Sion Airport - Spotting Guide

Sion Airport – Spotting Guide

April 3, 2017 - last modified on September 26, 2021

Sion Airport (IATA: SIR, ICAO: LSGS), is located in the state of Valais near the most well-known ski resorts of Switzerland. The airport was mainly used by the Swiss Air Force but due to the coast reduction of the army, the Air Force has left the base at the end of 2017. Sion is now mostly if not exclusively used by civil and general aviation. Acting only as alternate airfield for the Swiss Air Force or special missions.The traffic is mainly concentrated on business jets and small props from a Pilatus PC12 up to a & BBJ2 or ACJ 320. The peak time is between the 15 December until end of March. Also note that TAG Aviation has a maintenance base therefore all along the year you can expect to see some GLEX, FA7X, GLF4, GLF5, GLF6, E35L etc.

It is very convenient to check the weather before going especially during Winter time. Therefore we recommand you to have a look at the following : Sion Airport Webcam

Written by Jeremy Denton & Neo-Falcon Photography (Last update September 2021)

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Weather
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Airport Information
Runways
07R/25L	2,000m (6,562ft) Asphalt
07L/25L	555m (1,820ft) Grass
Spotting Information
Ladder	Needed at a few positions.
Car/Public Transport	A car is necessary or with a bike.
Restrooms	Available only at some spots.
Drinks/Food	Available only at some spots.
Hotels	Few hotels could be found next to the airport or in the city.
Season	The best season is during winter time as you get some fantastic background shots with the snow on the mountain and the traffic is busier too. In Summer the weather will be better but the traffic is very poor.
Runway Usage
General Info	Runway 25 mostly used.

AIRPORT PUBLIC OBSERVATION DECK - SUMMER AFTERNOON RWY25

WHERE	Located directly at Sion Terminal. Easy to find it, follow the signs.

WHAT	Best for arrivals and departures runway 25 but also for F5 Tigers take-off runway 07.

TIME	Summer : after 15:00. Winter : backlight.

MISC.	Foods/drinks, toilets, everything you need.

FOCAL LENGTH	18mm to 300mm is enough.

RUNWAY 25 LIGHTS - MORNING ARRIVALS

WHERE	From the airport exit it until to reached the first roundabout then continue strait on the “Route de l’aéroport” and directly on the right theirs a small path. It’s at the end of the road. It’s a private road so leave your car at the entrance.

WHAT	Only arrivals runway 25.

TIME	Summer : sunrise until 14:00. Winter : all day.

MISC.	There’s nothing at this spot, so bring with you what you need or walk to the petrol station which is 8 minutes walk from here.

FOCAL LENGTH	18mm to 300mm is enough.

AIR GLACIERS - HELICOPTERS ALL DAY

WHERE	From spot 2, continue on the road then you will see Air Glaciers building on the right. Park your car at the free parking of Air Glaciers.

WHAT	Easy to get shots of their helicopters fleet as well as some from Heli Alps parked on the left side. Note that you can also make arrivals rwy25 from those spots as per the samples pictures.

TIME	All day.

MISC.	There’s nothing nearby this spot but you can drive to the petrol station which is not to far away.

FOCAL LENGTH	Helicopters parked: 18-100mm is enough. Arrivals rwy25: Hawker 800XP = 240mm / CJ2+ = 280mm / Phenom100 = 290mm

ROUTE DE NEDAZ - MORNING ARRIVALS RWY25

WHERE	From the Airport you will notice the name Nendaz which is a village south of the TWR. Just before starting your climb on the “Route de Nendaz”, you will notice a big building with big red letters “Château Constellation Vins”. Afterwards, follow the road until you reached on your right an Automobile Garage turn right and you arrived at destination.

WHAT	Only arrivals runway 25.

TIME	Winter : all day starts at 0940 but the best is after 1000. Summer : sunrise until 13:00.

MISC.	There’s nothing nearby this spot so bring with you what you need. Keep in mind during Winter this spot stays in the shadow all day.

FOCAL LENGTH	At least a 500mm. All below shots have been made at 500mm.

CAFE CHEZ-PIERRE OR LES ARTISANS - BETTER FOR AIRSHOWS

WHERE	Drive to Nendaz and you will see a coffee shop next to the road and same for Salins. From there you will have a great view but keep in mined that is pretty fare away so you should some with at least a 500mm.

WHAT	Arrivals rwy25, low-pass to get a nice overview of the landscape (mountain, snow, city, etc).

TIME	Winter : all day starts at 0940 but the best is after 1000. Summer : sunrise until 13:00.

MISC.	There’s nothing nearby this spot so bring with you what you need.

FOCAL LENGTH	At least a 500mm but bigger will be much better, around 600-800mm.

CONTROL TOWER - MAIN SPOTTING LOCATION RWY25 ACTION

WHERE	From the spot 3 Air Glaciers drive down the road until you see the control tower where you can park next to it on the public places.

WHAT	Arrivals and take-off runway 25. A ladder is recommended to avoid problems with the fence.

TIME	Winter : all day starts at 1015 until 1600. Summer : sunrise until 13:00.

MISC.	There’s a restaurant at 10 meters from the spot.

FOCAL LENGTH	18-500mm

TAG AVIATION - ARRIVALS/DEPARTURES RWY25

WHERE	From spot 6 drive back on the “Route les Ronquos”. After passing the road intersection turn immediately right on the small path until the end. Please try to park your car the best possible to avoid any issue on the road which is extremely not busy but in case.

WHAT	Arrivals & departures rwy25 can shot the rotation of the PC12, Phenom as well as some empty aircraft sometimes. A ladder is recommended to avoid problems with the fence.

TIME	Winter : all day starts at 1105. Summer : sunrise until 13:00.

MISC.	There’s nothing nearby this spot so bring with you what you need.

FOCAL LENGTH	70-400mm

PARKING PLACE - ARRIVALS/DEPARTURES RWY07 & DEPARTURES RWY25

WHERE	From the spot 6 drive back on the “Route les Ronquos”, pass TAG Aviation as well as the ranch then take the first on your right. Follow the road turn left then right and you arrived in the public parking.

WHAT	Arrivals rwy25 while aircraft are vacating via “Hotel” and “Sierra” possible as well as heavy rwy25 take-off bit still tricky. Otherwise arrivals/departures rwy07 rarely in use. A ladder is recommended to avoid problems with the fence.

TIME	Winter : all day starts at 1040. Summer : sunrise until 13:00.

MISC.	There’s nothing nearby this spot so bring with you what you need.

FOCAL LENGTH	Savannah = 480mm / C750 = 220mm / Bell407 = 210mm

CRASH GATE - LINE-UP RWY07 ALL DAY

WHERE	From the control tower drive completely down on “Route de Ronquoz” the road goes to runway 07. Then take on the right on the “Route des Aviateurs” and park the car at the end of the road.

WHAT	Landings runway 07 or departures 3/4 shots from runway 25 and taxiing to runway 07 or exiting runway.

TIME	Winter : all day starts at 1030. Summer : sunrise until 1500.

MISC.	There’s nothing nearby this spot so bring with you what you need.

FOCAL LENGTH	18mm to 500mm

RUNWAY 07 LIGHTS - END OF THE DAY TAKE-OFF RWY25

WHERE	From spot 9 go back to the main road and walk until the lights.

WHAT	Departures rwy25.

TIME	End of the day, after 1500

MISC.	There’s nothing nearby this spot so bring with you what you need.

FOCAL LENGTH	300-500mm

MILITARY RADAR - ARRIVALS/DEPARTURES BOTH RWYS AFTERNOON

WHERE	From spot 9, exit the path by taking on the right and before the train bridge, turn on the right on the small path until the end. The park the car on the grass on your right.

WHAT	Departures and arrivals both runways.

TIME	Summer : After 15:30 Winter : backlight.

MISC.	There’s nothing nearby this spot so bring with you what you need.

FOCAL LENGTH	50mm to 300mm.

CRÊTE DES MALADAIRES - ARRIVALS RWY07 OR HEAVY RWY25 TAKE-OFF

WHERE	From spot 11, exit the path until you reached the bridge again and pass under it now. You will have to take on the left on “Avenue Maurice-Troillet until the stop. Take on the right on “Avenue de la gare” until the roundabout where you have to take on the right. Follow the road “Route des Peupliers” for a few meters then take on the right to start climbing the mountain by following the track on the map.

WHAT	Arrivals runway 07 and departures runway 25.

TIME	Summer : After 15:30 Winter : backlight.

MISC.	There’s nothing nearby this spot so bring with you what you need.

FOCAL LENGTH	At least a 400mm but bigger will be much better.