Besides the Airshow...

[ZuluLima]

I guess Alliance is most known for the annual airshow, but who ever goes out there any other time? I've always wanted to go spot because of the FedEx hub (FX is too hard to catch at DFW), but don't want to make the drive only to find no decent places to take pics. So if anyone has any info whatsoever, it would be appreciated. The close parallel runways would seem to somewhat limit viable locations, but if there are any they would no doubt catch all of the action on both. Google maps isn't much of a help for this airport, so I'm counting on you guys with personal experience.

[Greg]

Even though I live like two minutes away, I don't really shoot too often, if ever, at Alliance. There is a nice little strip mall right nearby off 35, you can get some shots there. I can't remember the name of it though. I think you can pull over on 156 and steal a few shots as well. FedEx seems to have about a half dozen departures around 3pm onwards, I see the DC10s going at this time as I am driving home.

[dkrice]

Looks like this thread has been dormant for quite a while but I'll post anyway.

There's a great viewing area on the west side of the control tower at the GA ramp. You can park for up to an hour. The Navy and Air Force fly in and out of KAFW quite a bit and there's always a good chance to see several types of military a/c, especially on the weekends. I've seen T-38C's (USAF and NASA), T-6A's, F/A-18's, T-1A's, T-45C's, T-34C's, and the occasional Army OH-58 helo, not to mention quite a few private a/c. Oh, and it's best to get out there in the early part of the day so you don't get harsh sunlight in your face.

The viewing area is also adjacent to the Bell Helicopter so there may be some other helos or even a V-22 from time to time. Best time for Bell would probably be during the week. I'm only able to get out there on the weekends and haven't seen anything on the weekend other than an open house they had a few months back.

I'm new to spotting and I live in Keller so KAFW is an easy place to get to for me. I'm trying to find some other good spotting areas and I'll be more than happy to share them as I find them.

Hope this helps.

Keith

[Sentinel Chicken]

Thanks Keith for sharing!

I live in Flower Mound and 80% of my spotting is at DFW, but I'm always open to new opportunities particularly at AFW since it's not all that far for me to shoot down FM1171 to I-35E. I'll have to check out that spot as I've been after a good spot to catch the interesting military and bizjet transients at AFW.

I've been spotting for several years now but only got "serious" about it since getting a DSLR in March

[dkrice]

Since you're coming from Flower Mud , just come down I-35W and exit at Alliance Blvd. and take a right. Tower is straight ahead. The road circles around the backside of the tower and the parking area is right there.

Keith