| Point A: 56th Fighter Group/Main Terminal Parking Lot

Views: Runway 19 departures and landing rollouts, aircraft taxiing to runway 01 or 19,  and runway 01 departure rolls and landings.

Directions: From Route 110, enter the airport via the main entrance as if you were going to the 56th Fighter Group restaurant.  Enter the restaurant parking lot, head towards the tower, and continue to the right of the restaurant. The parking lot is on your left.

Security: There are picnic tables on the grass area next to the fence. People are often seen eating their lunch or taking breaks here.  NY State Police has there headquarters right down the road, yet, they have rarely stopped by to hassle anyone.  Airport Ops is also right at the terminal and can monitor this area.  As long as you don’t climb the fence you shouldn’t be hassled.  As always, carry your ID and be polite.

Photography: 70-200mm will work at this location for aircraft on the runway. Taxiing aircraft will require 50mm or wider, though longer lenses can be used for head-on or tighter shots. Photography is good for the afternoon through sunset.

Notes: You need to shoot over or through the chain-link fence at this location.

Some photos shot from this location:


Photo by John Klos

Photo by John Klos

Photo by John Klos

| Point B: Dave & Busters Parking Lot

Views: Runway 19 arrivals on very short final and runway 01 departures.

Directions: From Route 110 enter Airport Plaza, drive to the far east part of the plaza with Dave & Buster’s to your left.  Arrivals will pass left to right as they line up to land on runway 19.

Security: This is a public parking lot, for the Airport Plaza shopping center.  Unless you are causing a scene, you should have no issues here.   As always, carry your ID and be polite.

Photography: 70-200mm will work at this location, although longer lenses can be used for head-on or tighter shots. Photography is good for the afternoon through sunset.

Notes: You cannot see the airport tarmac from this location.

Some photos shot from this location:


Photo by John Klos

Photo by John Klos

Photo by John Klos

| Point C: New Highway

Views: Runway 32 arrivals and touchdown shots, as well as aircraft taxiing to runway 32.

Directions: From Route 109, turn north onto New Highway. Go over the Southern State Parkway, and just as New Highway bends to the right, continue straight to the airport fence.  You will see the parking area in front of you, with a cemetery memorial place on our left.

Security: This is a popular lunchtime spot as there is a hot-dog truck that stations itself at the New Highway bend.  You can get right up to the airport fence, there is a “lens-sized” gap that you can shoot through if you are lucky enough to be there.  The are is monitored by security cameras, and Airport Ops drives by approximately once an hour.  Unless you are trying to open the fence more than it is, they usually just wave as they drive by, or stop to say hello.  As always, carry your ID and be polite.

Photography: 70-200mm will work at this location for aircraft on the taxiway, you will need longer for aircraft on approach or landing.  Photography is good for the afternoon through sunset.

Notes: You need to shoot over or through the chain-link fence at this location.

Some photos shot from this location:


Photo by John Klos

Photo by John Klos

Photo by John Klos

| Point D: 56th Fighter Group Restaurant Parking Lot (North)

Views: Runway 01 or Runway 32 departures only.  The restaurant kills any tarmac shots, but in the late afternoon/evening you can get some nice climb out shots.

Directions: From Route 110 enter the airport via the main entrance as if you were going to the 56th Fighter Group.  Enter the restaurant parking lot, and park on the left.  General Aviation parking will be on your left.

Security: This is the parking lot for the restaurant, Friday nights are a very busy place for the 56th, so you will not be able to park here then.  Other than Friday’s this is a rarely used are of the lot and you should not have many problems.  As always, carry your ID and be polite.

Photography: 300mm or greater is needed here, as aircraft are flying away from you and climbing fast. Photography is good for the afternoon through sunset.

Notes: You need to shoot over the chain-link fence at this location.  Be wary of the light poles which can ruin a good shot.

Some photos shot from this location:


Photo by John Klos

Photo by John Klos

Photo by John Klos