Weekend Spotting @ JFK

[Cary]

Hi,

I'm new to JFK spotting (I've been going out to PHL for about 10 years), and was wondering if someone could answer some questions. The next time and the winds cooperate on a Sat or Sun, I want to try to catch morning 31L departures. Generally speaking, does either Saturday or Sunday have better regularly scheduled traffic at that time, or are they about the same? Also, is there a good time during the morning to switch over to get arrivals/something else? In other words, is there any "usual" time the morning departures push dies down?

Thanks for any help,
Cary

[T-Bird76]

The morning right now for 31L departures isn't very good, its more of a winter spot for the best possibe results IMO. 31's in the moring right now really aren't the best. The 4s are great for morning arrivals which they tend to be on and then by 11:30 12ish they switch to the 31s. From 12 to 1 the sun is still high but you still can manage to shoot at Firestone until dusk. They have been switching back to the 4s around 6 PM I've noticed the last few times I've been out. The 4s for arrivals late in the afternoon are impossible to shoot as they are totally backlit.

[Cary]

The morning right now for 31L departures isn't very good, its more of a winter spot for the best possibe results IMO. 31's in the moring right now really aren't the best. The 4s are great for morning arrivals which they tend to be on and then by 11:30 12ish they switch to the 31s. From 12 to 1 the sun is still high but you still can manage to shoot at Firestone until dusk. They have been switching back to the 4s around 6 PM I've noticed the last few times I've been out. The 4s for arrivals late in the afternoon are impossible to shoot as they are totally backlit.

Thanks for the response :)

[PhilDernerJr]

There are some good planes to be had in the mornings, but as said, not too many heavy hitters. Your biggest problem will be that the sun is on the wrong side.

The spots for those deps are better late in the day.

[Cary]

There are some good planes to be had in the mornings, but as said, not too many heavy hitters. Your biggest problem will be that the sun is on the wrong side.

The spots for those deps are better late in the day.

Thanks Phil. Well, coming from PHL, anything at JFK is a "heavy hitter" :D So the 31L departures around 10am-noon are backlit this time of year (as they are making their turn)?

[NIKV69]

It will be a stretch. The sun will be high and above your right shoulder so the fuselage will not be totally lit properly. If they bank enough to get the sun behind you they will be out of range anyway. Best bet for you now is to pray for 22R departures so you can get the heavies at Bayswater, if it's departures you are after. You will get something like this.

[airlinerstp://www.airliners.net/open.file/1153922/L/[/airliners

[PhilDernerJr]

You also will need a 400mm lens.

[Cary]

Thanks everyone :D Yeah, I have a 70-200mm + 1.4x teleconverter, and the 1.6x crop factor of the 40D...it should be okay, but I'll probably try the other spots first or shoot arrivals, etc.

[NIKV69]

You also will need a 400mm lens

Ahh yes I forgot that important detail.

but I'll probably try the other spots first or shoot arrivals, etc.

Good idea. The spotting map here is great but if have your own transportation drive around and find spots that cooperate with the sun. They are out there. 31R Arrivals can be had at sunrise if you are smart and act accordingly. email me at [email protected] with any questions and for details.

[Cary]

Thanks for the help guys...here are some of my low-res shots from yesterday (JFK+LGA):

[JZ1]

Cary: nice to meet you and it was a great spotting at LGA. Looking forward seeing you in the future. Check out my photo at http://www.pbase.com/mugong.

[Cary]

Cary: nice to meet you and it was a great spotting at LGA. Looking forward seeing you in the future. Check out my photo at http://www.pbase.com/mugong.

Nice meeting you too...and great pics :)