Santa Lucia

1Main gate

Santa Lucia's main gate can be found along the route Tecámac de Felipe Villanueva - Los Reyes Acozac. Not too many military airfields feature their own overpass, but Santa Lucia does. The gateguards are positioned right behind the gate and are easily visible from outside. More aircraft are preserved on this huge base, but these are not all visible from outside.

2Approach 22 & eastern ramps

By far the best spot to practise your hobby is spot 2. From the main gate, turn left twice to Los Reyes Acozac. At the first intersection, turn left again so you are heading back towards the fence. After the right curve, just before the road crosses the railway, turn left again. At the end of this road is a school, where you can park your car. In the morning, before the heat waves, you will be able to read off the aircraft parked on the eastern ramps, which hold most fixed wing aircraft. If runway 22 is in use, walk a few meters towards the centre line of the runway and the light will be favourable for pictures till early in the afternoon.

3Western ramps

Coming from spot 2, cross the railway and keep following the railway and base perimeter wall, which will be on your left. About half way down the runway a dump can be found, from where you will be able to read off some of the helicopters parked on the huge western ramps. Visit this spot early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid heatwaves and rent a stepladder.

4Approach 04

If runway 04 is in use, you might want to try spot 4, although it will take you about 45mins to reach this spot from the main gate. Probably the best option is to continue along the northern base perimeter as the village of Xaltocán lacks a good road to the main road. Stop where the wall bends away. This spot is only good for photography late in the afternoon, but might be a good option for number crunchers all day long.