Waterbury Oxford Airport - Spotting Guide

Waterbury Oxford Airport – Spotting Guide

May 8, 2024 - last modified on May 24, 2024

Waterbury-Oxford Airport (OXC/KOXC) – often referred to as Oxford Airport by those in the area is a general aviation and business aviation airport. It is located in Oxford, Connecticut, in the Naugatuck Valley region of the state. While the vast majority of the airport’s traffic is general aviation and business aviation (including helicopters), the airport often sees military aircraft, most commonly in the form of Sikorsky helicopters on test flights from the factory in Stratford, CT, they bring aircraft multiple times a day, most days of the week. The airport also sees smaller military aircraft, which use it as a location for refueling during transatlantic flights, in addition in rarer cases smaller cargo aircraft such as CRJ-200s and Metroliners pay a visit.

While there are no scheduled airline operations, Tradewind Aviation who operate scheduled and private charter flights with a fleet of Pilatus PC-12’s are based out of the airport. Also located at the airport are multiple maintenance facilities including a Clay Lacy MRO facility. Currently under construction is a Clay Lacy FBO which will accompany the current Atlantic FBO at the field.

In addition, it is important to mention that many business aircraft operators choose to block their aircraft on public trackers such as FlightRadar24, thus they will not be seen on the arrivals/departures section, though they can still be seen on trackers such as ADS-B Exchange. Trust, if you spend a short period of time at the airport you will see aircraft flying.

Written by Mackenzie Logie and Thomas Okaty. Last Update: January 2024

Rating
Movements
Photo Locations
Weather
Airport Information
Runways
18/36	1768m (5,801ft)
Spotting Information
Ladder	Not required at the listed locations, but also not recommended.
Car/Public Transport	Car is absolutely necessary unless some exercise is desired. No public transportation is available.
Drinks/Food	Nothing nearby until Executive Cuisine opens up to the public again. The closest options are on Route 67 (Oxford Rd).
Hotels	Hotel options in nearby Southbury and Middlebury (Wyndham Southbury & Heritage Hotel Southbury).
Season	All year, it does get cold in the winter!
Security	No reports about issues with law enforcement, but generally recommended to keep a lower profile. Always carry ID, and be polite to airport staff and police.
Runway Usage
General Info	Runway 18/36 is used in both directions, though most commonly with traffic arriving 36, but the weather does dictate otherwise on occasion, typically 18 is used when poor weather is on its way. Helicopters tend to land anywhere on the field, typically on taxiways in front of the Atlantic FBO.

	Spot #1 – Executive Cuisine
WHERE	Located in the parking lot. You can position yourself in various places next to the fences and around the parking lot for different shots including the nearby ramps.

WHAT	All runway operations plus some taxiway and ramp operations on the east side of the field.

TIME	Sunrise until noon.

MISC.	Photos need to be taken through a chain-link fence, hence a lens with a smaller front diameter is required. Do not attempt to use a ladder here! Heat haze can be an issue for aircraft on the runway in the summer. The restaurant is currently closed to the public (flight catering only), but this may change in the future.

FOCAL LENGTH	50mm – 200mm E545: 150mm; C208: 55mm; GLF4: 100mm; SR20: 90mm; CL60: 55mm; C172: 85mm; PC12: 80mm; BE18: 85mm; PA27: 75mm

	Spot #2 – U.S. Customs & Border Patrol
WHERE	Located up a driveway to the parking lot, the building has markings for both Atlantic and U.S. Customs & Border Patrol. Its address is 1 Juliano Dr, Oxford, CT 06478. Park in the lower section of the parking lot on the right-hand side when driving up. You can shoot from inside your car but if you get out do not spend long amounts of time, this is an actively staffed US CBP facility, thus keep a low profile here.

WHAT	Runway 18 arrivals.

TIME	Sunrise until noon.

MISC.	Nothing close by, bring what you need. Again, keep a low profile.

FOCAL LENGTH	150mm – 400mm C68A: 210mm; C25B: 245mm; GLF4: 215mm; PC12: 270mm; P28A: 335mm; DA42: 275mm

	Spot #3 – Juliano Drive
WHERE	This location is located on the righthand side of Juliano Drive (eastbound). Roadside parking is possible, but far from ideal, so it is recommended to wait elsewhere and move into position just before the aircraft is on approach. Pull over near the electrical boxes.

WHAT	Runway 18 arrivals.

TIME	Early afternoon until sunset.

MISC.	Nothing close by, bring what you need.

FOCAL LENGTH	75mm – 300mm FA7X: 150mm; CL35: 150mm; BE40: 275mm; LJ35: 215mm; GLEX: 150mm; ASTR: 226mm; H25B: 155mm; C56X: 252mm; CRJ2: 145mm

	Spot #4 – Atlantic Aviation FBO
WHERE	This spot is located outside the Atlantic Aviation FBO at the airport. Right between the gate and the entrance to the Atlantic Aviation building is a picnic table, this is the area where photos can be taken through the chain-link fence. The view can be blocked or disturbed by vehicles on the ramp.

WHAT	Atlantic FBO ramp operations.

TIME	Noon until sunset.

MISC.	Nothing close by, bring what you need. Photos need to be taken through a chain-link fence, hence a lens with a smaller front diameter is required. Do not attempt to use a ladder here!

FOCAL LENGTH	18mm – 300mm NAVI: 140mm; B25: 75mm

	Spot #5 – Christian Street
WHERE	This spot is located on the side of Christian Street, the closest address is 178 Christian Street, Oxford CT, 06478. Parking is available next to the spot at either entrance to the Larkin State Park Trail, but do not block any of the gates. For taking photos it is required to step off the road onto the grass by the pond to clear the powerlines, but keep in mind that this is private property.

WHAT	Runway 36 arrivals.

TIME	Early afternoon until sunset.

MISC.	Nothing close by, bring what you need.

FOCAL LENGTH	200mm – 600mm SW4: 360mm; GLF4: 280mm; PC12: 515mm; C56X: 450mm; CL35: 335mm; LJ60: 350mm; S76: 360mm; H60: 325mm/350mm