A Spotters Guide to Calgary International Airport
1. The dedicated viewing area at YYC. This area has a nice parking lot and some picnic tables that I like to use as a step ladder. This area is great for the afternoon arrivals and departures on RWY 34. There are 3 options when using this spot. A) stay at the parking lot and get the side on shots, B) walk along the fence and get some overhead landing shots , and C) walk to the north end of the Shell building and get some smoky touchdown shots. You can also get great pictures of the jets departing off RWY 16. The nice thing about this spot is no ladder is required.
2. If you are at YYC in the morning and again the planes are landing on 34 this spot is your best bet. This can be a difficult spot to find if you are new to the area, but it is located south of the Spar hanger beside Victor Aviation. This spot can be used to get head on taxi shots and some nice approach shots. A ladder is required for this spot as the fence is high.
3. If you just want to build your collection of pictures this spot is made for you. All major runways can be photographed from this area, which is great if both runways are being used (normally the case). If you are going for something more creative try and go somewhere else, as just about everything from this spot is still on the ground by the time it passes you (except RWY 34 departures). You can get some nice pictures of some of the aircraft on the East cargo ramp here. There is construction at this area so dirt hills are always coming and going but just to be safe plan to use a ladder.
4. If there is a west wind head to this spot as you can get some great departure shots from here. Every so often there is a late rotation so have the camera ready at all times. The sun is actually your friend at this spot as you have your back to it for most of the day. The arriving jets will also use one of the last taxiways to exit the runway so you should be able to photograph all traffic using the runway. Also if the planes are coming in from the East some nice touchdown pictures are possible. Just remember, usually the only traffic using this runway are the small to medium jets, but if a 330 or 767 is going to Vancouver they make choose to depart on 28. A ladder is recommended.
5. This spot is very good for head on landing and for getting some approach lights in your picture. Not the greatest for departure shots but you can get the jets as they line up for the runway. Don't park on the side of the road but use the parking lot at the east side of the Westjet hanger and walk. No ladder needed.
6. If you want some nice taxi shots this spot is okay, but it all depends on what runways are in use. This spot can only be used in the early morning otherwise you start to look straight into the sun. This spot has the nice feature of getting downtown, the control tower, or even the mountains in the background. There is a second fence as you look to the North East so don't wait to long to take the picture or you may have some unwanted clutter in your picture. A ladder is required here.
7. Here is one of the best spots to get some nice ground pictures. Most of your Air Canada and Jazz aircraft will taxi right in front of you with the terminal in the background. The only problem is you have to take pictures thru the fence as most ladders will be to short. Still one of my favorites.
8. "The baseball diamonds" This spot is good for aircraft parked away from the terminal and for aircraft pushing back from the gates (again only Air Canada and Jazz). If there is a RAF L-1011 or VC-10 in town it will usually park away from the terminal and good pictures can still be obtained. This spot is not recommended for evening pictures. Ladder is optional.
9. Last but not least is the approach to RWY 16. This spot is great all day long but may be slack at times as you are limited to just the landing aircraft. No ladder is required here. Don't park on Airport Trail but use the gravel road just to the South.
