Question about plane spotting

**Mak** · 06-05-2009, 12:20 AM

So I am planning to go plane spotting at MSP International early next week and am planning to do it from the Mall of America parking lot and other various designated parks.

Is it illegal to film the airport and arriving/departing aircraft with a video camera from designated locations like public parks or parking lots?

EDIT:

Here are the videos from yesterday
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rA1jAgrYsQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrZCscrH8so
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6d5lM_jHvuw

**ytzpilot** · 06-05-2009, 01:24 AM

Not as far as I know. I got in trouble once for taking a photo of a navy ship by the Millitary Police. That was from a public parking lot. They just said 'your not supposed to take pictures of the Navy'. That was all though.

**Phantoms** · 06-05-2009, 10:52 PM

Originally Posted by ytzpilot

Not as far as I know. I got in trouble once for taking a photo of a navy ship by the Millitary Police. That was from a public parking lot. They just said 'your not supposed to take pictures of the Navy'. That was all though.

They really just wanted to know what your intentions were.

**Mak** · 06-10-2009, 01:45 PM

Well, got some videos up. They aren't the best location, but they are videos to say the least. There are three of them.

Here they are:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rA1jAgrYsQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrZCscrH8so
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6d5lM_jHvuw

**chiroflight** · 06-10-2009, 01:48 PM

I find it frustrating that we live in a world where we cant take a photo/video of one of the greatest achievements of human kind.
Carl

**sandgate** · 06-10-2009, 02:59 PM

Originally Posted by chiroflight

I find it frustrating that we live in a world where we cant take a photo/video of one of the greatest achievements of human kind.
Carl

As far as I know, you can take a photo/video of Dolly Parton any time you like - it's a free country (so they say!

Best regards
John

**mqytn** · 06-11-2009, 11:03 PM

I read in Air&Space that airport police are aware that aviation buffs like to take pictures of airplanes and they would rather have one of us around the airport taking pictures than one of the bad guys snooping around trying to harm the airport. They welcome the extra eyes keeping watch on the airport.

Then again maybe they were interviewing extra nice apt police that day so maybe it depends on the apt.

--Just thought I'd drop that in....LOL

**ytzpilot** · 06-12-2009, 12:46 AM

Originally Posted by mqytn

I read in Air&Space that airport police are aware that aviation buffs like to take pictures of airplanes and they would rather have one of us around the airport taking pictures than one of the bad guys snooping around trying to harm the airport. They welcome the extra eyes keeping watch on the airport.

Then again maybe they were interviewing extra nice apt police that day so maybe it depends on the apt.

--Just thought I'd drop that in....LOL

I would agree. If something criminal occured and it was caught on camara this could only be a good thing.

**BushPilot** · 06-13-2009, 09:46 AM

Originally Posted by Mak

Is it illegal to film the airport and arriving/departing aircraft with a video camera from designated locations like public parks or parking lots?

To the best of my knowledge, there is no such law and banning as you may already know there are tons of pics on airliners.net and youtube videos online, it is absurd to make it illegal for people to film the airport and arriving/departing aircraft.

However, should authorities stop you, just explain your love of planes to them, begin with when you were a kid! go into every single minor detail. they will most likely get bored and leave you alone!

**RyanbATC** · 06-13-2009, 01:32 PM

Hey why don't you go to the top of the parking lot? That way you dont have to run after the plane lol.

Also, I used to take a lot of pictures at the Super America on post road. Go buy a Snickers or something inside so they don't get mad at you for loitering in the parking lot hahah. I was asked to leave by a police officer once. He actually said he didnt mind me but that they got reports of suspicious activity - lame, Sept 11 destroyed spotting I tell you.

Another alright spot for landing 12R is the dog park on the North side of the airport. Take the 28th ave exit off CrosstownAlso, across Cedar is Taft Park, you can get decent shots from below the aircraft.

I used to live in MSP a long time ago, my dad would take me spotting at post road when it was a dirt road hehe.

Im a controller in Duluth now.