Bangor International Airport (IATA: BGR – ICAO: KBGR) is a joint civil-military airport located just outside of Bangor, Maine. The airport only sees domestic traffic connecting the town to larger cities. However the thing that makes Bangor special is that it’s the furthest north-east airport in the United States and is home to the Maine Air National Guard. Many traffic crossing the Atlantic ocean tends to stop in Bangor for a technical stop and to clear U.S Customs, this makes Bangor an interesting airport to see unique traffics. Further more, the airport is also used by the U.S Military for troop and cargo transfer; it is not uncommon to see large passenger aircraft being chartered out passing through Bangor. The Maine Air National Guard has a large fleet of KC-135’s (including a special tail named “the mainiac”) that depart in formation most weekdays. As the airport has a long runway and can be quiet, the U.S military does occasionally use the airport for training (touch n’ go’s).

Written by Marc Brandon. Last Update: October 2023

Rating
Movements
Airline Variety
Photo Locations
Weather
Airport Information
Runways
15/33	3.487 m (11.440 ft) Asphalt
Terminals
Domestic Terminal	Allegiant, American, Delta, United
International Terminal	No schedule passengers flights. Used by intl. charters and diversion.
Spotting Information
Ladder	A 3-4 step ladder is needed at almost all spots. Although the airport is quite spotter friendly, it is recommended to keep your ladder at least 10ft from the fence.
Car/Public Transport	Car is highly recommend as there is no public transport to get around.
Drinks/Food	Nothing available directly at the locations. Some fast food chains are not too far away from the airport.
Hotels	Some airport hotels next to the I95 and I395 intersection but no one with a good view of the movements.
Season	Winters are pretty tough here so better to go there during the summer months.
Security	Police don’t mind spotters on the public areas but anything near the military they will ask for you to leave.
Runway Usage
15/33	Based on winds but Runway 33 is the perfered runway.

	Spot #1 – Maine Ave – 33 arrivals and departures
WHERE	This is the major spot when runway 33 is active. It is located on a small gravel area next to a crash gate at Maine Ave, next to the Maine Air Museum. Position yourself around this area for the preferred spot.
WHAT	All action for runway 33 and nice close up on Alpha.
TIME	Sunrise to 10:30am in the summer or Sunrise to 9am in the winter is frontlit
MISC.	For ground shoots a 3-4 step ladder is recommended to see over the fence. Although the airport is quite spotter friendly, it is recommended to keep your ladder at least 10ft from the fence. Also note the runway does slope down with various hills on either side of the runway so depending on where you stand, part of the runway might be blocked. There are also some trees that do partially block the approach but it still works.
FOCAL LENGTH	K100 on Alpha: 50mm. C17 landing on 33: 130mm

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	Spot #2 – FBO Parking Lot – 33 arrivals and FBO
WHERE	The next spot is next to the MedComm FBO, located just off U.S Rte 2. There is the FBO parking lot where you can get rid of your car and walk to the fence.
WHAT	Excellent view for runway 33 arrivals, aircraft parked at the FBO and UPS 757 that parks on taxiway November in the morning.
TIME	10:30am to sunset in the summer and 9am to sunset in the winter.
MISC.	A ladder is helpful for ground shoots but not for approaching planes. Just be advised there are large hills located airside making touchdown and departure shots not feesable. The FBO does not mind you spotting here but please be curtious as there is limited parking at the FBO.
FOCAL LENGTH	Variable for FBO. KC135 is 150mm

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	Spot #3 – Storage Ramp
WHERE	Just on the otherside of the MedComm FBO; further down the road. Park next to the crash gate without blocking it and walk along the fence to catch the parked planes.
WHAT	Bangor airport has a section of the airport dedicated to partially to fully scrapped aircraft. There are mainly Saab 340’s and Embraer E135/145 aircraft here; there is also 1 CRJ2 parked at the far side too.
TIME	Depends on the angle of the stored plane.
MISC.	The road is slightly below the taxiway so a ladder is recommend to get a proper shot.
FOCAL LENGTH	150-400mm depending on which aircraft you want to shoot.

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	Spot #4 – Crash Gate – All runway movements
WHERE	One of the best locations as you can get all runway movements from there. From Route 2; turn right onto Hildreth St. N until you pass the fence. Park on the concrete blocks of the old runway, at the crash gate without blocking it. Stay here and do NOT go all the way down the road to the buildings as these are US military reserves.
WHAT	All action for runway 15/33. Likely the best spot at the airport. It’s likely the only real good spot for runway 15. This is also a great spot to see the Maine Air National Guard ramp.
TIME	Summer: 11:00 to sunset; Winter: 8:30 to sunset (I do not know if there is winter maintenance along this road)
MISC.	Ladder is highly recommended because the grounds are not leveled. Do keep your distance from the fence as there are US Military reserve buildings along the road so military personnel does drive by. You are allowed to spot here; the area is quite friendly. This and spot #1 are where most locals go to spot.
FOCAL LENGTH	130mm A320 100mm for KC135

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	Spot #5 – Fuller Rd – Main Apron
WHERE	From Maine Ave; turn left on Griffin Rd (last turn before entrance to USAF). Then turn right on Fuller rd (this is a private road; do not linger).
WHAT	Excellent views of the main apron where all the tech stops park. The Maine Air National Guard parks behind the parking lot so they arent visable. Also provides a pretty good view for runway 33 action
TIME	Fuller rd summer: sunrise to 8am. Parking lot: depends which spot is used.
MISC.	Fuller Rd and the parking lot is government owned so it is a take your picture through the fence and go type spot. If you linger, Military Police will stop and question you; always have your ID here!
FOCAL LENGTH	Depends on the parking spot: 50mm to 400mm

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	Spot #6 – Maintenance Ramp
WHERE	Just a short hop from the terminal. Turn left of Polk st which connects to Wyoming Ave.  Furthermore if you go down Wyoming Ave, onto Utah Ave you do get a partially unobstructed view of the ramp. Same thing on Polk St.
WHAT	4 large hangers that do large scale maintenance on Saab and Embraer aircraft – Saab 340 and E135/145. It is not uncommon to see some interesting Saab/ Embraer aircraft parked outside for many days.
TIME	All day (pick your side of the roads).
MISC.	Terminal is just around the corner. They don’t mind you shooting through the fence at any of the spots here.
FOCAL LENGTH	Most of the time aircraft are parked near the fence so no more than 100mm should be fine.

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	Spot #7 – FBO Terminal – Ramp
WHERE	From Maine Ave drive to the FBO parking lot(s). From there you have various options.
WHAT	Almost all traffic that parks at the Bangor Aviation Services private terminal (7A). You can also get a pretty good glimpse of the Maine Army National Guard if you head further down the parking lot onto the dirt road (7B).
TIME	Better from morning until noon. Depends on the angle of the (parked) aircraft.
MISC.	They don’t mind you shooting through the fence at any of the spots here. the FBO’s do get a lot of interesting traffic.
FOCAL LENGTH	90mm – 400mm

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