VIEWING AREAS

(Click on the numbered circles to read about each viewing area)


 

This is the official viewing area, and a very good one at that.  Located at the southeast end of the airport and at the threshold of runway 28L, this area is perfect for viewing aircraft landing to the west and taking off to the east (of course only one direction will be used at a time so you will have one or the other during a visit).  When aircraft takeoff to the east, you get a great view of the underside of the planes.  Come here in the morning hours as the sun will be behind you (you will get better pictures).

From the north end of the parking garage, the only parked aircraft that you are able to see are those belonging to Southwest Airlines.  However, this is a great spot to see aircraft land and takeoff as it is so close to the north runway and right at the touchdown zone markers for runway 28R.  Southwest and Delta use this runway the majority of the time (because of their proximity to this runway) and America West, United, Continental and Air Canada flights can often be seen from here.  I particularly like this area when aircraft are landing to the west because they touchdown right in front of you.  You get a great profile view of the aircraft!
 

The south end of the parking garage overlooks the B terminal at CMH which is serviced primarily by US Air (mainly DC9's, 737's, MD80's and A320's).  From this side of the airport, one will see mostly US Air, TWA, American, Northwest, Midway, Midwest Express, America West and United flights.  Keep in mind, the runway that airlines use will change depending on a number  of factors (i.e. weather).

Now for the more obscure places...

This is an area that used to be owned by some company.  Now I am NOT telling you that it is ok to sit here and watch planes.  I am only saying that I used to go here once a week on the weekends and no one ever said anything to me and there are not any signs posted.  This is a GREAT area to see planes up close only when they are using runway 10L.  This area is very close to the runway.  Planes that are landing hit the touchdown zone almost right in front of you and planes that are departing make their turn onto the runway in the same area. The same group of airlines uses this runway as listed above for the north end of the parking garage. However, during the warmer months, BEWARE of the ticks.  I came home with four one day in May, I think I will wait until October to go back.

There is not one spot here from which to view aircraft along 17th Ave.  There are several places where you can pull off the road and sit in your car.  This is a place to be when aircraft are landing on runway 10R as the path of the descent is parallel to the road.  (see the south side of the parking garage to get a list of airlines that frequent this runway).

The golf course is a great place to be if you love golf and love aviation.  On a couple of the holes, aircraft that are on their final approach pass just over head at 50-100 ft.  The rabbit lights for runway 28L run right through the golf course!