TSTC Waco Airport (CNW/KCNW) opened as Waco Army Air Field in 1943, was used by the US military for over two decades and switched to civilian ownership in 1968. From there on, the airfield is used by general avation mostly (especially by the Texas State Technical College for their experiments). However, there are still some facilities at CNW performing adjustments at US military aircraft.

In general, there is very little traffic in CNW with most of it being trainers and bigger movements are very unregular. The US military has C5s or P8s here from time to time, the rest is very random.

Written by Tom Koetsier and Josh Holsenbeck. Last Update: Summer 2026

Rating
Movements
Airline Variety
Photo Locations
Weather
Airport Information
Runways
17L/35R	2621m / 8600ft
17R/35L	1917m / 6291ft
Spotting Information
Ladder	Helpful at spots 1 and 2 along the fence, but try to use your car’s top instead or shoot thru the mesh.
Car/Public Transport	A car is definitely needed, no public transport available at all.
Drinks/Food	Not a lot of options around the airport, a bit west you can find some restaurants.
Hotels	No specific spotter hotels located around CNW.
Season	There is no specific season at CNW as there is very little and unregular traffic. It is more a hit and go.
Security	As the airfield is still used by US military aircraft for modifications and adjustments, we recommend to keep a very low profile here! Do not hang at the fence at all: quickly come, take your picture and leave again.
Runway Usage
General Info	17L/35R is used for jets/turboprops, while 17R/35L is typically used for GA/flight training. Tower only gives GA 17L/35R if they request it.

	Spot #1 – 6th Street – Ramp
WHERE	Drive straight to the airport following the signs on the road: you will get to the Airline Dr which runs parallel to the airport. Drive along this road until you get to the sort of main building of the airport which is the Col. James T. Connally Aerospace Center. Here you have 2 big parking lots where you can easily park your car. North of the main building you got the Servion Air FBO at TSTC building. Right beside it you have a grass field. If you walk onto it you can walk towards the fence of the airfield. From here you have a really clear view onto the ramp.
WHAT	Ramp in front with normally various US military Beech 12 versions.
TIME	From sunrise till later noon.
MISC.	If you want to take pictures onto the ramp you need to have a small stepladder to get over the fence or you can take pictures above your head with liveview. Keep a low profile here as you are dircetly in front of the ramp stuffed with military aircraft and personnel!
FOCAL LENGTH	100-300mm

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	Spot #2 – Fire Department Lot – Ramp + Runway Movements
WHERE	There will be two parking spots right next to the Fire Department. You can park in those spots and take pictures by getting close to the fence line or standing on your car or a ladder.
WHAT	Ramp activity, 17L/17R departures.
TIME	Noon till sunset.
MISC.	You will need a stepladder or to stand on your car to clear the fenceline. There is a road right in front of the parking spots so there will be some traffic passing by. Be courteous and wave. If someone tells you to leave, be courteous and comply.
FOCAL LENGTH	40-300mm B744 on runway = 150mm

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	Spot #3 – Mazanec Rd – 17L Arrivals
WHERE	Just to the east of final for 17L. There are drops in the tree line height where you can get shots of arriving aircraft. Pull over to the side of the road and get out of the car to take pictures of aircraft.
WHAT	Arrivals on runway 17L.
TIME	Sunrise to noon.
MISC.	Nothing nearby.
FOCAL LENGTH	50-250mm Gulfstream approach front = 100mm

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	Spot #4 – Concord Rd – 35R Arrivals
WHERE	There is an intersection between three roads that you can park in or around. You can also move up and down Concord Rd for a better shot and with the sunshine angle.
WHAT	Arrivals on runway 35R.
TIME	All day, you can simply walk around the runway axis with the sun.
MISC.	This is pretty close to L3Harris facilities and you may look suspicious to employees moving in and out. Keep a low profile, be respectful and comply if you are asked to leave.
FOCAL LENGTH	50-250mm

Morning side:

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