JFK Locations for Ground Operations?

Hello Everybody,

I'm new here but really enjoying the amazing info and experience shared on these boards! I am filming a documentary on air transport and am looking for spotting locations with a view of JFK runways and taxiways, etc. Ideally a head-on view, down the centerline, wheels smoking on touchdown... you know- the perfect shot! It seems many of the locations listed on this site are great for air shots- any ideas on getting clean angles on ground operations?

Thanks in advance for any guidance!

Long lens but short experience,
Alan
Brooklyn, NYC

Welcome aboard, Alan! I think you may be hard pressed to get the views you are talking about from publicly accessible areas. I haven't shot there much, but perhaps Bayswater will give you such a view of 4R arrivals, but that would be side-on, not head-on down the runway. Other than that, I don't think you will have much luck.

If this is for a documentary, have you contacted Port Authority about getting airfield access to film the shots you need? That would be ideal - no obstructions, official escorts, and no worries about a concerned citizen calling 911 on you.

And if you do get PA to give you access, remember I'm always available to come along as an assistant :wink:

There is a spot alongside Rockaway Blvd I used to frequent back in the 90's right by the end of Rwy 22L. There is an airfield emergency access gate that has an area you can pull off and park (not legally), you will probably have about 10-15 mins before the police move you away, I am not responsilble if they give you more than a warning. Anyway walk a few hundred feet east, put your lense thru the fence, and you are looking right down the runway. If they are landing 4R (facing you) they are probably to far away for a decent shot, but 22L, even though you are shooting the back of the aircraft, you can get great smokey landing shots, and in the event of a little crosswing, great crabing shots just prior to touchdown. Again, not the best place to park, ideally having someone drop you off and pick you back up in 15-30 mins.

Good Luck and I agree with moose135's advice in the last post.

LGA777