Dster From United States of America, joined Sep 2004, 13 posts, RR: 0 Posted (8 years 5 months 2 weeks 1 day 9 hours ago) and read 2503 times:
A friend of mine asked me if the monorail at JFK is a good place to watch planes while going from terminal to terminal, I don't know much about JFK other than the spots near Boston Market and Costco and the beach area, the problem is knowing which runways are in use, the international arrivals runways are the best but seem to be unpredictable, any tips would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Moose135 From United States of America, joined Oct 2004, 2009 posts, RR: 12 Reply 2, posted (8 years 5 months 2 weeks 1 day 7 hours ago) and read 2445 times:
A couple of months ago, I was picking someone up at JFK, and got there an hour or so early so I could ride the monorail around the loop a couple of times. It was interesting, but as Tom said, you can see some a/c at the terminals, but you don't see much of the airfield itself.
Aa61hvy From United States of America, joined Nov 1999, 13975 posts, RR: 59 Reply 3, posted (8 years 5 months 2 weeks 1 day 4 hours ago) and read 2429 times:
As mentioned you can see movements but it would be near impossible to get some shots from the monorail. Try to meet up with an JFK local so they can guide you around. I know Art Brett amongst others always go to JFK. Don't do what I did, I could not meet up with anyone at the time, so me and two friends went to JFK eventually got to Howard Beach ($20 cab fee for a 5 minute walk) and saw that the wind was the wrong way. We got screwed.
Dster From United States of America, joined Sep 2004, 13 posts, RR: 0 Reply 4, posted (8 years 5 months 2 weeks 16 hours ago) and read 2366 times:
Can't I just tune into ATIS on my scanner and see what runways are in use? I've been to Howard Beach and Costco and both could be decent if those runways are in use which they weren't. I also drove into some residential neighborhood and parked on the side of the street, it was unbelievably close but the arrivals were mostly domestic, JetBlue etc. with the exception of one LH 747-400, I've never been closer to one. Thanks for your help guys.
Moose135 From United States of America, joined Oct 2004, 2009 posts, RR: 12 Reply 5, posted (8 years 5 months 1 week 6 days 15 hours ago) and read 2313 times:
Can't I just tune into ATIS on my scanner and see what runways are in use?
Sounds like a plan. And while JFK is a big place, it's only a short drive between the various spotting sites. About the only time you can't get to a good spot is if they are landing on Rwy 4 L/R - the approach is over the bay.
Southpaw8669 From United States of America, joined Nov 2003, 141 posts, RR: 8 Reply 6, posted (8 years 5 months 1 week 6 days 14 hours ago) and read 2299 times:
There is A good spot for 4L/R, The place is BaysWater State Park. Actually its one of the better JFK spotting locations.
Moose135 From United States of America, joined Oct 2004, 2009 posts, RR: 12 Reply 7, posted (8 years 5 months 1 week 6 days 11 hours ago) and read 2287 times:
Thanks, Eric,
I'll have to check that out one of these days. I was down that way once, and did come across a pretty desolate-looking, overgrown park (I think it was a National Wildlife area or something) I forget what the name on the sign was, but it could have been Bayswater.
Mikephotos From United States of America, joined Oct 2000, 2923 posts, RR: 56 Reply 9, posted (8 years 5 months 1 day 10 hours ago) and read 2210 times:
What ZOOM lens would I need for photography?
At Bayswater, for B747 & A340 arrivals on 4R, you can get away with a 70-200/80-200 lens. For anything smaller you'll need a bit more reach, say 100-400 or 80-400. For other runways (4L lineups or 22R takeoffs) from that spot, you'll need a lot longer than 400mm.
Futterman From United States of America, joined Sep 2003, 1301 posts, RR: 49 Reply 10, posted (8 years 5 months 1 day 7 hours ago) and read 2191 times:
For other runways (4L lineups or 22R takeoffs) from that spot, you'll need a lot longer than 400mm.
Not really ...if you're prepared, 400mm (on digital) should suffice. I have a few shots of Gemini MD11s, assorted 744s, and the odd jetBlue 320 from that day in October...all at or below 400mm.
Mikephotos From United States of America, joined Oct 2000, 2923 posts, RR: 56 Reply 13, posted (8 years 5 months 1 day 3 hours ago) and read 2171 times:
Futt, I'm talking about full frame (or close to it). No way you getting B6 A320's taking off 22R from Bayswater with 400mm or below. Of course, with cropping you can do wonders but I do prefer (if possible) to get the RAW as full frame as I can.
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From United States of America, joined Sep 2004, 13 posts, 
...if you're prepared, 400mm (on digital) should suffice. I have a few shots of Gemini MD11s, assorted 744s, and the odd jetBlue 320 from that day in October...all at or below 400mm.
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