Sacramento McClellan Airport (MCC/KMCC) is located 10km northeast of Sacramento itself. It was built in 1935 and used to be an air base from 1939 till 2000 and now MCC hosts USCG, Fire and Forest departments instead of US Air Force aircraft. Today’s traffic mostly consists out of general aviation, but in addition you can also spot Coulson B737s as well as C130s or 10 Tanker DC10s. In addition, some USAF aircraft may support these companies in peak bushfire times and then you will have waves of aircraft going out and coming in.

Written by Severin Hackenberger in cooperation with Huy Do and Chasen Richardson. Last Update: 2021

Rating
Movements
Photo Locations
Weather
Airport Information
Runways
16/34	10600ft / 3230m
Spotting Information
Ladder	Recommended for spot 2, but rather just stand on the car’s top to avoid additional attention.
Car/Public Transport	A car is definitely needed – due to the temperature and the distances.
Drinks/Food	There are plenty stores/shops/restaurants along the big street east of the airfield.
Hotels	No spotting hotels around.
Season	Definitely summer once fires are breaking out around here and MCC is becoming a huge firefighting base – does not happen every year luckily!
Security	Spotting is normally fine here, but be aware that once you come for firefighting planes it is sort of catastrophic tourism. So keep a low profile, do not disturb any firefighting support/activities. Pay attention to all orders you are being told obviously!!
Runway Usage
General Info	Mostly you will have 16 movements, but that can vary regarding the fires/winds and traffc/destination.

	Spot #1 – Elkhorn Blvd – 16 Arrivals
WHERE	This spot is located north of the airport along Elkhorn Blvd, which crosses the runway axis directly along the airport fence. You can get rid of your car in the nearby area/streets and then walk back to the road, where you can just position yourself freely along the roadside.
WHAT	This spot is good for 16 arrivals.
TIME	All day as you can switch sides easily along the road.
MISC.	Do not hang at the roadside all time with the camera as police may come to send you away as you endanger the traffic. So keep a low profile here and try to stand on the surrounding meadows a bit off the road.
FOCAL LENGTH	Depending on where you stand, but 50-250mm should be fine

No examples available yet unluckily.

	Spot #2 – Dead End Road Fence – 16/34 Movements
WHERE	Located at the end of a dead end road which leads up to the fence here in a sort of residential area. This street is suppossed to be called East St and turns off 26th street. Just use the exact spot we marked on the map for your GPS, you can come up here totally by car and then park by the roadside.
WHAT	From here you can nicely see all movements on the runway 16/34.
TIME	Noon till sunset.
MISC.	The end of that road is basically a big fence. Hence a car with rooftop to stand on is recommended, or ladder. There is also a barrier that you could stand on to take pics over the fence. Otherwise nothing around, haze can be an issue. There shouldn’t be any problem there, as long as people are respectful toward others, don’t block the driveway, etc. Just park all the way on the left side, so don’t block the driveway on the right, then the owner won’t say much as he/she probably knows why we are there and are more acceptible toward planespotters.
FOCAL LENGTH	70-300mm

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	Spot #3 – Lumber yard – 16 Departures + 34 Arrivals
WHERE	The area is actually sort of fenced lumber yard or similar, but normally it is not an issue to go in here as long as you do not disturb anybody and obviously leave if you are asked to do so. Take Forcum Avenue up north either to the end and try to turn onto the yard in the east there or otherwise drive in Dean St a bit south and make your way up north to the fencecorner. Park your car by the side somewhere hidden and only come out for spotting – do not hang outside all time!
WHAT	Perfect for 34 arrivals and 16 departures. All arrivals from the north are not spotable as they exit too far away normally.
TIME	Noon till sunset.
MISC.	Spotters always feel unwelcomed here, but normally you are undisturbed for hours here and we never heard of anybody being kicked out. Ladder forbidden/not recommended to do not attract even more attention!! Also beware of nails all over the place… could easily get a flat. Otherwise nothing around.
FOCAL LENGTH	100-400mm P3 = 160mm

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