Building #53 or the Pan American Airways Terminal just consisted of the "umbrella" oval section when first built. "The Zodiac Terminal", were to have bronze sculptures of the 12 signs of the zodiac.  The "Worldport" title was not applied by Pan Am until 1972 when they opened up the large expanded section that has internal roadways and 10 wide-body gates. From 1961 to 1972.  Pan Am had the mother of all spotting sites located on the roof of this terminal.  On the rooftop parking you felt as if you could touch the planes.  You would feel the rumble of the 747 in your stomach as it made it's left turn on departure.  My dad would take me and my brothers up here during the early 80's when video camera videos looked like shit. But I still have it today thanks to my Dad and his DVD Writer!  Unfortunately today this spot is off limits.  The roof was closed then re-opened with first one set of fences with the plastic strips in the way so that you could no longer see or take pictures of the aircraft.  This led to people standing on the roofs of their cars with little point and shoot cameras.  They soon after put a second set of taller fence up with the same plastic view blocking crap.  Now it is no longer possible to even go to the top at all!!!! 

Video was from the early 80's of 31L

American DC-10 Landing - 747 Northwest Orient Takeoff - American Airlines 727 Takeoff

American Airlines DC-10 Takeoff - Concorde's Parked - Delta 727 Takeoff

Eastern 727 Takeoff - Eastern 727 Takeoff (Special Hybrid Scheme) - Empire Landing

Empire Takeoff - JAL 747 Landing - Pan Am 747SP Takeoff

Pan Am 727 Taxi - Pan Am Helicopter OPS - Pan Am Helicopter OPS2

TWA L1011 Takeoff - United 727 Takeoff

Then there was the Customs Bldg parking lot.  This was the best place to take pictures of the 31R arrivals.  You needed to shoot through the fence but it was well worth it.  I have spent many an afternoon at that spot but would sometimes get asked to leave.  It was a great place to spot but the fence made it difficult at times. You were able to stay for about 20 minutes to an hour if you were at the fence shooting pictures but could stay the afternoon if you stayed in your car and just looked.  They put up a long blast fence many years ago that kept spotters to the last ten or so parking spots at the south west side of the parking lot. After Sept. 11th,  the security there did not change much.... After all,  80% of the people passing by were customs police going into the bldg. and yet that was not good enough so in March of 2004 they put up blue fence tabs so spotters and airport personnel can no longer watch airplanes.  Only in N.Y. will you find a parking lot full of Cops where still there was not enough security for a enthusiasts.

Rockaway Blvd. Was another great place if you liked Wanes World type of landings.  The planes will pass 50 feet over your head for their landing on runway 22L.  When I worked for a previous employer, I would pull the plain white work van off the road just in front of runway 22R and drive down to the centerline of 22L.  During the summer months you became Mosquito food but it was worth the days of scratching.  I love the spot but you will get chased away very fast after September 11th!

Then there is the cargo road right by polar air!  That is the best place to spot for the Canarsie approach.  I usually sit on the trunk of my car with camera in hand and get questioned by the police in about an hour and depending on the officer and my attitude, it is usually a 50% chance of getting the boot.  The lead in lights go right through an open field that you can walk on but I do not recommend it unless you are only snapping one picture.  Police will probably question you right after.  I have had many great pictures come from there.  You will be able to stay their the longest but even that is not all that long.

There is a little parking lot overlooking JFK in Longbeach.  It is a great place to get air to air looking photographs but a good zoom is needed (about 300MM or greater).  Planes taking off from 31L need to make an immediate left turn towards you and sometime go right over you.  It is a dirty beach but one of the best spotting areas in the N.Y. area.  I have never been questioned there and look forward to every trip to long beach.

Comming this week