DeKalb-Peachtree Atlanta Airport - Spotting Guide

DeKalb-Peachtree Atlanta Airport – Spotting Guide

January 24, 2022 - last modified on November 30, 2023

The DeKalb-Peachtree Airport (PDK /KPDK) is a general aviation airport located only 8 miles from downtown Atlanta which handles the most corporate jets in and out of the city. PDK has no scheduled flight operations but it’s one of the busiest airports in the east coast of United State with an average of 350 daily operations in 2021. PDK is also the second busiest airport in the State of Georgia, only behind ATL. The airport currently is home to 3 fixed wing and 1 helicopter fixed based operators, NetJets Aviation also has a base at PDK.

Written by Ruoyang Yan and Rohan. Last Update: April 2022

Rating
Movements
Photo Locations
Weather
Airport Information
Runways
03R/21L	1.829 m (6000 ft) Concrete
03L/21R	1.142 m (3.746 ft) Asphalt
16/34	1.209 m (3.967 ft) Asphalt
Terminals	Four GA terminals: Atlantic Aviation, Epps Aviation, Signature Flight Support, NetJets PDK
Spotting Information
Ladder	Not required.
Car/Public Transport	Car helpful, but all locations are walkable distance from each other. The Chamblee MARTA (Atlanta Metro) Station is about 1/2 mile from PDK, Which offers train connectivity to Downtown and KATL and other parts of the city. Free parking is available at all the spots.
Drinks/Food	There are several restaurants nearby, including the DownWind restaurant and the 57th Restaurants (See locations 2 and 4) and many in the nearby Plaza Fiesta and Peachtree Station complexes, and many more free standing locations within a 3 mile radius.
Hotels	Since PDK is positioned in the City limits of Atlanta, there are dozens of hotels within a few miles radius of the airfield.
Season	PDK is good all year, although heat distortion can become an issue while photographing in peak summer.
Security	The PDK Community is very spotter friendly, although keep in mind it is a corporate airport so do practice safety precautions, and some corporate pilots may not like you photographing planes, especially at the unauthorized locations such as Location 3. Locations 2 and 4 are restaurants, so maintain a low profile as to not disturb other guests.
Runway Usage
General Info	All runways are used in both directions for arrivals and departures. Due to its length 03R/21L is the preferred one.
02L/20R	Usually used by most corporate jets, anything larger than a Cessna Citation will exclusively use this runway. Almost always in use.
02R/20L	Usually used by most GA jets – Small Jets very rarely will use this runway if there is a lot of congestion on 3R/21L. Almost always in use.
02R/20L	Usually used by most GA jets and Light BizJets will use this runway, although nothing larger than a Citation XLS or Learjet 75 will use 16/34. Used rarely, Often as a reliever to 3/21 on busy days.

	Spot #1 – PDK Official Viewing Platform
WHERE	This location is situated in the Doc Manget Aviation Park. To get there from Clairmont, Turn onto Airport Road from Clairmont and continue to the end. Park in one of the 2 slots, but be sure not to park in one of the Epps or Atlantic spots. From there, walk to the grandstand and position yourself on the top stair if you are coming by MARTA; exit at the Chamblee Station and then walk down Clairmont until you reach Airport Road and repeat the instructions above.

WHAT	Regardless of the pattern, for 03/21, You will see both Takeoffs and Landings here as it provides a nice view of the whole field. If 34 is in use, you will see 34 Departures, and if 16 is in use, you can see 16 Departures and arrivals. Planes taxiing to/from the FBO will taxi by at one point or another, depending on where it’s going and which pattern is being used, it will either be on the arrival or departure.

TIME	Most traffic use 3R/21L which the light is good from late afternoon till sunset all year around, although heat haze can be big problem even in the winter. The light is good from late morning till late afternoon for 16/34 although only some propellers use 16/34. Traffic taxing to EPP aviation after landing on 21L and 21R can be spotted from early afternoon till sunset. Night shots are good year round.

MISC.	Restrooms available within walking distance. Restaurants within walking distance of the spot.

FOCAL LENGTH	3R/21: 200mm-600mm, 3L/21R: 200-500 mm, 16/34: 100mm-200mm, taxing aircraft: less than 100 mm

	Spot #2 – Downwind Restaurant and Lounge
WHERE	The restaurant is located just on the north side of the viewing platform with a ~1-minute walk. You can ask for a seat on the balcony which provides a pretty nice angle.

WHAT	Traffic being spotted at this location is pretty much the same as spot 1, while you have a wider angle as it’s on the second floor, and the aircraft parking will not block the taxing traffic on the ramp.

TIME	3R/21L and 3L/21R: Good from late afternoon till sunset all year round. 16/34: Good from late morning till late afternoon. Traffic taxing to EPP aviation after landing on 21L and 21R can be spotted all day in the winter as the aircraft will make a 90-degree turn facing west right next to the restaurant.

MISC.	Restrooms are available in the restaurant. Of course you should order something in the restaurant!

FOCAL LENGTH	3R/21: 200mm-600mm, 3L/21R: 200-500 mm, 16/34: 100mm-200mm, taxing aircraft: less than 100 mm

	Spot #3 – Epps Aviation
WHERE	This location is in the parking lot of Epps Aviation hangar, but keep in mind don’t drive your car there as this is private property, and you may be asked to leave immediately. Instead, leave your vehicle on the spot 1 and walk for ~1 minute along Airport Rd and make a turn on Aviation Way, then continue to walk for ~2 minutes to the parking lot.

WHAT	You can spot most traffic using EPPs Aviation facilities on the ramp. The parking lot is just next to the taxiway and ramp; you are step away from the aircraft as there is no fence. So, always keep a distance and don’t stay there for too long as you may be asked to leave.

TIME	Light is good for all-day depending on the angle.

MISC.	Restrooms and restaurants are located in spots 1 and 2, which are just ~3 minutes walking distance.

FOCAL LENGTH	100mm- 300mm depending on the size of the aircraft and position its parking on the ramp.

	Spot #4 – The 57th Fighter Group Restaurant
WHERE	This is another restaurant, located next to the touch down point of runways 03L/R. They own a wonderful outside terrace with a small fence from where you can photograph the action. By car just drive southwards from the terminal on Clairmont Rd until you see the big entrance signs of the 57th fighter restaurant.

WHAT	As the fence is very small you can easily photograph over the top to get all runway 03L/R movements as well as the nearby taxiway.

TIME	Light is good from late afternoon till sunset all year around, although heat haze can be big problem even in the winter for runway shots.

MISC.	Visit their website for the opening hours. Of course you have to order something in the restaurant.

FOCAL LENGTH	Unknown

Photos of the terrace
Unfortunately we cannot provide sample photos from this spot. If you do so, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

	Spot #5 – Plaza Fiesta Parking – 3L/R arrivals, lineup
WHERE	This location is located at the Plaza Fiesta Shopping Complex parking lot. Park and position yourself anywhere on the parking lot or near the airport fence across Dresden Rd. from the shopping complex to an angle you find suitable. If you wish to shoot taxi movements, a small ladder or pickup may be helpful as opposed to shooting through the fence but not required.

WHAT	If they are using Runway 3, you can see aircraft arriving on runways 3R and 3L from here. Additionally, you can see aircraft holding/taxiing at the end of the runway to the respective active runway(s).

TIME	The parking lot is very large. You can spot 3R/L arrivals here all day long except 3R in the morning hours. Just make sure you switch your position at some point, as the light changes after mid to late afternoon or so. Taxi movements are best from sunrise to late afternoon.

MISC.	Restaurants and stores located nearby in plaza fiesta and a variety of other nearby restaurants/plazas.

FOCAL LENGTH	3R Arrivals (Most Bizjets): 50-300mm 3L Arrivals (Most Props): 200-500mm Taxi Movements: 100-500mm

	Spot #6 – Chamblee Tucker Rd – 21L arrivals
WHERE	This spot is located on the north side of PDK. From the Chamblee metro station, continue down Chamblee-Tucker road until you hit the intersection with West Hospital Ave. There is a small shopping complex on the intersection of West Hospital ave. and Chamblee-Tucker road. Park at the lot and walk to the green stripes on the side of West Hospital Ave, next to the buildings.

WHAT	You can see aircraft arriving on 21L from this spot.

TIME	Best from sunrise to early afternoon.

MISC.	Powerlines and tress might be disturbing at some points. (see video). Resteraunts and stores available within a walking distance. Restrooms are available in the shopping plaza.

FOCAL LENGTH	55-250mm should be best for most bizjets.

	Spot #7 – Parking Lot 1954 Airport Road
WHERE	This location is close to spot 3 but offers different view. It is located on the parking lot at 1954 Airport Road. To get there from Clairmont, Turn onto Airport Road from Clairmont and turn into the parking lot at 1954 Airport Road, and park there. Alternatively, park at the public parking at the end of Airport Road and walk down to this area (2-3 minute walk). If you are coming by MARTA; exit at the Chamblee Station and then walk down Clairmont until you reach Airport Road and repeat the instructions above.

WHAT	From here, you can see the Epps and Elliott Aviation ramps and a variety aircraft parked and moving in and out of the ramps, everything ranging from Cessnas to Gulfstream IIIs and IVs will taxi by to their respective parking spots/hangars here.

TIME	Best in the late afternoon to sunset. Heat distortion is possible but lower than other spots as you are fairly close to the aircraft.

MISC.	Restrooms available within walking distance; use the restrooms by the park rather than the ones in the building adjacent to the location, as these are private property.

FOCAL LENGTH	Parked Props / Aircraft Taxiing to Hangars/Parking – 18-135mm Aircraft Taxiing to Epps Aviation (See Gulfstream III Shot 2) – 250-500mmParked Cessna 172P – 85mm Pilatus PC-12 – 135mm Gulfstream III Shot 1 – 55mm Gulfstream III Shot 2 – 350mm