Decimomannu

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ICAO Code LIED/DCI
Last Validated 11-2010
City Decimomannu
Position 39°21'14"N 008°58'18"E
Runway(s) 17L/35R, 17R/35L
Elevation 100 ft

General

After World War II, many air forces in western Europe restarted training their pilots and needed a large airfield with vast airspace and free ground surfaces with year-round good weather. Eventually, Decimomannu airfield on Sardinia island was chosen. Decimomannu air base is the home of AWTI, the Air Weapons Training Installation, established in 1960 by NATO partners Italy, Germany, Great Britain and Canada. This ACMI (Air Combat Manoeuvring Instrumentation) range complex includes computer monitored airspace for dissimilar air combact training (DACT) and a manned, scorable bombing range, the Frasca Range. In 1970, Canada was replaced as a partner by the USA.

Well into the 21st century, the International Flight Training School, IFTS, is the main player at Deci with its fleet of 22 M346s, used extensively by the Italian and German air forces along with other customers. The base also still hosts deployments by forces utilising the favourable weather and facilities. Finally, three small helicopter units of the AMI and Guardia Costiera are based here.

Layout

The airport is located east of the SS196. The runway is almost north-south orientated, and all aprons are on the west side, between the Ss196 and the runway. The is a helicopter apron on the NW side and a large freighter apron on the SW side.

Getting There

The airbase is situated at North of Cagliari, between the villages of Decimomannu, Decimoputzu, San Sperate and Villasor. It can be reached from Cagliari via the SS130 which runs also along the airport. In Decimomannu, change to the SS196 towards Villasor and the airport will be at your right. The airport of Cagliari has many flights from mainland of Europe, operated by Ryanair, easyJet, Alitalia and Air Berlin. The other airport at Sardinia, Alghero is operated by Ryanair as well, but is 160 nm away from the base.

Around the Airport

1Runway 35, afternoon

Coming from the south, from Decimomannu, you take the SS130 followed by the SS196 towards Villasor. After crossing the river, take the next right at the large crossing. Take the second right and follow the road towards the river. At the next crossing, just before the river, take a left and drive along the river. Follow the road after it bends away from the river towards the fence and position yourself.

2Runway 35, morning

From spot 1, follow the dirt road along the fence towards the river. Now follow it along the river and take a good position, for instance at the river bank, staying clear of the trees.

3View onto the apron

From spot 3 you will have a good view onto the aprons. Follow the SS196 towards Villasor. In Villasor, take the SP7 towards San Sperate. At a crossroad, take the SP4 and follow it until there is a road to the right leading to the gate and look upon the apron.

4Runway 17

Landing shots can also be made at the north side of the airbase. Follow the SS196 towards Villasor. In Villasor, take the SP7 towards San Sperate. At a crossroad, take the SP4 towards the runway. At the fence, take a right and position yourself near the road.

5View onto Northerly Apron

For spot 5, you have to drive from Decomomannu onto the SS196 towards Villasor. After passing the main gate, take the first road to the right, along the fence. Follow it towards Villasor, but take the next right back to the airport. Along this road, you will have a view onto the apron. If you drive back, you will find a dirt road along a small stream which will go to spot 4. Here you will have a view onto the helicopter apron.

6Gate Guard

Along the SS196 is the main entrance to the Decimomannu air base. At the main entrance, at the parking before the gate, you will find a nicely preserved Starfighter. behind the gate, there are some gate guards such as a german F-104, a british Harrier and italian T-33 and MB-326.

7View onto South Apron

Another spot will give you a view onto the south apron, to make these last numbers. From the gate, spot 5, drive back to Decimomannu, take the second left and drive via dirt roads towards the fence.

The ranges around Deci are also used by the Israeli Air and Space Force, hence the arrival of this F16B in october 2010, shot on spot 1. Photo by Claudio Tramontin.

Moving around at spot 2, these kind of pictures are also possible. However do not stay at the fence for too long. Photo by Claudio Tramontin.

Frequencies

279.175Ground
122.100/140.400Tower
257.800/284.375Tower
118.750118.400/344.000Cagliari APP
389.225/362.300Cagliari APP

Based Operators

80° Centro SARHH-139
670ª Squadriglia CollegamentiHH-101
4ª Sezione Volo ElicotteriPH-139
IFTSM346

Preserved

MM6887/5-33/9-1F-104S-ASA-M, preserved at gate, spot 5.
MM54376/SST-5MB326E, preserved behind gate at spot 5.
MM51-17455/ SST-1T-33A, preserved behind gate at spot 5.
MM54193/SST-1MB326, preserved next to tower, visible from the east side.
MM80256/AWTIAB47J.3, preserved near helicopter apron, spot 4
25+14F-104G, preserved behind gate, spot 5.
XV758/RHarrier GR3, preserved behind gate, spot 5.

More Info

Decimomannu Websiteunofficial website about Decimomannu and the AWTI exercises.

Other Airfields

Aviano
Bergamo - Orio al Serio  
Bolzano
Bracciano  
Decimomannu
Frosinone (Girolamo Moscardini)  
Ghedi  
Latina  
Milano - Linate
Milano - Malpensa
Piacenza-San Damiano  
Pratica di Mare  
Roma - Ciampino (Giovanni Battista Pastine)  
Treviso - Istrana
Varese - Venegono (Arturo Ferrarin)  
Vergiate  
Viterbo  

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