Portsmouth Intl. Airport - Spotting Guide

Portsmouth Intl. Airport – Spotting Guide

August 8, 2024 - last modified on August 8, 2024

Portsmouth Intl. Airport (PSM/KPSM) formerly also known as Pease Intl. Airport is located 2km west of the city of Portsmouth in new Hampshire. The airfield is home to the local New Hampshire ANG with its KC135s and KC46s plus it is often used by cargo or military aircraft to refill to/from Europe. Allegiant Air is the only schedule passenger airline, with approximate 1-2 daily flights to various destinations. Furthermore some business flights can be photographed as well.

Written by Severin Hackenberger in cooperation with Yuyang Zhao. Last Update: Spring 2024

Rating
Movements
Airline Variety
Photo Locations
Weather
Airport Information
Runways
16/34	3450m (11.320ft)
Terminals
T1	There is one terminal facility in the east handling all operations.
Spotting Information
Ladder	Needed at spots 2-4 but not recommend to use. A Pickup-Truck or the car’s rooftop is the better option.
Car/Public Transport	A car is definitely recommended for PSM.
Drinks/Food	Several options next to the Highway 4.
Hotels	There are no specific spotter hotels around PSM.
Season	Winter can be quite snowy with bad weather, summer offers longer days and better weather.
Security	Spotting is normally no issue at PSM, but as the airfield is used by both civilian and military aircraft it is important to stick to the general rules for miliatry airfields: Always try to keep a low profile (stow your camera at all times e.g.) and be aware of law enforcement. Police and USAF security forces may be uneasy of photographers around the base and it is very possible you will be asked to leave. In addition, always keep an ID with you in case you are getting checked: stay friendly, simply explain what you do here and cooperate… Mostly if you just say you are watching planes (and try to not have your camera next to you), they will leave you alone and tell you not to make any pictures. But sometimes they do also run license plate checks, wanna see the pictures on your SD or they will even make you delete shots, so plan on either having throwaway shots or download shots to another device while spotting to be safe. Stay away from the fence as long as possible to avoid attention and such trouble!
Runway Usage
General Info	Runway 16/34 is mostly used into 34 direction.

	Spot #1 – Pease Golf Course Parking Lot – 34 Arrivals + Line-Ups
WHERE	This spot is simply located in the Pease Golf Course Parking Lot at the southwestern corner of the airfield. Just position yourself in the parking area which is a bit elevated and you’ll have a great view.

WHAT	From here you can spot 34 Arrivals and Line-Ups.

TIME	Noon till sunset.

MISC.	Line-Ups might be hazy in summer. Nothing around here directly, keep a low profile due to the golf course and behave appropiately! No ladder needed as you are a bit elevated and can see over the fence.

FOCAL LENGTH	100-400mm KC135 = 200mm / B757 = 125mm

	Spot #2 – Grafton Rd Parking – 34 Arrivals + Line-Ups + heavy 16 Arrivals
WHERE	This is more or less the official viewing area. Make your way to the southeastern end of the airfield on Grafton Rd. There are two little parking areas from where you can see the runway’s southern end.

WHAT	From here you can see 34 Arrivals and Line-Ups as well as heavy aircraft rolling all the way down after arriving on runway 16.

TIME	Sunrise till early noon.

MISC.	34 arrivals are possible without a ladder. For ground shoots we recommend to use a pick up or the roof of your car to clear the fence. Shooting through the mesh is possible too.

FOCAL LENGTH	50-200mm An124 on runway = 135mm

	Spot #3 – Terminal – Apron
WHERE	This spot is located just left of the terminal, along the fence. From highway 4 follow the signs to the airport and park in the official parking lot.

WHAT	Aircraft parked on the apron in front.

TIME	Depending on the angle, but best in the morning hours.

MISC.	Try to shoot thru the mesh to avoid attention. Keep a very low pofile here!

FOCAL LENGTH	50-200mm KC10 in front = 85mm

	Spot #4 – McIntyre Rd Gate – 16 Movements
WHERE	This spot is at the northern end of the airport on McIntyre Rd. Next to the threshold of runway 16 is a grassy area and a crash gate where you can stay.

WHAT	Best for 16 arrivals and departures as well as heavy aircraft rolling all the way down after arriving on runway 34.

TIME	Noon till sunset.

MISC.	Don’t block the crash gate! We recommend to use a pick up or the roof of your car to clear the fence but shooting through the fence is possible.

FOCAL LENGTH	200-400mm