Balikpapan SAMS Sepinggan Intl. Airport Spotting Guide

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Balikpapan SAMS Sepinggan Intl. Airport Spotting Guide

March 10, 2021 - last modified on December 29, 2020

Sultan Aji Muhammad Sulaiman Sepinggan International Airport (BPN / WALL), commonly known as Sepinggan Airport is the airport serving city of Balikpapan and adjacent areas in East Kalimantan. The airport is the 6th busiest airport in Indonesia and the busiest airport in Kalimantan. The airport already ran before WW2 and was named after the 18th Sultan of Kutai Kartanegara Sultanate since 2014. As the flights and passengers increased over time, the airport terminal has been relocated and renovated many times. Current terminal building officially opened in September 2014.

The destination served from here mainly in Indonesia except few flights to Singapore and Jeddah in Saudi Arabia. In Hajj season, the airport served as the main embarkation port for East and North Kalimantan area so interesting traffics such as wet-leased Boeing 747 can be seen. The airport also served as main hub for fertilizer, forestry, mining and petroleum industry chartered flights so several rare traffics which you can’t / hard be found on other Indonesia airports such as Pelita Air & Nusantara Air ATR’s and lot of charter airline Twin Otters / Cessna 208 can be regularly seen here. In addition, there is a small Air Force base but without permanent squadron stationed (named Dhomber AFB) here so sometimes you may be able to spot Indonesia Air Force flights on this airport.

As there is an ongoing plan for Indonesia capital to relocate to the area around North Penajam Paser and Kutai Kartanegara Regency near Balikpapan, this airport is expected to become one of the main gateways to the future Indonesia capital.

Photo and guides contributed by Astrid Rian R, Ricky Liciandhika Putra, Taufiq Nur, Bhisma Razan, KFAI Balikpapan members and Eka (local contributor). Last Update December 2020.

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Airport Information
Runways
07/25	2.500 m x 45m (8.202 ft) Asphalt
Terminals	Main Terminal Building for all Flights
Spotting Information
Ladder	Not Needed
Car/Public Transport	There are Angkot (public passenger vans) operating on the main road (Marsma R. Iswahyudi road) near the airport, however walking distance from Airport terminal to main road or vice versa could be quite far. Online taxis / motorcyle taxis such as Go-Jek and Grab is available too.
Restrooms	Available inside the airport facilities / hotel building
Drinks/Food	In the airport facilities or hotels around the airport. There are several shops and restaurants along the Marsma R. Iswahyudi road.
Hotels	So far only one hotel is really close to the airport, and it’s listed below (Grand Tjokro). There was one in the airport complex (Hakaya), however it is closed – for now. Other hotels especially top-notch hotels can be found a bit farther from the airport but closer to the city centre.
Season	When the weather is clear, light seems good both morning and evening.
Security	In many parts of Indonesia, planespotting is still considered uncommon activity (we’re trying to increase better awareness about this activity to aviation stakeholders though) – and you might be questioned by airport security. As long as you didn’t go too close to the restricted area, there should be no problem. If asked to delete photos, please do so without hesitation. As our advice is that if you are to do spotting anywhere in Indonesia, you should try reach out to local spotters for their help showing the safest location of spotting and being around you. Indonesian Plane Spotters group in Facebook is a good start to reach out spotters in many airports across Indonesia.
Runway Usage
General Info	– Most commonly used runway direction both for takeoff and landing seems from Rwy25, but it’s possible that it might change depending on the wind direction. – Twin Otter and several small aircrafts not using the whole runway for takeoff, they might be lining up from Taxiway C near the middle of the runway. – General Aviation and chartered aircrafts usually not parked in the main terminal, but at apron in front of the hangars.

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	Spot #1 – Grand Tjokro Hotel Balikpapan – All Movements
WHERE	For now it seems the only hotel that really close to the airport – there was a hotel inside the airport complex with an incredible runway and taxiway view named Hakaya Hotel, but it’s closed for now. It can be easily reached from the city centre by using Angkot or Taxi / Motorcycle taxi. Since it’s inside the hotel room, you need to book a room there.

WHAT	Both taxiing, takeoff and landing in the runway and taxiway. In addition, you can see lining up and takeoffs of smaller aircrafts which didn’t use the whole runway. Ships such as freighters, oil tankers, coal barges, ferries and even warships can be seen especially on clear weather so you can spot both planes and ships here, just like in Tokyo Haneda airport.

TIME	The hotel facing south so light is just good enough at all times. In the afternoon heat haze might affect your spotting result, but not so considerable.

MISC.	Room rates starts from IDR 500.000,- (USD50) or higher, depending on the room type you prefer. You may get lower prices though. Please note that you should ask the hotel receptionist to reserve you a room with a Runway view in advance, which we recommends to take room on the 4th floor since it’s the highest floor available ( i took from Room 404). Views from rooms below the 4th floor might be obstructed by Cargo Terminal. You should try to contact them directly via phone several days before your stay, and follow up your special request again a day before your stay. You may want to inform them that your main intention to stay at this hotel is to take photos of the aircrafts so they can reserve the right room for you. Airport shuttle is provided by hotel on prior request, free of charge. Unfortunately, the window can’t be opened and it’s a non-smoking room – but thankfully glass reflection is not a big problem (unless you want to take night or early morning shots – it will be a problem). All you need is inside the hotel. Turn off your air conditioner or set it at ~24°C if you want to take photos from windows, because the windows could become hazy if your room temperature is too low and it takes quite a while for the haze to disappear! Hotel check-in time is starting at 2pm, but if your desired room is already available you can check-in early starting at 10am without additional charge. For late check-out there is a 25% charge from basic rate until 2/3pm. As of June 2019, Wi-Fi connection in this hotel is unforgivably slow, especially for 4-stars hotel standards. Better use your phone tethering feature since internet connection from your mobile provider may be more reliable than the hotel’s Wi-Fi (wish that they have improved it, though.). Please note that there is a minimum IDR 100.000,- (~USD10) refundable deposit required if you’re paying using cash.

FOCAL LENGTH	737, A320 or CRJ : On the runway 200-250mm, on the taxiway 140 – 200mm ATR, Twin Otter or small aircrafts : On the runway >300mm, on the taxiway 250-300mm

	Spot #2 – Waiting Room inside the Terminal Building – All Movements
WHERE	This spot is located inside the airport. Since it’s located after security checkpoint, you need to enter as a flying passenger.

WHAT	Both taxiing, takeoff and landing in the runway and taxiway. At some angles, ships in the distance may be seen but not as good as in Tjokro since the vast and dense trees obstruct most of sea view along the runway.

TIME	The terminal is facing south so light is just good enough at all times.

MISC.	All you need is inside the airport. Glass reflection is a real problem here especially before dusk. The glass is using blue / green tint so you might need to adjust your white balance.

FOCAL LENGTH	737, A320 or CRJ : On the runway <200mm ATR, Twin Otter or small aircrafts : On the runway ~250mm

	Spot #3 – Seraya Beach – Runway 25 Arrivals & Departures
WHERE	This spot is located close to Runway 25, next to ILS path. From Seraya Beach, turn right and walk along the shore to the designated coordinate (the spot is pretty long enough, so you can try various angles). You may need around 15 minutes to walk from Seraya Beach to the designated coordinate.

WHAT	Both arriving, taxiing and ling up traffics can be spotted here. The angle is pretty steep for arriving airplanes.

TIME	Morning from 08.00 am to 11.00 am during the dry season.

MISC.	The nearest accomodations and parking spots is in the entrance of Seraya Beach. There are some trees nearby that can be used for shade. Please note that while this spot is pretty commonly used by Balikpapan planespotters, it is not a totally safe place. Try to stay on beach line and don’t get too close to the fence. Also, don’t go spotting alone, better ask a local spotter to assist you for the safest location to spot (but don’t spot with too many people at one time). Recently there was a moment that a group of local planespotters got caught by airport security and asked to delete the photos. When this happens, please be cooperative to prevent further problems.

FOCAL LENGTH	At least 55mm for arriving traffics – longer focal needed for movements on taxiway and runway.

	Spot #4 – As-Sajadah Mosque Parking Lot – Runway 25 Arrivals
WHERE	This spot is 3.6km away from the airport, located on the Komplek Angkasa Pura I (Angkasa Pura I Village). It is relatively easy to reach this location using car or motorcycle. The spot location is on the mosque’s parking area.

WHAT	Runway 25 final approach can be perfectly spotted and pretty close from here.

TIME	Afternoon from 03.00pm to 05.30pm as the sun is on the west. If weather is clear, also possible to get golden time moment.

MISC.	There are some food stalls and minimarket nearby. You can park your vehicle on mosque’s parking lot. As this spot is located within mosque premises, please use proper clothing and be polite. Recommended to come here with local spotters, as you might be questioned by another mosque visitor (person carrying professional camera in mosque premises, especially foreigner seems to be a pretty unusual sight, though).

FOCAL LENGTH	Around 100-150mm.

	Spot #5 – Pantai Belakang Bandara (Jalan Sepinggan Lama) – Runway 07 Arrivals & Runway 25 Departures
WHERE	This spot is located on beach near Runway 07 on Jalan Sepinggan Lama. Pretty easy to reach since it’s located close to the main road.

WHAT	Runway 07 Arrivals and Runway 25 Departures can be spotted here, although the angle is very steep. The area is pretty wide though with a wide field also nearby – you can improvise your angles.

TIME	Afternoon from 03.00pm to 05.30pm as the sun is on the west. If weather is clear, also possible to get golden time moment.

MISC.	There are some food stalls and minimarket nearby. You can park your vehicle on nearby field too. As long as you didn’t get too close to the airport perimeter, there should be no problem with airport security.

FOCAL LENGTH	Around 55-120mm.

	Spot #6 – Shelter – 03/21 movements
WHERE	This spot is located on the other side of the Pantai Belakang Bandara. From Spot #4, just walk closer into the breakwaters.

WHAT	Runway 07 Arrivals and Runway 25 Departures can be spotted here, although the angle is very steep. The area is pretty wide though – you can improvise your angles.

TIME	Morning at 08.00am until 11.30am as the sun is on east.

MISC.	Closest accommodations and parking is near with Spot #4. As long as you didn’t get too close to the airport perimeter, there should be no problem with airport security.

FOCAL LENGTH	Less than 55mm at it’s closest to around 130mm.

	Dhomber Airbase Open House Event
WHERE	Sometimes there will be a open house event being held in the airbase, displaying Indonesian Air Force airplanes. The airbase itself is located close to the Rwy07 edge.

WHAT	The main attraction are airplanes that displayed both static and dynamic such as F-16, EMB-314 or other airplanes. Also possible to spot all Rwy07/25 movements.

TIME	It’s a random event but usually being held every February / March, before Indonesian Air Force anniversary – keep in touch with local spotters for more info. Recommended time to visit here is after 02.00pm until evening.

MISC.	Looking from similar open house that being held on another airbase, at many cases foreigner is not allowed to enter. Still worth to mention and you may want to try visiting though, who knows that you might able to join the event as well. Since it’s a public open house, be expected that there will be a lot of people there and thus it will be hard to take clear photo of static-displayed airplanes. Always observe the rules and off limits that has been determined by airbase.

FOCAL LENGTH	Around 55 to 150mm for runway movements.