera).
Jeff's right about high crime areas. Stay away from the "South Valley."
Email me (address in my profile) or contact me here and I can give you directions. Oh, and for General Aviation, don't forget Double Eagle II (AEG) on the West Mesa.
DLKAPA From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 7, posted (8 years 6 months 4 weeks 16 hours ago) and read 1933 times:
Phillip:
Just wanted to thank you publicly for the e-mail that you sent me. I was expecting maybe a paragraph at most to give me a general idea, but no, you went above that and because of that I now feel like I'm ready to head down to Abecew. Thanks again and welcome to my RR,
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From , joined Dec 1969, posts, 
Seriously though, if there is anything more you need to know, don't hesitate to ask!
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