Rancagua - De la Independencia

1Road to the aero club

The airfield offers some good views on the ramps, but is difficult for relaxed viewing and photography. From the small road to the aero club, taxiing traffic can be viewed from really close distance. Normally, a guard will stop traffic, which is virtually non-existent. The guard will be in the way most of the time, but you might want to hazard a quick snap shot. If you dare to stop for a while on the taxi track, you can look straight onto the ramp. Beware that the tower is straight in front of you. Continuing on this road is also possible, it offers views of the runway and the new hangars from the east, so only good in the morning.

2Aero club parking lot

After crossing the taxi track, you can enter the aero club parking lot on the left. You can read off the fixed wing fleet from here. If you walk past the left hand side hangars there is a small niche from were you can look in front of the maintenance and small helicopter hangars. You are in full view of everybody on the ramps, and the guy in the control tower probably wonders why you walked into that corner, but for a short stop this is ideal.

3East side ramp view

From spot 1 and 2 you can only clearly see the western part of the base. For the east ramp you have to go back to the main road, drive past the preserved aircraft and take the first street right. After a short while you will see the rotor heads above the wall. Because this is a residential area, a lot of people are out and about. There is an open patch with a playing field and some benches. Stand on the bench or a convenient pile of sand to gain enough height to read off the serial numbers of the aircraft.

4West side runway view

While driving from the roundabout towards Rancagua you are actually driving along the runway but that is obscured by bushes and a dyke. Just past the new hangars, there is a crash gate. You will be halfway down the runway, but the view is a bit obscured and the gate might be guarded.

5Northern approach

The northern approach crosses the main road. It is very hard to get a decent view because the houses block your view to the North. The landing aircraft will only be visible for a short moment before they disappear behind the trees. The southern approach can not be reached at this moment because of construction work on a new residential area.