PIT-Spot1
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February 11, 2019
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February 18, 2019Pittsburgh International Airport Spotting Guide
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- last modified on March 31, 2020
Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT/KPIT) is the primary airport for the Greater Pittsburgh region and the Tri-State Area, located approximately 16 miles west from Downtown Pittsburgh. After serving as a hub for Trans World Airlines and US Airways for decades, the airport has seen a resurgence as the Allegheny County Airport Authority has successfully attracted new carriers to add service. While PIT is no longer a hub for any airline, it has secured a nice variety of airlines since the US Airways era. As of 2018, Southwest Airlines is the largest airline in terms of passengers carried and destinations served, while American Airlines is the largest in total flights. American uses its PIT maintenance base to handle all deliveries and induction work for Airbus A321neo aircraft arriving from Hamburg, Germany and Mobile, Alabama. Additionally, regional carrier Republic Airways also operates a maintenance base at PIT.
In addition to commercial and cargo traffic, PIT is also home to the 911th Airlift Wing of the Air Force Reserve Command and the 171st Air Refueling Wing of the Air National Guard. The 911th flies eight C-17A Globemaster III cargo jets, having recently transitioned from the C-130H Hercules in 2018. The 171st flies sixteen KC-135T Stratotanker aircraft and has been since 2004, having transitioned from the KC-135E. The 911th is active throughout the week and the 171st is very active during weekdays, typically having one, two or sometimes three tankers out for pattern work. PIT is a popular site for military aircraft to use for touch-and-goes – it is common for aircraft from other bases such as the P-8 Poseidon, E-2 Hawkeye and C-40 Clipper to use the facility due to its size and long runways. PIT is one of a select few airports in the US that sees a nice variety of commercial, cargo, and military traffic.
Written by local spotter Evan Dougherty (last updated January 2020)
| Rating | |
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| Photo Locations | |
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| Airport Information | |
| Runways | |
| 10R/28L | 3.505 m (11.500 ft) concrete |
| 10C/28C | 3.284 m (10.775 ft) asphalt/concrete |
| 10L/28R | 3.201 m (10.502 ft) asphalt/concrete |
| 14/32 | 2.469 m (8.101 ft) concrete |
| Terminals | |
| Concourse A | Air Canada, Boutique Air, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines |
| Concourse B | Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Southern Airways Express, Spirit Airlines |
| Concourse C | Allegiant Air, British Airways, Condor, Delta Air Lines (intl flights), Southwest Airlines (intl flights), SwiftAir, VivaAerobús |
| Concourse D | Delta Air Lines, Frontier Airlines |
| Spotting Information | |
| Ladder | Not required and recommend. |
| Car/Public Transport | Like always in the USA you should have a car. |
| Restrooms | There is nothing at the spots itself. Use the hotels or fastfood chains on the north side next to Spot 3 and 4 along University Blvd.. |
| Drinks/Food | Next to Spot 3 and 4 there are some restaurants along University Blvd. |
| Hotels | The only hotel connected to airport grounds is the Hyatt Regency. It is attached to the moving walkway before the entrance to the landside terminal on the second floor. For hotels off-site, shuttle services and rental cars are offered on the first floor of the landside terminal. |
| Season | For traffic, it is best to spot in the summer, which provides daylight for the transatlantic flights and late afternoon banks. Wintertime offers the best lighting conditions, especially after snowfall. |
| Runway Usage | |
| 10R/28L | Main runway used for arriving commercial traffic, the 171st Air Refueling Wing and the 911th Airlift Wing during westerly flow. Seldomly used for all arriving and departing traffic during easterly flow. |
| 10C/28C | Seldomly used for commercial arriving and departing traffic during westerly flow. Main departure runway for all traffic during easterly flow. |
| 10L/28R | Main departure runway for all commercial traffic during westerly flow. Main arrival runway for commercial traffic during easterly flow. |
| 14/32 | Crosswind runway. Used often for commercial traffic arriving in westerly flow. Main arrival runway for General Aviation traffic. Seldom used for commercial departures during easterly flow. |
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Spot #1 – Ewing Road/Aetna Healthcare |
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| WHERE | This is the premier spotting location for all arriving traffic at PIT on a sidewalk on the right side of Ewing Road. Located just past the intersection of Ewing Road and Hookstown Grade Road. Ewing Road exit off Business 376. Aetna Healtcare, located a few hundred feet from this location, is also good for arriving traffic. However, it is to be noted that it is only viable during non-business hours. If noticed by staff, you will be approached and asked to leave. The yellow gate across from Aetna is also a great location for overhead views of 28L arrivals and offers a nice view of the field’s south side. |
| WHAT | Best for RWY 28L arrivals. If you plan on spotting 28C arrivals or 10C departures from this location, please note that you will need a lens with a reach of 400mm or greater to get shots that are adequate enough. |
| TIME | Most arriving traffic from early morning until late afternoon. Note that sunlight glare can occur between 11:00am and 12:30pm in wintertime and between 11:00am and 1:30pm during summertime. |
| MISC. | Nothing nearby. For the alternative locations its better to go there during non business hours only. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | You are very close so 70-300mm covers everything on 28L. AF1 taken from Coventry Healthcare with 70mm |
Aetna Healthcare
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Spot #2 – Resurrection Catholic Cemetery |
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| WHERE | Located off the Ewing Road exit of Business 376. Left turn beyond the roundabout, Ewing Road turns into Resurrection Road. The cemetery is located on the first left before the closure point of the road. |
| WHAT | During normal operations, RWY 32 is mainly used by cargo operators and general aviation traffic, while seldomly used by Southwest. However, if strong winds are coming out of the northwest, RWY 32 becomes the primary arrival runway for all traffic. |
| TIME | Arriving traffic from noon until late afternoon. |
| MISC. | The cemetery typically closes whenever it gets dark. There is a tombstone engraved with the name “Damian” that is a part of Pittsburgh lore and attracts many throughout the area. Because of this, local police and the USAF patrol the area at nighttime. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 50-300mm |
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Spot #3 – Moon Business Park – Business 376 |
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| WHERE | Former entrance to the old Greater Pittsburgh International Airport terminal. Last exit before the intersection of Business 376 and University Boulevard. |
| WHAT | RWY 28R arrivals. However, if 28L were to be closed, 28R would become the primary runway for all arriving traffic. |
| TIME | Mid-morning until mid-afternoon. |
| MISC. | When using this location on weekdays, it is important to try and keep a low profile while spotting arriving traffic from this location, as it is possible that you could be noticed and asked to leave. This is a non-issue during non-business hours however, as they are no longer in effect after 5pm and on weekends. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 70-300mm |
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Spot #4 – Atlantic Aviation Parking Garage |
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| WHERE | Former entrance to the old Greater Pittsburgh International Airport terminal. Last exit before the intersection of Business 376 and University Boulevard. |
| WHAT | RWY 14 departures and RWY 32 arrivals. All traffic using Taxiways P and N4. This location is good to get any Southwest arrivals using RWY 32, Southwest and United departures using RWY 14, all cargo operators, and all traffic destined to park at the FBO. |
| TIME | Early morning until noon for the runway. |
| MISC. | However, just like Spot #3, it is critical to maintain a low profile when using this location. The garage is for local tenants only and Homeland Security utilizes the top level of the garage. Just be weary of the fact that you may be approached. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 55-200mm |
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Spot #5 – Terminal Satellite |
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| WHERE | PIT airport offers a special program called myPITpass – allowing non-ticketed passengers to access the airside terminal during non-peak hours. Passes are available between Monday and Friday from 9am to 5pm. To receive a pass, visit the counter on the third floor of the landside terminal across from Allegiant’s check-in area. You will be asked to show a form of ID. Once given a slip with a signature, you will go through the security checkpoint like a regular passenger and take the tram from landside to airside. More information can be found here.
Being airside means you can get some great close-up views of airplanes at their gates. There are several areas in the terminal to get planes taxiing by. The best location is the end of Concourse A gates A19-A25. |
| WHAT | Traffic taxiing on Taxiways Bravo, Charlie, Victor and Tango |
| TIME | Early afternoon until late evening. |
| MISC. | The airside terminal offers many food options, such as Chick Fil A’ McDonalds, Primanti Bros. and Dunkin, to name a few. This location is great as this section of the terminal is not used by any airlines during the day, so it is always very quiet. Security frequently stops by to check on the jetbridges, but they don’t bother anyone and will sometimes say hello. There is a slight cyan cast to the windows, but it is minor and easy to fix with editing software. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 739=100mm |
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Spot #6 – Montour Trail |
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| WHERE | Located on the northwest side of the field, to the left of the cell phone lot and extended lot. Recommended to park in the cell lot and walk to the trail. Parking is free for the first hour, then upped to $2 the second hour, and finally $8 each hour after that. |
| WHAT | RWY 10L arrivals and RWY 28R departures. |
| TIME | Mid-morning until mid-afternoon. |
| MISC. | With PIT’s innovation campus being built nearby, airport operations and Allegheny County Police frequently check on this area. While you shouldn’t be asked to leave, you may be approached and questioned |
| FOCAL LENGTH | Arrivals: E175=140mm; 763=110mm Departure: A320=180mm |
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Spot #7 – Extended/Long Term Parking Lots – 28R departures |
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| WHERE | Long Term and Extended Parking lots. Just drive into the airport from I-376 and follow the signs to one of the parking lots. Might need some time to find an empty lot. In general you can park at the extended lot as it is cheaper and walk to the prefered postion. But we recommend to stay close to your car and keep a low profile. Here is a map of the parking lots. Long Term is $3/hr with a $16 daily max. Extended is a free first hour, $2 for the second hour, and then you hit the $8 daily max after the second hour. |
| WHAT | 28R departures only. 10L arrivals are either very low or on the ground by the time they would be visible. |
| TIME | During winter, the light is with you all day. In summer, mid-morning to mid-evening. |
| MISC. | There is a Sunoco gas station on the airport loop for food/drinks/restrooms as well as the Hyatt Hotel. There should be no issues with security, although passengers walking to and from their cars may give you a look. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | Extended Lot – Depends on where you park, but generally 220-250mm for narrowbodies, 180mm for widebodies. Long Term Lot – Again depending on parking spot, but 190-210mm for narrowbodies, 130-150mm for widebodies. |
7 Comments
Will a Nikon 70-300 lens work with the long term parking lot and trail?
Yes.
-Julian
What about the long term parking lot? Seems a good location for 10L arrival on the map. Unhappy security staff, maybe?
I’ve spotted at Long Term and Extended parking for years, typically during the morning departure rush, and have never once been approached by either civilians or security. While I typically stay in my car the majority of the time, I don’t make any effort to hide, and at times I’m there for several hours. Definitely a viable spot as long as you don’t mind the fees.
Hi, would you be so nice and send us the GPS coordinates and some pictures you have took there so we can add this location to the guide.
https://www.spotterguide.net/missing-photos-location/
Thanks in advance, Julian
Am I missing something? I go about every month and RARELY see any departures. I see that they are departing on FlightRadar but they’re always using a runway that I can’t see. Also, do you know of a way to listen to ATC? Its not on liveatc.net
Traffic at PIT will take off to the west and will typically use 28R when the wind is coming out of the west. That’s the best way to see them from Long Term and Extended parking. Occasionally, they will use 28C for departures in addition to or instead of 28R which may account for why you’re not seeing them. As construction gets underway on the new terminal I could see restrictions on 28R as construction equipment’s entry to the airport will be up near that runway.
If the wind is out of the east, departures tend to go off of 10C since that’s a short taxi from the terminal complex.
At the moment, the only way to tune into ATC at PIT is to use a VHF radio scanner like a Bearcat BC125AT (what I use). You can program in all the frequencies for PIT ATC and then select or mute just the ones you want to. You can also use http://www.flightradar24.com if that’s not an option. Although there are exceptions, if the winds aren’t shifting, departures will tend to use the same runway most of the day without change.
I somehow missed Julian asking for the above info so I’ll have to send that in for more specifics on the Long Term/Extended spot.