Phoenix Mesa Airport - Spotting Guide

Phoenix Mesa Airport – Spotting Guide

November 29, 2020 - last modified on November 30, 2023

Phoenix Mesa Gateway Airport (AZA/KIWA) is the city of Phoenix’s smaller airport in southeast Mesa, about 20 miles from downtown Phoenix. In terms of passenger volume, Mesa Gateway has seen an increase in passenger volume ever since the early 2000’s, reaching over 1 million people per year. Gateway is used as a base for Allegiant Air with their large variety of destinations throughout the country. They also see seasonal Fall/Winter service from both WestJet and Swoop to Edmonton and Calgary, respectively. These two airlines are the only international routes that mesa Gateway sees. Since Allegiant utilizes Mesa Gateway as one of thier hubs, there are lots domestic low cost routes to airports out in the Midwest as well as on the West coast. As of recently, Allegiant’s top 5 routes include Provo, Fargo, Sioux Falls, Cedar Rapids and Bismack. Because the airport is situated right next to the Arizona State University Polytechnic campus, there are lots of aircraft movements from student pilots in training with ATP and UND. Gateway airport was an ex-Air Force base from 1948-1993 where is used to be the leading pilot training facility of the USAF, supplying around 25% of all pilots. After the airport was converted for civilian use, there is still lots of military aircraft movement from all braches of the military as pilots like to come here on weekends and train in the local ranges. The Gateway Aviation FBO accompanies a variety of buisness jet aircraft as well as the military movements. There are talks of future developments for an additional passenger terminal East of the runways, this project is nicknamed Gateway 2030 and outlines passenger volume increase. An additional project set to commence soon is an updated ATC tower that is twice as tall and can see all airport movements. It is set to be comlete by the end of 2022 with a total cost of $30 million.

Written by Maxim Loshak. Last Update: Fall 2020

Rating
Movements
Airline Variety
Photo Locations
Weather
Airport Information
Runways
12L/30R	2,835 m/9,300 ft (Concrete)
12C/30C	3,109 m/10,201 ft (Asphalt/Concrete)
12R/30L	3,170 m/10,401 ft (Concrete)
Terminals
Charles L. Williams Terminal	All airlines (Allegiant/Swoop/WestJet), Swoop+WestJet are seasonal
Intel Air Shuttle Terminal	Intel (terminal is located on the Southwest end of the airport)
Spotting Information
Ladder	Not required but recommended at some spots.
Car/Public Transport	Required to get between most spots.
Restrooms	Inside the terminal/restaurants only.
Drinks/Food	Local restaurant next to Spot 1.
Hotels	2 within a 2 mile vicinity: Four Points by Sheraton just West of the terminal and Courtyard by Marriott just North of the terminal
Season	Try to avoid the summer months as heat distortion will ruin your shots at some spots. The winter/early spring months are manageable as it drops delow 100 degrees and easier to take photos at most of the spots.
Security	Security can only really be an issue at certain spots where you are up against the fence, local airport ops/police will on occasion ask you to kindly leave or stand a good distance away. Some days they will be lenient, some days they won’t.
Runway Usage
General Info	Usally from ealy morning to noon 12’s will be in use. Then they switch to 30’s for the remainder of the day. On some occasions the airport will decide to use 12’s for the whole day or 30’s for the whole day, all depending on wind direction.
12L/30R	Used mainly for heavy aircraft (DC10 fire tankers, Antonov An-124’s, various military aircraft). Can also be used by student pilots from ATP/UND when practicing pattern work. Used for both arrivals/departures depending on the wind.
12C/30C	Used for commerical traffic (Allegiant/Swoop/WestJet), also used by student pilots. Used for arrivals/departures based on winds.
12R/30L	Main runway favored by most aircraft for arrivals/departures in both directions. Used by some military aircraft (F/A18’s, T38’s, F5’s, C130’s, etc.)

	Spot #1 – The Hill – 12R/30L movements + neabry Taxiways + Gateway Aviation FBO ramp
WHERE	It is located adjacent to the Gateway Aviation Services FBO building and Barrio Brewing Co restaurant. There is free parking located just in front of the FBO and restaurant once you turn off of S Sossaman Rd. It would be beneficial if you do have a lens that is capabale of shooting well through a fence for taxi shots or parked aircraft.

WHAT	At this location you get all movements for RWY 12R arrivals/departures and and 30L arrivals/departures. You can get great photos of aircraft that are parked on the FBO ramp, especially for military movements. Taxiway Hotel is great for aircraft exiting off of the runway as well as Bravo and Yankee for various aircraft movements.

TIME	For photos the best time to be here is after midday as you are facing directly towards the sun year round. This spot is also perfect for just enjoying the aircraft movments and watching any time of day. Heat haze is a severe problem in the summer months as temperatrues are usually above 100 degrees Fahrenheit every day. During the winter/spring taking photos here is favorable. Night shots are possible depending on obstructions on the ramp.

MISC.	There is a shaded seating area under the gazebo with several picnic tables to sit down while waiting for aircraft movements. During the summer months this is your only shaded spot here so be careful when venturing out in the heat. Right next to the hill there is Barrio Brewing Co, very good food and a perfect spot for lunch/dinner. Military pilots like to come here to eat when they are visiting. When using a ladder, it is best to set it up on the grassy hill as airport ops tend to not like it when people bring them up close to the fence, just be mindful when they ask you nicely. One is unable to get good shots of movements on the far runway due to heat haze

FOCAL LENGTH	18-400mm for ramp movements and RWY 12R/12C and 30L/30C C130 = 55m / F16 departure = 190mm

	Spot #2 – Daily Lot – Southwestern special + center passenger ramp and its hangars
WHERE	Located just south of the airport terminal, you can easily walk here from Spot 1 as well as the terminal, no need for a car. The parking lot is split in two, walk through it until you reach the fence line. Then just search your favourite position along the fence’s front.

WHAT	Here you are able to see movements at the International Air Response hangar as well as the Intel Embraer E145’s taxiing between the hangar and the active field. On occasion large jets, such as C17’s or large groups of fighter jets will park in the back. If you walk to the end of the fence line you will see lots of MedEvac helicopters that park there when not in use. You can also see the main apron from here with all the parked passenger aircraft.

TIME	Photo ops are only good in the early morning or late afternoon for the special ramp as the light will be behind you by then. For the passenger ramp light will be good around noon, but this spot is also good for night shots.

MISC.	Do not use a ladder here as security and airport ops wil not be very happy. If they ask you to leave nicely from this area please comply with their request as they are usually lenient about it. Will have to shoot through a fence at this spot. Heat haze can be a problem here.

FOCAL LENGTH	18-200mm C130 = 90mm

	Spot #3 – Able Aerospace parking lot – Southwestern special ramp and its hangars
WHERE	Located just south of the airport terminal, you can easily walk here from Spot 1 as well as the terminal, no need for a car. The parking lot is split in two, walk through it until you reach the fence line. Then just search your favourite position along the fence’s front.

WHAT	Here you are able to see movements at the International Air Response hangar as well as the Intel Embraer E145’s taxiing between the hangar and the active field. On occasion large jets, such as C17’s or large groups of fighter jets will park in the back. If you walk to the end of the fence line you will see lots of MedEvac helicopters that park there when not in use.

TIME	Photo ops are best around noon as the light will be behind you by then. Good for night shots though.

MISC.	Do not use a ladder here as security and airport ops wil not be very happy. If they ask you to leave nicely from this area please comply with their request as they are usually lenient about it. Will have to shoot through a fence at this spot. Heat haze can be a problem here.

FOCAL LENGTH	18-200mm DC10 = 40mm

	Spot #4 – Fire Station – 12R departures and 30L arrivals/departures + nearby taxiways
WHERE	From Spot 4, exit out of the parking lot and drive down S Taxiway Circle, making a left on E Velocity Way and a right on E Downwind Cirlce. The only adequate parking is off the side of the road near the fire station. Walk to the fence just north of the dead end circle and you will see a gate.

WHAT	Aircraft movements on taxiways Alpha and Bravo, departures on 12R and 30L arrivals/departures. Planes parked on the Swift Air Ramp.

TIME	Only good eff late noon till sunset as the sun will be behind you.

MISC.	The fire station does have a few security cameras nearby so do not stay for long if not needed. If asked to leave be polite and comply as it is a fire station. Heat haze during the day is a problem here.

FOCAL LENGTH	100-300mm A320 = 180mm

	Spot #5 – S Ellsworth Rd – 12L/30R + 12C/30C + 12R/30L movements
WHERE	From the airport terminal, take S Sossaman Rd until you reach E Pecos Rd and make a left. Continue down E Pecos until you reach S Ellsworth Rd and turn left. Drive down about half that block, do not go past the next traffic light. You are going to want to park your car in the dirt area off the side of the road, just a little over halfway down the street. Park esentially anywhere and position yourself adequately for whichever runway and angle you’re shooting for along the roadside.

WHAT	Perfect for 12C/R and 30C/L. Aircraft movements vary but 12R/30L is preferred runway by most pilots. Variety of fighter jets also like to use this runway upon arrival/departure, makes for great photo ops. However, you can also see 12L/30R approach in the north.

TIME	12L/30R + 12C/30C: Early noon till sunset. 12R/30L: Sunrise till late morning.

MISC.	Traffic can be quite busy along this road so be careful when standing here and watch your back when taking photos. During the summer it is incredibly hot, recommended to stay in your car when waiting on aircraft movements.

FOCAL LENGTH	70-300mm An124 = 130mm / KC135 = 100mm

	Spot #6 – Cabinetry Shop Parking Lot – 12L/30R + 12C/30C + 12R/30L movements
WHERE	From the airport terminal, turn right onto S Sossaman Rd until you reach E Ray Rd. Turn right onto E Ray Rd for about half a mile until you see large shop buildings off the right side of the road. Turn into the Cabinetry Shop and park in the very back.

WHAT	Excellent for 12L arrivals and 30R departures in the north as aircraft will fly esentially right over you. But also good for 12C/30C and 12R/30L movements in the south.

TIME	12L/30R: Early noon till sunset. 12C/30C + 12R/30L: Sunrise till late morning.

MISC.	Best to wait in your car for movements, especially during the summer time. Nothing much around this spot in terms of amenities.

FOCAL LENGTH	70-300mm B707 = 100mm

	Spot #7 – Cessna Citation Hangar – Cessna ramp
WHERE	Drive down S Sossaman Rd from Spot 1 or the airport terminal and turn into the parking lot for the Cessna hangar. There is a fence but it is not wire mesh, instead metal poles.

WHAT	Parked aircraft on the ramp thus various buisness jet variety.

TIME	Only good in the afternoon as the sun will be behind you then.

MISC.	Security may ask you to leave if you stay around too long as it is private property.

FOCAL LENGTH	18-200mm

	Spot #8 – Embraer Executive Hangar – Embraer ramp
WHERE	From the Cessna Hangar, walk down about a 1000 ft or so until you reach the wire mesh fence in front of the taxiway next to the hangar.

WHAT	Parked aircraft on the ramp thus various buisness jet variety.

TIME	Only good in the afternoon as the sun will be behind you then.

MISC.	Security or airport ops may ask you to leave if you stay around too long as it is private property.

FOCAL LENGTH	18-200mm