RDU Observation Deck (home, airport, things to do)

[relocary]

Hi All ,
I am wondering what is the best time to take my kid to this observation deck to see more take offs and landings? Please let me know!!

Thanks1

[hula]

Unless it's changed the runways right in front of it is mostly private planes, but you will see the larger jets heading by towards different runways.

I don't know what the best time is, seems like there are planes landing all the time.

The is another location further up the street that has a little cafe in it and an area inside and out to watch from. Again, I've noticed mostly private planes.

[mommytrish]

This is one of my kids' favorite things to do on a nice day!!
You will see plenty of larger commercial planes; we always do. Any time of day works, they are always coming and going. Just don't go on a cool day...we made that mistake once and will never do it again! It is sooo windy there, if it's the least bit chilly out you will freeze!

[rfb]

I don't know the specific times that are best - I tend to take my son when it is convenient. There doesn't seem to be a lot of takeoffs and landings when I've visited, but I've always just figured that is due to RDU not being a very busy airport. While there are private planes across from the observation deck, as Hula mentions, the vast majority of takeoffs and landings are the commercial jets.

[Babytarheelz]

My kids loved this! We went in the afternoon, around 4ish, while we were waiting for my husband's flight a couple of weeks ago and there were tons of planes. One every few minutes easily and lots of big commercial jets. My older son especially loved hearing the air traffic controllers. It was really neat!

[hula]

I must have been there at a slow time. Will have to try again.

[adlnc07]

I'd think late afternoon/early evening would be pretty busy - that's when a lot of businessmen are heading home (or to their next destination). Back in Virginia there is a park very near to National Airport along the Potomac River. The planes take off right over your head - I have to say it's pretty cool, and I'm not even a kid.

[wheelsup]

That park @ DCA is pretty neat.

Here's a graph of the total takeoff and landings @ RDU (these are only IFR operations, like airlines)



Seems most are in the 6pm - 8pm time frame.

There's also quite a few in the 8am - 10am time frame as well:

[lottamoxie]

This sounds so cool and it's something *I'd* like to do! I think I will! Okay where exactly is that observation deck? (pls don't just tell me it's at the airport...). I'm talking which *building* is it in?

[lb27608]

It's not in a building - it's an outdoor park near the FAA control tower. See below for directions:

RDU Observation Park (http://www.rdu.com/whileatairport/obpark.htm - broken link)

Been going there since 1993 myself, which was well before they built the cool elevated deck and put in the air traffic control radio.

If you like big planes, go around 6:00 in the evening. The American flight to London Heathrow leaves between 6:00 and 6:30 PM, and it's served on a Boeing 767 (for now - in the past they've also used the larger 777.)