Val d’Or Airport (YVO/CYVO) is a small regional airport located fairly in the south of Québec. The airport is served by various Canadian carriers like Air Creebec or Nolinor, connecting the surrounding outskirts of Canada to major cities like Montréal. Plus there are also services to some other small towns like Chisasibi and mines. From time to time YVO is also used by firefighting or military aircraft as base/destination.

Written by Tim-Patrick Müller. Last Update: 2023

Rating
Movements
Airline Variety
Photo Locations
Weather
Airport Information
Runways
18/36	3048m / 10000ft
Terminals
T1	There is one terminal facility in the west handling all operations.
Spotting Information
Ladder	A ladder or small 1-2 step is needed for spots 1,2 and 4 – so definitely recommended to bring one or hop on your car’s top from time to time.
Car/Public Transport	A car is definitely needed to get around YVO plus is a gut protection once the insects found out you are around!
Drinks/Food	There are some shops around the airport/in the “city”, but no facilities directly next to the spots.
Hotels	There is no real spotter hotel at YVO, but the city is so small that you will hear the planes from almost everywhere anyway…
Season	From March to September we highly recommend to bring insects repellent! Otherwise you gonna struggle a lot with stiches. From September to March there maybe will be less insects, but also less sun and more snow for sure! Our impression is that around May is the best time to visit YVO for spotting.
Security	Spotting is no issue at YVO generally, but do not hang at the fence for hours.
Runway Usage
General Info	During our visited we got the impression that 36 is the direction of favour, but aircraft may try to reduce taxi time as long as the wind allows usage in both directions.

	Spot #1 – Tower – Ramp + 18/36 Movements
WHERE	This spot is located directly in front of the ATC tower. Try to park on the terminal’s official parking and then walk up to the fence front here on the meadow surrounding the ATC tower.
WHAT	From here you can beautifully see onto the ramp in front plus the taxiway connecting ramp and runway as well as the runway itsself.
TIME	Runway: later noon till sunset. Taxiway/Ramp: later afternoon till sunset in summer only.
MISC.	Keep a low profile as you are on NAV Canada’s property here. Do not hang along the fence all the time. A small step is needed to clear the fence if you do not want to shoo thru the mesh. Haze can be an issue on hot days. The terminal with its facilities is just nearby.
FOCAL LENGTH	50-400mm Taxiway 732 = 120mm / Runway 732 = 300mm

YVO-Spot1

YVO-Spot1

YVO-Spot1

YVO-Spot1

YVO-Spot1

YVO-Spot1

YVO-Spot1

YVO-Spot1

	Spot #2 – Hélicoptéres Transit – Ramp
WHERE	Coming from the terminal on 7th Route, turn right/southeast onto Rue Saint-Exupéry which will lead you down a small hill to Hélicoptéres Transit. Park around/in front of that company and make your way to the fence behind the company/hangar. From there you can spot the ramp in front.
WHAT	This spot allows views onto the ramp only.
TIME	From later noon till sunset.
MISC.	Keep a low profile as you are on company property here. Do not hang along the fence all the time. A small step is needed to clear the fence if you do not want to shoo thru the mesh.
FOCAL LENGTH	50-250mm CL415 on ramp = 70mm

YVO-Spot2

YVO-Spot2

	Spot #3 – Parking lookout – 18/36 Movements
WHERE	Coming from the terminal on 7th Route, turnleft/northwest now onto a Rue Bombardier where you can directly turn off onto a small parking lot on your right. Towards the street you will find a small “lookout” offering nice views onto the arrival path (3A). To get close, better for ground photos, just cross the road and stay on the nearby meadow (3B). The position is elevated and clears the fence.
WHAT	From here you can spot 18 arrivals and turnbacks prior 18 departure. Low 36 departures and turnbacks after 36 arrival should also work.
TIME	Later noon till sunset.
MISC.	Nothing around except a parking lot and a big street. Be aware once big trucks pass on the street as they may disturb your view.
FOCAL LENGTH	100-400mm 732 arrival = 160mm

From the parking lookout

YVO-Spot3A

YVO-Spot3A

From the meadow:

YVO-3B

YVO-3B

YVO-3B

	Spot #4 – Rue de Concorde – 36 Arrivals + 18 Departures + Ramp
WHERE	Continuing down 7th Route towards the city, turn right onto Rue de Concorde just before passing the airport area. Drive down this road till you reach some hangars/companies and position yourself along the fence just on your right before the first buildings begin.
WHAT	This spot allows views onto 18 arrivals and turnbacks prior 18 departure. Low 36 departures and turnbacks after 36 arrival should also work.
TIME	Sunrise till early noon.
MISC.	Nothing around, keep a low profile as you are close to some company properties here. Haze can be an issue on hot days. Ground clutter may disturb your view.
FOCAL LENGTH	100-400mm Dash 8-300 = 220mm

YVO-Spot4

YVO-Spot4

YVO-Spot4