Khabarovsk Novy Airport
| Continent: Asia | Country: Russia |
| Khabarovsk Novy Airport | |
| Location | Khabarovsk, Russia |
| IATA code | KHV |
| ICAO code | UHHH |
| Airport type | Commercial |
| Website | [htttp://www.airkhv.ru htttp://www.airkhv.ru] |
| Overview map | Google Maps |
| Communications | |
| Tower | 119.3 |
| Ground | 118.9 |
| Clearance | 119.3 |
| Approach | 125.2 |
| Departure | 125.2 |
| ATIS | 124.875 |
Khabarovsk Novy International Airport is one of the largest airports in Russian Far East. There is no base carrier since Dalavia went bankrupt in 2008. Airport has two parallel runways: 05L/23R (3500 m) and 05R/23L (4000 m). 05R/23L is used in about 75% of time. There is also Local Airlines airport (UHHT) about 1 km from Novy but due to extremely low traffic (only couple flights a day) it is not very interesting for spotting. But some locations from there will be mentioned as well.
Official Spotting Locations
Unfortunately, there are no official spotting locations in the airport.
Memorials in Local Airlines airport
However, if you go to Local Airlines airport, there are Mi-1 and An-2 standing as a memorials. You can take pictures of these aircrafts in any way you like. There is a night illumination on this memorials.
Other Spotting Locations
Domestic passenger terminal
If you go to domestic terminal, there is a good view of the apron from the 2nd floor. However, there are few problems here. First of all, glass in windows is old and dirty. Then there are "Photography prohibited" signs everywhere. Remember: there are no laws in Russia that prohibit taking pictures of aircrafts or in airports. However, airport security and police quite like to argue about that. So if you don't want to be arrested, don't stay there for a long time. Or at least don't hold the camera permanently. This location is good if you want to take photos of planes that standing on the apron and don't bother very much about quality (or you are master of Photoshop). Windows are facing east so best lighting there is on the afternoon.
Small hill in front of VIP lounge
VIP lounge is located in the right wing of the domestic terminal, so you can get there very easy. View from this spot is partially the same you can get in the terminal, but there are no glass (obviously). There is a fence in front of the hill, but you will need to raise the camera only slightly to compensate that. Aircrafts taxiing via TWY A will be right in front of you. But since this TWY used almost only when RWY 05 in operation, do not expect very much traffic there. You also can take a shot of Dalavia Tu-154s standing in the pocket of TWY A from this location. Security also might be a problem. You will be clearly visible from the apron and therefore you almost certainly will attract airport security. Summarizing, this spot is good for taking pictures of aircrafts on the apron, not recommended for a long stay. Lighting conditions are the same as in the terminal.
Road from the side of RWY 05
Main place to spot when RWY 05 in operation. It is a car interchange there, so place won't be a problem since you stand on the side of the road. This place is suitable to take pictures all the day, but recommended also for afternoon shots. To take photos in the morning you can walk a little bit further (basically, pass a railway crossing), but it will be a slightly less comfortable because cars will pass near you at high speeds and there is no border between pedestrian walkway and road. Security isn't a problem there, nobody cares what you are doing since you don't get in the cars way. In this location you will get nice pictures of landing aircrafts. You can also take pictures of aircrafts departing from RWY 23 but it will require a good amount of millimeters in your lens. You can get to this place by car or on public transport (bus route 35, trolley route 1; if you want to shoot at the morning, you can use bus 55 as it go almost to the place you will need).
Road from the side of RWY 23
Main spotting place due to amount of time RWY 23 is in operation. You will need to stay where the main asphalt road intersects with secondary soil road that goes parallel to the runway. Aircrafts landing on RWY 23 will be at extremely low altitude, you can shoot them even with 50mm lens. You can stay on the soil road (where virtually no traffic at all) or move a little bit further from glidepath and stay on the back side of the road (again, cars will bass you by at high speeds) or even in the field (not always possible due to mud and water). Place is good before midday, but afternoon photography also possible. But there is a police post right under the glidepath. If you stay from the left side of a glidepath, they don't see you thanks to the trees. If you move so to be comfortable with afternoon light they will be able to see you and might argue about photographing. Getting to this place is a problem if you don't have a car. The further you can get is the stop of bus route 80, but you still will need to walk a couple of kilometers.