PTI, Piedmont Triad International Airport (GSO/KGSO) is the 3rd busiest airport in North Carolina avereging 280 takeoffs and landings each day, serving Piedmont Triad region of Greensboro, High Point and Winston-Salem. The airport is currently served by four commercial airlines, Allegiant, American, Delta and United as well as a variety of cargo airlines like FedEx, which use GSO as a regional hub.

Piedmont Triad will soon be home to the Boom Supersonic Superfactory where all of the manufactures planes will be built and tested. It is not unusual for the airport to recieve military traffic due to its location and the HAECO maintenance facility that serves multiple airlines including United, America, Alaska, and the U.S. Air Force. Furthermore charter carrier iAero, formerly known as SwiftAir, has its headquarter here. And last but not least, one of the last remaining active DC-8 aircraft, the Samaritan’s Purse N782SP, is based at the airport.

Written by Peyton A. Stikeleather. Last Update: October 2022

Rating
Movements
Airline Variety
Photo Locations
Weather
Airport Information
Runways
05L/23R	2,743m/9,000ft – Asphalt
05R/23L	3,048m/10,001ft – Asphalt
14/32	1,945m/6,380ft – Asphalt
Terminals
Concourse North	Gates 20-34: Delta, United
Concourse South	Gates 40-51: American
Airport Chart
Spotting Information
Ladder	Yes, a ladder may be useful for spots 1,2, 3, 8 and 10 but we recommend to shot through the mesh or use a pick-up or something similar.
Car/Public Transport	A car is mandatory because the spots are far apart and there is no public transport. Be aware of unexpected runway changes.
Drinks/Food	Directly at the spots there are no opportunities to buy food/drinks so be prepared.
Hotels	There is a Marriott next to the terminals. More options are next to the I40/Highway 68.
Season	No special season. Heat haze ist an issue in the summer months so be aware of that.
Security	Security is usually high all around the airport. Their have been problems with ops as well as police
Runway Usage
General Info	There is not really a system and airlines don’t prefer a special runway. 05R/23L tends to be more in use for commercial traffic as it is closer to the facilities. 14/32 is rarely in use

	Spot #1 – Signature Parking Lot – 05/23L ops, some of taxiway Kilo
WHERE	From the terminal circle just follow the signs to General Aviation and drive to the Signature Flight Support Hangars. Park on the lot and start shooting through the fence but a ladder or pick-up bench would be helpful.
WHAT	View of  all 05R/23L ops, some of taxiway Kilo, as well as the Signature ramp
TIME	From afternoon until sunset is the best time.
MISC.	No food, drink, or restrooms open to the public nearby
FOCAL LENGTH	757=200mm

GSO-Spot1

GSO-Spot1

	Spot #2 – S Terminal Rd. Parking Lot
WHERE	This is on a economy parking lot, which is accessible by car if the barriers are open. If not, you can park right outside for a short amount of time. It is also just a short walk from the terminal. Shooting through the fence is possible but a ladder or pick-up bench would be helpful.
WHAT	View across the airfield to the HAECO Americas Ramp as well as nearby terminal ramp movements and taxiway Kilo.
TIME	From afternoon until sunset is the best time.
MISC.	Food, Drink, and restrooms available in the airport lobby nearby
FOCAL LENGTH	Not available

We cannot provide photos from this location. If you do so, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

	Spot #3 – Ex-Samaritians Purse Parking Lot
WHERE	This spot is on the former Samaritians Purse parking lot, next to taxiway Echo and the fire department. From the terminal follow the signs to the fire station. Pass it and drive till  the end of the road. The parking lot is at the corner of taxiway Echo and Kilo. Shooting through the fence is possible but a ladder or pick-up bench would be helpful.
WHAT	View of 5R/23L ops, some of taxiway Kilo, as well as taxiway Echo
TIME	From afternoon until sunset is the best time for runway and taxiway Kilo. Taxiway Echo from noon.
MISC.	No food, drink, or restrooms open to the public nearby. Be careful with security. They sometimes dont like people over here.
FOCAL LENGTH	757=160mm

GSO-Spot3

	Spot #4 – PTI Dr. Pullover
WHERE	This location is close to the previous spot on an a hill, overlooking taxiway Ech and it is only accessible by car from PIT Drive. Park on the side of the road shortly before the tunnel (Cargo Dr) below the taxiway and go up the hill.
WHAT	Movements on taxiway Echo only
TIME	From noon until sunset.
MISC.	No food, drink, or restrooms open to the public nearby. Be very careful. Security is not very friendly here, dont stay long.
FOCAL LENGTH	767=130mm; E170=200mm

GSO-Spot4

GSO-Spot4

	Spot #5 – 23R Arrival Afternoon
WHERE	Not the best place for spotting but the only option for 23R arrivals. It is on the side of the road at Ted Johnson Pkwy, which is the main access road to and from the terminal. Pull over as marked on the map.
WHAT	All 23R arrivals can be seen from here.
TIME	You can use it almost the whole day. In the summer evening just switch over when the sun has turned around.
MISC.	No food, drink, or restrooms open to the public nearby
FOCAL LENGTH	Not available

We cannot provide photos from this location. If you do so, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

	Spot #6 – Schneider Electric Parking lot
WHERE	Next to the treshold of runway 05L, at Burgess Rd is a industrial complex where you can spot from. Head to the Schneider Electric building and park on there lot from where you can photograph the arrivals and departures.
WHAT	Best for 05L arrivals ahd heavy 23R departures.
TIME	Best time during the summer month from late afternoon until sunset. Backlit during the winter months.
MISC.	No food, drink, or restrooms open to the public nearby. This is private property but we have never had a problem here but we would still keep a low profile
FOCAL LENGTH	767=120mm; 734=170mm

GSO-Spot6

GSO-Spot6

GSO-Spot6

	Spot #7 – Canoe Rd. Pullover
WHERE	Get to Canoe Rd, corner Brush Rd and pull over at the small gravel area next to a crash gate.
WHAT	05L arrivals as well as line-ups.
TIME	From sunrise until early afternoon.
MISC.	No food, drink, or restrooms open to the public nearby. Keep a low profile as ops does not always like people on the side of the road
FOCAL LENGTH	717=130mm

GSO-Spot7

GSO-Spot7

	Spot #8 – Aviation Centers Parking Lots
WHERE	To get to the ramp where the Samaritan DC-8 is parked get to W Market St on the southern end of the airport. Then drive into Airline Rd and park there on the parking lot. Depending on the light park either on the Koury lot or on the Davis Aviation Lot. Don`t stay to long here. Just make the photo and leave the place. Shooting through the fence is possible but a ladder or pick-up bench would be helpful.
WHAT	Ramp View. The Samaritan DC-8 parks here so when she arrives, this is a good option to get her in action.
TIME	Hit or miss all times of day at Koury. Afternoon is best for davis aviation
MISC.	No food, drink, or restrooms open to the public nearby.
FOCAL LENGTH	DC-8=70mm

GSO-Spot8

	Spot #9 – iAero Parking Lot
WHERE	The spot is on the parking lot for the iAero/Swift Air hangars. It is reachable from W Market St on the south of the airport.
WHAT	Best for 05R arrivals.
TIME	Morning is best to spot here. Before 12
MISC.	No food, drink, or restrooms open to the public nearby. The company has always been spotter friendly, so you should not have problems.
FOCAL LENGTH	739=220mm

GSO-Spot9

	Spot #10 – HAECO Parking Lot
WHERE	Get on Radar Rd on the southeast corner of the airport. Follow the signs to the HAECO/Textron and pull through the gate and park at the end of Ballinger Rd. Shooting through the fence is possible but a ladder or pick-up bench would be helpful.
WHAT	5R arrival and departures as well as 23L departures
TIME	Morning is best to spot here. Before 12
MISC.	No food, drink, or restrooms open to the public nearby. The company is usually spotter friendly
FOCAL LENGTH	739=170mm

GSO-Spot10

GSO-Spot10

	Spot #11 – Old Oak Ridge Pullover
WHERE	Get on Old Oak Ridge Rd and turn into the gravel area next to the 23L approch. Find your preferd postion around this area.
WHAT	Best for 23L arrival.
TIME	From sunrise until early afternoon.
MISC.	No food, drink, or restrooms open to the public nearby. Be quick and careful where you park. Security does not like people in the lot or on the side of the road.
FOCAL LENGTH	DC-8=30mm

GSO-Spot11