VCVSpotter wrote:

YVAMWB1900 wrote:

Thinking about going back up to VCV and SBD this week or next to take some pictures. How are you all getting pictures through or above the fence? I hate that pics I've taken in the past all have fence in them. I wish I could fly my drone up there. Would definitely get some great shots.

I have a Nikon D3500 with a 70-300mm lens, and very creative thinking lol. Finding the right spots and just WALKING around or driving VERY SLOWLY (obviously while being safe) is key. That way you notice the tiniest alleys or areas to take a shot with just the right perspective. Be nice, you can smile and wave to security/workers (if you want) and they'll be chill with you taking pics, with the exception of one area which is closed off for General Atomics (link to that spot below) For VCV, I mainly take pics through the fence, the last time I used a ladder there was over a year ago. Here are a few main spots you can shoot from at VCV:

You can dm me (and this goes for anyone on A.net) on @socal.spotters for more specific info.

Don't shoot here if there's security (sometimes there's none and you'll be ok) This parking lot is adjacent to the General Atomics hanger (the one on the west corner of the parking lot) and they even modified the fence with metal slats so you can't shoot in. You can shoot stuff in the Boeing area, but I'd stay out of this parking lot if there is visible security (which sometimes there is because they have drones outside at times): https://www.google.com/maps/@34.5829662 ... a=!3m1!1e3

Here's some general spots that are good to shoot from at VCV:
Aerospace Drive: https://www.google.com/maps/@34.580047, ... a=!3m1!1e3
Parking Lot Here: https://www.google.com/maps/place/U.S.+ ... 17.3787773
Next to the tower: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Worle ... 17.3750368
End of Readiness St: https://www.google.com/maps/@34.5911982 ... a=!3m1!1e3
Aviation Drive (manageable dirt road, gives an overview of the airport): https://www.google.com/maps/@34.5977372 ... a=!3m1!1e3
Corner of Alert and N Perimeter: https://www.google.com/maps/@34.6001639 ... a=!3m1!1e3
Gateway Dr. on the back end of Snapple (this is where most of the shots of all of the DL airliners lined up are taken): https://www.google.com/maps/place/DR+PE ... 17.3957979
Dirt Road (preferably get an SUV, take Coulsa off the 395 and turn right onto Helendale): https://www.google.com/maps/@34.6060126 ... a=!3m1!1e3

Spots for SBD:
Parking lot off of S Leland Norton Way (park here, then on the edge of the parking lot facing the runway there'll be a green electrical box. Stand on it to get a good shot of something coming in. If Stater Bros security car comes around, say you're here for the planes. Then they won't care. Police/SBD security don't care if you're here (at SBD): https://www.google.com/maps/@34.6060126 ... a=!3m1!1e3
Parking lot of SBD fire, you'll be ok just get the shots and then go: https://www.google.com/maps/@34.6060126 ... a=!3m1!1e3
Great place to chill and take it in if it's open, if not, try the adjacent lot: https://www.google.com/maps/@34.6060126 ... a=!3m1!1e3

SBD is undergoing a lot of construction right now on the far eastern corner of the airport so the spotting situation over there is always changing, best to use common sense, but I think that these spots will mostly be good enough. Let me know if anything is unclear/if you have questions, and good luck. Spotting at these airports may be sad, but it's also one of the most diverse places regarding airline/aircraft types.

VCVSpotter wrote:

Ethiopian 787-9 ET-AYC (LN1005, Flight Test BOE106, Temp Reg N5010N) filed VCV-PAE 2:45PM - 5:03PM as BOE106. Stayed less than a month at VCV (arrived July 17).

https://www.flightradar24.com/data/flights/boe106

VCVSpotter wrote:

SkyLease Cargo 747-400F N903AR filed SBD-SBD 8:30AM - 9:04AM as GG9903 for a test flight. Imminent return to service likely.

https://flightaware.com/live/flight/KYE ... /KSBD/KSBD

crownvic wrote:

does anyone know what reason that SW is sending those 737's to VCV?

Sooner787 wrote:

crownvic wrote:

does anyone know what reason that SW is sending those 737's to VCV?

Read awhile back they're now planning on retiring their oldest 737-700's and/ or frames due for heavy

checks with their Max 8's on a one for one basis. WN already owns 34 Max 8's and Lord knows how many

Boeing has in storage ready for delivery, but that will be quite a few -700's heading into retirement in the next 12 months.

Newark727 wrote:

A Lockheed C-130A registered N466TM flew from Merced to Barstow-Daggett (DAG) today:
https://flightaware.com/live/flight/N466TM
Not strictly boneyard activity, but boneyard-adjacent, insofar as nearly every other C-130A has been consigned to one.