VCV-Southern Apron
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October 18, 2018Southern California Logistic Airport Victorville – Spotting Guide
- last modified on March 19, 2026
Behind Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, the Southern California Logistic Airport in Victorville, CA is the second biggest aircraft boneyard of the world. The airport is, like many other storage fields in the USA, a former military base.
Most planes are on long term storage on the ramp at the northeast corner of the airport and a lot of aircraft maintenance and storage companies presenting newer and older planes on their ramps and hangars in the south. Unique operators are based at VCV like Omega Air Tanker with 707/DC-10 and General Electric with their 747 N747GF Propulsion Test Platform.
Aircraft are moved from time to time so the google maps images are not really up to date and shouldn’t be a reference. Ramp access or tours are not possible at VCV but another way is to charter a plane and make some air to ground pictures.
There are not much movements and you can photograph mainly the parked aircraft. But check Flightaware before you are going there in the case something “new” is arriving so you might be able to catch on final approach or on the ramp. Don´t use Flightradar!
Written by Julian Mittnacht/Jan Seba. Last Update: Spot March 2026
| Airport Information | Runways | 03/21 2.785 m (9.138 ft) |
17/35 4.587 m (15.050 ft) |
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| Spotting Information | Ladder | Would be helpful but not recommend due to secuirty concerns by the authorities. | ||
| Car | No chance to get there without one. | |||
| Restrooms | Inside the restaurants and hotels in Victorville city. | |||
| Drinks/Food | Nearest are in in Victorville city. | |||
| Hotels | Nearest are in in Victorville city. | |||
| Season | Winter due to heat haze. | |||
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Spot #1 – South Ramp |
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| WHERE | In general the storage is separated into two parts. The huge ramp on the north/east side of the airfield and the southern ramp with the hangars and maintenance facilities. The airport itself is located at the north of Victorville city. Just follow the signs from Airport Base Rd until you reach the first hangars to your left. Start your tour here and drive all the way up along the perimeter fence. There are different possible photo postitions where you can shot through or over the fence. Just discover that area and the different spots. |
| WHAT | Parked aircraft on the south ramp and all new aircraf that arrive park here. Also Omega Tankers and GE 747. |
| TIME | You are in the desert and its very very hot so go there only in the early morning and/or late evening. But usually you can stay there the whole day because the planes parked in different directions and somtimes only makeable from one side. |
| MISC. | Security isn´t an issue here. Planespotters are a known sight and you shouldn’t have a problem. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | Most times you stand directly at the fence, very close to the planes so a low local length is needed. |
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Spot #2 – North Ramp |
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| WHERE | Once done you can drive all the way up to the northern ramp. Just check the map to see the correct way. You have to drive on bumpy roads so a SUV is a must! A ladder is needed too.
MAR 2026: the paved gravel road is closed partly; you can drive around on some sandy parts, but the grass is quite high and the road muddy. A 4×4 Pick-Up is recommended! |
| WHAT | Parked aircraft on the north/east ramp. This is the “long term” storage. |
| TIME | Best to go there is in the morning as most planes on the north-east corner have light then. |
| MISC. | Be careful on the road! Security isn´t an issue here. Planespotters are a known sight and you shouldn’t have a problem. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | Most times you stand directly at the fence, very close to the planes so a low local length is needed. |
| Flyover Spotting | |
|---|---|
| WHERE | As of March 2026, only two flight schools in Van Nuys offer flyovers for Spotting above VCV: Corsair Aviation (well organized, very spontaneous) and Wingsover LA. Other flight schools and similar organizations e.g. in Apple Valley which used to do these sessions earlier closer to VCV are not offering the service anymore. Unluckily, thereby you loose quite a lot of time flying to and back from VCV. |
| WHAT | Depending on what you are allowed to fly: mostly the tower allows circuits above the storage area allowing beautiful views. |
| TIME | Either morning or evening is best, but be aware that you will not get everything perfectly. |
| MISC. | Check with the flight schools via phone to plan your trip. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 200-400mm |
Will be added soon.
Allied Universal Security Patrols Area Around Spot #1 And Spot #2 Between 3PM And 10PM I Was Told By Airport Ops, Had One Strict Security Lady Tell Me To Leave And It Was Private Property After I Took A Pic Of A Retired Washington Huskies Alaska Airlines Q400, I Left And Went To Another Spot, Had Security Drive Up To Me Wondering What I Was Doing, I Explained That I Am A Plane Spotter And A Aviation Photographer And He Let Me Go, This Is My Home Airport So I Come Here All The Time To Go Spotting, Some Security Is Strict, Some Aren’t
I’ve visited recently. Security don’t like you being near the fence especially near any gates. I think they are a little nervous due to the situation in Israel.
No movements, but allot of aircraft!