John F Kennedy International Airport Spotting
SPOT A : Frank M. Charles Memorial Park
Views: A mainly head on view of departures on 31L at rotation, and a view of the Canarsie and Breezy Point Climbs.
Security: There is park police in the area and they have stopped spotters before. As always, be cautious and smile!
Notes: There will be some other people enjoying the park as well. Bring bug spray in the summer, there are some mosquitoes!
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SPOT B : Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge North Parking Lot / Howard Beach
Views: An excellent view of 31L departures - a side view of rotation, and a full view of the Canarsie Climb / Breezy Point Climbs.
Security: NYPD and Park Police have visited before and stopped other spotters.
Notes: The traffic rules are a bit confusing in this area, so follow them.
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SPOT C : Bayswater Park
Views: Excellent views of landings on Runway 4L/R, departures on Runway 4L - the planes go from left to right. Departures on 22L have a side view with the planes coming from right to left. Arrivals on 31L also have a nice view from Bayswater, the planes go from right to left if you face north towards the 31s. There is a nice view of 13R departures as well, the planes go overhead or side of you, coming the opposite direction of the 31L departures. You can see the nice right turn as the planes depart!
Security: Bayswater isn't that bad for security, but NYPD have stopped planespotters here before. Carry your ID, as always.
Notes: Bring bug spray in the summer...lots of mosquitoes here! If it rained recently, the path to the spotting place can be muddy - you have to walk about 100m to get there past the gates. There are also lots of fisherman here usually.
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SPOT D : Rockaway Turnpike Mall : Panera Bread, Burger King and Costco Area
Views: Nice views of 31R arrivals, they come side view. 31L arrivals are over the shopping mall roofs and are slightly distant.
Security: Nassau County Police visit the spotters sometimes...carry your ID.
Notes: You cannot get the touchdown view here, which also goes for each of the other JFK spots except for Bayswater Park 31L/4L/4R. Also, there are some power lines in the area so make sure to try to avoid them in your shots! Same goes for trees.
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SPOT E : The Mounds
Views: A very nice side view of 22L arrivals, and if you move to the upper part of the soccer field, a great view of 22R arrivals!
Security: This spot has no security...don't abuse it though.
Notes: HOLY BUG SPRAY! YOU NEED IT! BUGS ARE EVERYWHERE HERE! IT'S CRAZY!! The Mound is pretty much just the name for the spot now as the actual Mounds has become overgrown and difficult to access. Most spotters just stand at the edge of the field farthest away from the mounds. 22R arrivals can also be captured at this spot, but to do so, move up the field closer to the Mounds to get a better viewing.
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SPOT F : JFK T5 Parking Garage
Views: Great views of 4L departures, 13L landings (the Parkway Visual approach, VOR), taxi/rollout of 31R landings.
Security: This spot has some security from Allied Barton and the police. You WILL get kicked out if they see you!
Notes: It's better to go with a group of friends at this place - not a place you want to hang out solitary for a long time. Make sure you have your ID as there WILL be police/security roaming around once in a while.
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The videos below showcase some spotting locations at JFK. They go in this order : First is Spot D, then Spot E, and finally Spot C. The Bayswater video shows a 22R departure, the Costco video shows a 31R arrival and the Mounds video shows a 22L arrival.