SDU-Spot1
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January 26, 2016Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Spotting Guide
at - last modified on December 13, 2019
Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont (IATA: SDU, ICAO: SBRJ) is the 7th biggest airport of Brazil. In 2014, the airport welcomed 9.7 million passengers. The airport is nicely situated near the city centre of Rio de Janeiro and close to some of the tourist attractions and landmarks. From the south side of the airport you have a view of the spectacular Sugar Loaf and further away: Cristo Redentor.
The airport is dominated by four airlines: TAM, GOL Transportes Aereos, Azul and Avianca Brasil. The biggest aircraft you will see here is an Airbus A319 or a Boeing 737-800. Besides the commercial traffic you will see lots of private aircraft and occasionally some military aircraft.
You won’t have any problems here taking pictures. The police and security are used to people come and watch the aircraft.
Written by Bas Velders (last update January 2018)
| Rating | |
| Movements |  |
| Airline Variety |  |
| Photo Locations |  |
| Weather | |
| Visitor Rating How was your trip? Rate this airport! |  (2 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading... |
| Airport Information | |
| Runways | |
| 02R/20L | 1.320 m (4,331 ft) |
| 02L/20R | 1.260 m (4,134 ft) |
| Terminals | One Terminal for all flights |
| Spotting Information | |
| Ladder | Not needed. |
| Car/Public Transport | Car is not needed. Spots are within walking distance from the terminal |
| Restrooms | Inside theTerminal. |
| Drinks/Food | Inside the Terminal. |
| Hotels | Ibis and Novotell nearby (via the skybridge). |
| Season | No special season. |
| Runway Usage | |
| 02R/20L | Main runway. |
| 02L/20R | No Info (Rarely used). |
 | Spot #1 – Naval Academy |
|---|---|
| WHERE | +++ UPDATE January 2018: we can confirm that this location is history and is no longer accessable! +++ |
| WHAT | |
| TIME | |
| MISC. | |
| FOCAL LENGTH | |
 | Spot #2 – Av. Alm. Silvio de Noronha |
|---|---|
| WHERE | When coming from the terminal, go south towards Av. Alm. Silvio de Noronha. Just stay near the end of the fence at the checkpoint and you’ll be all right. There is a fence but you can easily put your camera in between the top of the mesh and the barbed wire or step on some stones next to the water where the fence is lower (see link below). |
| WHAT | All operations are visible from this spot. For 02R operations, this spot is ideal. When runway 20L is in use, the smaller arriving aircraft tend to leave the runway early. All the bigger aircraft will exit on the other end of the runway. |
| TIME | Light conditions are good in the afternoon and evening. |
| MISC. | There is nothing to eat, there is no restrooms and there is no shade! Spotters are a known sight here and you should have no trouble with the security guard. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 24-100mm |
Overview photo of the location.
 | Spot #3 – Terminal |
|---|---|
| WHERE | On the arrival side of the airport terminal there is a public area (landside) with a glass facade near the information counter. It is possible to take some pictures, however the view is partially obstructed by the gates. |
| WHAT | All operations are visible from this spot. |
| TIME | Light conditions are good in the afternoon and evening. |
| MISC. | Everything you need is in the terminal. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | Taxiing aircraft: 50-150mm. Aircraft on the runway: 200-300mm |
9 Comments
Bossa Nova Mall don’t have a good view to the terminal and app in 02 runway.
In the Spot 2 have a large fence and a checkpoint. Only authorized personel can pass the fence and checkpoint.
Hi all,
I am wondering what happended now – is spot 1/2 accessible again? Would be really sad, as it was in my opinion one of the best spots in Brazil. Some comment would be welcome
Best regards,
Olav
Hi Olav, we just received the info from local spotters that this location is history and no longer accessable. It is very very sad!
-Julian
I’ve been told that the Naval Academy spotpoint is closed forever. I don’t know if this is true, but if it really is, it’s really sad 🙁
Thats very sad to hear that this unique spot has been closed! Indeed not the best times for spotters 🙁
-Julian
Is spot #2 accessible or are you being stopped at the checkpoint on Av. Alm. Silvio de Noronha?
Are you still allowed to walk to the edge of the high fence?
Bas
Have been there again @ end of July 2016, military personnel told me that its not allowed to go behind their checkpoint. Another spotter told me that this is only for the duration of the Olympics. Hopefully it will be opened again after Rio 2016.
-Max
2 updates:
#1 Naval Academy is closed acess due the Olympics, but since a “spotter” literally laid down on the tarmac, lot of people have been told that this location will be closed for spotters forever since Police got this pic months ago.
But that wasn’t only bad news, now have a mall with rooftop acess (get zoom in the map and you will see Bossa Nova Mall), have panoramic views of the runway and probably a 300mm will be fit for this location. Just watch-out for mall hours, they use to close the mall before the sun goes down. Also have a hotel annexed to this mall, Prodigy Hotel Santos Dumont Airport.
Is spot 1 & 2 officially shut down by the authorities or can you still “try” it? Would be a shame if this unique location will be lost.
Do you have some pictures from the Mall for us?
Thanks
-Julian