KertDawg wrote:
Hello,

I'm looking for an airport in central North Carolina at which I can
watch airplanes and listen to them on my handheld scanner. I've done
this before in other parts of the country with some pretty good
results. For instance, at Allegheny County Airport (KAGC) near
Pittsburgh, PA, you can walk out in front of the tower and watch
private jets, helicopters, and quite a few light aircraft for hours. I
just like watching and listening.

Raleigh-Durham KRDU has a nice observation area with a playground for the kids
and a scanner on the loudspeakers, a shelter to keep you out of the wind, rain,
and sun. It's not very close to the runway, but it is somewhat elevated so has a
pretty good view of rwy 5L/23R. Enough traffic to keep you entertained, at least
during the busy hours.

Pictures he
http://www.rdu.com/AboutRDU/obpark.htm

In the GA parking area directly in front of the observation deck, the airplane
directly in front of you in the middle row with the canvas cover is my Mooney.

Dave