VCV-Southern Apron
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October 18, 2018Southern California Logistic Airport Victorville – Spotting Guide
Behind Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, the Southern California Logistic Airport in Victorville, CA is the second biggest aircraft boneyard of the world. The airport is, like many other storage fields in the USA, a former military base.
Most planes are on long term storage on the ramp at the northeast corner of the airport and a lot of aircraft maintenance and storage companies presenting newer and older planes on their ramps and hangars in the south. Unique operators are based at VCV like Omega Air Tanker with 707/DC-10 and General Electric with their 747 N747GF Propulsion Test Platform.
Aircraft are moved from time to time so the google maps images are not really up to date and shouldn’t be a reference. Ramp access or tours are not possible at VCV but another way is to charter a plane and make some air to ground pictures.
There are not much movements and you can photograph mainly the parked aircraft. But check Flightaware before you are going there in the case something “new” is arriving so you might be able to catch on final approach or on the ramp. Don´t use Flightradar!
Written by Julian Mittnacht/Jan Seba
Airport Information | Runways | 03/21 2.785 m (9.138 ft) |
17/35 4.587 m (15.050 ft) |
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Spotting Information | Ladder | Would be helpful but not recommend due to secuirty concerns by the authorities. | ||
Car | No chance to get there without one. | |||
Restrooms | Inside the restaurants and hotels in Victorville city. | |||
Drinks/Food | Nearest are in in Victorville city. | |||
Hotels | Nearest are in in Victorville city. | |||
Season | Winter due to heat haze. |
Spot #1 – South Ramp | |
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WHERE | In general the storage is separated into two parts. The huge ramp on the north/east side of the airfield and the southern ramp with the hangars and maintenance facilities. The airport itself is located at the north of Victorville city. Just follow the signs from Airport Base Rd until you reach the first hangars to your left. Start your tour here and drive all the way up along the perimeter fence. There are different possible photo postitions where you can shot through or over the fence. Just discover that area and the different spots. |
WHAT | Parked aircraft on the south ramp and all new aircraf that arrive park here. Also Omega Tankers and GE 747. |
TIME | You are in the desert and its very very hot so go there only in the early morning and/or late evening. But usually you can stay there the whole day because the planes parked in different directions and somtimes only makeable from one side. |
MISC. | Security isn´t an issue here. Planespotters are a known sight and you shouldn’t have a problem. |
FOCAL LENGTH | Most times you stand directly at the fence, very close to the planes so a low local length is needed. |
Spot #2 – North Ramp | |
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WHERE | Once done you can drive all the way up to the northern ramp. Just check the map to see the correct way. You have to drive on bumpy roads so a SUV is recommended and a ladder is needed too. |
WHAT | Parked aircraft on the north/east ramp. This is the “long term” storage. |
TIME | Best to go there is in the morning as most planes on the north-east corner have light then. |
MISC. | Be careful on the road! Security isn´t an issue here. Planespotters are a known sight and you shouldn’t have a problem. |
FOCAL LENGTH | Most times you stand directly at the fence, very close to the planes so a low local length is needed. |
I’ve visited recently. Security don’t like you being near the fence especially near any gates. I think they are a little nervous due to the situation in Israel.
No movements, but allot of aircraft!