Updated August 17, 2021: As expected, COVID-19 continues to cause us problems, but we are ready to meet them and keep you updated on the situation #SpotLAX2021!
This is new content. You can find our original post below.
First, Wear a mask. Masks are required in all indoor public spaces Under license from Los Angeles County. We expect all participants to adhere to this,period.
If you can't wear your mask properly for ten minutes while waiting for an In & Out burger or riding a hotel elevator, please don't come. Seriously.
If you need some new masks and would like accessories, find Our NYCA masks are here And show off some coronavirus safety measures in style. While you're there, consider A T-shirt or hoodie will also work.
Second, with the increase in Delta variants and the inherent risks associated with dining, we have decided to cancel our normal dinner events. But don’t worry, we’ll still be walking around the field. We hope to see you there.
third: The grumpy DocfestLocated near the famous In N' Out Park, it's still open from 11am on Saturdays. There will be a raffle. We encourage people to wear masks when in large groups.
fourth: H Hotel Some rooms have been booked. but If you're lazy and still haven't booked, please get in touch as soon as possible. We may be able to help you book a room at a discount, or upgrade to a better room.
Fifth: On a related note, H’s rooftop deck is now open all weekend long! Please note that the hotel has stricter screening for guests visiting the deck only.
Point 5: Don’t forget to join us for a socially distanced Sunday morning of donuts, sponsored by JetTip.net.
Sixth, and finally, the opening hours and accessibility of many area attractions have changed. This information is valid as of August 17th and supersedes any other previous information on this website. This information may change between now and September and we recommend you check before you go:
Flight Path Museum Now open weekends from noon to 4pm, by reservation only. Masks and proof of vaccination are required for admission.
california science center Open as usual, with timed admission only. Masks are required.
The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum appears to be operating normally, with masks required.
Museum of Flight Santa Monica Airport appears to be closed.
Joe Davis Heritage Airport Palmdale's hours appear to be 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Marchfield Aviation Museum Seems to be running fine. They are open Tuesday to Sunday from 9am to 5pm.
For more details on these options outside of LAX, see the descriptions in the original post below.
We can't wait to see you next month!
Summer has unofficially arrived, This can only mean that every year we #SpotLAX2021 Event coming soon! This year, the event will take place from Friday, September 17th to Sunday, September 19th. This weekend also coincides with Cranky Flier's annual Cranky Dorkfest will be held Saturday at 11 a.m.. Best of all, most events are free!
Photo by Heather Abbott
As the pandemic continues, there is always the possibility that we may have to cancel/change events. We recommend booking with maximum flexibility. Out of an abundance of caution, some incidents have not yet been confirmed, but we are handling them in accordance with CDC and local health guidelines.
What else is going on that weekend? Lots of airplane spotting, great food, and hanging out with other aviation enthusiasts from all over the country. Los Angeles International Airport hosts a variety of airlines from all over the world, as well as some very special aircraft based in Los Angeles. Bring your camera and plenty of batteries because we guarantee you'll have plenty of room to shoot. The only thing confirmed on the calendar at the moment is that we will have some great aircraft spotting events as well as a Cranky Dorkfest.
Photo by Andrew Poole
We have limited rooms available on weekends at the H Hotel Los Angeles at LAX. Join us here and enjoy their spectacular rooftop deck, perfect for capturing early morning or late night arrivals. Or visit the H Hotel website and use the code: new york city. Rooms in this neighborhood are limited, so we recommend booking as early as possible. The in-room rate is valid from Thursday to Sunday nights, but the hotel can extend it to Thursday to Sunday nights by special request. If you are interested in extending your stay before or after the event, Send us an email We will help you get in touch with the hotel. Also, you can contact us if you want to upgrade your room.
Here are some of the big events we have planned. We're still working on finalizing some other details, so be sure to check back here.
Friday
Arrival and evening aircraft observation
For early arrivals, LAX's Flight Route Learning Center and Museum is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Saturday
Photo by Nick Benson, JetTip.net
11 a.m.: The grumpy Docfest At In N' Out Burger. As host Brett Snyder tells it, join other aviation enthusiasts as they eat burgers, watch planes and talk their stuff. There will also be a raffle.
2 p.m.: Location to be determined
6:30 p.m.: Evening event based on safety protocols to be determined
Sunday
8am: Donuts on the Deck – If you're staying at the H Hotel, join us for breakfast and airplane viewing. Bring your camera, we'll be serving coffee and donuts!
Other attractions in Los Angeles
If you want to get away from LAX for a while, there are plenty of aviation-themed activities within driving distance of LAX. Here are some suggestions:
If you want to venture further afield outside of Los Angeles, there are some great destinations in the desert surrounding Los Angeles:
this Marchfield Aviation Museum Located about 90 minutes west of Los Angeles International Airport, it has a large display of military aircraft. They also set up aircraft viewing stands in the shadow of the wings of the Boeing KC-97L Stratofreighter! Open Tuesday to Sunday (closed on Mondays) 9am to 5pm.- this Joe Davis Heritage Airport Palmdale is home to a large number of military and civilian aircraft near the famous Air Force Plant 42 and Lockheed Skunkworks. Located approximately 70 miles north of Los Angeles International Airport, driving time ranges from 75-135 minutes, depending on traffic conditions. Currently open only on Saturdays and Sundays from 9am to 1pm. Neighboring Blackbird Airport is also open on its neighbor's schedule. This is the only place where you can see Lockheed A-12 Oxcarts and SR-71 Blackbirds side by side, as well as U2 and D-21 reconnaissance drones.
travel
Photo by Isaac Alexander
LAX is obviously a large airport, so even if you're not leaving the immediate area, you still need to make travel plans. Renting a car is the most convenient option. However, rental costs have been unusually high this year. Additionally, you'll need to pay for parking at almost all hotels in the area, including the H Hotel. Ride-sharing services are another great option that many attendees have used in the past. Public transportation options around LAX are very limited, so taking the bus may take longer than you want and involve a long walk.
This event is open to aircraft watchers and aviation enthusiasts of all experience levels. If you're just starting out in the hobby or want to improve your skills, this is a great time to learn techniques from a more experienced observer. Bring any device you own, from smartphones to professional cameras. With that said, here are some suggestions to give you the best experience:
- A DSLR or mirrorless camera body equipped with a telephoto zoom lens of at least 200 mm (35 mm film equivalent) and a standard zoom lens. or,
- A “point-and-shoot” or “superzoom” camera with at least 8x optical zoom. There are many options of these products from Canon, Nikon, Sony, and many other manufacturers, some priced under $200.
- LAX is very photogenic after dark. To take advantage of this, you'll need a sturdy tripod to mount your camera at night. If your camera is capable of remote shutter release, you'll also need a wired or wireless remote.
Before arriving in Los Angeles, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with our Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) Aircraft Observation Guide. At certain times during the weekend, we may have pre-planned gathering locations. For these, please check back the week of the event. At other times, smaller groups will form and you will be able to choose which location you want to use. However, these locations are subject to change as specific aircraft movements may determine which locations we use. Please be sure to follow us twitter and Instagram Stay up to date with all our latest location and events updates. Please use hashtags #SpotLAX2021 If you are posting event information so attendees can find each other on social media.
We will continue to update this article in the coming weeks with any additional information and safety precautions for the event. As California lifts restrictions, the environment is changing rapidly.
Remember to use the hashtag #SpotLAX2021, get vaccinated, and we’ll see you in September!
(Above photo by Stephanie Germann)
