Cali - Marco Fidel Suárez

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ICAO Code SKGB/
Last Validated Aug 2011
City Santiago de Cali
Position 03°27'32"N 076°29'48"W
Runway(s) 06/24
Elevation 3165 ft

General

This old airfield first opened in 1933 as El Guabito (hence SKGB). In 1971, the military took over the operation entirely, when Cali's new international airport opened at Palmaseca. The base is named after Marco Fidel Suárez, the father of modern Colombian civil and military aviation. Today, its main inhabitant is the military aviation school.

Beware, aircraft spotting and photography are not generally understood as a hobby in Colombia.

Layout

The airfield has a single asphalt runway 06/24, with two parallel grass strips to its north side, which are used for glider operations. All facilities are located to the south of the runway. Although the airfield has a distinctive less fortified appearance than other Colombian military airfields, expect tight security measures. The area of the airfield is heavily patrolled and watch-towers are manned around the clock. A dense hedge acts as a wall to the south side of the airfield, with only limited options for aviation enthusiasts.

Getting There

The base located in the north eastern part of the city of Cali, well inside the ring road, just north of Carrera 8. There's a bus stop at the water attraction park Acuaparque de la Caña just west of the base. The part of town where the base is located is simply called La Base.

Around the Airport

1Approach 06 - south side & taxiway

The intersection of Carrera 8 and Calle 44N provides some views on the base, as the hedge is not full-grown here and some large gaps exist, although some of these have been covered. Anyway, just walking the sidewalk will reveal a quick view of the south side of the base. Three impounded aircraft in storage and some helicopters are visible from here, as is the taxiway. Watch-towers and patrolling police officers at the intersection will likely prevent you from taking pictures, but in theory this is possible.

2Approach 06 - west side & overview

Just east of the intersection described in spot 1, the bus stop for the Acuaparque de la Caña (a water attraction park) can be found. Sitting at the bus stop, the aircraft approaching runway 06 are easy to read. A footbridge across Carrera 8 provides elevated views of the west side of the base, but as could be expected, a vigilant police officer will prevent you from stopping on the bridge or taking your binoculars or camera at hand. Your next step is the best option to view flying activities at the base: go visit the water-park, one of the main recreation sites in Cali. The park is open all day and the entrance fee of $5 is definitely worth it. Many spots in the park give unhindered views of the approach and bringing a camera is not frowned upon. Expect your bags to be checked thoroughly though, so do not bring your binoculars! Photography is best in the late afternoon, but serials can be read all day. Above all, have fun and enjoy the views from the high water-slides!

3Approach 24 - south side

Approach 24 is not often used, but in case it is, spot 3 may be an option. The neighbourhood is not very safe and a watch tower is located nearby, but from Carrera 7C aircraft are visible and probably readable.

Frequencies

126.200Tower
119.100Cali Approach

Based Operators

Fuerza Aérea Colombiana
GRUCO 71AC-47T
AH-60L
Bell 212
IS-28B
L-23
PT-17
SA2-37B
SR-26
T-34/285
T-41D
T-90 Calima
U-6A
UH-60L
Comando de Aviación Naval
Grupo Aéronaval del Pacifico det.CN-235MPA

Preserved

FAC798AT-6D, gateguard, as "FAC796"
"FAC4477"Bell 205A-1, at parade-ground
"A-1"Caudron G3E2, at parade-ground (replica)
"FAC2171"OA-37B, at parade-ground
FAC2024Sabre 6, at parade-ground
FAC2301T-34B, at paradeground
FAC2406T-41D, at paradeground
FAC2429T-41D, at school playground
HK-1486Bell 47G-4A, stored next to main apron
HK-1828PCeTU206F, stored at south side
HK-2304PPA-34-200T, stored at south side
HK-2374XBell 206B-3, stored next to main apron
HK-2924PA-32-301T, stored at south side

Other Airfields

Apiay - Capitán Luis Fernando Gómez Niño  
Barranquilla - Ernesto Cortissoz  
Bogotá - El Dorado International
Cali - Alfonso Bonilla Aragón Intl  
Cali - Marco Fidel Suárez  
Cartagena - Rafael Núñez  
Guaymaral - Flaminio S. Camacho (Chía)
Leticia - Alfredo Vásquez Cobo  
Madrid - Mayor Justino Mariño  
Medellín - Olaya Herrera  
Rionegro - José María Córdova  
San José del Guaviare - Jorge E. González Torres  
Santa Marta - Base Antinarcóticos  
Santa Marta - Simón Bolívar
Villavicencio - Vanguardia

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