Aircraft Spotting Pages - Flying W Airport
About the Spots and What You Will See
Spot A: This is the only spot you can watch airplanes from. Walk towards the restaurants (yes, you can grab something nice to eat as well!) and you'll see a gazebo. You can sit there and watch the activity all you want! I have been here many times back when I was younger and there were picnic tables out in that area as well. I'm not sure if there are still picnic tables there, considering the last time I visited was in January. Runway 1/19 is less than 500 feet in front of you, so if you wanted to take pictures, you could get away with 300 mm, but remember, you're dealing with small planes. If you wanted to, you could walk down the brick path next to the ramp near the swimming pool, but do not go past the fence and do not go near the little building by the pool. Do not gain access to the ramp unless you are a pilot or have been invited by any pilot based there or visiting there.
Since you are in close proximity to aircraft and fuel trucks, NO SMOKING IS PERMITTED ANYWHERE ALONG THE AIRPORT.
Photos from Spot A
You will, nine times out of ten, see single engine aircraft using the airport. There are two flight schools on site - one that operates with Cessna 152s and 172s and another on the opposite end of the airport that uses Schweizer 269 helicopters. On a nice day with not a lot of wind, you will see both flight schools in full operation with students flying the respective aircraft. In addition, you'll see all of the other common small plane traffic that's based at Flying W. Now, if you're lucky, you may see at least one, if not, more Nanchang CJ-6 or Yakovlev Yak-52 aircraft that are based there, but the only chances you may have of seeing them flying is on the weekends between late March and October. Those aircraft are part of the Red Star Pilots Association and an airshow demonstration team known as the Red Star Northeast Raiders. Runway 1 is the choice of operations at the Flying W, but you will see, from time to time, Runway 19 being used.
Keep in mind that several times during the year the Flying W Airport plays host to several fly-ins. During the early weeks of spring, you may see a Red Star formation fly-in. This fly-in is a formation refresher, hosted by the Red Star Pilots Association, and you will occasionally see up to and over a dozen different CJ-6, Yak-50, and Yak-52 aircraft you normally don't see at the airport. In the middle of August you will see the Kathy Jaffe Aerobatic Competition take place. The airport's ramp contains nothing but aerobatic aircraft, utilizing an aerobatic box adjacent to the airport. Finally, a small fly-in during the fall is part of the airport's car show. You may also see the aerobatic box open during the car show weekend.
Flying W Airport is located in Lumberton, NJ. To reach it from Interstate 295, take Exit 40 and follow Route 38 East. Turn right at the light for Ark Road and go through two traffic lights. Once you come to a four-way stop, turn left onto Stacy Haines Road. You will pass South Jersey Regional Airport, which will be on your left. Continue on Stacy Haines Road until it ends. Turn right onto Fostertown Road. At the light for Main Street (County Route 541), go straight and follow Fostertown Road past the sharp bend and the Flying W Airport will be on your left. From Route 70 heading towards Lakehurst, turn left at the traffic light for Hartford Road. Stay on Hartford Road for a little while (going past Lenape High School, which will be on your left) and turn right at the next traffic light past the high school. That is Elbo Lane. At the four-way stop, go straight through. You will pass South Jersey Regional Airport, which will be on your left. Continue on Stacy Haines Road until it ends. Turn right onto Fostertown Road. At the light for Main Street (County Route 541), go straight and follow Fostertown Road past the sharp bend and the Flying W Airport will be on your left.
Security
I have seen many people taking pictures of the aircraft based there and of the operations going on at the airport and there is absolutely no problem with doing that. I have heard of a story of someone taking pictures at the airport and documenting an non-fatal aircraft incident that took place. The individual then sold his pictures to a newspaper and quite possibly have brought a bad rap to the flight school at the airport. I don't know how much truth there is to the story but if there was one underlying reason you may get questioned for photographing aircraft this may be it.
There is a swimming pool on site that is for public use (with a fee) and for reservations. DO NOT point your camera towards the pool area, unless you want a free ride in a squad car. Keep the camera towards the airplanes.
While there are spotting videos that make it appear that I am standing next to the runway, this was only a result of getting permission of several pilots who base their airplanes there as well as the approval of the FBO manager and the employees on duty at the time. You are, AT NO TIME, permitted to go beyond the fenced area and onto the ramp or near the runway unless asked to do so or you are a pilot.
© 2006-2010 Steven Holzinger