Copyright 2000, Elizabeth Stapleton
Photo taken at the old 100th Bomb Group Restaurant site
This is an unofficial page!
This page is not sponsored, authorized, approved, or otherwise sanctioned by the City of Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
The official City of Cleveland website has been changed and updated as of September 2005. Consult that page for official information.
This page was last updated on April 5, 2007.
Airport Layout & Plan
Information listed here is unofficial and may not be up to date. Consult FAA information or contact Hopkins International Airport for complete and officially sanctioned data.
Airport Diagram provided by the National Aeronautical Charting Office (NACO) of the Federal Aviation Administration.
Hopkins has eight runways, six of which are open for arriving and departing traffic.
The following pages have more detailed data on Hopkins flight logistics:
AirNav: Cleveland-Hopkins International Airport (unofficial) This page is probably the most comprehensive of all and includes some of the data from the Federal Aviation Administration's page, listed below.
"Special Stuff" -- What to look for at KCLE
We don't get a lot of large aircraft at Cleveland Hopkins, but we do have a few things that stand out amidst the throngs of 737s and ERJs.
Look for our 757-200 flights to Newark, Houston, Las Vegas, and London (Gatwick.) Some of this service is seasonal; we've also recently added a 757-300 to Seattle.
Watch for the Northwest Airlines DC-9s!
Don't forget to stay for the departure of A300 cargo planes (both FedEx and UPS) at 10:30 PM, weekdays.
Of course, if you hear that some Middle Eastern/South Asian political leader is coming to the Cleveland Clinic for a "routine check-up" or other treatment, be sure to drive by and look for exotic tails of various sizes and shapes! In the last two years we've seen everything from a United Arab Emirates 747SP to a Planet Airways 727-200.
Typical Passenger/Cargo Aircraft
Comprehensive List of Airlines serving KCLE
The following are typical commercial aircraft seen at Hopkins on a daily basis, as of April 5, 2007. This list is subject to change as airlines replace or adjust their equipment.
Aircraft are listed under their original manufacturer.
Business, charter and private aircraft also use Hopkins on a daily basis. Here is a list of some aircraft makes that I've identified:
Spotting Locations
Disclaimer: While I have had success spotting at the following locations, they are all subject to modification and/or restrictions according to security, law enforcement, proprietor's decisions, etc. In addition, future plans for airport expansion indicate that some locations may not be available much longer.
Spectator Deck RESTRICTED TO TICKETED PASSENGERS.:
Hopkins has a Spectator Deck located at the end of Concourse B. There are both elevator and stairs leading to the deck, which is one level above the Concourse. At this time the Deck is open daily from 7:00 AM until 11:00 PM. Since it is within the secured area, only ticketed passengers and airport/airline employees with proper clearance can get to the Deck.
The Deck has both an inner (enclosed) area and an outer area. The outer area is closed indefinitely due to disrepair.
The inner area overlooks Gates B8 & B9. The outer area overlooks Gates B10 & B11. All of these gates are currently owned and operated by Southwest Airlines.
From the outdoor area you also get a relatively good view of planes parked at Gates B7 and B6. Gate B7 is used by Delta Air Lines/Delta Connection and is served by Atlantic Southeast Airlines and Comair. Gate B6 is used by Air Canada Jazz and United Airlines/United Express.
From the entire Spectator Deck you have an obstructed view of the west gates at the ends of Concourses A & C. Concourse D is not visible from the Deck.
The outer Spectator Deck offers a full-length view of Runways 6R/24L & 6L/24R, and a 3/4-length view of Runway 10/28. The inner Deck offers obstructed views of the same.
Although the Spectator Deck provides excellent close views of taxiing commercial aircraft and a full view of runway activity, you will need binoculars to appreciate details of takeoff and landing.
100th Bomb Group Restaurant:
The new 100th Bomb Group Restaurant opened on May 7, 2005. I personally visited it on May 8, 2005. The food is great and you don't have to be "dressed" (I dined in clean jeans and a nice sweatshirt with a ballcap.) Brunch is $24.95 per person and meals range in price from $15-20 per person (on average) for dinner.
As for the spotting:
The front of the restaurant has huge picture windows with a great view of both parallel runways. You can't see the far end of Rwy 6L but you've got a full view of Rwy 6R and most of 10/28.
There is no cover charge to sit on the patio, but I encourage anyone who goes up to buy an appetizer, dessert or drink (even non-alcoholic) to show your appreciation for their hospitality. The patio has a full-length view of Rwy 24L, and a nearly full-length view of Rwy 24R and Rwy 10. Rwy 10's touchdown point is centered in front of the restaurant. Although the patio is not open during foul weather, the view of Rwy 28 operations in good weather is spectacular.
You can also sit in front of the restaurant, although there are dining tables and fire pits that take up most of the space. It's better to sit to the east of the building where there is ample parking and no interference with paying diners. You will want to bring a folding chair or a blanket on which to sit.
While I'm sure that many others are excited about this new (and safe) spotting location, we must remember that we are still guests on private property and we must respect the Restaurant's patronage. If you are going to the 100th Bomb Group only to spot, I encourage you to park in the lot east of the restaurant so that those who are dining can park closest to the restaurant entrance. Since the restaurant is right across the street from the runways, we can sit in lots of places that don't obstruct the view of those in the dining room.
Check here for photographs taken at the old 100th Bomb Group Restaurant. (Hopefully I'll soon have photographs from the new location!)
IX Center Road & Grayton Road (intersection):
This intersection no longer exists on the thru road. I am not sure if the property manager will allow visitors behind the new building; I will post new information after I make inquiries. It appears that the previous location is now on airport property.
Check here for more photographs taken at the IX Center Rd/Grayton Road site.
Cargo/Postal Road:
This location can be reached by car or bicycle. Bicyclists should be aware of large trucks on a narrow road.
WARNING: Cargo/Postal Road only has a few "safe" places to pull off or park. DO NOT block driveways and do not park at Federal Express, or other private company lots; you will be told to leave and your car will be towed if you leave it unattended. Stay off company property unless you have permission to enter.
This location provides good views of taxiing aircraft. It does not provide a good view of the active runways. You can park at the Post Office Airmail Facility and walk to the end of the road next to FedEx and the Airport Fire Station.
Check here for more photographs taken at the Cargo Road site.
I have managed to get some photographs from various other locations in and around the airport. Those are all on a Miscellaneous page.
Rocky River Drive (OH 237) & Brookpark Road< gravel lot andDriveways along Brookpark Road: CLOSED.
These driveways have gates and concrete barriers. THAT MEANS NO PARKING! Don't park there even if the gates are open or if you can get your vehicle in the apron. The police will come and kick you out -- especially if you are in an SUV or truck.
Aerospace Parkway UPDATED April 4, 2007:
Please take care and obey any security personnel who you might encounter if you do choose to park in or spot from any corporate lots. Zin Technologies, in particular, is a popular spot but they did not respond to inquiries and when they first opened they called the police on several spotters, which lead to interrogation and threats of arrest for trespassing. Those of us who spot regularly have found that if we respect their business hours and do our spotting when it will not cause alarm to their employees, we're generally allowed to spot in peace.
That said, there's a wonderful view of the approach/landing end of the "new" Runway 6L from two parking lots on Aerospace Parkway. The planes literally land right in front of you.
To reach Aerospace Parkway, take the old IX Center Road exit, which is now labeled with this new road. Instead of a right/left dogleg after passing the IX Center, the new road continues straight and then curves around the south end of the airport. It is not a thru road back to Valley Parkway or Brookpark Road -- it curves back to the north and terminates at the south end of the NASA Glenn Research Center (with prominent "You are now entering a Federal reservation" signs.)
Scanning Frequencies (in MHz)
Most of these frequencies cannot be scanned from more than two miles away due to terrain; however, you might have luck picking up the pilot's voice from an aircraft overhead.
ATIS can be scanned at ground level from approximately downtown Berea (south) to the West 130 Street exit on I-480 (east) to the West 150 Street exit on I-71 (north) and Clague Road exit on I-480 (west.)
ATIS for Burke Lakefront Airport on the Lake Erie shore in Downtown Cleveland is very weak, but can provide preliminary information if you are coming from the north and east. Burke ATIS frequency is 125.25 MHz. Winds at Hopkins and Burke are usually the same, so the runway headings are usually the same as well.
Whenever possible, I have linked to an official page.
Greater Cleveland Airports (less than 50 miles)
Airports within 150 miles
Airports for a Day/Weekend Trip
A Note about Spotter's Rights, Safety, and Security.
Recently I have put a lot of thought into the cases described in the Airliners.net civil aviation forum regarding harassment of spotters by airport security or police. Several people have been detained and one metro New York airport is now notorious for its intense scrutiny and detention of spotters at its perimeter.
The sad reality is that even though we know we are not threatening, it is the officer's responsibility to make sure they know what we are doing. They do not want to risk having terrorists masquerading as spotters, even as ridiculous as this sounds to us. In that regard, they do have a right to come by and question us.
Personally, I get irked when the officers tell us to leave from areas that are not marked with any property signs, are unattended and well off the flight path. I get offended when officers make racially based comments or equate spotting with a crime.
Regardless of when I take offense, I find that treating those who question us with respect (even if they treat us with disrespect) is the best way to handle the short-term situation. In other words, don't get another car called out because you resist questions. Stay calm, answer straight-forward without sarcasm, and if they tell you to leave, leave. If things get sarcastic or hostile, I wouldn't even ask for the name and badge number before hitting the road.
What can we do, then, to protest this harassment?
Take a pad of paper with you, or something else on which to write. Before you leave, jot down the time of day and the car number of those who told you to leave (or who you feel treated you disrespectfully.) If you did get the officer's name and badge number, write that down, too. (Don't sit for long while doing this.) When you get to where you go, write down where you were when confronted and the date.
If you can, figure out where the officer came from. Hopkins Airport has its own police unit, so a Cleveland Police officer who arrives via a gate in the perimeter fence is probably Airport Police. Airport Operations security officers (in plain clothes) drive white SUVs and vans with a City of Cleveland logo and have numbers on their side and tailgate. The Airport is in the First District, which is headquartered on West 130th Street, and street patrols originate there. Finally, there are the occasional RTA Police who really have no jurisdiction outside of RTA property but who are licensed Ohio Peace officers.
Then write a letter or make a call - but remember to be clear and specific to your circumstances and assertive, not aggressive.
Just because you confront the harassment by phone does not make you anonymous. If you make a threat over the phone, the police will find you, guaranteed. You need to remain calm and ask to speak with the shift supervisor. That could be a sergeant or a higher ranking officer. If you are told that you can't speak to the person in charge, just get a name and write that letter. In any case, when you reach the shift supervisor, keep a clear head about yourself and take notes. Here's my template for a phone call:
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The text of this page is Copyright 2006, Elizabeth Stapleton.