SMV-SPOT1
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January 2, 2019Engadin Airport Samedan/St. Moritz – Spotting Guide
- last modified on January 16, 2024
Engadin Airport (IATA: SMV, ICAO: LSZS), also known as Samedan Airport, is a small regional airport in the Engadin valley of Switzerland 5km from St-Moritz. The airport has one runway and since 2019 it is equipped with an GNSS IFR process (GPS based IFR approach). On top of that, it is the highest airport in Europe (with Courchevel, France being the highest for STOL aircraft only). It is also considered as one of the most challenging airport in the world because of its difficult topography, winds and the thinness of the air at its altitude. You can reach the airport by foot from Samedan train station (10 minutes walk) or by car.
In Summer, the airport is mainly used by general aviation traffic, flight schools and gliders.
In Winter, from end of November until end of February the airport is at his busiest traffic mostly concentrated on business jets up to a BBJ1/2 or ACJ 318/319/320 as well as helicopters including Swiss Air Force.
Some dates to look at for interesting movements are: 22.12 / 23.12 / 26.12 / 27.12 / 02.01 / 03.01 + White Turf (usually 3 weekends in February) or Crypto currency meeting in January.
The timetable can be found here
A radio scanner can be very helpful as they have to report “Maloja” (6 miles to touch down rwy03) or “Zernez” (6 miles to touch down rwy21), frequency is 135.325 (TWR).
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 : Engadin Airport
IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO FOLLOW EXACTLY THE RULES THAT ARE WRITTEN IN THE GUIDE & ON THE MAP IN ORDER TO AVOID ANY ISSUES WITH THE AIRPORT. WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR UNDERSTANDING.
Written by Dominik Kauer, Jeremy Denton, Patrick Weis, Timo Breidenstein & Tim Herdzina. Last change: December 2023 (Spot 10 added)
| Rating | |
| Movements |  |
| Airline Variety | |
| Photo Locations |  |
| Weather | |
| Airport Information | |
| Runways | |
| 03/21 | 1,800m (5,905ft) Asphalt |
| Spotting Information | |
| Ladder | Not needed as there is no fence around the field. |
| Car/Public Transport | Depending from where you come but car is necessary and you can park in the airport parking for free. Other wise you can also take the train and walk to the airport approx 10 minutes. Other wise, keep in mind that 90% of the spots especially morning spots are only possible by foot in the snow. |
| Restrooms | In the terminal side there are free toilets. Otherwise none. |
| Drinks/Food | In the terminal other wise bring what you need. |
| Hotels | Many hostels and hotels in the area. We can recommend you the “Hostle Inn Lodge” very cheep around CHF 60.- per night. |
| Season | We suggest December until March pick season time. |
| Runway Usage | |
| 03/21 | Nothing special, depending on the wind. Eastern arrivals prefer 21 if possible. Mainly 03 in use. |
Terminal - Ramp and runway
| WHERE | Directly at the entrance of Samedan Airport, C building, you can’t miss it, small airport only one entry.
First: You need to pass the exam (only available in GERMAN) by clicking here. Second: Once you passed the test, you will need to set up an appointment by sending an e-mail to the airport info@engadin-airport.ch in order to organise a “Ramp Test” with a professional person named as a “Spotter Guides”. (sometimes it’s hard to find a date because there aren’t many local “Spotter Guides”, keep this in mind that you might not be able to go). It’s a one time introduction. He will show you around the apron, where it’s ok to take pictures etc. You need to proof, that you are able to be alone on the apron. Third : It is required to repeat the Online Briefing once every year. Last but not least : It is absolutely not necessary to be on the apron to take great pictures ! |
| WHAT | You will get access to the ramp after you have passed the test. Runway can be photographed too. |
| TIME | All day depending on the angle of the aircraft. |
| MISC. | Follow the rules and everything will be great. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 10-400mm depending on what you want. P180 at 100mm, G-EGVO at 190mm, F2TH at 105mm, GLEX at 15mm |
Airport Parking - taxiway and runway
| WHERE | If you don’t have access to the ramp you can stand on the parking lot of the airport. Two places to take the displayed pictures:
A) Place yourself along the railing in front of the restaurant intersection. |
| WHAT | A) Aircraft taxiing in after landing, aircraft taxiing out for departure, aircraft on apron, departing helicopters. B) Aircraft taxiing in after landing, aircraft taxiing out for departure, aircraft on apron, departing helicopters and airplanes. REGA and Heli Bernina parked, and during takeoff / landing. |
| TIME | From afternoon until sunset. |
| MISC. | The restaurant is a good and cheap place to eat or just warm up after a few hours in the cold, there are toilets which can be used, please don’t access through the restaurant, just before the restaurant starts turn left and a few meters later to the right side. Take care of convoys in- and outbound the apron ! Walk to the barrier, take your shot and leave the barrier as soon as possible. If you are told to leave the barrier please do it ! |
| FOCAL LENGTH | A) 18-400mm, everything can be useful, GLEX at 56mm, GLF6 at 180mm, CL35 at 100mm. B) 18-400mm, everything can be useful. F900 at 160mm, A139 at 80mm, R66 at 155mm. |
Walking Path - 03 arrivals & departures (afternoon)
| WHERE | This spot is located along the slope – 5-10 minutes away of the car park – to get there you have to follow the road starting at the car park, pass the playground and walk until you find a position that satisfies you. |
| WHAT | Airplanes and helicopters approaching and landing on runway 03. |
| TIME | From sunrise until late noon. |
| MISC. | Take care of skiiers and apply above written rules. Nothing here. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 80-400mm or more, everything can be useful, depending on what you want. For a nice mountain backdrop you need at least 200mm. |
Slope - 03 arrivals & departures (morning)
| WHERE | This spot is located along the slope – 20-30 minutes away of the car park – to get there you have to follow the road starting at the car park, pass the playground and walk until you reach the slope at the end of the runway. Now you have to walk a few hundred meters alongside the slope.
Important : walk along the path / foot steps and NOT on the slope ! Skiers don’t like it if you destroy the slope. Keep in mind, the snow can reach heights of up to 1 meter or more. Your shoes should fit the circumstances and be waterproof. |
| WHAT | Airplanes and helicopters approaching and landing on runway 03 or slowing down on runway 21 departures of airplanes on runway 03, airplanes on taxiway. |
| TIME | From sunrise until late noon. |
| MISC. | Take care of skiers and apply above written rules. Nothing here. Don’t leave trash here. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 80-400mm or more, everything can be useful, depending on what you want. B737 at 85mm, A139 at 230mm, PC-12 at 220mm. |
Walking Path - 21 arrivals and departures, 03 departures
| WHERE | Once you exit the airport parking, take the small path on your right and drive on it until you reach the end of the runway 21. |
| WHAT | Arrivals & Departures rwy 21 as well as rwy 03. |
| TIME | From afternoon until sunset. |
| MISC. | You can take the car and drive to the restaurant or go back to the airport in order to take what you need. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 18-300mm |
River Bank - 21 arrivals
| WHERE | Once you exit the airport parking, take the small path on your right and drive on it until you reach the end of the runway 21. Pass the spot 5, you will see a small bridge. Cross it and park your car on the car park next to the restaurant. |
| WHAT | Arrivals rwy 21 & Departures rwy 03 (front view). |
| TIME | From sunrise until late noon. |
| MISC. | Everything you need. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 18-300mm |
Runway view:
Arrivals view:
Walking Path - 03 and 21 departures
| WHERE | Exit the airport parking and walk in direction of the heli pads. At the heli pads turn right and walk along the road and place you somewhere along the runway.
Important : There are red lights mounted on the fence of the heli pad indicating if a helicopter will take-off or land. |
| WHAT | Departures Runway 03 & 21. |
| TIME | From afternoon until sunset. |
| MISC. | Take what you need before coming at this spot. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 50-300mm |
Bridge- 21 arrivals and departures
| WHERE | Located on the east side of the airport next to the forest and river. Please drive to the “Restaurant 21” and park there. Then walk for about 10-15minutes by following the small path trough the forest. Once you have crossed the bridge you have reached the location. |
| WHAT | Arrivals & Departures rwy21 |
| TIME | From sunrise until late noon. |
| MISC. | Take care of skiiers and apply above written rules. Nothing here. Don’t leave trash here. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 50-300mm |
Waste facility - 03 arrivals
| WHERE | From the airport drive back to the main road “Cho d’Punt”, pass the ALDI shop and simple continue drive this road until the end. Stop the car on the sides of the main road before the waste facility. |
| WHAT | Arrivals rwy03 |
| TIME | From sunrise until late noon. |
| MISC. | Nothing nearby, just keep your car away from the main road to avoid any issues with the truck drivers. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | F900 = 120mm |
Muottas Muragl - Airport overview
| WHERE | This location is not easy to reach as it is on the top of the “Muottas Muragl” mountain. You have to take the ropeway from valley station “Muragl” to reach the top. The station is easily reachable by car and train from the airport and city center. Once on the top exit the building and turn left. Now you can use the walking path to reach spot A, which is just a 2-3 minutes walk from the station, or further up to point B which takes a bit longer. If you plan a visit in the winter, keep in mind there might the deep snow and walking to the second point can be stressful. And don`t underestimate the chance of a snow slide. Visit this spots at your own risk during the winter! |
| WHAT | From point A you see only the left part of the runway. The other point B provides a beautiful sight of the whole airport. All movements can be seen but keep the huge distance in mind! |
| TIME | From sunrise until late noon. Better to visit this place in the winter. In summer it can be hazy due to the distance (not tested by us). |
| MISC. | Please check the official website for timetable and ticket price. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | At least 700mm with cropping. For a plane full in frame around 1200mm |
Spot 10A
Spot 10B
Does someone already had an official airside test with the Airport Authority guide? I tried to contact them during 2 winters and they only said to me they will not give fix dates. As I live in southern Germany simply going to the airport would take me around 5hrs with car and a sleepover.
Thats a bit to much for a simple passing by. How have you done that?
Hello Stefan,
Yes I did have an official airside test with one of those “Spotter Guides”.
These guys are not airport employees. They are external people who have been granted the authorisation to operate at SMV and test us on airside. They are no locals, they also have to drive between 2 to 3 hours therefore they show up as per there schedule and weather condition.
As the weather in SMV is extremely unpredictable it’s always on a last minute basis 1 to 2 days before the decision is taken or even the very early morning. However, as per my experience you have to try and hopefully one of them will be here the day that you are. That’s what happened with me. I also have to drive 4h45 to go up there as I leave on the Swiss French part.
Also, as mentioned on the guide, it is not necessary to be on the apron to make awesome pictures many spots are around.
All the best and good luck,
Regards,
Jeremy Denton