Myrtle Beach Intl. Airport - Spotting Guide

Myrtle Beach Intl. Airport – Spotting Guide

March 18, 2023 - last modified on November 30, 2023

Myrtle Beach International Airport (KMYR) is the second largest airport in South Carolina with a record 3.2 million passengers passing through in 2021. The airport has lots of former military history as the former Myrtle Beach General Bombing & Gunnery Range, the Myrtle Beach Army Airfield, and most notably, the Myrtle Beach Air Force Base. After the Air Force Base closed in 1993, the joint civilian/military airport was turned over to the city of Myrtle Beach to become the Myrtle Beach International Airport.

MYR hosts a great amount of military and other unique traffic year-round such as F-16s from Shaw AFB, C-17s from JB Charleston, Omega Aerial Refueling’s KC-707 and KDC-10, Metrea Strategic Mobility’s KC-135s, and Boeing 787 test flights from Charleston.

Written by Jake. Last change: September 2023 (Spot 5 updated).

Rating
Movements
Airline Variety
Photo Locations
Weather
Airport Information
Runways
18/36	2,897 m (9,503 ft) Asphalt and Concrete
Terminals	One terminal (Terminal A) and 2 concourses (A and B) served by Avelo, American, Allegiant, Delta, Delta Connection, Southwest, Spirit, and United Express, with Porter, Sun Country, Frontier, and United operating seasonal service.

Spotting Information
Ladder	Not useful for any spots.
Car/Public Transport	A car is needed to get to most spots. Spots on the south side of the airport are within walking distance.
Drinks/Food	Plenty of options around the Market Common.
Hotels	There are many hotels and resorts along the beach.
Season	Summer months have the most traffic throughout the year due to tourists flying in. Military traffic is year-round, but more in the winter months when there is less tourist traffic.
Security	Security shouldn’t be an issue, but always be aware.
Runway Usage
18/36	Used in all directions. There is no preferred side.

	Spot #1 – Oceanfront Helicopters – 36 Arrivals, 18 Departures & Heli Traffic
WHERE	Oceanfront Helicopters is located at the southeast of the airport, off of South Kings Highway. Just get rid off the car at their parking lot. There is a sidewalk which runs along the south side of the airport which can be used for different photos as well as the parking lot.

WHAT	Best for 36 arrivals, and helicopter tour traffic. 18 heavy departures are possible too.

TIME	Morning and afternoon, just position yourself on different sides of the sidewalk.

MISC.	There is a restroom available inside of the ticketing building of Oceanfront Helicopters.

FOCAL LENGTH	Red R44 – 230mm; Allegiant – 150mm; Southwest 737 – 175mm

	Spot #2 – Warbird Park – 36 Arrivals & 18 Departures
WHERE	Warbird Park is located Southwest of the airport and is off Farrow Parkway. It is a park and memorial of the former Myrtle Beach AFB. Once you have approach the parking lot walk through the park to the fence.

WHAT	Best for 36 arrivals. 18 heavy departures are possible too. Planes lining up on 36 can be spotted in the distance. On display is an A-7 Corsair, F-100 Super Sabre, and A-10 Thunderbolt, all of which used to serve at the Myrtle Beach AFB. There are also walking trails with signs that contain information about the former base.

TIME	From early afternoon until sunset.

MISC.	There are picnic tables to sit down and trees spending shadow.

FOCAL LENGTH	A319 – 210mm; 717 – 155mm; P-8 – 155mm; KC-135 – 180mm

	Spot #3 – Airdrome Ave – Ramps
WHERE	Drive to Airdrome Ave at the western part of the airport. Get rid off the car at the FBO and walk around the fence to photograph the different ramps or you can just park on the side of the road and hop out.

WHAT	Use any of the spots along this road for photos of parked aircraft. Just shoot through the fence.

TIME	Noon until sunset. Depends on the parking postion of the planes.

MISC.	Nothing nearby.

FOCAL LENGTH	KC-135 – 90mm; Citation – 70mm; L-39 – 175mm

	Spot #4 – Emory Road – 18 Arrivals
WHERE	You can take Fred Nash Blvd off of Highway 17 to here or Farrow Parkway coming from Market Common. Good spot for 36 departures. It is almost adjacent to the touchdown markers, though there is a fence.

WHAT	36 departures. 18 arrivals will be tricky as there is a fence in the way, but there is a chance you can catch them on approach.

TIME	From early afternoon until sunset.

MISC.	There will most likely be heat haze during the summer months, so this spot may be better during winter months.

FOCAL LENGTH	CRJ – 200mm; 717 – 200mm

	Spot #5 – X-Gym – 18 Arrivals
WHERE	There is a sports gym/store located off of George Bishop Pkwy. Plenty of parking is available where you can spot from.

WHAT	Best for 18 arrivals.

TIME	From early afternoon until sunset.

MISC.	There are facilities inside if need be.

FOCAL LENGTH	Usually 100-200mm for airliners and 300mm+ for general aviation.

	Spot #6 – Medieval Times – 18 Arrivals
WHERE	North of the airport, in a parking lot in the back of Medieval Times. Get onto Fantasy Harbour Blvd and follow the signs to Medieval Times.

WHAT	Best for 18 arrivals.

TIME	From sunrise until noon.

MISC.	Nothing nearby. Medieval Times performance starts in the afternoon, so there is no conflict with the visitors.

FOCAL LENGTH	738 – 140mm; CL350 – 250mm

	Spot #7 – The Crazy Mason – 36 Departures
WHERE	Get to the “The Crazy Mason” milkshake bar at the Coastal Grand Mall, which can be reached via Highway 17. The bar itself is located on the eastern corner of the mall. Just get on there parking place and start shooting.

WHAT	36 Departures only.

TIME	Morning to around noon in the Summer and morning to around 11am in the Winter.

MISC.	Planespotting friendly! Stop by at 7am to get yourself a coffee or 1pm to get a delicious milkshake! Otherwise there are plenty of hotels, supermarket, restaurants…

FOCAL LENGTH	Usually 100-200mm for airliners and 300mm+ for general aviation.