US NAS North Island San Diego - Spotting Guide

US NAS North Island San Diego – Spotting Guide

April 15, 2025 - last modified on April 15, 2025

Naval Air Station North Island (KNZY) in San Diego is a master helicopter base and a depot station for jets or choppers in need of repairs. Seahawks, CMV 22B Osprey, Learjet 35s and Boeing C-40A Clipper are the most planes you will see here, plus depot jets would go out for a test flight. Jets are not common but not rare, you’ll see them during Carrier Qualifications (CQs) or an exercise. CQs can be easy to predict by seeing multiple C40s from Lemoore and Whidbey Island plus a carrier leaving port. CQs last around 2 to 4 days with at least 6 to 10 jets arriving in a span of 2 to 4 hours, everything depends on the wing and what the pilots want to do. Exercise is harder to predict but jets tend to stay for a week or so and fly with one or two sorties.

Written by Pablo A. Armenta. Last Update: March 2025

General Information
Runway	11/29: 2,286m / 7,501ft
	18/36: 2,439m / 8,001ft
Security	Police have no issues for spotters as it’s a public area, but don’t spot near the border of the base. Stay at a reasonable distance from the fence and you will be fine

	Single spot: Coronado Dog Beach
WHERE	The spot is along the “Coronado Dog Beach” on North Island. Drive on Orange Ave to Isabella Ave that takes you to Ocean Blvd and go all the way down until you reach the Base entrance. Parking spots are available alongside the side walk before the base.

WHAT	Arrivals runway 29.

TIME	Winter: almost all day Summer: almost from midday to sunset.

MISC.	There is no facilities around so bring with you plenty of food and water as well as an umbrella should you wish to stay all day. At the entrance of the beach you will find bathrooms.

FOCAL LENGTH	C130 = 175mm & 250mm = FA18