• Best Spotting Location: Parking Deck

Birmingham Shuttlesworth International Airport (KBHM) is one of my favorite airports to spot from. Although I don’t always get the warm fuzzies from security it has such a good diversity of traffic that it’s hard to stay away from.

What Planes Fly to Birmingham

Birmingham sees a steady flow of commercial airliners, private jets, general aviation prop planes and unique military air traffic. It is not uncommon to see multiple KC-135 stratotankers take-off, land, practice touch and go maneuvers and/or go-arounds.

I’ve spotted the US Navy P-8 Poseidon a handful of times also doing training at KBHM. It used to be common to have the Red Tail Fighter Jets also buzz by but they’ve since moved on and will soon have F-35s coming.

The number one place to spot from in my opinion is the parking deck. It gives you an almost perfect vantage point for watching aircraft on their finals and then landing with no obstruction what so ever. Take offs can experience a momentary obstruction from the stairwells on the parking deck but doesn’t last more than about 2 seconds before you see it again.

Birmingham Airport Security

I can’t think of a single trip to the parking deck where security has not stopped by to see what I am doing. For the most part they’ve been friendly enough. I’ve had one person request to search my car which I thought was a bit intense.

Each experience has ended basically the same way. That guard saying they don’t have an issue with me spotting from the deck but they can’t promise the next guard to make his rounds to say I’ve got to go.

I have reached out to the Media department of the airport to try to get clarification on the official policy and they honestly seemed confused by what I was asking so perhaps the issue lies with me!

Other Locations

There is an official location for spotting along East Lake Blvd. However, I’m not really a fan of this as it is along a busy road with people who are trying out for the next F1 circuit or so they think. Plus you’re right up against the fence so it’s hard to get good pictures or video from this location. It also doesn’t offer very good sight lines for approaches.

I’ve tried out Air Cargo Rd. but again the fence line annoyed me and when it comes to video the aircraft pass directly overhead making it almost impossible to pan smoothly and get the whole thing. Not my cup of tea.

Runway Drive isn’t bad if you have a ladder. It puts you off to the side of the arrivals so you can pan nicely. You also have a good sight line of the approach. The only hang up is departures can be momentarily obstructed by the fence without a ladder or your tripod set up tall. Also, the only place to really set up is right in front of a NO PARKING sign so good luck!

Birmingham Shuttlesworth International Airport Operations Statistics

Facility	Air Carrier	Air Taxi	General Aviation	Military	Total	Civil	Military	Total	Total Operations
BHM	35,167	16,239	38,683	7,510	97,599	1,640	305	1,945	99,544

Resources at KBHM

Listen to ATC

• https://www.liveatc.net/search/?icao=KBHM