Londrina Jose Richa Airport Spotting Guide

Londrina Jose Richa Airport Spotting Guide

July 5, 2020 - last modified on June 3, 2020

The city of Londrina is located in the south of Brazil in the state of Paraná, being the largest non-capital city in that region with approximately 1 million inhabitants in its metropolitan region. The city is served by the airport named Governador Jose Richa, an important political figure in the region, (IATA: LDB, ICAO: SBLO), which has a single runway of 2100 meters.
The airport basically receives domestic flights mainly from São Paulo, Curitiba and other cities in the south of the country. In 2019 it had a movement of more than 1 million passengers and close to 10 thousand landings and takeoffs. The airlines that operate at the airport are Gol, LATAM and Azul. Furthermore the airport also records interesting movements of executive aircraft and aviation schools.

As a general rule you can photograph all along the southern perimeter fence along the Avenida Salgado Filho. With spots 2, 3 and 4 we have selected the most dominant positons in the area.

Written by Wilson Junior (local spotter). Last Update April 2020

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Airport Information
Runways
13/31	2100 mts (6.890ft)
Terminals	One terminal for all commercial passenger traffic
Spotting Information
Ladder	You will need a ladder at point 2, 3 an 4.
Car/Public Transport	It is recommend to have a vehicle to go to points as they are far from the terminal. Public transport is available bu difficult to use. It is possible to reach the places 1 and 2 by walking from the passenger terminal.
Restrooms	Only at the terminal you can find toilets.
Drinks/Food	Nothing available at the spots. Be prepared if you go to the locations.
Hotels	There is a hotel close by, the Aeropark hotel, where you can stay for a day of spotting, but there are no views of the runway or spotting practice.
Season	Practically all year long it is possible to photograph airplanes at Londrina airport, with position variations in relation to light and runway, the rainiest time is In the months of December and January
Security	We have no reports of problems with thefts or airport security, but we always advise prudence and preferably go to more than one person to the photo locations.
Runway Usage
13/31	The most used runway for landings is 13.

	Spot #1 – Meadow – 13 movements
WHERE	This spot is the most popular among spotters and it is located at runways 13 head, where most flights arrive. If coming from the terminal just get out and walk westwards, pass the airport hotel and turn two times left. Walk along the hangars until you reach a big meadow and find your prefered position.

WHAT	Great place to register 13 landings, since most happen on this track. For photos from inside the aerodrome, a small ladder is required. At the head there is a square that is very wide.

TIME	It is possible to photograph all day, as you can move around following the sunlight, having more light in the afternoon.

MISC.	It is a popular place for locals to watch the traffic on weekends. There are no bathrooms, bring what you need.

FOCAL LENGTH	70-300 mm – you’ll be relatively close to the planes, and can take close-up and taxi photos, so it depends a lot on what you’ll do.

	Spot #2 – Avenida Salgado Filho – 13 arrivals and departures, taxiway
WHERE	This place is at the beginning of Avenida Salgado Filho besides the touch down zone. It is not far from location 1 and still in walking distance from the terminal. By car you can park directly at this location.

WHAT	All runway 13 arrivals/departures as well as taxiway movements for 31 departure.

TIME	Best time is in the afternoon until sunset. There are no bathrooms, bring what you need.

MISC.	It is necessary to use a ladder, despite the fence, and you must be careful because the floor strip that allows you to open the ladder is very short and dangerous. There are no bathrooms and no shade here, bring whatever you need.

FOCAL LENGTH	From 70 to 300mm for Boeing 737 and A320.

	Spot #3 – Trio de Guerra – All movements
WHERE	Usually you can position yourself all along the fence between locations 2 and 3 and even till spot 4. Another good location is from spot #2 if you continue eastward for about 500 meters till the “Trio de Guerra” an installation of the Army. You will see a lay-by to your left where you can stay.

WHAT	You are in the middle of the runway and can photograph all movements from here. Even smaller aircraft departing on 31 are possible to catch.

TIME	Best time is in the afternoon.

MISC.	Ladder needed to clear the fence. The place is pretty quiet and safe so you shouldn`t be disturb. There are no bathrooms and no shade here, bring whatever you need.

FOCAL LENGTH	You can use here from 70 to 400mm, because you can take close-up pictures and also pictures of the aircraft very close when it passes by you.

	Spot #4 – Touch Down Zone – 31 arrivals and departures
WHERE	Drive another 500 meters from spot 3 along the Avenida Salgado Filho. The touch down spot is exactly on the opposite side of the taxiway end.

WHAT	Best option is to photograph the 31 arrivals and departures from here.

TIME	From afternoon until sunset.

MISC.	Once again you need a ladder to clear the fence. The place is pretty quiet and safe so you shouldn`t be disturb. There are no bathrooms and no shade here, bring whatever you need.

FOCAL LENGTH	100-300mm for A320, 737

	Spot #5 – ACEL Sport Complex
WHERE	Once again continue eastwards, pass the end of the runway and continue until you see a gate to a Sport area to your right. Park your car on the left on the huge grassy area and find your prefered postion on the field.

WHAT	From here you have many options. You can take pics of aircraft arriving on 31 or lining up on 31, as well as nice head on departures on 13.

TIME	All day long as you can move between the north and south easily.

MISC.	Pretty quiet place with nothing around it.

FOCAL LENGTH	Depends very much what you gonna take. From 50mm until 600mm.