Planespotting At Dallas Fort Worth Airport's Founders Plaza: Everything You Need To Know

The Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, commonly referred to by its IATA code DFW, is a large international airport in the US state of Texas, which serves most parts of northern Texas, including the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. DFW is home to American Airlines, and according to DallasNews , the airport sees "over 200,000 travelers and 1,800 flights" pass through its gates every day. In a previous article on Simple Flying that looked into American Airlines' largest hub, the airline itself has more than 200 routes at this airport.

Per the DFW airport's own website , they serve 260 destinations, and the airport is utilized by 22 cargo providers which provide freight transportation and logistics worldwide. DFW Airport customers can choose among 193 domestic and 67 international nonstop destinations worldwide. Additionally, 22 cargo airlines provide worldwide freighter service, positioning DFW as the ideal cargo gateway to the world.



DFW is also elevating the customer experience with modernized facilities and updated amenities. - DFW Airport Founders Plaza is a hidden gem that makes DFW airport stand out from the crowd. Many agree that DFW airport is one of the best places in the world for planespotting.

Founders Plaza is open daily from 7:00am - 7:00pm Central Time and has plenty of picnic tables and parking. However, Founders Plaza's unofficial hours extend well into the night. The first time I went to Founders Plaza, I was impressed by the sheer volume of planes taking off and landing.

It seemed as if every blink I took I was missing planes as they roared off into the distance. One of my favorite things about Founders Plaza is the speaker system that broadcasts air traffic control communications from the FAA tower that are audible from anywhere in the plaza. Hearing the ATC broadcast greatly enhances the experience when watching planes as they navigate to either the ramp, runway, the gate, or the skies.

"The Observation Area offers magnificent views of many types of aircraft as they take off and land. In addition, the plaza provides convenient parking, picnic tables, telescopes, historic information, a commemorative monument and a radio that broadcasts air traffic control communications from the FAA tower." - DFW Airport The plaza includes walking paths, sculptures, historical markers, and informational displays.

Additionally, there is a monument honoring the thousands of US troops who arrived at DFW from Iraq and Afghanistan for rest and recuperation between 2004 and 2012. Kids (and adults) can aim sprays of water from model fire trucks to give a miniature airplane a “shower of affection,” just as real fire trucks do to welcome airplanes on special occasions. In 2007, DFW airport celebrated its 500,000th R & R traveler.

At DFW, military personnel were greeted by over "200 dignitaries as special guests", as reported by the US Army. "It makes me feel proud knowing I can come into a place like Dallas and see Americans like these cheering us on making us feel good. I'm happy to be home," - Sgr.

1st Class Marvin Jackson The R & R flights ended in 2012 and, as CBS News reports, the flights will be routed through Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport going forward. Some interesting facts about the monument are shown in the chart below. DFW Airport Founders Plaza Monument Characteristics Interesting Facts The Side Panels The 35" wide side panels represent the 35 miles between Dallas and Fort Worth.

The Seal The airport's seal in the center symbolizes its central location, and the four panels represent its four original passenger terminals. The Horizontal Bands The four center panels are bound on the top and bottom by horizontal bands symbolizing the airport’s physical relationship between Highway 114 and 183, respectively. The Center Panels Height The height of the center panel is 8.

11', representing the 8.11-mile length of the airport’s property. The Thickness of the Slab The monument is 17.

638 inches thick, representing the 17,638 acres originally contained within the airport property. The Plaza was created by the founders of DFW Airport, hence its name. The economic impact of DFW International Airport is substantial, which accounts for about 10% of the entire Northern Texas GDP.

Pearson Partners , a global executive search and leadership consulting firm, has said that DFW International Airport contributes over $31 billion annually to the economy of Dallas, Fort Worth, and its surrounding areas. "Their vision was to create not only an airport, but a major economic stimulus for the entire North Texas region. Thanks to the efforts of the Airport’s owner cities, Dallas and Fort Worth, DFW employees and travelers throughout the world, the vision of DFW’s founders has become a reality.

" - DFW Airport With that said, the founding airport board members and advisors created a planespotting area at one of the world's biggest airports, and it is thanks to them, visitors can enjoy DFW's breathtaking views for generations to come. Their names are: Mayor J. Erik Jonsson, J.

Lee Johnson III, N. Alex Bickley, Mayor Willard Barr, Robert B. Cullum, A.

Earl Cullum, Jr., Najeeb E. Halaby, H.

B. Fuqua, S. G.

Johndroe, Jr., Frank A. Hoke, Dr.

Thomas J. Martin, Mayor DeWitt McKinley, J. C.

Pace, Jr., Henry L. Newman, Morris G.

Spencer, Elgin B. Robertson, Henry Stuart, Mayor R.M.

(Sharkey) Stovall, Hobart Turman, Carl J. Thomson, Mayor Wes Wise, and George M. Underwood.

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