Sacramento Mather Airport (MHR/KMHR) is a civil airport which was opened in 1995 reusing parts of the former Mather AFB, which was opened back in 1918. The military airfield was named Mather honoring Carl Spencer Mather, an US Air Force pilot, who died in a crash in 1918. Today, the airport unregularly sees some military movements like ANG C130s or Omega B707s. However, MHR handles a handful of general aviation movements and regular cargo movements by UPS, DHL and Ameriflight to nearby US cities. However, Sacramento Mather airport is also home to the anual California Capital Airshow featuring various US military aircraft such as KC46s, P8s, helicopters, fighters and more.

Written by Zoltán Péter Pásztor. Last Update: Summer 2024

Rating
Movements
Airline Variety
Photo Locations
Weather
Airport Information
Runways
04R/22L	3445m × 45m
04L/22R	1840m × 45m
Spotting Information
Ladder	Would be helpful at spot 1+3, but we recommend to quickly hop on your pickup’s/car’s top if needed to avoid attention.
Car/Public Transport	A car is definitely recommended, however you probably won’t even get here without a car as there are no passenger flights to MHR.
Drinks/Food	Nothing around the spots at all, but there is a sort of plaza/shopping mall a bit north of Mather Airfield.
Hotels	No spotter hotels around at all.
Season	Summer is hot and hazy, we rather recommend the months from September to March. Plus it is always a good idea to pass by MHR during the anual California Capital Airshow.
Security	Spotting is normally no issue at Mather airifeld. However, keep a low profile all the time as you are absolutely exposed along the fences or busy streets. In addition, security may increase during California Capital Airshow: be aware to get your ID and camera checked.
Runway Usage
General Info	Both runways used in the direction of wind and favour thanks to the little traffic.

	Spot #1 – Alert Rd – 22 Movements
WHERE	This spot is located at the end of Alert Rd leading to the former fighter shelters: nowadays, the area is used by the Sacramento Police for drivers’ training. Make your way up to the shelters and just before you enter/reach the entrance to the police area (marked by signs along the fence), there is a small concrete carpark on your left. From there you can see towards the runway threshold.
WHAT	From here you can see aircraft arriving onto runway 22 as well as the ones lining up onto runway 22.
TIME	From sunrise till later noon. Backlit in mid summer evenings.
MISC.	In summer you will struggle with quite a lot of haze quickly after sunrise. There is nothing around here, however you are standing right by the fence next to the police driving area so keep a low profile! A ladder would be very useful, but we recommend instead to hop on your pickup’s/car’s top quickly to clear the fence.
FOCAL LENGTH	150-400mm

MHR-Spot1

MHR-Spot1

	Spot #2 – N Mather Blvd – 22 Arrivals
WHERE	This spot is a small dirt parking area which is located just off N Mather Blvd. Simply make your way to the marked spot here and then park your car: you can either shoot out of the parking directly or search your favourized position by walking along the roadside here.
WHAT	From here you cann see 22 arrivals.
TIME	Early afternoon till sunset during mid summer.
MISC.	Nothing around. Keep a low profile, you are directly exposed to the drivers on the busy street nearby. Stow your camera as long as possible. Be aware of the powerlines running along the street here.
FOCAL LENGTH	70-300mm

MHR-Spot2

MHR-Spot2

	Spot #3 – Truemper Way – Ramp movements
WHERE	This position is located at the end of Truemper Way serving the nearby hangars in the general aviation area here. At the mentioned end you will find a turning pad fenced off widely, thus you can simply park your car here and stand along the fence front somewhere.
WHAT	This position offers nice views onto ramp and taxiway movements just in front of you.
TIME	Depending on what you want to shoot, but either early morning or later afternoon/evening.
MISC.	A ladder can be useful to shoot over the fence, but you can also shoot thru the fence’s mesh or quickly hop  on your car/pickup to clear the fence. Nothing around. Keep a low profile as you are absolutely exposed to the ramp along the fence here.
FOCAL LENGTH	18-200mm

MHR-Spot3