Huntsville International Airport (HSV)

Huntsville, Alabama

Click map to go to Google Maps satellite view

I used to live in Huntsville so I had the opportunity to explore all of the perimeter of this airport to find the best viewing and it can be a bit tricky.

There is no official observation area, but airport officials recommend the roof of the parking garage for watching planes.  You'll need a long lens to photograph though,  except for the 747s.  Photographing traffic on the east runway is best in the evening, while the west runway is best in the morning.  Other possible areas are the cargo ramp parking lot on the east side of the airport, off Wall-Triana Rd., and just off the north end of the east runway along James Record Rd., and along Boeing Blvd. which runs along the south end of the east runway (see marks on map).  The west runway is longer but rarely used.  Be aware that pulling over on any of these roads can get you a visit by Airport Police who find airplane watchers suspicious and there are "no parking" signs along James Record Rd.

Commercial traffic at HSV is usually light, mainly Regional Jets of Delta Connection, USAirways Express, Northwest Airlink, Continental Express, American Eagle, and some Delta MD-88s, but there is a growing amount of freighter traffic using 747s, DC-10s, and DC-8s as well as military practice flights.  I was fortunate enough to be able to photograph a C-5 and a few KC-135s & C-130s.

The most active runway is the east one (18L/36R) but traffic is sporadic and spread throughout the day.  The lack of an official viewing area within photographic distance and light traffic are why I'm rating HSV a 2.

Click here to see photos from HSV's parking garage

Click here to see photos from the ends of 18R and 36L

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