Hello and welcome to Montreal’s Mirabel airport (YMX/CYMX), about 45 minutes North of Montreal. This airport was opened in 1975 to replace Montreal-Trudeau but it ultimately failed due to its distance from Downtown Montreal. The airport now serves for test flights, manufacturing and cargo. During the first week of June, the F1 races come to Montreal bringing a lot of unique 747’s to Mirabel carrying cars and equiptment. Mirabel airport is home to the last Canadian 747’s (Pratt and Whitney’s 747SP’s) that are used as a flying testbed for new engines. There is also Avianor which is a maintance facility – common aircraft that come in are Air Canada’s fleet, Sunwing’s fleet and Canadian Air Force CC150’s. L3 also does maintance on the RCAF and USN F18’s which fly every so oftne. Regular airlines at Mirabel include Cargojet (B752, B762 and B763), DHL Aviation B762, Fedex DC-10, MD-11, A306, B752, Morningstar (Fedex) B752, ATR-72, Skylink B190, UPS A306, Nolinor Aviation B732, B733 and Bombardier Cseries (A220) and CRJ9 factory (test flights).
The morning is the busiest time at the airport for cargo, Bombardier test flights usually take place in the afternoon and in the evening all the cargo’s return.

Written by Mark Brandon (visit his youtube channel). Thanks to Tim-Patrick Müller and Philipp Schütz for providing updates. Last change: August 2023 (Spot 7 updated)

Rating
Movements
Airline Variety
Photo Locations
Weather
Airport Information
Runways
06/24	3.658 m (12.000ft) Concrete
11/29	3.658 m (12.000ft) Concrete
Terminals	No terminal as there are no longer schedule pax flights
Airport Chart
Spotting Information
Ladder	A ladder is required at almost all locations.
Car/Public Transport	You will need a car as there is no public transportation and the airport is very large, so walking is not ideal.
Restrooms	There are a few restrooms however Icar is the only public one and it is not maintained.
Drinks/Food	No food near by however there are resturants 5-10 minutes away in the small town off highway 15.
Hotels	No hotels near by.
Season	Summer works best as most cargo arrives early in the morning and in the evening.
Security	Keep a low profile if you run around the areal. Security is strickt and can send you away.
Runway Usage
General Info	06/24 is the main runway at YMX and 06 the prefered direction.

	Spot #1 – Helibellule – Taxiway
WHERE	It is next to the Helibellule FBO. From the highway use the Exit to Airport/Cargo and drive all the way down. Turn left at the signs to the Helibellule FBO. Be advised you are not allowed to enter onto FBO property, but there is a small road to turn into which is allowed just before FBO entrance where you can park and stay.
WHAT	Great view of 06/29. Perfect view of taxiway India/ Juliet which leads from runway to main Cargo apron and great view of Kilo which leads from 06 to Main apron.
TIME	Afternoon until sunset. Depends on what you photograph.
MISC.	Like every spot at the airport, secuirty tends to be a problem. Ladder is recommend but you can shot through the mesh as well.
FOCAL LENGTH	50-200m Runway: 200mm / Taxiway India: 50mm / Taxiway Juliet: 100mm

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	Spot #2 – Old L3 – West main apron
WHERE	Same direction as #1 but after you have passed the control tower turn left into Rue Service A-5 and then on the huge parking lot to your right side.
WHAT	This is the old L3 building, currently used by Avianor. This spot is perfect for viewing the main apron West side. As well as all aircraft entering the main apron (on Papa). This spot could be used for 24 departures however the cargo building in the middle of the apron blocks the runway.
TIME	12:00 to sunset. Good all year however during the winter the put all the snow there so there is a mountain of snow you need to climb to view the apron.
MISC.	Airport security does allow spotting here however the spot only works if an aircraft uses the main apron (only special visitors). Ladder is recommend but you can shot through the mesh as well.
FOCAL LENGTH	100-400mm B748: 150mm /MD11: 200mm

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	Spot #3 – ICar – Main apron + Taxiways + Runway + Bombardier ramp
WHERE	There are several locations within the ICar racing complex. The access gate (only closed during night) is at Blvd Henri Fabre, between the main apron and the Bombardier facility. There is one road that leads through the areal which might looks complicate at the first glimpse but it isn’t the case. Along the northeastern front you can walk up towards the runway/taxiway, where you will see some stands and a dirt mound (both marked on the map) from where you can shoot. As example to compare the two spots see the example pictures below: the Cargojet B757 was taken from the stands (northeastern mark) and the FedEx MD11 from the dirt hill (southwestern mark)
WHAT	Runway 06/24 as well as taxiway Bravo are visible. There are also nice views of the east side of the Main apron which includes spot 116 (the most common gate used). This spot is also the best place to view Bombardier test aircraft as it has a perfect view of the Bombardier ramp. Runway 24/06 action is visible too.
TIME	Frontlit from 14:00 to sunset. During winter months because of the snow many of the spots are limited
MISC.	This is private property. ICar security has been known the be very tough on spotters – spot here at your on risk! You will be watched by security from the distance right away! There are portable washrooms that can be used during the summer months but there are no restaurants available.
FOCAL LENGTH	50-400mm Runway 06/24: MD11 around 250mm / Light aircraft on runway: +400mm

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	Spot #4 – Cargo – Apron
WHERE	Exit the highway and follow the signs to the caro complex. Once you reach it to your left park somewhere on the shoulder alon Rue Louis-Bisson. The fence there is not high and one step is enough or just hold your camera above it.
WHAT	Perfect view of the cargo apron. This spot allows you to see Fedex, Cargojet, Morningstar, UPS and Skylink which all park here.
TIME	Totally depends on the angle the aircarft turns in. 90 degree pics are not possible as the sun is coming from the side or even it is backlit.
MISC.	As you are on the shoulder of the road, and this road is the main one that connects to the cargo facilities, trucks do pass by frequanctly so spot there with caution. Airport secuirty does pass every so often and may ask you to leave if you are causing obstruction to traffic – especially if the trucks are passing too close. However Fedex aircraft park at the first gates, then Skylink / Morningstar ATR, then Cargojet, then UPS parks at the last gate always.
FOCAL LENGTH	70-300mm DC10: 100mm

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	Spot #5 – Norlinor/P&W/Avianor – apron
WHERE	Continue from the previous location and take the next right and another right into Rue Irenee-Vachon. You see the ramp on your left. You can stop here to make some ramp shots and then continue all the way down to the P&W building where you can gather another view of the ramp.
WHAT	The industrial apron is where Pratt and Whitney’s 747SP parks, Nolinor’s FBO and Avianor maintance facility is. It is not uncommon to see RCAF CC150’s parked there, 737-200’s and 747SP outside.
TIME	Difficult to say as it totally depends on how the aircraft are parked.
MISC.	There are a lot of trees and unused aircraft that tend to block the view but sometimes you can get a clear shot of aircraft entering the apron.
FOCAL LENGTH	70-300mm 747SP: 120mm  / B732: 250mm

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	Spot #6 – Chemin Saint Simon – 11 Arrivals
WHERE	From the airport dirve westwards and take exit 279. Drive south on Ch. Saint-Simon until the approach of runway 11. Park somewhere on the shoulder (plenty of space) at the prefered position/angle.
WHAT	This spot works for runway 11 action (or 29 departures could work from here).
TIME	All day and any season. Just move around.
MISC.	As this is on the shoulder of a highway just use caution spotting here. Police are generally friendly with spotters here but they may ask you to leave.
FOCAL LENGTH	100-400mm DC10: 200mm / 747SP: 150mm

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	Spot #7 – Remote dirt road – 06 arrivals, partly 24 arrivals
WHERE	This location is in the on the southside of the airport and the best location for 06 arrivals. Get to the village of Sainte-Monique and drive northwards on Rang Lecompte. Take the next left into a gravel road and drive till the perimeter fence. Park there and walk 5-10 minutes along the fence until you can see the airport and feel free to walk up along the fence as long as you want to get arrivals still in the air a bit.
WHAT	Perfect view for runway 06. And could work for runway 24 if the aircraft rolls till the end. There are trees blocking most of the 06 approach
TIME	Sunrise to 14:00 (summer) is frontlit. As it is a remote forest, this spot is likely not accessible during the winter because of snow and in summer the grass is very high and there are tons of mosquitos. Heat haze can be a bit of an issue in the later morning – afternoon
MISC.	This is next to farm land, although I never had anyone ask me to leave it is possible to be asked – always comply. This is very remote so there is nothing nearby. Watch out during the summer months as their are a lot of bugs (Mosquitos are the biggest problem) – We recommend bugspray. This spot is excellent for 06 arrivals but a 4 step ladder is mandatory.
FOCAL LENGTH	100-400mm DC10: 150mm / 737: 200mm

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	Spot #8 – Farm Road – 24 arrivals
WHERE	Another one which is difficult to reach and the best option if 24 is active. Get to the junction of Ch Belanger and Cote Saint-Pierre and park there. It is prohibitet to continue on the Ch Belanger. From the parking you have to walk  30-40 minutes through the forrest. Turn left when you are below the 24 approach and walk till the airport fence to find you prefered position.
WHAT	This spot is great for runway 24 landings or 06 departures (if the aircraft is low enough)
TIME	All day. This spot is fairly remote so during the winter this spot is likely unavailble due to the snow. Heat haze can be an issue however all the aircraft come in low.
MISC.	There is nothing around. 30-40 minute walk from your car to this spot however you have a very clear view of the airport. Don`t walk on the fields and respect the farmers property.
FOCAL LENGTH	70-300mm 747SP: 150mm

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