Spotters Guide to Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW)

Fort Myers, Florida: Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) located in Fort Myers is a busy airport with great spotting opportunities. The airport features just one runway, making it possible to observe all airport activity.

Runway 6/24 is the only runway at RSW. It is 12,000 feet long running from southwest to northeast. An average of 228 flights a day operate from this runway, making it one of the busiest single runway airports in the country.

RSW is not a hub for any airline, however 19 airlines service the airport. The airlines servicing RSW are:

  • Air Berlin 
  • Air Canada 
  • AirTran Airways 
  • American Airlines 
  • Cape Air 
  • Compass Airlines (Delta Connection) 
  • Delta Airlines 
  •  Express Jet (United Express) 
  • Frontier Airlines 
  • JetBlue Airways 
  • Met Jet (Sun Country) 
  • Silver Airways (United Express) 
  • Shuttle America (United Express) 
  • Southwest Airlines 
  • Spirit Airlines 
  • Sun Country Airlines 
  • United Airlines 
  • US Airways 
  • WestJet 
 In addition to commercial/scheduled service, RSW is a base for FedEX and UPS cargo flights as well as private jet operations. However much of the private jet and general aviation flights occur out of nearby Page Field Airport.

The airport has several spotting locations, here are a few that I have tried.

Area A
A- Observation area: fenced in area with picnic tables. It is the official spotting location at the airport. Problem is there are several tall fences between you and the airfield. Plus the location is lower then the surrounding area making the fences seem even bigger. I stood on top of a picnic table and still had mostly obstructed views for ground activity.

Area B
B- Preferred location for me. Just pulled off alongside the road far enough to not impact traffic. Great for western arrivals. Good taxi shots, just need to stand on the runningboard (or a stool if you bring it) will get you line of sight above fence.

Area C
C- similar spot on runway as B but sits further back off the runway then B. It is one of the old pads for the old terminal. It gives you another vantage point to overcome the sun.

Since Runway 24 was never active on any of my visits, I have not yet looked for locations on the east side of the airport. In addition to the spots I have tried, I have also heard of a few other locations on property that I have not yet tried. I have heard that you can photograph from the second level of the terminal (E) or the top floor of the short-term parking lot (F). However these locations are quite a distance from the runway and will require a long telephoto lens and will have a large probability of heat haze interference.


As for equipment, the sample photos I took here were all taken with a hand-held Canon Rebel XS with a 55-250mm IS lens. The camera was programmed to the factory sport setting. So your individual results will vary with the camera, lens and settings you choose. I am extremely amateur with the camera and the settings, so I kept everything basis.

Finally, if you would like to enhance your spotting experience and listen to the pilot/ATC communications, here are the frequencies for RSW.

  • Fort Myers Tower - 128.750 
  • Fort Myers Ground - 121.900 
The official address for RSW is 11000 Terminal Access Road, Fort Myers, FL 33913. It is just east of I-75 in Fort Myers. The easiest way to access the spotting locations is through the airport commerce park. To access this area, use Exit 131 (Daniels Pkwy - D on map). Follow Daniels Pkwy east to Chamberlain Pkwy. Follow Chamberlain Pkwy to Air Cargo Ln, this is where your spotting locations will be located. (Note: you will be passing the posted signs to the airport, they will have you turn on Treeline Pkwy which will take you to the terminal. By going to the commerce park, you will be across the airfield from the terminal).

All of these locations and information are of an information purpose only. They are not official positions or approved by Southwest Florida International Airport. As with spotting at any airport post 9/11, travel with photo identification and obey the requests and orders of airport official or local law enforcement.

Enjoy your time at RSW. Be sure to share your photos and experiences below. If you have any question, leave them in the comments or send me an e-mail.

Comments

  1. dbuisWednesday, August 07, 2013

    Any place other than A, and you're pretty much guaranteed to be escorted off by the Airport Police. Unfortunately.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Photo of the Day: Disney's Hollywood Studios

Image
  For many years, a towering, iconic Sorcerer's Hat served as the unmistakable central landmark for Disney's Hollywood Studios (formerly MGM Studios), drawing visitors deep into the park's vibrant heart. The hat, an enormous, three-dimensional representation of the magical cap worn by Mickey Mouse in his role as the Sorcerer's Apprentice from the classic film Fantasia , was initially erected as a centerpiece for the park's 100 Years of Magic celebration, honoring the centennial of Walt Disney's birth. Its prominent placement quickly cemented its status. Much like the instantly recognizable icons of the other Walt Disney World theme parks—Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom, the geodesic sphere of Spaceship Earth at EPCOT, and the intricately carved Tree of Life at Disney's Animal Kingdom—the Sorcerer's Hat became the park's most famous symbol and a favored backdrop for countless visitor photographs. Its design featured bold colors, stars, and the moon...
Read more

Photo of the Day: New York City

Image
Along the perimeter of Central Park, nestled within the vibrant core of New York City, stands a collection of the city's most architecturally significant and historic luxurious apartment buildings. These iconic addresses are more than just residences; they are meticulously preserved monuments that pay homage to a bygone era of Gilded Age splendor and pre-war elegance, maintaining their original magnificence and grandeur.  A premier example of these exceptional homes is The Beresford. Completed in 1929, this legendary co-op on Central Park West is instantly recognizable by its distinctive trio of massive copper towers and is celebrated for its imposing scale and sophisticated design. Conceived by the renowned architect Emery Roth, The Beresford stands as a testament to the period's commitment to lavish detail, expansive layouts, and unparalleled exclusivity. It offers residents breathtaking panoramic views of Central Park and the Manhattan skyline, cementing its status not just ...
Read more

Visiting the Florida Holocaust Museum: A Powerful and Reflective Experience

Image
St Petersburg, Florida: Located in the heart of downtown St. Petersburg, the Florida Holocaust Museum is one of the largest institutions of its kind in the United States, dedicated to preserving the memory of the Holocaust and educating future generations about the dangers of hatred and intolerance. Founded in 1992 by Holocaust survivors Walter and Edith Lobenberg, the museum has grown into a deeply moving cultural and educational destination that encourages visitors to reflect on history while promoting a more compassionate future.  Overview of the Museum  The museum’s core exhibit, “History, Heritage, and Hope,” takes visitors on a chronological journey through the Holocaust, beginning with the roots of antisemitism and continuing through the rise of Nazi Germany, World War II, and eventual liberation. The experience is largely self-guided, allowing visitors to move at their own pace while engaging with photographs, personal artifacts, and survivor testimonies.  One o...
Read more