Spotting at LGA?

**jmrgn59** · 2013-07-16, 07:26 PM

Hello,
I am new to Planespotting. I live on the island, in Suffolk Co. Have gone to Planeview Park three times in the last six weeks and have yet to see Runway 4, or 13 open. I've been there on Saturday mornings. I know weather plays a big part in which Runway is used. What i'm wondering is if there is a way to find out on the morning i want to take the ride, if these Runways will be used.
If not maybe someone can suggest an equally good spot to view some planes. Thanks for any help.......

**Landing Lights** · 2013-07-16, 08:10 PM

First off, welcome! There are a couple of tools that you can try out. to see which runways are currently in use. LiveATC.net has streaming audio from seemingly every tower, TRACON, and center around. Listening to that, you should be able to tell which runway configuration is in use. Another tool is Planefinder or FlightRadar24 which map current air traffic using ADS-B data (real time, from a network of home receiving stations) combined with delayed FAA data. Especially during busier times, you can actually follow the aircraft in and out of the airport on a map. All 3 of these are available on the web or via smartphone app. Another thing that some spotters do is to call the ATIS for the airport you are planning on spotting. Be aware that runway configurations are a fluid thing and while sometimes they will remain the same all day, they have been known to change as frequently as hourly on rare occasions. I typically listen to LiveATC for the airport I am planning to spot as I'm driving in.

As for other places to spot, the 'Planespotting Guides' tab near the top of this page has written out guides for many of the airports in this area, including LGA. From memory, I can think of 3 other locations that are good spots at JFK besides Planeview and Landing Lights parks.

**moose135** · 2013-07-16, 09:10 PM

LGA ATIS is available by calling 718-424-4713. It is the same broadcast you will here over the radio, and updated at the same time - usually about 5 minutes before the top of the hour, unless conditions change drastically between scheduled updates.

**megatop412** · 2013-07-16, 11:14 PM

I assume you mean open for landings instead of takeoffs. I was there this afternoon and they were departing off 4. It was pretty cool actually.

**jmrgn59** · 2013-07-17, 12:12 AM

Thanks to all with your fast replies and great advice........

**jmrgn59** · 2013-07-17, 06:59 PM

Sorry for what probably is a silly question, but if I listen to LiveATC to spot at LGA, would i monitor the Tower, the Approach ( of which there's 3 ), etc. ? I'm a little confused. I want to know when Runway 4 is being used.

**moose135** · 2013-07-17, 07:00 PM

Tower is probably easiest. Everyone talks to tower, and you can hear them clear people for takeoff and landing, so you will hear what runways are in use.