Langley Air Force Base (LFI/KLFI) is a US air force base in the southeast of Virginia. It was opened in 1916 and named after the aviation pioneer Samuel Pierpont Langley. It is home to F22 raptors and T-38s nowadays, but in addition, from time to time there are some random NASA plane movements.

Written by Severin Hackenberger in cooperation with Michael Ganoe Jr. Last Update: December 2023

Rating
Movements
Photo Locations
Weather
Airport Information
Runways
08/26	3048m / 10.000ft
Spotting Information
Ladder	It is not recommended to use ladders here at all!
Car/Public Transport	A car is definitely needed to get around the airfield and reach the spots.
Drinks/Food	Southwest of the base are plenty stores/restaurants/etc.
Hotels	Some hotels around, but no specific spotter hotels.
Season	No season in terms of way more traffic, but around bank holidays (christmas, easter, …) traffic may be a bit quieter.
Security	Remember that this is a USAF air base! Always try to keep a low profile (stow your camera at all times e.g.) and be aware of law enforcement. Police and USAF security forces are uneasy of photographers around the base and it is very possible you will be asked to leave. In addition, always keep an ID with you in case you are getting checked: stay friendly, simply explain what you do here and cooperate… Mostly if you just say you are watching planes (and try to not have your camera next to you), they will leave you alone and tell you not to make any pictures. But sometimes they do also run license plate checks, wanna see the pictures on your SD or they will even make you delete shots, so plan on either having throwaway shots or download shots to another device while spotting to be safe. Stay away from the fence! Do not use ladders at all!
Runway Usage
General Info	Runway 08 is in use most of the time.

	Spot #1 – Warehouse Rd Parking – 08 Arrivals
WHERE	This spot can be found in the parking lot along Warehouse Rd just outside the air base gate. Park your car in here, stay inside the vehicle till an aircraft approaches, get out and quickly take a few shots…
WHAT	From here you can see 08 Arrivals.
TIME	All day long in winter, in summer around noon.
MISC.	As you are close to the fence/base and a busy street, keep a low profile! Nothing around like shops/restaurants.
FOCAL LENGTH	50-300mm

LFI-Spot1

LFI-Spot1

LFI-Spot1

	Spot #2 – Tidewater Dr – 08 Arrivals
WHERE	This spot is basically just by the roadside of Tidewater Dr just off N Armistead Ave. Pull over with the car and search your favourite location…
WHAT	From here you can see 08 Arrivals.
TIME	Only early summer mornings and late evenings.
MISC.	As you are close to the fence/base and a busy street, keep a low profile! Nothing around like shops/restaurants.
FOCAL LENGTH	50-300mm

LFI-Spot2

LFI-Spot2

LFI-Spot2

	Spot #3 – Messick point – 26 Arrivals
WHERE	Make your way up northeast to the Messick point where you will find a parking area (marked on the map) where you can freely position yourself and enjoy the view onto the bay and 26 arrivals.
WHAT	The spot offers nice views onto aircraft turning in for 26 arrivals.
TIME	Depends on the aircraft angle, best in the afternoon and summer evenings.
MISC.	Shooting towards the base right over the bay will be affected by haze. There is a BBQ point just here serving nice food!
FOCAL LENGTH	>300mm

LFI-Spot3

LFI-Spot3

LFI-Spot3