31L departures?

Hello all will be @ JFK May 23-27 and want to shoot the Howard Beach location. How often is this runway used for departures? Is it feasible to get there by public transportation? What are the costs? I will be staying at the Double Tree at JFK. I just am trying to avoid a rental car at all cost at this point. It may make more sense to get one though.

BTW nice prices on VX between JFK and LAS!

Thanks in advance!

As far as I can say, you can take a manhattan bound A train to Rockaway Blvd which is 2 or 3 stops from JFK then you can change to the Q21 bus heading to the Rockaways. But you gotta get off at the stop after crossing the Cross Bay Bridge. Make sure to ring the bell as the bus is over the bridge then you get off and cross the street to a park thats there and you should be able to spot from there. But if you take pictures I recommend you to used a 300 or 400mm lens for the sharp turns

Like this for example
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o...r/IMG_6164.jpg

Thanks! So it is fesible. Cool! I have the range I will be fine. Does anyone know how often this runway is used for departures? Thanks! What does it cost to ride the train?

31L departure is quite frequent. My un-scientific rule of thumb is that if it's sunny and bright, they usually use 31L departure and 31R arrival. If it's cloudy or rainy, 13L/22 will be used for landing while 13R for departure.

The subway and the bus will cost you $2 each, each way.

Very cool. Now I just need to hope for good weather and hopefully some others will be shooting there as well. :wink:

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Originally Posted by tarantulalv

Hello all will be @ JFK May 23-27 and want to shoot the Howard Beach location. How often is this runway used for departures?

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You can call the automated JFK ATIS 718-995-8188 to find out what runways are in use.

Thanks guys! I will check the runways before I go out each day. I am looking forward to this trip, hope I've got all my bases covered.