Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport is plane easy

Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport formerly Williams Gateway Airport is affectionately know as Willie from its days as Williams Air Force Base. Located in the southern part of the East Valley of Phoenix metro area this little airport holds many surprises. On any giving day you could see Harriers, Goshawk, Talon, and Hueys. Allegiant Air also operates flight out of here so MD-80 is a common sight. With all that you might just get lucky and catch something out of the ordinary. The airport property is surrounded by both private property and business, so photographing from these area will not be covered in this blog.

 

This airport is community friendly with a small park located next to the airport Fixed Base Operator Gateway Aviation Services. Photography from this park is permitted and it is encourage as this is the only public area open to the public on the airport property. This park come with several shaded areas and a hill that give a nice shot over the fence line. You can use a 4 ft (1.2192 m) step at the fence area but not any taller. They also frown upon standing on case for safety. Restroom and coldwater, and vending machines are available in the FBO building. Also in this building are the Pilots Shop and the Flightline Café. The ramp is located in this area and is used for the transient aircraft which on weekends can be quite crowded. The light is good in the afternoon and get better later in the day.

Areas that you can’t take photographs from are the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and passenger terminal. Both of these areas are off limits due to security issues. If you are a ticketed passenger then you can take picture during while conducting you business. ICE and other businesses are private property. You can how ever take pictures of their aircraft from the park area as they taxi or in flight.

Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport hosts an open house on the second Saturday of March (March 10. 2012) each year. The gates open at the park area at 9:00am and close around 2:00pm and is free. During this open house the weekend operation continues. For those who wish to get “media access” for this event you can contact Community Relations Coordinator, Patrick Oakley at 480-988-7637 or at poakley@phxmesagateway.org. Please do so not later than two weeks ahead of this event.

Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport’s park is located at 5803 South Sossaman Road, Mesa Arizona 85212.

Airport codes: IATA: AZA, ICAO: KIWA, FAA LID: IWA),

 Radio Frequencies: ATIS 133.5, clearance 135.05, ground 128.25, tower 120.6 west, 124.75 east, and Gateway Aviation Services 129.875 

Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) course

With fall come cooler Temperature here in Arizona and with that more aviation activity around the state. That brings me to the reason for my first blog. I would like to pass a long some tips while photographing at the many facility here in Arizona. Their both military and civilian airports all around the state and most are working to be part of the community. To this extent some are more photographers friendly. The rule varies for military and civilian. With WTI starting up I am going to go over some of the guideline that I have learned over that past few years

There are some simple rules to follow when at a military operation. First is do not shoot into any base from out side the fence. You can shoot the aircraft departing and arriving but don’t lower the lens into the base. This rule holds for all the military bases.  Don’t wander on to private property. Be preparing to answer question from both local and military police. They are only doing their job so be petite, and listen.

Now on to Yuma MCAS and WTI. Their been some aviation site that have several location to photograph from and some of theses talk of the south end of the airport, this however is private property and will get you in hot water. During WTI you can find the fair ground an enjoyable place to get wonderful images with little hassle. Don’t be surprise to find some of the locals out their watching too. The light get better in the afternoon from this area. During the later part of this training exercise that do an assault on a local park and you can find more information on what date and what might be restricted roads at http://www.yumasun.com/.

Again have fun and enjoy the activity, but also be respectful of the community surrounding the airport.

In later Blog I will cover some other Arizona airports and aviation events.