Chambéry Savoie Airport Spotting Guide

Chambéry Savoie Airport Spotting Guide

June 23, 2015 - last modified on November 19, 2023

A hot tip for skiers! There is a little city in the French Alps called Chambéry! And the starting point of those ski adventures in this beautiful landscape is mostly CMF Airport! CMF not only welcomes small bizjets but also biiig aircraft up to the medium-haul-sized Boeing B757-200. As already mentioned, there is also private and business traffic as well as a few helicopter movements. They usually take place as shuttles to the ski resorts. This airport is a perfect stopover on the road journey to Southern France or a lovely daytrip if you stay near Geneva and you have time to go there and make a stop for a few winter charters.

Chambéry Airport CMF / LFLB receives seasonal flights in winter, usually on Saturday and Sunday. The most interesting traffic at CMF is the Russian and English charter, mostly on the weekend days. Ifly, S7 Airlines, Monarch, Titan Airways and Thomson, are just a few of these operators which are to be encountered regularly here! Some interesting business jets are also sometimes coming along, ranging from Yakovlev 42, or Antonov 74 to the classy Legacy.

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 : Chambéry Airport

Written by Corentin Altherr, Jeremy Denton & Remo Garone (Last update January 2019)

Rating (for the winter season only)
Movements
Airline Variety
Photo Locations
Weather
Airport Information
Runways
18/36	2.020m (6.627ft) Asphalt
Terminals	One for all flights,
Spotting Information
Ladder	Highly recommended at most spots.
Car/Public Transport	Car isnecessary, no public transport to get around.
Restrooms	At the airport, or at some petrol station
Drinks/Food	At the airport, or at some petrol station
Hotels	Quality Hotel Le Cervolan Chambery Voglans (mentioned in the map)
Season	Busiest days are Saturday and Sunday during winter charter season.
Runway Usage
18/36	Used in all directions. Depends on the wind’s direction but is sometimes subject to air traffic contol’s ruling.

	Spot #1 – Playground
WHERE	Out to Aix-les-Bains or Chambery, follow the signs to the “airport”. On arriving, turn left at the terminal and follow the lane until the Rectimo hangars. There is a fence where you can shot from but a ladder is recommended!

WHAT	In the morning, taxi landings, rolling and back-track.

TIME	From early morning until around 12:00

MISC.	There is nothing nearby this spot here, bring with you, what you may need. However, some benches, shadow and playground for children can be seen on the overview picture.

FOCAL LENGTH	18-250mm

	Spot #2 – Lights 36
WHERE	From spot 1, take the small road bringing you across the field, then the first on the right “chemin de la Thiollière”, continue on this road (the name of the road changes to “Chemin des Bigornes” throughout the course of the road) until you arrived at the end of the runway. Park your car next to the street.

WHAT	Rolling, alignments and back-track for 757 on RWY36, ladder recommended

TIME	From 11:00 until 15:30

MISC.	Nothing there, bring with you what you need. As mentioned, it is recommendable that you bring a ladder with you.

FOCAL LENGTH	70-300mm

	Spot #3 – The Field
WHERE	From spot 2, take the small road “Chemin des Bigornes” until the village, then take the main road called “Route du Bourget” until the roundabout appears. Take on the right and park your car next to a building called INES.

WHAT	From here, you can photograph everything even with reasonable focal length. From both runway arrivals or departures

TIME	From 14:00 until 16:40-17:00

MISC.	Nothing there, bring with you what you need. A ladder is not mandatory, but it can be very helpful at this spot!

FOCAL LENGTH	70-300mm

	Spot #4 – Airport Bus Parking
WHERE	At the terminal located on the north side of the airport. Easy to find small airport.

WHAT	Only remote aircraft which are park. Can be very useful for night shots. Be aware that you spot through the fence.

TIME	From early morning until around 12:00

MISC.	You can find everything inside the terminal.

FOCAL LENGTH	18-200mm