![]() Photo Copyright: Blair McFarlain | ||
Spotting guide for: KIAH - George Bush Intercontinental | ||
Map courtesy of Google Maps mapping service |
Guide to map icons: |
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Publicly accessible areas that do not require any prior notification to spot. |
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Areas such as parking garages that require prior approval or notification to airport security to spot. |
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Areas that to not require notification to spot, but are at your own risk! You may be asked to leave by Airport security or by police. |
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Restricted area! Do not spot here, or you will be asked to leave by airport security or police. |
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Food / Drink! Spotting sometimes requires a lot of time out in the sun. Make sure you are drinking plenty of water, and get food when you need it. |
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Gas! |
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These orange lines indicate where the final approach path of a runway intersect or pass near a spotting area. |
WARNING: The information provided on this page is intended for the sole use of aviation enthusiasts to properly practice their hobby. HoustonSpotters.net or its members assumes no responsibility for any actions and/or conduct during their hobby practices, or any consequences of following the instructions provided here. The user acknowledges and understands that aviation enthusiasm can draw attention and suspicion from others, and all enthusiasts are encouraged to act in a respectful and open manner towards law enforcement officers, to carry their ID on them at all times, and to report truly suspicious activity to law enforcement agencies.
You can get to the garages by following the signs from either Will Clayton Parkway, or JFK Boulevard.
The garages are one of the spots that require you to inform HAS (Houston Airport System) security before spotting or taking photos there. Call in to security either when you get there, or shortly before.
Their phone number is 281-230-1300
Examples of photos taken from D/E Garage:
C Garage is located right in the middle (east-west speaking) of the row of garages. On the south side you have a great view of the United traffic as well as many heavies taxiing by for takeoff on the 15's.
The north side gives you a good view of the arrivals on 26L/8R since it is about as much in the middle of the runway as you can get.
There are two actual structures for C garage, and both will yield different results. One is more to the west and you'll get planes that are near / closer to the Marriott hotel and the east side gets you closer to the international terminal.
You can get to the C garage by driving and following the signs, or you can park on D/E garage and walk or drive over on one of the lower levels. It is a fair bit of walking, especially if you want to get to the west side so be prepared.
It also gives you a nice angle on the north side of the D/E garage. Sometimes the planes parking on D4 or D5 will not be at an angle to get a clean shot from the roof of the D/E garage. This does put you a bit further away, but you get the better angle. 200mm is the minimum you need here but 400 is recommended, if you plan to shoot all the way to D/E from C.
Examples of photos taken from C Garage:
Rankin road is the best spot to take photos of planes departing the 15 / 33 runways in the afternoon with the sun setting behind you.
It is located at the end of Rankin Road, just off of Greens road.
Airport security has asked that we pass along this information:
Photo by Thomas Millard
Photo by Thomas Millard
Photo by Thomas Millard
Photo by Thomas Millard
Frequency | Type | Description |
---|---|---|
119.100 | Approach | Runway 8L / 26R (during peak traffic times) |
124.350 | Approach | Approach - West |
120.650 | Approach | Runway 8R / 26L (during peak traffic times) |
120.050 | Approach | Approach - East |
134.000 | Approach | Runway 9/27 (during peak traffic times) |
ASOS | Automatic Surface Observation Service (ASOS) (281-443-6397) | |
124.050 | ATIS | Automatic Terminal Information Service (ATIS) (281-443-1744) |
133.600 | Class B | Houston Class B / Departure East |
123.800 | Class B | Houston Class B West |
134.450 | Class B | Houston Class B South |
119.700 | Class B | Houston Class B North |
128.100 | Clearance Delivery | Clearance Delivery |
132.250 | Departure | Houston Departure North/East |
126.675 | Departure | Houston Departure West |
127.125 | Departure | Houston Departure South |
122.400 | Flight Service | Flight Service Station (FSS) |
118.575 | Ground | Ground - West |
121.700 | Ground | Ground - East |
119.950 | Ground | Ground |
126.225 | Other | Construction NOTAM Information |
130.825 | Ramp Control | Continental - Ramp Control - North (Terminals C and D) |
131.275 | Ramp Control | Continental - Ramp Control - South (Terminals C and E) |
121.625 | Ramp Control | Continental - Ramp Control - West (Terminals A and B) |
120.725 | Tower | Runway 8L/26R |
125.350 | Tower | Runway 8R/26L |
135.150 | Tower | Runway 9/27 |
127.300 | Tower | Runways 15L/33R and 15R/33L |