With Aviation Geek Fest fast approaching and in the spirit of AvGeeks everywhere, I am giving out my tips on spotting at Paine Field (KPAE) in Everett. Known predominantly as the location of ’œthe Boeing Factory’ it can be an AvGeek’s dream or nightmare. Here are some of the tips and tricks from a local AvGeek who calls KPAE his home base…
You could take photos just like this using our guide. Photo by David Parker Brown / AirlineReporter.com
Location:
Paine Field (officially known as Snohomish County Airport) is located in Mukilteo/Everett, roughly 30 miles north of Seattle. In relative terms, it’s about 30 minutes or so north on I5 from downtown (if you’re not during peak Seattle driving time that is). Originally an Air Force Base in the 50s it became the home of the Boeing Factory when the 747 factory line was built on the site, the rest from that moment is history.
The airport has three runways (two parallel & one cross runways) though the one predominantly used is 16R/34L. This runway is the site where every Boeing wide body since the first 747 has had its first ever flight; pretty good landmark. The field also has a number of other aviation related tenants including ATS (Aviation Technical Services) who do the maintenance work for Delta, Hawaiian, Southwest and Alaska Airlines, along with a number of local AvGeek attractions including the Future of Flight, Historic Flight Foundation & the Flying Heritage Collection.
Some key places to spot at Paine Field. Orig image from Google Maps.
Where to Spot:
The two primary locations that most AvGeeks are going to be interested in are ’œFuture of Flight/The Mounds’ or ’œThe Wind Sock’. These two locations border 16R/34L and at different times mean different kinds of views available. The rough guide is:
- Future of Flight/The Mounds: Predominantly used for 16R Arrivals/Departures. Your best shooting/viewing spot is up on the Stratodeck (free to access) on the top floor of Future of Flight and can lead to some great views/shots of aircraft lining up for take-off, panoramas of the flight line showing all the different aircraft in multiple states or taxiing for take off. You can also get nice approach shots as aircraft land right in front of the factory. If the Stratodeck is closed, there are a number of mounds built into the sites next to the fence line that allow you to take a photo unhindered by those pesky barb wire fences (no need for a step ladder here). For those staying at the Hilton Garden Inn (located next to Future of Flight) you may even be able to get a good shot direct from your balcony.
(Example Shots – A Lot 787, ANA 787 Lining up, Ethiopian 777 Cargo Head On)
The Location of the “windsock” at Paine Field. Not much here but you will be close to the action Photo by Malcolm Muir / AirlineReporter.com.
- The Wind Sock: Located down near the Historic Flight Foundation, this spot is a little bit more basic and not as well known. There isn’t really much to this spot but a built up area, just off a side entry at the top of a mound. What it gives you is unrivalled close up action of the touchdown point of 34L. You are extremely close and those with big lenses will need to zoom all the way out for some arrivals (especially a Dreamlifter). Though you can get some impressive landing/take off shots you will also get very close to touch and go’s by the heavies on 16R and that can be an impressive sight on its own.
(Example Shots – Dreamlifter Take Off, Emirates 777, JAL 787
To help you find your way to these two locations, a great new site Aviation Photographic has a great little guide to spotting at Paine Field with a map that will show you an easy way to identify these locations (even if from a satellite image).
People lined up on the mounds outside Future of Flight, to take photos of an aircraft departing. Photo by Malcolm Muir / AirlineReporter.com.
When to Spot:
Weekdays are by far the best time to spot at Paine Field with the factory and test flights in full force. Flights come and go at random times and although Flightaware.com can be a great source at times, you need to live by one rule at Paine Field: Boeing Time.
What is ’œBoeing Time?’ It is really just a way to describe that if you are an avid spotter, out to get that brand new aircraft fresh from the factory, be prepared to wait’¦.. a lot. Because these are test flights, so there is no guaranteed time of departure. They either pop up at the very last minute or more often than not, they run late.
Usually you can rely on the Dreamlifter schedule which are operated by Atlas Air. They show up on Flightaware as GTI4*** (where *** is the rest of the flight number), and they come at all hours of the day or night. You can sometimes get a Southwest or Alaska or Delta 737 coming in on the weekends for maintenance, although most of the time this is during the middle of the night.
Boeing 787s on the flight line at Paine Field. Photo by Malcolm Muir.
Random Tips/Tricks:
A couple of extra little tips and/or tricks for you:
- Being that there is no commercial service here at the field, you will more than likely need a car to get around. There are a number of places around the field that offer great places to spot. Just try to stay off Boeing property, since they do not allow you to take photos from their property and might be met by a security person. If you stick to the above two spots, you won’t have a problem (and a step ladder won’t be required).
- Since flights come and go at any time, having a scanner or access to LiveATC (via one of their mobile apps) can be helpful. Remember that LiveATC has about a 10-20 second delay and that access is not guaranteed so it could go down. On some days they will also play the ATC feed on top of the Stratodeck at Future of Flight.
- During winter you can get some great shots even with the rain and cold. Since movements are often infrequent you may not be exposed to the elements for long, you can hang out in your car down by the mounds and pop out when needed.
Hopefully the guide can help you enjoy your time at Aviation Geek Fest (or any time in Seattle really) that little bit better. If you have photos taken from Paine Field you want to share, put them in the comments — we would love to see them.
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This story written by…Malcolm Muir, Lead Correspondent. Mal is an Australian Avgeek now living and working in Seattle. With a passion for aircraft photography, traveling and the fun that combining the two can bring. Insights into the aviation world with a bit of a perspective thanks to working in the travel industry.
@BigMalX | BigMal’s World | Photos |
China Southern Boeing 787 Dreamliner B-2727 lands at Paine Field earlier today. Photograph by Michael O’Leary.
The world-wide fleet of Boeing 787 might be grounded, but Boeing flew one Dreamliners from Dallas/Forth Worth, Texas to Everett. The ferry-flight only contained Boeing employees and was used to run a test on the lithium-ion batteries. During the flight, the battery had to be closely monitored and no issues were reported.
Some in the media are reporting the aircraft was in Texas for painting. Maybe it could been having touch up work, but the aircraft, B2727, has been painted since late 2012.
The FAA approved this ferry-flight, but has not approved future test flights. Hopefully we will be able to see more 787 test flights in the air soon. See video of the landing on KING5.
A China Southern Boeing 787 Dreamliner arrives a Paine Field in Everett Thursday. All other Dreamliners are grounded. Boeing was granted permission to fly this aircraft to Everett. Photography by Michael O’Leary.
It appears that Alaska Airlines has taken the next step to start possible commercial flight service at Paine Field, located at Everett, WA. “This is a required step if the carrier were to begin jet service out of the regional airport at some point in the future,” the airline stated in a press release. The key word is “were.”
“We continue to believe that our flights at Sea-Tac Airport and in Bellingham best serve the Puget Sound region’s needs for affordable air travel, particularly in light of the significant investments both airports have made recently to improve their facilities,” said Andrew Harrison, Alaska Airlines’ vice president of planning and revenue management. “That said, if one or more other airlines begin operations at Paine Field, we would commence service alongside these carriers. Submitting a schedule with the FAA along with a request for authorization to serve Paine is a necessary step in the process.”
In this case, it is pretty obvious that Alaska is referring to Allegiant. Is Alaska really only taking a defensive position here or are they testing the waters to gauge reaction from the public? Public flights at Paine Field is a political hot-topic; There are many wealthy folks who live in the surrounding area, who have a strong voice against additional air traffic.
PAINE FIELD COMMERCIAL FIGHTS BACKGROUND STORIES:
“Alaska Airlines’ proposed schedule in the first year of operations would include 14 weekly round-trip flights to Las Vegas, Honolulu and Maui, Hawaii, using Boeing 737-800 jet aircraft.,” Alaska’s press release stated. “Alaska would also fly 21 weekly round-trip flights to Portland, Ore., with Bombardier Q400 turboprop aircraft.”
Alaska would plan to expand operations stating they they would fly 49 weekly round-trip flights, including, “28 round-trips to Las Vegas, Honolulu, Maui, Los Angeles, Phoenix and San Diego with 737-800s, plus 21 weekly round-trips to Portland using Q400s.”
| Summary of proposed service for the first year 35 round-trip flights a week: |
| City pair |
Weekly Frequency |
Aircraft |
| Everett-Honolulu |
4 |
737-800 |
| Everett-Las Vegas |
7 |
737-800 |
| Everett-Maui |
3 |
737-800 |
| Everett-Portland |
21 |
Q400 |
| |
| Summary of proposed service by the fifth year 49 round-trip flights a week: |
| City pair |
Weekly Frequency |
Aircraft |
| Everett-Honolulu |
4 |
737-800 |
| Everett-Las Vegas |
7 |
737-800 |
| Everett-Los Angeles |
7 |
737-800 |
| Everett-Maui |
3 |
737-800 |
| Everett-Phoenix |
4 |
737-800 |
| Everett-Portland |
21 |
Q400 |
| Everett-San Diego |
3 |
737-800 |
Flight information from Alaska Airlines.
This seems like quite a bit of potential traffic to just be getting ready, but better off to be prepared right?
One of the biggest hurdles left is there is no terminal at Paine Field and the airport has stated they would not pay to build one. Could/would Alaska and Allegiant work together to build a terminal together? Highly doubtful.
As of now, Allegiant has no comment. Your move Allegiant.
Yes, blue skies can exist in the Seattle area in January (this is Friday, most other photos are taken on Saturday with rain). This photos of the Hilton Garden Inn was taken from the entrance of the Future of Flight.
Not all hotels are created equally. Many compete with a long list of amenities to help entice travelers to stay in one of their rooms. Coffee makers, robes, Wi-Fi, breakfast are just some of the common weapons used to gain your business. But for AvGeeks there is something else that can trump all others: spotting airliners from your room.
There are the rain and clouds I have grown to love. A Qatar Airways Boeing 777-300ER about to land at Paine Field – taken from my hotel room. When it is sunny, there are plenty of wonderful mountains in the background.
There are hotels around the world where you can watch airplanes come and go, but there is only one hotel that is located right at the edge of Paine Field, where Boeing builds their 767, 777, 747-8 and 787 aircraft and that is the Hilton Garden Inn Seattle North/Everett.
Just off the lobby is a bar (no draft, but they have bottled beer and hard alcohol) and restaurant.
Since I live about 15 minutes away from the Hilton Garden Inn, I have never needed to use it. However, talking to other AvGeeks who have stayed there, I heard positive things and wanted to see how good the aviation spotting would be from the hotel. When given the opportunity to stay at the hotel on a Friday night, I figured why not (they provided me the room for free for the review)?
It was mighty cold outside, but warm inside my room when I took this photo of Paine Field.
The hotel is situated in the northwest corner of Paine Field, right next door to the Future of Flight. I visit Future of Flight quite often, so I was no stranger to the area. I was given the keys to the most premium room at the hotel: The Presidential Suite. Normally when a room has such an impressive name, I end up having pretty high expectations. And those expectations were more than met.
Yea. This is living. Nice big tub overlooking Paine Field.
I have been very fortunate to see some pretty impressive hotels around the world. Not to say that Everett/Mukilteo/North Seattle are bad places (I mean, that is the area that I call home), but I wasn’t expecting to find such a nice room. I think when I first walked in I said something like “Holy cow, I wasn’t expecting this.” Maybe I said something a bit more adult than “holy cow,” but you get the idea.
This is the view after walking into the Presidential Suite. Kitchen to the left, dining and living room straight ahead and bedroom to the left.
The Presidential Suite is the size of three standard rooms and has an almost full kitchen, a living room, full dining room, two fire places (not real fire, but whatever), and two bathrooms. I was hoping that there might be a jetted tub in the room and was excited when I found there were two: a smaller one in the bathroom off the bedroom and a quite large one overlooking Paine Field in the bedroom next to the king sized bed.
This Lufthansa Boeing 747-8I delivery flight was a few hours late, but still able to enjoy it taking off.
Sure, all these amenities are fabulous, but I wasn’t there for the trinkets, I was there to check out the view. Unlike other rooms that only have window views to Paine Field, this suite had three sliding glass doors that look out to PAE, making it perfect for spotting (which Malcolm Muir spotted me spotting from my room). Yea, I felt that this room was built for me and I was pretty certain I never wanted to leave.
There is a fire place (fake, but still gives the ambiance) in the living room and bedroom. This is looking into one of the two double doors going into the bedroom. Also notice the aviation themed-art.
To make sure that I wasn’t only looking out the window the whole time, I brought my girlfriend Shannon with me to handle reviewing the decor inside the room.
“When I first walked into the room, my first thought was that it was beautiful in every detail,” Shannon explained to me. “Then as I discovered the view directly overlooking Paine Field, the giant whirlpool tub that was positioned toward that amazing view, the incredibly spacious bathrooms (there were two in the Presidential Suite), and the firmness-adjustable king-size bed, I was awed by the luxury. The full fridge, stove range, dishwasher, counter space and full silverware and glassware sets, as well as a wood dining table, all added to the exquisiteness of the room by offering functional amenities that are hard to find away from home.”
There is much more than just cereal and toast at this breakfast.
There is also the option for breakfast the next morning. I wasn’t really in the mood to get out of the nice warm bed, but luckily Shannon was willing to head down and check things out. “When I walked down to the lobby for breakfast, I wasn’t sure what to expect,” Shannon recounted to me. “Many hotels boast their breakfasts, but often disappoint. However, when I was greeted by a smiling young woman who showed me the options for self-serve (including fresh juices, muffins and pastries, a variety of cereals, a self-serve waffle maker, bagels, and plenty of fruit), my doubts were quickly abated. I selected the gourmet breakfast, an omelet with your choice of fillings and a selection of cheese, with sausage, bacon and hash-browns on the side. Definitely a great way to start the day.” Don’t worry, she also brought me up coffee, juice and a waffle with strawberries to enjoy. The breakfast is not part of the room and costs $10.95 and is served from 6am to 10am (11am on Sat and Sun).
An Emirates Boeing 777-300ER prepares to take off a Paine Field. Taken from the room. That is the Future of Flight on the right.
The hotel opened at Paine Field on October 5th 2005 and offers 102 rooms and 13 suites. They estimate that about 90% of guests are connected to Boeing or one of their subcontractors somehow. This means that their busiest times are weekdays, which normally leaves plenty of rooms open on weekends for you AvGeeks to visit Seattle.
For guests, there is a free shuttle that will take you up to five miles of the hotel (you can walk to the Future of Flight, but this would be handy to check out the Flying Heritage Collection and Historic Flight Foundation) and they will also take you to the Alderwood Mall and Everett train station (which are outside the 5 miles).
The hotel has a small pool and hot tub. Also a well-appointed gym.
Shannon and I argued over what our room must cost. We were both way off (we guessed much higher). Get this: a night in the Presidential Suite ranges from only $159-$250 per night depending on the date. Now, I am definitely not a person of means, but that is totally affordable, even for a staycation. Heck. I am at Paine Field all the time, but was quite giddy with staying at the hotel and watching airplanes take off and land from my room (and a bubble bath).
This is a great hotel for a non AvGeek, but a must-see if you are coming into Seattle to check out some of our great offerings or even a local looking for some AvGeek excitement.
Maybe you have already stayed? I also know Aviation Geek Fest 2013 is coming up soon and the hotel is still offering a special #AGF13 rate. So, if you have stayed or will stay, drop a line or two in the comments to share your thoughts — the hotel will be listening.
ALL 38 PHOTOS FROM MY HOTEL STAY
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This story written by…David Parker Brown, Editor & Founder.
David started AirlineReporter.com in the summer of 2008, but has had a passion for aviation since he was a kid. Born and raised in the Seattle area (where he is currently based) has surely had an influence and he couldn’t imagine living anywhere else in the world.
@AirlineReporter | Flickr | YouTube |
The government of Kuwait will take delivery of this BBJ 7478.
This Saturday was a nice enough day to head up to Paine Field to check out what was going on. I heard that the State of Kuwait’s BBJ 7478 would be high-speed ground testing and I also wanted to track down American Airlines first 777-300ER — I wasn’t disappointed.
The livery for the State of Kuwait aircraft is very similar to Kuwait Airway’s design.
The State of Kuwait’s BBJ 7478 used to have a different look — it was the first Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental that sported the orange sunrise livery (N6067E) and was recently re-painted.
The first BBJ 7478 was delivered to the government of Qatar in February 2012, even though Boeing and the Qatari government still has not confirmed that to date.
It is bit more obvious what customer will take delivery of 9K-GAA. Even though the government of Kuwait is willing to put their livery on the aircraft before delivery, they aren’t quite ready to give details on how their aircraft will be configured.
American Airline’s first Boeing 777-300ER will have a special livery.
Paine Field has quite a few Boeing aircraft sitting outside at any given time. The planes might be large, but it can be a challenge to track a particular aircraft down and Boeing does not go out of their way to park aircraft to make them easy to spot.
After some time I was able to track down American Airline’s first 777-300ER. What makes this aircraft special is it is painted gray. American is known for having a bare metal livery and is this just a special livery to celebrate the aircraft type or will this be the airline’s new livery? (stay tuned, I am working to find out more about this).
LOT’s first Boeing 787 Dreamliner is looking good.
There are plenty of 787’s sitting around waiting for different parts before delivery, but LOT’s Dreamliner is getting closer to delivery, which is expected soon. The new livery is simplistic, but it works and looks better in person than it does in photos.
BONUS: See an interior mock-up of LOT’s Dreamliner
A special Beijing livery on an Air China Boeing 777-300ER (B-2035). You can see the State of Kuwait BBJ 7478.
A last treat before heading back home was seeing this special Beijing livery for an Air China Boeing 777-300ER.
There were a few other odds and ends you can take a look at my Flickr profile. I have to say that I love living in Seattle.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/airlinereporter/sets/72157631815727815/detail/
