Comments 1 to 7 of 7
Getting better!
It seems like KPHX is always updating, and for good reason. Biggest problem commercially are those passengers who use Phoenix as a stop-over and have to change airline (i.e. US Air to America West). It may be updated by now, but in the past you had to shuttle in buses between the terminals and the delays can be extensive as you have to go through security when you arrive at the next terminal. This has caused me to miss a flight in the past. Other warning is flying into/out-of/thru here in summer months in the mid-to-late afternoon time frame as this is monsoon season. When lightning approaches the ramp completely shuts down at a moments notice, stranding passengers in the terminals and in the aircraft if they're away from the gate. These delays can be minutes or hours.
Winter home of the Blue Angels
This is where the boys play and practice for their upcoming season at the beginning of each year. With lots of wide open desert near by they have the perfect playground to practice and hone their skills, day after day. Hat's off to the Blue's!
Busy little airport
Commercially speaking, this can be one busy single-runway airport, near downtown San Diego. This is a well known airport for it's approach to 27, as there is a car parking structure that the aircraft have to clear within about the last 1/4 mile before the threshold. The glideslope seems a bit higher because of this when compared to other airports. It has a cramped feeling as you get to your gate area, compared to the the spacious baggage area. It's not all bad, as they do have a Starbucks at least! ;)
Right in the middle of Orange County
Whether it's for business or leisure, KSNA is the perfect spot for the airport. The main terminal is currently going through expansion (2011) on it's south section, finally stretching beyond what was the old, original terminal. This interruption has taken the smaller Rwy 1R/19L and is used as a taxi-way for the larger commercial aircraft. One of the biggest kicks is taking off to the south (19R) on a commercial jet, due to the noise abatement procedures. Full brakes, full power, release, use most of the runway, and you're suddenly 2000 feet up. This is where the pilots pull back on the throttle to keep things quiet for the neighborhoods south of the airport. Sometimes the feeling of weight-loss is very noticeable yet exciting. As was already said, whether flying commercially or privately, this is a well laid out airport. I currently use it about a dozen times a year.
Knew it as NAS Los Alimitos
Father was stationed here in the mid-late 60's before retiring as a AEC/CPO specializing on the P2V Neptune. Was a very active Naval base in the 60's & 70's, where F4 Phantom's routinely roared out to the Pacific. Runway is large enough to handle the C5A Galaxy from time to time. Once the Army took over it was common for parachuting recruits jumping out of Army Chinook's on a weekly basis. One of the most beautiful Golf courses in O.C., the Naval Golf Course, is south-east of the field and has been around as long as I can remember. I used to caddy there in the mid-70's and fish the small ponds at night with my friends.
Only the blimp hangers are left.
Ex Marine base (MCAS Tustin) with two large wooden blimp hangers that can bee seen for a good distance from any direction. The hangers have been used in many movies and TV shows over the years, including one of the Austin Powers movies and the X-Files. It was shut down in the mid 90's and has slowly disappeared, yet the hangers remain.
One of my most favorite airports
🔗 Fri, 08 Jul 2011
— @SirEbrum at Denver International Airport, United States
From the unique tent-like roof lines, to the large spacious terminals, down to the train that shuttles you to/from the Main Terminal, this is one well-designed airport. Traffic just seems to flow no matter what direction its moving. Delays are rare but are mainly caused by weather (locally or for connecting aircraft's origination point elsewhere). Like Cactus said, it's beautiful inside and out, including the historical memorabilia (home of Jeppesen), and other art displays that routinely cycle. The food areas seem spacious enough and I've always been able to find a seat to eat or one to drink from. Transportation to/from the airport is plentiful and flows just as well as the aircraft.