shamrock838
2007-05-27, 10:35 PM
Greetings,
This past (vacation) week I visited both Site A “Howard Beach” … the small parking lot off Cross Bay Boulevard … and Point E (Frank M Charles Park) to view the departures from JFK Runway 31L. Not the easiest sites to reach without stretching public transportation with considerable walking. But ... where there's a will there's usually a way ...
On Monday, May 21, I visited Site B … the parking lot off Cross Bay Boulevard at the south end of the Congressman Joseph P Addabbo Bridge … around midday. Departures from JFK 31L were relatively infrequent and mostly domestic with the merest scattering of "internationals."
On Saturday, May 26, I visited Site E … the Frank M Charles Memorial Park in Howard Beach … later in the day. Departures from JFK 31L were more frequent with a nice mix of domestic and international. Hot even after 5pm ... and the buggies are starting to appear.
At Site B … most flights veered to the left when lifting off from JFK … is this in accordance with local noise abatement procedures? Some good side shots were to be had but a greater number of “bellies.”
At Site E … many flights “bellied” right overhead while veering seaward. A few of the four-engine international “heavies” started banking later and provided magnificent side views. And … “mein Gott” … a veritable plague of JetBlue AirBus A320s! Others … mostly medium and shorter-range aircraft … passed well to the left while climbing more sharply.
Question #1: - In your collective experience … which is the best overall spotting site for JFK 31L departures … the Site B parking lot off Cross Bay Boulevard … or Site E at Frank M Charles Park?
Question #2: - Does the JFK Control Tower assign different liftoff flight patterns to successive flights ... to avoid wake effects from preceding aircraft? I’m reminded of the tragic fate of AA Flight 587 at Belle Harbor in November 2001 … so it would seem to make sense.
Question #3: - What about flights arriving at JFK on 13L further north. Any suggested spotting sites up here? Thanks.
Mike (shamrock838)
This past (vacation) week I visited both Site A “Howard Beach” … the small parking lot off Cross Bay Boulevard … and Point E (Frank M Charles Park) to view the departures from JFK Runway 31L. Not the easiest sites to reach without stretching public transportation with considerable walking. But ... where there's a will there's usually a way ...
On Monday, May 21, I visited Site B … the parking lot off Cross Bay Boulevard at the south end of the Congressman Joseph P Addabbo Bridge … around midday. Departures from JFK 31L were relatively infrequent and mostly domestic with the merest scattering of "internationals."
On Saturday, May 26, I visited Site E … the Frank M Charles Memorial Park in Howard Beach … later in the day. Departures from JFK 31L were more frequent with a nice mix of domestic and international. Hot even after 5pm ... and the buggies are starting to appear.
At Site B … most flights veered to the left when lifting off from JFK … is this in accordance with local noise abatement procedures? Some good side shots were to be had but a greater number of “bellies.”
At Site E … many flights “bellied” right overhead while veering seaward. A few of the four-engine international “heavies” started banking later and provided magnificent side views. And … “mein Gott” … a veritable plague of JetBlue AirBus A320s! Others … mostly medium and shorter-range aircraft … passed well to the left while climbing more sharply.
Question #1: - In your collective experience … which is the best overall spotting site for JFK 31L departures … the Site B parking lot off Cross Bay Boulevard … or Site E at Frank M Charles Park?
Question #2: - Does the JFK Control Tower assign different liftoff flight patterns to successive flights ... to avoid wake effects from preceding aircraft? I’m reminded of the tragic fate of AA Flight 587 at Belle Harbor in November 2001 … so it would seem to make sense.
Question #3: - What about flights arriving at JFK on 13L further north. Any suggested spotting sites up here? Thanks.
Mike (shamrock838)