MYR-Spot1
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March 25, 2023Myrtle Beach Intl. Airport – Spotting Guide
- last modified on December 26, 2023
Myrtle Beach International Airport (KMYR) is the second largest airport in South Carolina with a record 3.2 million passengers passing through in 2021. The airport has lots of former military history as the former Myrtle Beach General Bombing & Gunnery Range, the Myrtle Beach Army Airfield, and most notably, the Myrtle Beach Air Force Base. After the Air Force Base closed in 1993, the joint civilian/military airport was turned over to the city of Myrtle Beach to become the Myrtle Beach International Airport.
MYR hosts a great amount of military and other unique traffic year-round such as F-16s from Shaw AFB, C-17s from JB Charleston, Omega Aerial Refueling’s KC-707 and KDC-10, Metrea Strategic Mobility’s KC-135s, and Boeing 787 test flights from Charleston.
Written by Jake. Last change: September 2023 (Spot 5 updated).
| Rating | |
| Movements |  |
| Airline Variety |  |
| Photo Locations | |
| Weather |  |
| Airport Information | |
| Runways | |
| 18/36 | 2,897 m (9,503 ft) Asphalt and Concrete |
| Terminals | One terminal (Terminal A) and 2 concourses (A and B) served by Avelo, American, Allegiant, Delta, Delta Connection, Southwest, Spirit, and United Express, with Porter, Sun Country, Frontier, and United operating seasonal service. |
| Spotting Information | |
| Ladder | Not useful for any spots. |
| Car/Public Transport | A car is needed to get to most spots. Spots on the south side of the airport are within walking distance. |
| Drinks/Food | Plenty of options around the Market Common. |
| Hotels | There are many hotels and resorts along the beach. |
| Season | Summer months have the most traffic throughout the year due to tourists flying in. Military traffic is year-round, but more in the winter months when there is less tourist traffic. |
| Security | Security shouldn’t be an issue, but always be aware. |
| Runway Usage | |
| 18/36 | Used in all directions. There is no preferred side. |
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Spot #1 – Oceanfront Helicopters – 36 Arrivals, 18 Departures & Heli Traffic |
|---|---|
| WHERE | Oceanfront Helicopters is located at the southeast of the airport, off of South Kings Highway. Just get rid of the car at their parking lot. There is a sidewalk which runs along the south side of the airport which can be used for different photos as well as the parking lot next to a gas station. The helicopter tours don’t open until 9am, and there is a fence that’s closed till that time. In this case park at the gas station/Adventure Golf and spot from the sidewalk. |
| WHAT | Best for 36 arrivals, and helicopter tour traffic. 18 heavy departures are possible too. |
| TIME | Morning and afternoon, just position yourself on different sides of the sidewalk. |
| MISC. | There is a restroom available inside of the ticketing building of Oceanfront Helicopters. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | Red R44 – 230mm; Allegiant – 150mm; Southwest 737 – 175mm |
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Spot #2 – Warbird Park – 36 Arrivals & 18 Departures |
|---|---|
| WHERE | Warbird Park is located Southwest of the airport and is off Farrow Parkway. It is a park and memorial of the former Myrtle Beach AFB. Once you have approach the parking lot walk through the park to the fence. |
| WHAT | Best for 36 arrivals. 18 heavy departures are possible too. Planes lining up on 36 can be spotted in the distance. On display is an A-7 Corsair, F-100 Super Sabre, and A-10 Thunderbolt, all of which used to serve at the Myrtle Beach AFB. There are also walking trails with signs that contain information about the former base. |
| TIME | From early afternoon until sunset. |
| MISC. | There are picnic tables to sit down and trees spending shadow. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | A319 – 210mm; 717 – 155mm; P-8 – 155mm; KC-135 – 180mm |
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Spot #3 – Airdrome Ave – Ramps |
|---|---|
| WHERE | Drive to Airdrome Ave at the western part of the airport. Get rid off the car at the FBO and walk around the fence to photograph the different ramps or you can just park on the side of the road and hop out. |
| WHAT | Use any of the spots along this road for photos of parked aircraft. Just shoot through the fence. |
| TIME | Noon until sunset. Depends on the parking postion of the planes. |
| MISC. | Nothing nearby. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | KC-135 – 90mm; Citation – 70mm; L-39 – 175mm |
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Spot #4 – Emory Road – 18 Arrivals |
|---|---|
| WHERE | You can take Fred Nash Blvd off of Highway 17 to here or Farrow Parkway coming from Market Common. Good spot for 36 departures. It is almost adjacent to the touchdown markers, though there is a fence. |
| WHAT | 36 departures. 18 arrivals will be tricky as there is a fence in the way, but there is a chance you can catch them on approach. |
| TIME | From early afternoon until sunset. |
| MISC. | There will most likely be heat haze during the summer months, so this spot may be better during winter months. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | CRJ – 200mm; 717 – 200mm |
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Spot #5 – X-Gym – 18 Arrivals |
|---|---|
| WHERE | There is a sports gym/store located off of George Bishop Pkwy. Plenty of parking is available where you can spot from. |
| WHAT | Best for 18 arrivals. |
| TIME | From early afternoon until sunset. |
| MISC. | There are facilities inside if need be. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | Usually 100-200mm for airliners and 300mm+ for general aviation. |
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Spot #6 – Medieval Times – 18 Arrivals |
|---|---|
| WHERE | North of the airport, in a parking lot in the back of Medieval Times. Get onto Fantasy Harbour Blvd and follow the signs to Medieval Times. |
| WHAT | Best for 18 arrivals. |
| TIME | From sunrise until noon. |
| MISC. | Nothing nearby. Medieval Times performance starts in the afternoon, so there is no conflict with the visitors. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 738 – 140mm; CL350 – 250mm |
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Spot #7 – The Crazy Mason – 36 Departures |
|---|---|
| WHERE | Get to the “The Crazy Mason” milkshake bar at the Coastal Grand Mall, which can be reached via Highway 17. The bar itself is located on the eastern corner of the mall. Just get on there parking place and start shooting. |
| WHAT | 36 Departures only. |
| TIME | Morning to around noon in the Summer and morning to around 11am in the Winter. |
| MISC. | Planespotting friendly! Stop by at 7am to get yourself a coffee or 1pm to get a delicious milkshake! Otherwise there are plenty of hotels, supermarket, restaurants… |
| FOCAL LENGTH | Usually 100-200mm for airliners and 300mm+ for general aviation. |
A note for spot 1: helicopter tours don’t open until 9am, and there is a fence that’s closed till that time, so the spot is unusable in the morning until then.
If this ist the case you can park at the gas station/adventure golf and walk on the sidewalk back to the morning side.
-Julian