PIT Spotting Guide

Frequencies: Arrival ATIS 127.250 Departure ATIS 135.900 Clearance Delivery 126.750  353.700 Ramp Control North 130.775 Ramp Control South 131.375 Ground South 121.900  348.600 Ground North 127.800  348.600 Tower RWY 28L/10R 119.100  270.325 Tower RWY 28R/10L 128.300  291.700 Tower RWY 28C/10C & 32/14 135.025  270.325 Approach (271-360) 121.250  279.625 Approach (001-090) 124.15  279.625 Approach (181-270) 133.700  360.800 Approach IC (091-180) 123.950  360.800 Departure South 119.350  285.575 Departure North 124.750  336.200 Air National Guard CP 311.000 Air Force Reserve CP 252.100

KPIT Diagram Current KPIT Activity

Location 1:  Coventry Health Care Parking Lot
This spot is located at 2222 Ewing Rd., Moon Twp., PA 15108 off of the Ewing Rd. exit of Business Route 60 northeast of PIT.  This is a large parking lot on the private property of a business.  During business hours, if you are respectful and do not block any traffic or otherwise interfere with their business you should not be bothered.  Many people use this lot to park and walk in the area, as well as to spot aircraft.  During non-business hours you will not be bothered at all. 

This is the spot for viewing all arrivals for Runway 28L, which is the most commonly used runway at PIT.  You can also view aircraft landing on Runway 28C. This area looks down on the eastern part of the airport, and offers excellent views of Runway28L/10R and 28C/10C operations.  This spot also offers partial views of Runway 32/14 operations, and views of the Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard ramps.

Lens:  This spot is less than a mile from the end of Runway 28L.  A 150mm (digital) lens is adequate for shooting arrivals to Runway 28L.  A 400mm (digital) lens is needed for shooting the rare arrival on Runway 28C from this location.

Times:  The sun will be at your back for most of the day until late afternoon.  Therefore, this location is good from morning until late afternoon.

Location 2:   Resurrection Cemetery

This spot is located at 100 Resurrection Rd., Moon Twp., PA 15108 off of the Ewing Rd. exit of Business Route 60 northeast of PIT.  This spot is a cemetery owned by the Catholic Diocese.  The cemetery is open to the public from dawn to dusk.  As long as you are respectful of the cemetery’s rules (posted when you enter), you will not be bothered at this location.  You will often see other spotters at this location.  Please do not attempt to enter the cemetery after dark.  Near the approach lights to Runway 32 is a large black grave stone which resembles an upside down cross and is simply engraved with the name “Damian” and the epitaph “This is not goodbye, this is only so long.”  This grave is the subject of much lore, and attracts people from all over the area.  Because of this, local, county, and USAF police patrol the cemetery after dusk and will arrest anyone trespassing.  Patrols are increased around Halloween. 

This is the spot for viewing arrivals for Runway 32.  This is the location that provides the closest views of arriving aircraft at PIT.

Lens:  This spot is less than ½ mile from the end of Runway 32.  If you choose, you can basically stand under the approach lights in which any digital zoom lens would suffice.  You can also spot from a road on a hill in the cemetery which overlooks the approach lights.  A 100mm (digital) lens is adequate for shooting from here.

Times:  The sun will be at your back from about noon until dusk.  Therefore, this location is good from noon until the cemetery closes at dusk.

Sample shots from Location 2:


 

Location 3:   Airside Business Park

This spot is located in any of the lots off of Airside and Lindberg Drives, Moon Twp, PA 15108 off of Business Route 60 north of PIT.  These are large lots in a business park which contains many businesses that deal with the public.  As long as you don’t interfere with the businesses you should not be bothered. 

This is the spot for viewing all arrivals for Runway 28R.

Lens:  This spot is less than a mile from the end of Runway 28R.  A 150mm (digital) lens is adequate for shooting arrivals to Runway 28R.

Times:  The sun will be at your back for most of the day until late afternoon.  Therefore, this location is good from morning until late afternoon.

Location 4:   Horizon Drive Parking Garage

This spot is the top floor of the parking garage on Horizon Drive, Moon Twp., PA 15108 off of Business Route 60 North of PIT. This is a non pay parking garage used by businesses in the Airside Business Park, as well as Atlantic Aviation and Homeland Security.  I have never been bothered here, but since Homeland Security uses the top floor of this garage, you may be approached.  During the Wings Over Pittsburgh Airshow, many spotters also use this location without anyone bothering them. 

This is the spot for viewing aircraft exiting Runway 32 or entering Runway 14.  All aircraft that landed on Runway 32 and are taxiing to the commercial gates will pass this location.  This is also the spot for viewing aircraft going to the Atlantic Aviation FBO including sports charters.  You can also view all arrivals to Runway 28R from this location, although it is slightly farther away from the approach path than location 3. 

Lens:  This spot is less than 1000’ from the hold short line for Runway 14, and the exit of Runway 32.  This spot is less than 500’ from Atlantic Aviation’s ramp.  A 50mm (digital) lens is adequate for this location.  If you are also shooting arrivals on Runway 28R from this location, you will need a 300mm (digital) lens.

Times:  For viewing aircraft exiting Runway 32 or entering Runway 14, and aircraft going to the Atlantic Aviation FBO, the sun will be at your back until noon.  For arrivals on Runway 28R, the sun will be at your back for most of the day until late afternoon.  Therefore, this location is great in the mornings or cloudy days. 

Location 5:  Long Term Parking Lot

This is the northwest corner of the Long Term Parking Lot at PIT off of Rt. 60 at the airport exit.  This is one of the public parking lots at PIT.  The cost is $1.50/hour with a maximum charge of  $11.00/day.

 
This is the spot for viewing all departures from Runway 28R, which is the most common departure runway at PIT.   The best position at this location is the furthest northwest corner of this lot nearest to Runway 28R.  This is where most of the aircraft departing will be visible over the hill surrounding the runway.

Lens:  A 300mm (digital) lens is adequate for shooting departures from Runway 28R.
Times:  The sun will be at your back for most of the day until late afternoon.  Therefore, this location is good from morning until late afternoon.

                                                       Sample shot from Location 5:

Summary of Operations:
Most of the time PIT is in west operations, in which Runways 28R/L/C and 32 are in use.  When PIT is in east operations, Runways 10R/L/C and 14 are in use.  The chart below shows which runway each airline/operator will normally use during either operation. Please note this chart only shows the preferred runway of each operator based on their normal gate/ramp assignments.  Factors such as runway closures, weather, and high traffic volume will affect runway assignments.  You should also know Runway 28R is noise sensitive, and has restrictions on jet operations during certain times.  This will also affect runway assignments.  

West operations at PIT are ideal for spotters.  The location with the most activity is Location 1, since most aircraft arrive on Runway 28L.  If you have a scanner tuned to PIT approach (123.95 MHz), you can easily drive to Location 2 (for Runway 32 arrivals) or Location 3 (for Runway 28R arrivals), if ATC issues landing assignments for one of those alternate runways.  You will have plenty of time to drive to either location and get a shot before the aircraft arrives. 

During normal west operations, most aircraft will land on Runway 28L and depart on Runway 28R.  The few exceptions for arrivals are listed in the chart below.  Most notable is Southwest Airlines, which prefers Runway 28R due to its proximity to their gates.  Most airlines/operators who prefer Runway 28R during west operations will try to use Runway 32 when Runway 28R is not available. 

General aviation, charters, and transient corporate aircraft going to the FBO (Atlantic Aviation) will use Runway 32 during west operations.  This includes the sports charters for the Pittsburgh Steelers (US Airways B752), Pittsburgh Penguins (Miami Air International B734), and the Pittsburgh Pirates (Delta B738). 

Most corporate aircraft based at PIT will use Runway 28L during west operations.

PIT is home to two Air Force installations.  The Air National Guard's 171st ARW operates two squadrons of KC-135Ts.  They will use Runway 28L during west operations.  They are very active during the weekday.  The Air Force Reserve's 911th AW operates a squadron of C-130Hs.  They will use Runway 28C or Runway 32 during west operations.

When there are strong winds out of the northwest, Runway 32 will be used for most arrivals.  During these times, you should use Location 2 which will allow for some of the best spotting opportunities at PIT.

Unfortunately, there are no longer any spotting locations during east operations, which use Runways 10R/L for arrivals, and Runway 10C for departures.  Runway 14 is rarely used for anything with the exception of a rare general aviation departure from aircraft leaving the Atlantic Aviation FBO during east operations.  Thankfully, PIT rarely uses East operations.  If you are visiting PIT and find out they are using east operations, Location 4 is the only spot you may see an occasional general aviation or charter aircraft line up to depart.