Forlì Airport (FRL/LIPK) is the airport of the city of Forlì. After 7 years the airport came back to life and saw different charter airlines trying to fly from there. There are Albawings, AeroItalia and now Ryanair.

FRL also hosts some business jet traffic, both with Forlì as destination or as long term parking for Bologna’s bizjets. Plus sometimes the Italian Army does some low passes with helicopters, but don’t expect to spend a whole day spotting here. You will just pass by for something special as the airport has really low traffic.

Written by Tombarelli Federico, pics also by Eros Picari (local spotter). Last Update: August 2022

Rating
Movements
Airline Variety
Photo Locations
Weather
Airport Information
Runways
12/30	2.560m
Terminals
T1	All operations handled by one terminal.
Spotting Information
Ladder	Needed for ground shots but as always in Italy keep a low profile and use it only when needed.
Car/Public Transport	A lot of busses pass near spots 2-3.
Drinks/Food	Forlì the city is all around the airport so you can find everything you need just 2 roads away.
Hotels	No spotter hotels around, but plenty in Forlì City/area.
Season	Summer has more charter flights, but for spotting every season is good. Be aware of fog from October to February.
Security	Authorities do not like seeing spotters at spot 1, they are annoyed especially if you show up with a ladder, otherwise you are fine. Remember: in Italy planespotting is something strange and hard to understand.
Runway Usage
General Info	Usually runway 12 is the active one. There is no taxiway so backtracking for departure/after arrival is needed.

	Spot #1 – Via Fontanelle – Apron + 12/30 movements
WHERE	This spot is located on a right turn on Via Fontanelle after you pass the roundabout leading to the airport once coming from the north. From there curve here you will have the runway in front of you and the apron on your left. Park along the roadside where you find space easily.
WHAT	Here you will see apron movements and some aircraft parking near the road. You will also see aircraft either taxiing to the runway for backtrack or taxiing to the apron after arrival. This can also be an alternative for spot 4 for runway movements. You can make nice shots with Bertinoro city on the background.
TIME	From late afternoon to sunset: summer spot only or on cloudy days. Don’t come to early as heat haze is an issue.
MISC.	Ladder needed, 3 steps are enough, but you can try to shot through the mesh.
FOCAL LENGTH	50-200mm 130mm = A320

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	Spot #2 – Istituto Aeronautico Parking – 12 landings + 30 departures
WHERE	This spot is located in the parking lot of the Istituto Tecnico Aeronautico, located in Via Fontanell.
WHAT	Actually all 12/30 movements, but landings on runway 12 and 30 rotations are best. You can shoot backtrack taxi, take off and rotation.
TIME	Only in the early morning till around 10.
MISC.	3 step ladder is needed here. Don’t stay in the parking too long, just go for your pic and leave.
FOCAL LENGTH	70-300mm 150 = A320

FRL - Spot 2

	Spot #3 – Via Cerchia North – 12/30 Movements
WHERE	Proceed after spot 1 to the end of the road all along the runway. From there turn left and you will find Via Cerchia. This road becomes a bicycle lane. When you set your navigator to Via Cerchia be sure to check if it is in the correct side of the airport, as the road is interrupted by the bicycle lane but keeps the same name. You will find parking opportunities at the beginning of the track..
WHAT	Actually all 12/30 movements, but landings on runway 12 in the morning are best and 30 movements plus 12 backtracks in the late evening. For sky shots, stay to the left near the fence to have more space with the trees on the right.
TIME	Either early morning or late evening.
MISC.	Nothing around, nothing needed.
FOCAL LENGTH	70-300mm 120mm = A320

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	Spot #4 – Via Cerchia South – 12 movements
WHERE	When you are heading to the airport from SS727bis (Viale della Costituzione) avoid the airport exit and take the one after. From there turn right and after 100mt you will find Via Cerchia on the right. This is a road that finish into the runway and becomes a bicycle lane.  When you set your navigator to Via Cerchia be sure to check if it is in the correct side of the airport, as the road is interrupted by the bicycle lane but keeps the same name. You can park everywhere roadside, no car traffic here excepts spotters and a couple of habitants.
WHAT	All runway 12 movements and backtracks for departure, line-up, arrivals.
TIME	Arrivals are good from morning till late afternoon, departures are also fine later on due to the turn. Follow the sun rotation by walking into the bicycle lane, where you have space from the asphalt and the fence to stay with the ladder.
MISC.	For landings stay wherever you want on the street. For take offs a 3 step ladder is mandatory. Otherwise try to shot through the mesh. We never had issues with security here.
FOCAL LENGTH	70-300mm 150mm = A320

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	Spot #5 – Viale Bidente – 30 Arrivals
WHERE	This is spot is simply all along Viale Bidente. Take Softair Forlì as reference for parking your car and then move along the street (careful as there are some crazy drivers).
WHAT	Landings on RWY30, move from side to side if morning or afternoon.
TIME	Actually all day as you can move along the road with the sun.
MISC.	Nothing around. No exact spot, search your favourite angle and a position with a clear sight between the trees.
FOCAL LENGTH	150-400mm

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