Novosibirsk Tolmachevo Airport Spotting Guide

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Novosibirsk Tolmachevo Airport Spotting Guide

January 7, 2020 - last modified on August 5, 2020

Novosibirsk Tolmachevo Airport (OVB/UNNT) is the largest airport in Eastern part of Russia (behind Ural). UNNT/OVB is the airport with co-location of military and civilian aviation. It is S7 Airlines base, but the most interesting traffic includes russian/soviet-built planes and helicopters (RFF, NAVY, MIA and remains of civilian representatives). Another specialty is Cargo traffic (Cargolux, Lufthansa Cargo, Skygates, Aviastar-TU, etc.) which use UNNT for refueling. Because of military traffic in OVB, there are no specially organized official spotting points or terraces.

Novosibirsk Tolmachevo Airport was opened back in 1957 as a civilian airport, but has developed to an important position regarding political and transport strategy. Thus the airport is used by cargo, military and civilian aircraft together. All in all OVB/UNNT handles more than 6,5 million passenger and more than 30.000t freight a year.

Written by Aleksandr Listopad (local spotter). Last update Nov 2019.

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Airport Information
Runways
07/25	3600m x 60m
16/34	3600m x 45m
Terminals
Domestic terminal	Was opened in the 60s and significantly rebuilt in 2006 in order to be able for serving more passengers. The Domestic Terminal (which is the western one) is called as Terminal A.
International terminal	This terminal was just opened in 1997 and seriously reconstructed in 2015. The International Terminal (the eastern one) is called as Terminal B.
Spotting Information
Ladder	Needed for locations directly at the fence – always mentioned in the Misc. though. But definitely helpful to have one…
Car/Public Transport	Car is strongly recommended. Public transportation with good accessibility is only for the spot next to the terminal.
Restrooms	Only in the airport terminal.
Drinks/Food	Only in and a bit around the airport terminal.
Hotels	There are two Hotels near Airport Terminal: 1) Hotel “6-12-24” www.6-12-24.ru 2) Hotel “Skyport” www.skyport.su
Season	February/March is best for skyshots because the planes bottom is lighted by snow, which makes spotting magnificent, if the wheather is good. The summertime is recommended for all the points although some may be hazy. The climate in Siberia is harsh, especially during wintertime. So you should be dressed accordingly. For all the points: during summertime (April-October) beware of ticks (please google “siberian ticks” for more details). The tick-included medical insurance is strongly recommended as well as repellents use.
Security	Spotting is normally no problem at OVB/UNNT, but it may be possible that security/police passes and checks you. That’s why we recommend to keep a low profile in order to avoid inconviniences. We also recommend to have an ID with you in case you’re being checked. In case you use a ladder, we recommend to not show yourself very close to the fence or at least not for a long time. Rather always keep 5m safety distance, but using a ladder in general is not prohibited.
Runway Usage
07/25	Is the most used RWY in OVB. Direction can be various depending on wind and traffic directions. Both arrivals and departures.
16/34	Is very occasionally in use because of long taxi time. Most common reasons – reconstruction works on 07/25 or weather conditions (wind/fog). RWY16 is equipped with ILS CAT II and this is the best equipped RWY in OVB. Both arrivals and departures. But note that RWY 16/34 is not often in use.

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	Spot #1 – Terminal – Main ramp + TWY taxiing
WHERE	Best access is by car or public transportation – therefore go to the airport terminal and then position yourself east of the terminal next to it at the fence. The spot is pretty easy to find as it is located in a fencekink next to the right side of Terminal B.

WHAT	Ramp and Main TWY (~100 m).

TIME	Light is perfect all day in winter and in summer from late morning/midday till late afternoon/sunset – depending on angle of aircraft.

MISC.	Ladder is not needed, as there is a good visibility through the fence mesh. Food, drinks, restrooms are available in the Terminal. There might be a risk of issues with police or airport security, that’s why we recommend to keep a low profile and not show off your equipment all the time. Sometimes heat haze and disturbingly parked ground stuff/aircraft make spotting impossible here.

FOCAL LENGTH	18-150mm B747 right infront = 20mm / An24 = 70mm

	Spot #2 – Cargo – RWY25 departures
WHERE	This spot is located a bit to the west of the Cargo Terminal and best accessibility anytime is by car (or by public transportation: walk from “Pavino” bus or railway stations). Exit “Omskiy Trakt” to the north into an unnamed road where you can see a gas station close to “Pavino” bus stop. Follow this road till its curves right to the Cargo Terminal entrance. Leave car there, continue on foot.

WHAT	Take-offs from RWY25.

TIME	All day in winter. In summer later morning till late afternoon.

MISC.	Ladder is recommended if you stay close to the fence to be able to shoot over it. No food, drinks, restrooms are available. There might be a risk of issues with police or airport security.

FOCAL LENGTH	150-600mm B747 = 330mm

	Spot #3 – Cement Factory – TWY E taxiing
WHERE	To reach this spot leave “Omskiy Trakt” to the north into an unnamed road when you can see a gas station to the south close to “Pavino” bus stop. Follow this road till its curves right to the Cargo Terminal entrance. Leave car there, continue on foot. Another option – exit “Omskiy Trakt” near spot #4, drive back via the country road close to the fence. But beware of the road conditions to this point. Sometimes the way is destroyed by rains during Summertime or by snowfalls at Winter. Might be accessible by foot from “Sady” or “Pavino” stations, too, but it is a longer way.

WHAT	TWY E infront so aircraft taxiing to/from runway 16/34. But note that RWY 16/34 is not often in use.

TIME	All day in winter. In summer later morning till late afternoon.

MISC.	Ladder is required to overtake the concrete fence. No food, drinks, restrooms are available. There were some issues with police/airport security in the past (years ago), but now this is a rare event.

FOCAL LENGTH	24-100mm B767 = 28mm / E190 = 65mm

	Spot #4 – RWY07 inner marker – RWY07 arrivals
WHERE	This spot is located close to the glidepath of RWY07 (near inner RWY marker so the planes fly above you at ~60 m). It is easy to find as it is just next to a forest and also no exact position, rather the area around the glidepath – you can stand wherever you want to. Good accessibility anytime by car or public transportation, but then you’ve to continue by foot for more than 1km to the northwest from “Sady” railway station.

WHAT	RWY07 arrivals skyshots.

TIME	Excellent in February/March when the light conditions are the best for bright-bottom shots and light is good all the daytime in winter. This side is useable form late morning till late afternoon in summer, but you can also easily switch sides by foot once you have backlit here.

MISC.	Ladder is not needed. No food, drinks, restrooms are available. There were some issues with police/airport security in the past (years ago), but now this is a rare event. But this spot is also accessible by public transport although this takes quite long.

FOCAL LENGTH	50-200mm A321 = 120mm / B767 = 75mm

	Spot #5 – RWY34 – TWY E taxiing/RWY34 arrivals
WHERE	The spot can be found pretty easily as it is located right by the roadside and the fence at the southern end of runway 16/34. Best access is by car, but beware of the road conditions to this point. Sometimes the way is destroyed by rains during Summertime or by snowfalls at Winter. The spot might be accessible on foot from “Sady” railway station, too, but it is a long(er) way.

WHAT	Aircraft taxiing at taxiway E, Arrivals onto RWY34. But note that RWY 16/34 is not often in use.

TIME	From midday till sunset.

MISC.	Ladder is not needed but recommended to avoid the fence in the frame. However, you could use the concrete plates around here although they aren’t really high. No food, drinks, restrooms are available. There were some issues with police/airport security in the past (years ago), but now this is a rare event.

FOCAL LENGTH	20-200mm An24 = 60mm

	Spot #6 – RWY16 – RWY16 arrivals
WHERE	This spot is located almost at the northern end west of runway 16/34. To be honest, this spot is no exact location, rather the area along the fence as you can position yourself everwhere there. Best access is by car, but beware of the road conditions to this point. Sometimes the way is destroyed by rains during Summertime or by snowfalls at Winter.

WHAT	Touchdowns onto runway 16 as well as 34 takeoffs. But note that RWY 16/34 is not often in use.

TIME	Midday till sunset.

MISC.	Ladder is not needed but recommended to avoid the fence in the frame. No food, drinks, restrooms are available. There were some issues with police/airport security in the past (years ago), but now this is a rare event.

FOCAL LENGTH	70-300mm Tu204 = 135mm / A320 = 160mm

	Spot #7 – Alpes – RWY07 arrivals/RWY25 departures
WHERE	This spot is a row of higher mounds, which allow one to look over the fence. They can be found almost at the western end of runway 07/25 close to Pavino forest. The spot can be accessed with a car, but beware of the road conditions to this point. Sometimes the way is destroyed by rains during Summertime or by snowfalls at Winter.

WHAT	RWY07/25, TWY D.

TIME	The direction of view is counter to the Sun during the day, best light conditions are after 6 p.m. at Summer, of very early morning in June-July (before 7 a.m.). Not useable in winter though – except on grey days without backlit then.

MISC.	No food, drinks, restrooms are available. There were some issues with police/airport security in the past (years ago), but now this is a rare event.

FOCAL LENGTH	100-400mm B757 = 150mm / B737 = 165mm

	Spot #8 – Radar – RWY07/25 arrivals/departures
WHERE	This spot is very close to the radar of Novosibirsk airport right in the “middle” of runway 07/25. The spot is pretty easy to find as it is located in a fencekink on the opposite site of the terminals complex / hangar. Best access is by car, but beware of the road conditions to this point. Sometimes the way is destroyed by rains during Summertime or by snowfalls at Winter.

WHAT	RWY07/25, TWY C, Ramp.

TIME	The direction of view is counter to the Sun during the day, best light conditions are after 6 p.m. at Summer, of very early morning in June-July (before 7 a.m.). Not useable in winter though – except on grey days without backlit then.

MISC.	No food, drinks, restrooms are available. There were some issues with police/airport security in the past (years ago), but now this is a rare event. Ladder needed to be able to shot over the fence.

FOCAL LENGTH	70-200mm B737 = 130mm / B748 = 85mm

	Spot #9 – Hill – RWY25 arrivals/departures
WHERE	This location is the most used point because you can see the ramp and runway pretty well from here. It is a hill line behind the concrete fence/wall just north of the eastern end of runway 07/25. The spot can be accessed with a car, but beware of the road conditions to this point. Sometimes the way is destroyed by rains during Summertime or by snowfalls at Winter.

WHAT	RWY25 (and some 07 movements), TWY A, Ramp.

TIME	The direction of view is counter to the Sun during the day, best light conditions are after 6 p.m. at Summer, of very early morning in June-July (before 7 a.m.). Not useable in winter though – except on grey days without backlit then.

MISC.	Ladder is not necessary but recommended to overtake the fence. No food, drinks, restrooms are available. There were some issues with police/airport security in the past (years ago), but now this is a rare event.

FOCAL LENGTH	70-200 mm IL76 = 105mm / A320 = 140mm

	Spot #10 – RWY25 inner marker – RWY25 arrivals
WHERE	This spot is close to the glidepath of RWY25 (near inner RWY marker so the planes fly above you at ~60 m). It is easy to find and also no exact position, rather the area around the glidepath – you can stand wherever you want to, depending on your favourite angle. The spot can be accessed with a car from the eastern side (way marked on the map), but beware of the road conditions to this point. Sometimes the way is destroyed by rains during Summertime or by snowfalls at Winter. You can also reach this spot by foot from the South, if you use public transport and exit the train at “Ob station” and then walk as along the small streets marked on the map up north till the glidepath.

WHAT	RWY25 arrivals skyshots.

TIME	Excellent in February/March when the light conditions are the best for bright-bottom shots and light is good all the daytime in winter. This side is useable form late morning till late afternoon in summer, but you can also easily switch sides by foot once you have backlit here.

MISC.	No ladder needed. No food, drinks, restrooms are available. There were some issues with police/airport security in the past (years ago), but now this is a rare event.

FOCAL LENGTH	50-200mm A300 = 85mm / B772 = 65mm

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Clive Grant

3 years ago

Excellent guide Severin; I hope I can make use of it sometime!