| Spot A: Museum of Flight

Views: This spot is best for runway 31L arrivals, though 31R arrivals tend to be high but doable as well. Most aircraft will touchdown towards the north end of the parking lot, though most likely still a bit further north than that. Runway 31L departures can also be caught here, but before rotation.

Directions: From Interstate-5, use exit 158 onto the Boeing Access Road, then bear right onto E Marginal Way S. Follow signs to the museum.

Security: During business hours of the museum no one bothers you, while after hours can be hit or miss. The museum is private property, if asked to leave you must do so. Due to liability issues the museum does not tolerate spotters standing on ladders or on the roofs of their cars; if you do you will most likely be asked to leave in short order.

Photography: Everything from 10mm to 400mm can be used effectively. Large aircraft departing on runway 31L will taxi literally a few dozen feet from the fence, so a wide angle will be needed. A 737 touching down on 31L will fit into a 70mm nicely. You will need a lens that can fit through the fence though, or else stand quite a bit further back from the museum itself. This spot is best after 1pm and continues through the rest of the day in excellent light.

Notes: If approached by museum staff or police and asked to leave, do so – this is NOT a public space. Always be courteous and carry your ID.

Some photos shot from this location:


Photo by Jeremy Lindgren

Photo by Jeremy Lindgren

Photo by Jeremy Lindgren

| Spot B: Midfield Lot

Security: This spot is closed into the foreseeable future; please see below for more details. DO NOT block the construction access gate on the south end of the lot, and DO NOT attempt to spot in the north parking lot. The north lot is Boeing property, and is patrolled by them. They can and will force you to leave. DO NOT park on the road/curb/shoulder to spot; local law enforcement will ticket you.

*As of March 2012 the construction equipment appears to have left but the lot is still closed. The new gating appears to be permanent.

Notes: As of August 2011, it is serving as a construction equipment staging area for the next six months according to the city and airport officials. Master plans for the airport call for the same space to be turned into GA parking by 2015, as such it is not known whether the spot will reopen to the public following the staging area use or remain closed until turned into a new ramp area. Airport officials have said it may open again for a time in early 2012, but that remains to be seen.

| Spot C: North Park

Views: Runway 13L and 13R arrivals. Also known for runway 31L departures with Mt. Rainier as the background.

Directions: (From the north) Take exit 161 Albro Place from I-5, then turn right onto S Albro Place. The park will be almost immediately on your left.

Security: It is a public park, but parking is heavily regulated. Due to increased parking restrictions the vans and homeless communities are no longer as much of an issue. The fence has been extended in height from about 8ft to nearly 11ft, making this spot, even with a large ladder, very hard to shoot from. Folks with small lenses may rejoice, as they can fit their lens through the holes. The new, top part of fence resembles something that could be electrified. We do not believe that it is, but no one so far has latched on either.

Photography: Everything can be used here, but something in the 28-200 range will likely be best for runway 13L & R arrivals. You can situate yourself at multiple angles from head-on to side-on. For the runway 31L departures, you will need a 300mm+ to get decent shots of large aircraft along with a very large and stable ladder.

Notes: Sketchy after dark, and some of the van/trailer residents are suspicious of photographers.

Some photos shot from this location:


Photo by Jeremy Lindgren

Photo by Jeremy Lindgren

Photo by Jeremy Lindgren