AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2024 - 51

DAVID TULIS
POSTCARDS /
LAX In-N-Out
Plane spotting with a side of fries
BY ALICIA HERRON
Fun fact: The kindest thing on Earth you can do,
as voted by me, is pick someone up from LAX.
CALIFORNIA-BASED IN-N-OUT BURGER'S " fresh, never frozen " promise; simple
and secret menus; iconic red, white, and yellow color scheme; and mouthwatering
double-doubles have a well-known (and arguably well-deserved) cult following. The
favorite of celebrities and locals alike, no trip to the best coast is complete without
a visit to In-N-Out. Of all the In-N-Outs, the most famous is the one located next to
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), and along with the park across the street,
it makes for one of the most famous plane spotting spots on Earth.
Close enough to LAX's north runways (24L and 24R) to smell the burning rubber
from the tires, this location is an avgeek's dream. You'll see as many folks with longlensed
cameras and aviation-themed shirts as you will your standard travelers
dragging huge suitcases through the parking lot, grabbing a bite before jetting off.
There's a small grassy park where most plane spotters will hang out and armed with
a to-go bag and an airplane tracking app (and maybe a blanket or chair), you'll be set
up for an hour or two of fun. Particularly notable to watch for are unique liveries, rare
aircraft, and those completing very long flights (hello, Singapore Air and Qantas!).
Of course, Airbus A380s and Boeing 747s always draw a crowd. GA arrivals are few
and far between, but the proximity of the airliners and other jets contribute to a
thrilling overall sensory experience, even if you've never considered yourself a plane
spotting enthusiast before. Watching an arriving aircraft come into view from above
the low buildings east of the field, roar by, and land makes this a place worth visiting.
It is great to visit in any weather-IFR arrivals are equally thrilling as the sunny day
experience, although a clear sunset and takeout dinner visit would be particularly
memorable. alicia.herron@aopa.org
Cranky Dorkfest
Each year in late summer or
early fall, the blog Cranky Flier
hosts the event Cranky Dorkfest,
The weekend meet-up invites
all avgeeks to gather at the LAX
In-N-Out to hang out to watch
airplanes, bringing likeminded
folks together, most of whom
are nonpilots although still
enthusiastic plane spotters.
Cranky Dorkfest sometimes
includes tours of LAX (which
must be prebooked) and further
plane spotting at other nearby
locations like the LAX Hilton.
Keep your eye on the blog for
more information.
AOPA PILOT / December 2024
51

AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2024

Contents
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2024 - Intro
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2024 - Cover1
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2024 - Cover2
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2024 - Contents
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2024 - 2
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2024 - 3
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2024 - 4
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2024 - 5
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2024 - 6
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2024 - 7
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2024 - 8
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2024 - 9
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2024 - 10
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2024 - 11
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2024 - 12
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2024 - 13
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2024 - 14
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2024 - 15
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2024 - 16
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2024 - 17
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2024 - 18
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2024 - 19
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2024 - 20
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2024 - 21
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2024 - 22
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2024 - 23
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2024 - 24
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2024 - 25
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2024 - 26
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2024 - 27
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2024 - 28
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2024 - 29
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2024 - 30
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2024 - 31
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2024 - 32
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2024 - 33
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2024 - 34
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2024 - 35
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2024 - 36
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2024 - 37
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2024 - 38
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2024 - 39
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2024 - 40
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2024 - 41
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2024 - 42
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2024 - 43
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2024 - 44
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2024 - 45
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2024 - 46
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2024 - 47
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2024 - 48
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2024 - 49
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2024 - 50
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2024 - 51
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2024 - 52
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2024 - 53
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2024 - 54
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2024 - 55
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2024 - 56
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2024 - 57
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2024 - 58
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2024 - 59
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2024 - 60
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2024 - 61
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2024 - 62
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2024 - 63
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2024 - 64
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2024 - 65
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2024 - 66
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2024 - 67
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2024 - 68
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2024 - 69
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2024 - 70
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2024 - 71
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2024 - 72
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2024 - 73
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2024 - 74
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2024 - 75
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2024 - 76
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2024 - 77
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2024 - 78
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2024 - 79
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2024 - 80
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2024 - 81
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AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2024 - 86
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AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2024 - 88
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2024 - 89
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2024 - 90
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2024 - 91
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AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2024 - 94
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AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2024 - 96
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2024 - 97
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AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2024 - 111
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2024 - 112
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2024 - Cover3
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2024 - Cover4
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