Page 1 of 1

EL Centro

Posted: Sat Sep 10, 2011 12:34 pm
by bruiser
Hi guys,
does anybody have any info regarding photography here. Can you get close to the runway for any shots, is it any good for landing shots.
Also, has anyone encountered any problems here with security. I will be in the area soon and was hoping to spend a day there.
Any info much appreciated.

Chad.

Re: EL Centro

Posted: Sat Sep 10, 2011 8:39 pm
by Jason Grant
Hi Chad, I have visited a few times over the last 12 months and the three points around the perimeter which are ideal for photography are below (google earth, copy and paste). These are all driveable dirt tracks and are the places where enthusiasts and photographers congregate. I have never had any problem with security here. It can be hit and miss but when its busy, its brilliant.

32°48'52.65"N 115°39'18.21W for runway 30 and a couple of examples.
Image
FA-18C Hornets, Blue Angels by Sonic Images, on Flickr

Image
157710 YT-06 Boeing Vertol CH-46E Sea Knight by Sonic Images, on Flickr

32°49'31.62"N 115°39'17.31"W for runway 26 and a couple of examples (a small 3 step ladder is preferred at this point for over the fence shots)
Image
163460 AD-405 FA-18D Hornet by Sonic Images, on Flickr

Image
168007 YX-007 MV-22B Osprey by Sonic Images, on Flickr

32°49'30.21"N 115°40'56.86"W for runway 08 and a couple of examples.
Image
166454 AD-223 F/A-18F Super Hornet by Sonic Images, on Flickr

Image
165214 AD-360 F/A-18C Hornet by Sonic Images, on Flickr

Hope that helps.

Re: EL Centro

Posted: Sun Sep 11, 2011 1:32 pm
by bruiser
Thats fantastic guys, thanks.
I will just have to try my luck and see if anything is there.
Cheers.

Chad.

Re: EL Centro

Posted: Mon Sep 12, 2011 7:37 pm
by Thunder
Is there not some kind of Lockheed works plant at Yuma as well, which may add to the overall security ?

Re: EL Centro

Posted: Tue Sep 13, 2011 4:53 pm
by Jason Grant
I with a couple of mates spent a day and a half outside Yuma back in September 2010 and was not approached by any authority. We sat under the approach for 03L and 03R but made sure that we sat on the other side of the road (not base perimeter side). We were watched for a while but not challenged. It was hot, 110 degrees so we sat in the car with the air con on until something approached then nipped out, shot it and got back in the car. It was quiet for a lot of the time, just pot luck I guess.

Re: EL Centro

Posted: Sun Sep 18, 2011 1:45 pm
by richpittman
Runway 21 is much better for pics Iceman ;)
Especially late in the Day , good for the KFC lunch stop aswell.

Had the security visit us in 2004 around 17:15 just as we were packing up. We had been there since 08:30 :unsure:

Re: EL Centro

Posted: Sun Sep 18, 2011 8:34 pm
by Jason Grant
richpittman wrote:Runway 21 is much better for pics Iceman ;)
Especially late in the Day , good for the KFC lunch stop aswell.

Had the security visit us in 2004 around 17:15 just as we were packing up. We had been there since 08:30 :unsure:
Cheers mate but the fairgrounds were closed and being dug up when we visited in 2010 so it was plan B. We didn't have a problem in 2011 ;) nice place to visit.