Perpignan - Rivesaltes (Llabanere)

1Maintenance ramp and approaches p.m.

Just opposite the ramp you can stop to have a look at the stored airliners. This is also the spot for afternoon approaches to runways 31 and 33, although they will come rather straight overhead here.

2Southwest aprons

Go back to the roundabout and take the first exit. Shortly after you can go right onto the airfield terrain. There is another entry a bit further down. You need both to reach all the hangars and see what is in between them.

3Runway 13/31

The first of several possible stops and vantage points on the west side is at a shallow left-hand side bend in road number D5G, halfway down the runway. It offers a good view of the small runway.

4Terminal parking lot

From the terminal parking lot you should be able to grasp anything taxiing out to runway 15.

5General aviation ramp

Go back onto the D5G and continue north. You can stop right next to the general aviation ramp.

6West side view runway 15/33

There is a slight bend left in the D5G. From the shoulder, you are very close to the perimeter and taxiway.

7Northwest side taxiway

Go a bit further north on D5G. Where it meets the D5, there is a crash gate. You are in a good position for a view of the taxiway. Watching all traffic on the main runway is also okay from here. Do not block it with your car; park your vehicle on the opposite side.

8Northwest side threshold runway 15

Continue to the small village of Peyrestortes on the D5. Go right just before the village, on the Rue de l'Europe. Go right again onto the D614. At the roundabout, take the small road before the first exit. Follow that to the fence. Alternatively, you can use the large car park nearby. Good for p.m. approaches and taxiing to the threshold of runway 15.

9Northwest side approach a.m.

Go back to the roundabout and take the first exit. Before the D614 climbs to turn over the D117, make a right into a small road. Some views are possible over the hedges.

10Runway 15/33 a.m.

From spot 10, continue on the small road. It runs straight to the D117, but bends away again to the airfield, only to bend away from the perimeter again. At that spot you are halfway down the runway, good for morning light.

11Southeast side approach a.m.

Spot 11 is difficult to find because it is between the railway and the highway. Best bet is to go back to the D614, cross the D117 and enter it southbound towards Perpignan. This will end at the roundabout mentioned at the start of this airfield guide. Cross the highway on the D117 but do not go onto the D900 but proceed a little bit and make a left onto the D88, Avenue du Languedoc. Go straight at the two roundabouts and after that, take a left into the Rue Léon Serpolet. This crosses both the D900 and A9 highway. On the other side go straight and left. Follow this small road all the way to the point at which the railway meets the A9. From the small farmland patch you are in line of the approach to runway 15, albeit a bit too much underneath it.