| Spot A: Viewing Park

Views: This is mainly for runway 10L lift offs; they will rotate, if not in front of you, not much before and good lift off shots are always possible.  When runway 28R is in use, you will get touchdowns in front of you.

Directions: Take the Southern Boulevard exit from I-95.  If travelling north, turn left or if travelling south, turn right to head west on Southern Boulevard.  Pass the first set of traffic lights and under the bridge: the airport will be on the right hand side of you.  At the next traffic light (Kirk Rd), turn right. Then at the t-junction, turn right again.  You are now travelling on Perimeter Rd.  Just after the threshold of runway 13/31, you will see the viewing park on the left hand side.

Security: As long as you stay in the viewing park, security is very friendly and PBSO have been known to stop and chat once in a while.

Photography: A 300mm would be recommended here although you can get by with a 200mm for the runway 10L lift off shots.  Keep the shorter lenses close by though because the biz-jet traffic will taxi right in front of you.  For the runway 28R landing shots, you’ll need the extended range of the 300mm – 400mm lens.  The issue with runway 28R arrivals is that it is most often heat hazed.  Shooting can be done all day here.

Notes: PBIA is a big biz-jet airport – there is a great deal of this traffic from local US registrations and a number of international biz-jets as well.  PBIA is also used a lot by the military; F-18’s, KC-130T’s, etc., are in quite often so always expect the unexpected.  No chance of night shots, though, as the park closes at sunset.

Some photos shot from this location:


Photo by Mark Lawrence

Photo by Mark Lawrence

Photo by Mark Lawrence

| Spot B: Terminal Garage

Views: Mainly terminal although in the right conditions early morning, you can get both 10L and 28R action – though that will be gone by mid morning as the sun rises.

Directions: From all points, follow the signs for Palm Beach International Airport.  Once at the airport, follow the signs for the Short Term Parking.  Go to the top of the Short Term Parking and the terminals, ramp and parking are right in front of you.

Security: Again, security is very easy here but for safety, always carry ID.

Photography: You’ll need at least a 300mm for the runway action.  Terminal action can be a 200mm and less.  This really is an early morning location only.

Notes: You can shoot at night here for terminal action – the parking garage is safe and quiet.

Some photos shot from this location:


Photo by Mark Lawrence

Photo by Mark Lawrence

Photo by Mark Lawrence