Santiago - A.M.Benitez Intl (Pudahuel)
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ICAO Code | SCEL/SCL |
Last Validated | Mar 2010 |
City | Santiago |
Position | 33°23'35"S 070°47'09"W |
Runway(s) | 17/35 |
Elevation | 1555 ft |
General
The international airport of Santiago handles all intercontinental traffic. Also, the Fuerza Aerea de Chile has a large presence with two Grupos belonging to the second air brigade being based here. Obviously, LAN Chile is omnipresent but also some other carriers, most of their first generation B737s are stored here as well. Lastly, the civil aviation authority (DGAC) keeps its fleet here.
Spotting is not frowned upon in Chile; on the contrary, it can be done relatively open and free. There is a local spotting community too and they are usually well informed.
Layout
The airport has two parallel North-South runways. These are connected by two taxi tracks, the Southern one runs past the terminal. Between the taxi tracks, adjacent to the tower, there is some further ramp space lined with small hangars, the DGAC hangar and ramp is there too. North of the second connecting taxi track, the FACh area can be found. This is an L-shaped ramp, most of which is used during the bi-annual FIDAE aviation trade show, the largest of its kind in South-America.
Getting There
The airport is well signposted from Santiago's excellent highway system. Entry to the airport is free, but leaving the terrain you will have to pay a flat fee. Early 2010 this was about 1/2 euro, so not exactly a show stopper. For the eastern spots, it is easier to use an earlier exit, refer to spot 4.
There are plans, and some work is already under way, to connect the perimeter road to the main road, in the north east corner of the airfield.
Around the Airport

Sweetest spot of SCEL must be spot 4, excellent photography conditions in the morning light here! (Spot 4, March 2010, Erwin van Dijkman)

The approach to 17L is not bad in the afternoon either... (Spot 5, March 2010, Erwin van Dijkman)
Frequencies
121.700 | Clearance Delivery |
121.950 / 122.200 | Ground |
118.100 | Tower |
121.100 / 128.100 | Approach |
128.300 | Approach |
121.100 / 122.400 | Santiago Control |
123.800 / 129.700 | Santiago Control |
121.500 / 127.000 | Santiago Radio |
127.500 | Santiago Radio |
132.100 | ATIS |
Based Operators
Civil Operators | |
Aerocardal | Bo105LS-A3, Ce421, Ce550, Do228, EC135, G-150, PA-31-325/31T |
Íbero Chilena de Aviación Ltda. | OA-10A |
LAN Airlines S.A. | A318/319/320, A340, B767 |
LAN Cargo S.A. | B767-316F, B777-F6N |
PAL Airlines (Aerolinea Principal) | B737-200 |
Sky Airline | B737 |
Gvmt / Military Operators | |
Dirección General de Aeronáutica Civil (DGAC) | Beech B200, Ce550, Ce650, PA-28-236, PA-34T |
Grupo de Aviación Nº9 | Bell 206B, BK117B2, UH-1H, Mi-17 (o/o), S-70A-39 |
Grupo de Aviación Nº10 | B707 Aguila, C-130B/H, B737-330QC KC-135E, G-IV |
Escuadrilla de Alarma Temprana | B707 Cóndor |
Escuadrilla Presidencial | Beech B200, B737-58N, B767-3Y0R, G-IV |
Servicio Aerofotogramétrico (SAF) | Beech A100, DHC-6-100, Lj35A |
Preserved
'960' | C-47 (fake s/n, ex LAN) |
More Info
SCEL website | Official website which has some useful interactive maps. |
Order of Battle Chile
Chile - Air Force |
Chile - Army |
Chile - Navy |
Chile - Military Police |
Chile - Police |
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Santiago - A.M.Benitez Intl (Pudahuel) | |
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