MDL21483 From United States of America, joined Nov 2004, 169 posts, RR: 0 Posted (6 years 3 months 3 weeks 2 days 23 hours ago) and read 1422 times:
I have a sister in the Navy thats getting married in Norfolk and will be making the IAH-ORF trip in August. This would be my first venture there, and I want to make the best of the vacation with not only family, but also spotting in the area- espically the new summer service by Monarch mentioned elsewhere, which luckily coincides with my arriving flight. Any suggestions on where and when to spot at ORF or PHF or advice on avoiding run-ins with security? Down here in Houston we have a number we can call to give heads-up that we'll be spotting from the garages or cargo lots, but Is there anything close to this system up that way?
thanx
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Flynavy From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 1, posted (6 years 3 months 3 weeks 2 days 19 hours ago) and read 1378 times:
ORF has one parking garage with a decent view of the field. The Norfolk Botanical Gardens offer better viewing, although usually any shots you get from that area are backlit due to the position of the park relative to the airfield. Lake Whitehurst, at the approach end of runway 23, is a great place also. I've never had any encounters with civilian authorities there. Have you considered taking a trip to Oceana? We have a viewing area set up on the northeast end of Oceana Blvd.
ORF doesn't offer much in terms of heavies. Delta used to bring a 757 in twice daily but since downgraded to a mix of MD88s and 738s. UPS currently has the only 757 scheduled, which is the largest aircraft serving the airport at the moment, until May, when Monarch's 767 hits the pavement here. The only airport in the Norfolk metro area with scheduled heavies is Norfolk Naval Station (KNGU) with a mix of World DC10s and MD11s, North American 767s and 757s, and the occasional Omni Air DC10.
I haven't explored PHF with a camera yet but I am considering it. The USAF occasionally does VC-25/VC-32 training flights there, it's something seeing a 747 doing a touch and go at such a low profile airport.
Flyusairways From United States of America, joined Dec 2005, 176 posts, RR: 3 Reply 2, posted (6 years 3 months 3 weeks 2 days 19 hours ago) and read 1367 times:
Quoting Flynavy (Reply 1): until May, when Monarch's 767 hits the pavement here
According to today's news, this service has sadly been canned.
Vatveng From United States of America, joined Jan 2004, 893 posts, RR: 1 Reply 3, posted (6 years 3 months 3 weeks 2 days 14 hours ago) and read 1342 times:
For PHF, flights landing on 7 come in over the Wal-Mart across Jefferson Ave. Flights approaching from the south but landing on 20 or 25 sometimes make a U-turn over Yorktown.
BigOrange From United States of America, joined Apr 2004, 2358 posts, RR: 3 Reply 4, posted (6 years 3 months 3 weeks 2 days 7 hours ago) and read 1300 times:
Quoting Flynavy (Reply 1): I haven't explored PHF with a camera yet but I am considering it.
Be careful where you point the camera at PHF especially near the Lears or you might find yourself on a flight to Gitmo!
I turned around in the parking lot of the hangar where the Lears are based and was followed at a distance until I left airport property by two unmarked cars.
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