Chicago O'Hare International Airport: Difference between revisions

===USG Parking Area===

The main spotting location is located at the USG Corporation on Scott St. which is close to the intersection of Mannheim Rd (US12/US45) and Lawrence Ave. You can park in their parking lot if it is the weekend but when the building is open you should park on the street. From here there is nice view of the south part of the airport and a full view of runways 28, 27L ,27R and 22L glidepaths. Also thru fences, taxiways Delta, Mike and Quebec are visible when aircraft are taxiing to Rwy. 22L for departure. To take photos of runway 28 operations, 80mm and larger lenses will work OK. This is a good spotting place all day when wind is coming from the west, southwest or northwest. The parking lot is in Schiller Park, but Scott Street is in Chicago as is Mannheim Rd which are both considered in the airport area. DO NOT continue far north on Scott Street past the red warning signs, or the aviation police will come and could confiscate your photo equipment or you could even be arrested for trespassing on airport property.

Runway 10 operations can easily be seen from Beeline road in Bensonville. You can park on the side of the road and watch with no problems. This location is likely the closest you can get to landing planes as they come only a few hundred feet directly above the road. General photography isn't the best here though as you can only get direct head on shots of planes. As already said aircraft pass directly over the road so would only be able to see the bottom of the aircraft.

===14R/32L Spotting===

On the west side of the airport is York Rd/Elmhurst Rd which has several  places where one can take photos. First is the Thorntons gas station area which is a good place to take shots of aircraft climbing out from Rwy 32L and approaching Rwy 14R, mainly in the afternoon. Likely in the next year this runway will be demolished.

 

 

 

 

 

Drive east on  Touhy/Higgins, after crossing the railroad turn right at Mt Prospect Road towards employees airport gate. After 50-100 feet turn right on a small circle. A good place to take some shots , but sometimes Aviation Police can be there. This Rwy also will be closed in about two three years.