Samarinda Aji Pangeran Tumenggung Pranoto Airport - Spotting Guide

Samarinda Aji Pangeran Tumenggung Pranoto Airport – Spotting Guide

November 16, 2020 - last modified on December 7, 2023

Aji Pangeran Tumenggung Pranoto (shortly APT Pranoto) Airport (IATA: AAP/ICAO: WALS) is a new airport serving Samarinda area, opened in 2018 to replace Temindung Airport which is unable to be expanded due to being surrounded by city buildings. Currently it serves several flights to many major cities across Indonesia operated by Batik Air, Citilink, Garuda Indonesia, Lion Air, NAM Air, Susi Air and XpressAir. The biggest airplane possible to be handled by this airport is Boeing 737-900ER

Written by Astrid Rian R, Ikko Haidar Farozy & Eka (Local contributor). Last Update: September 2020

Rating
Movements
Airline Variety
Photo Locations
Weather
Airport Information
Runways
04/22	2.250 x 45 m (7381 x 147 ft) – Asphalt
Terminals	One Terminal, handle all flights.
Spotting Information
Ladder	Not needed.
Car/Public Transport	Needed for spots 2 and 3. You can use your personal vehicle or online taxis / motorcycle taxis such as Grab or Go-Jek. Public Transport to spotting locations is not available.
Restrooms	Not available on spots listed below excpect 1 and 4.
Drinks/Food	Avialable at spots 1 and 4. Some food stalls are available near the spotting location for 2 and 3.
Hotels	There are no hotels close to the airport – most of them located near the city centre.
Season	Best time to spot here mostly during the dry season.
Security	While this airport is a fully civilian airport (not mixed with a military airbase), planespotting is sometimes still considered unusual in many parts of Indonesia – 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. So far, there is no problem for this airport spotting locations but we advice is that if you are to do spotting 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	Depending on wind direction, but from our observation Runway 04 seems to be preferred for arrival.

	Spot #1 – Open Space Next To VIP Terminal – Apron Entry, 22 Arrivals and 04 Departures
WHERE	This spot on the right side infront of the terminal – located in between the main terminal and VIP terminal. There is a small open area where you can stand and shot trough the fence.

WHAT	The airport’s only main taxiway is located in front of this spot, so you can get all airplane movements while entering / exiting the apron – ramp movements also visible. Also possible to spot Runway 22 Arrivals and Runway 04 Departures.

TIME	Best time from June to December. Moments when the airplane enters the taxiway can be taken anytime without backlight, but apron movements will be in backlight during afternoon. Heat haze may occur in the afternoon.

MISC.	All things you need is available on the Terminal, parking is available on the airport parking lot; costing IDR 3000 (USD 0.20) for the first one hour and IDR 1000 (< USD 0.10) for each additional hour. This spot is safe, although you may be questioned by an airport security officer regarding where you come from and what you are currently doing – this however won’t interfere with your activity so no need to worry.

FOCAL LENGTH	Around 55 to 120mm for apron movements and 130 to 210mm for runway movements.

	Spot #2 – Bukit Pampang / Pampang Muara – 04 Arrivals & Departures and 22 Departures
WHERE	This spot is located on a road heading to Pampang Cultural Village named Jl. Pampang Muara. It’s easy to reach as it is located on the roadside. By car it tooks 2 km or around 5 minutes to reach this spot from Samarinda – Bontang main road, while from APT Pranoto terminal is around 7,6 km or around 15 minutes.

WHAT	This location overlooks Runway 04 and offers a nice view for airplanes arriving or departing from this airport.

TIME	Almost every time and every season is good for planespotting here – although when it’s cloudy the airplane could be a bit darker. Heat haze may occur in the afternoon, especially views facing the runway.

MISC.	At most times, nothing available here – bring your own needs. Sometimes there is a food hawker here when the location becomes a bit crowded as the locals tend to visit here in the afternoon. There are some trees you can use as shade while relaxing. It’s recommended to use trousers and shoes when doing planespotting here as there is a possibility that a snake or other creatures might appear.

FOCAL LENGTH	Around 70 to 135mm for the closest point, for runway view is between 200 to 300mm.

	Spot #3 – Mound – 04 Arrivals & Departures and 22 Departures
WHERE	This spot is located close to the Runway 04. It could be a bit tricky to reach this location as you need to get through the village and farming area. Find the Sungai Siring Petrol Station then go to an alley close to it called Gg. Sunda and just follow the path. Path to this location were partially paved while some of them were unpaved – some of them even still a dirt path that could be muddled in the rainy season. By car it tooks around 1.4 km or around 5 minutes to reach this spot from Samarinda – Bontang main road, while from APT Pranoto terminal is around 6 km or around 15 minutes. There is a mound where you can climb up to clear the fence and a better angle.

WHAT	This location close to the edge of Runway 04 so you can catch easily all this movements plus the 22 departures.

TIME	On dry season – as the path to this location is still unpaved or even just a dirt path, it could be a nightmare if you come here during the rainy season as it will get muddled. Movements are in backlight in the afternoon to evening and heat haze may occur in the afternoon.

MISC.	Nothing available here – bring your own needs. You can use a motorcycle or bike to reach this spot, but it’s not recommended to use a car to access this location due to the aforementioned unpaved path – we are afraid that car might not be able to reach this location. Please use trousers and shoes when doing planespotting here as there is a possibility that a snake or other creatures might appear. There are some trees you can use as shade while relaxing and there is plenty of space to park your motorcycle / bike.

FOCAL LENGTH	Between 100 to 200mm for Runway 04 Arrivals and Runway 22 Departures. Between 250 to 300mm for movements on the runway such as touchdown, rotating and backtracking.

	Spot #4 – Terminal – Apron movements and all runway departures / arrivals.
WHERE	This spot is inside the terminal waiting room behind the security checks so a valid boarding pass is mandator. The windows of the waiting room directly overlooks to the apron and runway without disturbed with another section in front of it.

WHAT	Basically, most of all airplane movements on this airport can be viewed as long as it is not obstructed by the airbridge or another airplane.

TIME	I think almost anytime – Heat haze may occur in the afternoon.

MISC.	The glass is tinted and you need to adjust your color/ white balance – also glass reflection may occur. All things you need are available on the Terminal. You need to be a flying passenger to access this spot as it is located after security check.

FOCAL LENGTH	Could be less than 55mm for apron movement. Longer focal needed for runway movement.