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November 23, 2020Jakarta Halim Perdanakusuma Intl. Aiport – Spotting Guide
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- last modified on December 1, 2020
Jakarta Halim Perdanakusuma International Airport (HLP/WIHH) is one of some airports that serves the greater Jakarta area. It houses the Indonesian Air Force transport and VVIP squadron, and was Jakarta’s primary international airport until Soekarno-Hatta Intl Airport opened in 1985. The airport continued to serve mainly for charter and unscheduled flights until in 2014 when commercial flights were allowed to operate again as an effort to reduce air traffic congestion on Soekarno-Hatta Intl Airport.
The biggest airplane ever handled by this airport was Antonov An-124 and in the past 747’s and 777’s were commonly seen during Hajj season. Unfortunately in 2017, an incident occurred when the runway was damaged by the jet blast from one of the 777 used for Hajj flights. Shortly, no wide body airplanes were allowed to enter Halim until around a year when some widebodies supposed to be arriving at Soekarno-Hatta diverted to Halim due to bad weather. Currently, the biggest airplane allowed to operate regularly in Halim is Boeing 767 and Il-76 / C-17.
The traffics mostly were A320 and B737 operated by Batik Air and Citilink, although there are also some other scheduled traffics such as ATR72 of Wings Air, Citilink and Transnusa and some cargo flights. The other interesting traffics includes smaller BizJets, Air Force transport airplanes, and dignitaries from other states also frequently come here (dignitaries with big airplanes will be arriving at Soekarno-Hatta, not Halim anymore due to restrictions stated above – although this may change soon). Indonesian Air Force also always held a base open house at least once a year, usually during Air Force Anniversary on 9 April and on 5 October during Indonesian Armed Forces Anniversary (subject to the decision where the parade will be held).
The airport houses four squadrons; Sq. 2 (CN235 & C295), Sq. 17 VVIP (B737-400/500, BBJ2, Fokker 28 & C-130HS), Sq. 31 (C-130), and Sq. 45 (Transport Helicopters such as Super Puma). There are also several Hangars, mostly for General Aviation and Charter Airlines.
Written by Alif Luqman W, Ikko Haidar Farozy, Indra Admiral, Angger Baskoro, Andrae Francesco & Eka (Local contributor). Last Update: September 2020
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| Airport Information | |
| Runways | |
| 06/24 | 3.000 x 45m (9842.5×147.64ft) – Asphalt |
| Terminals | One Terminal, handle all flights. There are other parking stand on the other side of the airport, usually used for long term parking. |
| Spotting Information | |
| Ladder | Not needed, and please do not use them as this is an air force base – using those might look suspicious. |
| Car/Public Transport | There are Trans Halim Angkot (public passenger van) operating on the road close to the airport; close to the spot #1. You can also use TransJakarta route 4F (Pinang Ranti-Pulogadung) to reach Spot 2, 3, and 4. Just ask the nearest stop to the GPS coordinate, the on board staff should help you. The nearest train station to this airport is Cawang Station (if you want to visit Spot 1), Klender Station (if you want to visit Spot 2, 3 & 4) & Buaran Station (if you want to visit Spot 5) operated by KRL Commuter Line. However, the most convenient way to visit spots listed below is by motorcycle / car taxi such as Grab or Go-Jek. |
| Restrooms | Not available on spots listed below. |
| Drinks/Food | Some food stalls are available near the spotting location. |
| Hotels | There are quite a lot of hotels relatively close to the airport, mostly in the Cawang area. |
| Season | Best time to spot here mostly during the dry season. |
| Security | Spotting in Halim Airport is only the safest when conducted from outside airport premises, for example on spot #3, #4 & #5. Keep in mind that this airport is an active military air base and frequently handles VVIP flights of Indonesia’s and foreign country dignitaries. Local spotters usually have no problems with airport authorities nowadays, however in a similar manner with other shared-usage airports in Indonesia, foreign person doing spotting might be considered a security threat to the air base and you might be interrogated inside the base. Not trying to be racist, but if you are Asian, the intels would most likely leave you alone. (we have once invited Japanese plane spotter to Spot 1 here and got no problem, but we ever saw a post from European spotter in 2016 where he is not allowed to enter the airbase open house as it is said only intended for Indonesian – although later he might able to visit after being assisted to produce a permit by local aviation geeks)
+++ Our advice is that if you are to do spotting in this airport from any location listed, you should reach out to local spotters (for the mentioned security reason) 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 Jakarta (and other airports around Indonesia) +++ |
| Runway Usage | |
| General Info | – Larger airplanes sometimes backtracked on the edge of Rwy 06 when Rwy 24 is used for landing. – Most commonly used runway direction both for takeoff and landing seems from Rwy24, but it’s possible that it might change depending on the wind direction. Especially during dry season, Runway 06 tends to be more active for takeoff and landing. – Smaller airplanes might not use the whole runway for takeoff. |
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Spot #1 – Small Field in Kampung Baru Village – 06 Departures/Arrival & 24 Departures / Arrival Backtracks |
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| WHERE | It is the most famous and best location for HLP and is located close to the edge of Runway 06. It can be easily reached from the city centre by using car or motorcycle taxi both online taxis such as Grab or Go-Jek and regular taxis. Just follow the GPS and you’ll be okay. It is a small field directly at the fence which is large enough to put a lense through it. |
| WHAT | It is best used for Runway 06 Departures / Arrivals. When larger planes landed on Runway 24, it is expected that it will be backtracked on Runway 06. Airplane entering apron also can be seen here although need longer lenses (around 200 to 250mm). Runway 24 departures still look fairly good and the airplane still not too high (but with relatively steep angle). |
| TIME | Best time during dry season (April – August). Heat waves may occur during the afternoon. |
| MISC. | There are several food stalls nearby offering a variety of foods such as Nasi Goreng (Indonesian Fried Rice) and Mie Ayam (Chicken Noodle). There are some trees and cemented blocks if you want to rest. As i remembered there is not much space to park a car, so if you bring a car please park it in other places. Please note that this is a village’s field, the location might be used for residents to play football especially during afternoon to evening – you can continue to spot but please do in a position that is not distracting their activity and be aware that a ball might accidentally hit you.
Considering this spot is close to the airport premises and conforming with the notice aforementioned above, please don’t go spotting alone here – especially if you’re a foreigner please ask a local spotter to assist you (local spotters usually have no problems here). |
| FOCAL LENGTH | Around 55 to 100mm, applies to all conditions stated above (06 Arrivals/Departures/24 Departures/Backtracks) |
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Spot #2 – Along the Runway Lights on Jalan Radar Selatan – Runway 24 Arrivals |
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| WHERE | This spot is for Runway 24 Arrivals, located in a residential area, you can photograph aircraft going very low above. Easiest access to this road is from the main road Jl. Raya Jatiwaringin which also connects spots 3 and 4. You can miss it as the road runs parallel to the approach lights. Postion yourself along this road as marked on the map. There is also a small sports field opposite of a mosque for a different angle (to the right on the overview photo below). There is parking space near this spot – but not quite wide. |
| WHAT | Runway 24 Arrivals, the angle is quite steep. Runway 06 departures are also possible but very steep – you can only get the photos of the airplane’s belly section. |
| TIME | Afternoon between 15.00 to 17.30 (3pm to 530pm) as the sky looks less bland and the sunlight is not so direct and scorching as midday. |
| MISC. | There are lots of cables nearby, take your shots accordingly. Some restaurants and minimarkets are available nearby. Basically, as long as you don’t take photos too close to the access road for the golf club nearby (on the edge of the road) you will be okay. But, considering this spot is close to the airport premises and conforming with the notice aforementioned above, please don’t go spotting alone here – especially if you’re a foreigner please ask a local spotter to assist you (local spotters usually have no problems here). |
| FOCAL LENGTH | Less than 55mm for most of the angles. |
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Spot #3 – Alfamart Minimarket Jatiwaringin – 24 Arrivals |
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| WHERE | This spot is in an small empty space next to Alfamart Jatiwaringin wich is at the main road Jl. Raya Jatiwaringin. Stand next to the huge signs of the market. Parking space is available but limited and maybe subject to time restrictions – better you park somewhere else if you bring a car and about to take a long time here |
| WHAT | Runway 24 Arrivals, the angle is less steeper than on Spot 2 . |
| TIME | Afternoon between 15.00 to 17.30 (3pm to 530pm) as the sky looks less bland and the sunlight is not so direct and scorching as midday. |
| MISC. | .You can rest, buy food, drinks or other supplies on Alfamart Minimarket. There are several food shops nearby too. As this location is a public space, please be careful and always watch your surroundings. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | Between 55 to 100mm. |
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Spot 4 – Taman Piknik – 24 Arrivals |
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| WHERE | Far away from the airport is a small park named “Taman Piknik”. It is located close to the approach path to Runway 24. Although this is a bit farther than any spots, the airplane is already quite low here and thus suitable for planespotting. Find your preferred location inside the park maybe under a tree who spends some shadow (see link below). |
| WHAT | Runway 24 Arrivals only. |
| TIME | Afternoon between 15.00 to 17.30 (3pm to 530pm), in the morning tend to be in backlight. |
| MISC. | Car park is available but not large and might be full sometimes. There are some restaurants and food stalls nearby. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | Between 200mm to 300mm.for A320 / B737. |
The park looks like this inside.