ICAO Code SPVR/
Last Validated
City Vitor
Position 16°25'47"S 71°50'17"W
Runway(s) 03/21
Elevation 5138 ft

General

Vitor is an air base in southern Peru, in the Arequipa region. It houses a squadron of Mi-25 combat helicopters.

Beware, plane spotting is neither understood nor appreciated in Peru.

Layout

Although housing a helicopter unit, Vitor has an impressive 3 km runway and a taxiway to the west of it. Like most facilities, the helicopter aprons can be found on the north-west side of the base. Like most airfields in Peru, Vitor is fenced-off by a wall.

Getting There

From Arequipa, just follow the Panamericana Sur highway (S1). After about 45 km, you will arrive at the large Panamericana junction, where you can go north and south on the Panamericana Sur. The right exit is going north, to La Joya village and Vitor air base. About 5 km from the junction, you will arrive at Cruce La Joya (La Joya junction), named after the railroad crossing the Panamericana. About 3 km further, you will find a gas station on your right. Turn right here, the village of Vitor is a 7 km drive from here. The air base is clearly visible to your left just before you reach the village. Simply follow the road rounding the north side of the base. Beware, the base is not located in the beautiful Valle de Vitor (Vitor valley, named after the river with the same name) but near Vitor village.

Around the Airport

1Main apron - west side

The first spot is the only spot from where you have good views on the main apron. As the helicopters are parked facing the runway, you will have a tail view from this spot. No problem whatsoever, as the Hinds carry their serials large on top of their stub wings, allowing for reading from a considerable distance. Driving counter-clockwise around the air base, after passing the main gate, you will see the base housing area on your left, which is fenced off by a wall. Past the housing area, the road makes two curves and after a few hundred meters the wall ends. From here, you will have an undisturbed view on the main apron. This spot is not suitable for photography and best late in the afternoon for a hit-and-run, to avoid mid-day heat weaves.

2Approach 21 - north east side

In case you encounter flying activities, spot 2 may be of use. North of the road that borders the base perimeter, some farm land can be found. At the main gate, make a sharp turn to the right, and head back to the east. Take the first dirt road on your right, which leads back to Vitor village. Find yourself a good spot along this road, well out of sight of the watch towers. The best time of the day will be in the early morning.

3Approach 03 - south east side

Another spot to try is spot 3, provided that the Hinds are flying. Not a good spot to stay around for too long, as you are clearly visible. Good views can be had of aircraft on finals for 03. Photography here is best in the early morning.

Frequencies

No frequencies are known for this airfield.

Based Operators

Grupo Aéreo 2Mi-25

Preserved

?C-47, hulk only, in use as instructional aid near gate

Other Airfields

Arequipa - Rodríguez Ballón Intl
Cuzco - Ten. Alejandro Velasco Astete Intl
La Joya - Mariano Melgar  
Lima - Callao/Jorge Chavez Intl  
Lima - Las Palmas  
Moquegua - Cesar Torke Podesta  
Pisco Intl  
Puerto Maldonado - Padre Aldamiz  
Vitor  

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