| Click on the letter in a circle for a site description, best time for observation and a picture showing a plane as seen from this spot. (Most pictures taken with a telephotolens. Always bring your binoculars). |
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CAUTION!!!
 Birds and planes don't go together. If you go near the airport to observe airplanes, be sure not to leave behind any objects, especially food that mignt attract birds. Seagulls are easely attracted by waste. These birds (like any other) are dangerous for engines, planes... and their passengers! You can help prevent this, by making sure you leave the site clean, this should make authorities more tolerant for plane spotters and others. |
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A Dorval Airport Terminal |
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| Since the 70's, the Airport terminal is not the best place to take pictures of planes (due to the reflexion in windows) but it certainly remains a very good spot to see them close. | ||||
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A Dorval Airport top of multilevel parking |
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| On those rare days when the wind is clam or coming from the east, landings can be seen on the 06R runway. Lighting from this spot in the parking is best from mid-afternoon. (Bear in mind that in these wind conditions, the 06L runway will be used by jumbo jets and other international carriers the Thorncrest viewing point will be best if that is what you are looking for). | |||
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C Pitfield street's dead end |
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At the dead end, you have on the west side, just on the other side of highway 13, one end of the north runway [24R]. Looking east, watch out fo those planes coming in just above you! The most spectacular of the spots mentionned in this page! |
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D Poirier street corner Beaulac |
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From Côte-Vertue, turn North on Beaulac along Place Vertue and go to Poirier street. Your view to the East is unobstructed for planes coming for final approach on the north runway [24R]. Lighting is best from mid-day. |
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E Griffith street just east of McArthur |
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Some planes can almost exclusively be seen landing on the south runway [24L] (due to the location of boarding gates in the southern part of the terminal). It is the case of these two planes. To have a chance to see them coming in, take a look to the landing schedule on the Airport web site. Lighting is best in the first half of the day. |
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F Gougeon street just north of Reverchon |
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Like the Griffith street observation spot, this one is located near the east end the south runway [24L]. Corner of Gougeon and Reverchon, planes are just over your head. You can move just north on Gougeon to give you a good side view in the afternoon and at the end of the day. If your lucky, you might just see an exotic logo (for Montréal) on a plane landing here as Bombardier Regional jets are tested prior to delivery) |
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G Ryan street corner of Renaud |
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This spot runs along the eastern extremity of the south runway [24L]. The pictures, taken a long time ago with a 400 mm lens, shows a 747 near touchdown on the north runway {24R]. |
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| A recent visit confirms that taking such a picture is not going to be easy these days (opaque fencing, Bombardier plant...) but if you look around, you will find one or two good spots as shown on the picture below (taken with a 500 mm lens though). |  |
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H Cardinal street Train stop |
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This site is near the western end of the south runway [06R]. Far from ideal although you can park easely and for free. When the wind is down, incoming traffic can be massively directed to this spot. Lighting is good until noon. |
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I Hill at Thorncrest street north end |
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What a beautiful site (shame on those who planted those poles with electric lines running between us and the incoming planes). On the west end of the north runway [06R], you can see planes landing on cloudy days and when the wind is down. Lighting is difficult after supper because of sunset. But it is OK for pictures of planes touching down on preparing to take off. |
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You remember a few characteristics of the plane but can't remember the name? Click on the drawings to go to the visual identification guide. |
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Web site conception and production , text, pictures and illustrations : Jean-Pierre Bonin © 1999-2003 If you use my pictures or illustrations, please
send me your web page address by e-mail.
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