Reno-Tahoe International Airport

Continent: North America Country: United States Region: Nevada


Reno-Tahoe International Airport
Location Reno, Nevada
IATA code RNO
ICAO code KRNO
Airport type Commercial
Website http://www.renoairport.com/
Overview map Google Maps
Communications
Tower 118.7 / 257.8
Ground 121.9 / 348.6
Clearance 124.9 / 370.85
Approach 119.2 / 126.3
Departure126.3 / 119.2
ATIS 135.8 / 363.0
Departure122.95


Official Spotting Locations

Location

Other Spotting Locations

Turbo Circle

Map: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Krno&ie=UTF8&ll=39.49067,-119.763819&spn=0.001747,0.002508&t=h&z=19

This a great spot in the morning as you can get the city skyline and the tower (although the tower won't be around much longer as a new one is being built) in the background. The other good thing about this spot is that you can pretty much go up and down the road to change the angle, ie MD80's ;). When they are using 34's (North flow) you can get great head-on's of private planes using 34R. A medium (step)ladder is recommend, although there is a small open field near the bend just after the Turbo/Aircenter junction where you can get up high enough to just be slightly above the fence. Police activity is minimal, they may drive by but that's about it. The morning is the best time for this spot.

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Greg + South 21st Streets

Map: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Krno&ie=UTF8&t=h&ll=39.522478,-119.770058&spn=0.001746,0.002508&z=19

For some great landing shots when the 16's are in use, this is one of the best spots. Park in the dirt lot and you can pretty much roam anywhere. There are some "interesting" people so just be aware. This spot is best in the afternoon.

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Mill + Rock Streets

Map: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Krno&ie=UTF8&ll=39.514437,-119.763036&spn=0.006986,0.010031&t=h&z=17

For morning and late afternoon silhouette shots, this an awesome spot. The hangar is now being used by Dassault aviation for maintenance of their biz-jets. You may be checked out here but as long as you are not doing anything stupid they should be fine with you being there.

Airway Dr. + Peckham Ln.

Map: http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&FORM=LMLTCP&cp=qkdc9350jyvt&style=b&lvl=1&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&scene=17454045&phx=0&phy=0&phscl=1&encType=1

This is probably one of the most versatile spots at RNO. You can get shots of the planes taxiing for takeoff when they are using the 34's or get planes departing the 16's. Park on the opposite side of the house in the dirt shoulder and you can get departure shots just fine from there, or if you don't mind a little risk, cross the street and you can stand a little indention of the shoulder and shoot over the fence without a ladder. Beware though you are feet from a busy road and you may draw attention, this is the only spot I have been checked out. It isn't that nice of an area so it's understandable. This spot is best in the afternoon.

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Reno Airport Parking Garage

Map: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Krno&ie=UTF8&ll=39.504483,-119.776138&spn=0.000873,0.001254&t=h&z=20

The SE corner of the parking garage is a pretty good spot to get planes taxiing,departing,landing and watching the WN ramp operations and now the new tower provides a new background, see the first link below for an example. You do have to pay to get in, the best way is to go through the "Long Term" parking gate and just follow the signs. It is a challenge, but you can get some good shots from the NE corner of the lot which looks down on the cargo ramp and even "Charlie" gates where Horizon and American park. Sometimes special visitors like cargo 747's and 767's etc will park in-between the two ramps. You can get good shots of planes departing, flaring, and taxiing from runway 16L/R and taxiing to the gate,slowing down and climbing off of 34L/R. One other special thing about this spot is that if you have good timing and luck (eg: plane rotates at the right point) you can get some shots with the new tower in the background. You may a have a cruiser stop by to check your ID but overall it isn't bad. This is an afternoon spot and is best with a 100-400mm or longer lens.

From SE corner:

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From NE corner:

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Locations to Avoid

Location

Regular Traffic

Commercial Airlines and Plane Type

Airline Aircraft Concourse
Alaska Airlines (operated by Horizon Air) Dash 8 Q200 (twin-turboprop), Dash 8 Q400 (twin-turboprop) C
Allegiant Airlines MD-80 C
American Airlines A319, A320, 737-800 C
American Eagle CRJ-700 (operated by SkyWest Airlines), Embraer E170 (operated by Compass Airlines) C
Delta Airlines A319, A320 B
Delta Connection CRJ-700 (operated by SkyWest Airlines) B
JetBlue A320 B
Southwest Airlines 737-700, 737-800 B
United Airlines A319, A320 C
United Express CRJ-100/200 (operated by SkyWest Airlines), CRJ-700 (operated by SkyWest Airlines), Embraer E175 (operated by SkyWest Airlines) C
Volaris A320 C

There are also often military types here, often C-130's and C-17's. You may also see fighter types and government aircraft. Several charter airlines also stop by, including Sun Country Airlines.

Facilities and Transportation