Santa Clara - Abel Santamaria

1Civil terminal

The best way to start your spotting tour around Santa Clara is to visit the civil terminal. Not only provides it a good excuse to stay for a while, it is also known for its views of the civil apron and the military platform further down the runway. You will be able to read off some helicopters as well as fixed wing aircraft if parked outside. The brave will even try to make some pictures. If this does not satisfy you, try a sneak peek in the alert shelters right across the runway from the terminal. There’s a fair chance you can read off a couple of MiG-21s. In the early morning the sun is on your side.

2Approach runway 26

After leaving the terminal, keep right towards Santa Clara. The road runs right under the approach of runway 26. The dirt roads and shrubs on your left may give you an opportunity to stay a little longer and wait for air traffic to pass over your head. You would not need your binoculars to read off the registrations applied under the wings.

3Eastern shelter area

Your next chance is just a little further on the same road. Twelve shelters are dug half underground here, some no more than fifty meters from the road. This area is home to UM 3684, the Cuban Air Force helicopter regiment. You might be able to get a glimpse of a helicopter parked in front of its shelter or taking off from the area.

4Stadium

If you have time and decide to wait to watch some flying activity, you might feel more comfortable to stay a little further from the base. Spot 4 comes handy here, as there’s a small stadium under the approach, giving you a good reason to watch a game while waiting for what you are really after. A camera is probably less suspicious here as well. The spot also enables you to scramble to the more tricky spots 2 and 3 and the civil terminal to get a better view after your object of interest has landed.

5Approach runway 08

To reach spot 5, you will have to go back to the village of Santa Clara and take the road to Hatillo, as there are no roads just south of the base. From the road to Hatillo, there are not too many roads on your right, so the paved road that runs towards the base perimeter fence will not remain unnoticed. As this road leads to a crash gate it is not recommended to stay here longer than necessary. Instead, turn right after the s-curve onto the dirt road and try to read off the aircraft on approach to runway 08. Have your reason for being there ready in Spanish!