Spotting Tips: Skiathos Alexandros Papadiamantis (JSI/LGSK)
Caution: Based on data and experiences of Summer 2006
Introduction
Skiathos might be a small island,
but its airport, LGSK/JSI, named after
local writer Alexandros Papadiamandis
is well wort a visit, mainly because
of the low approaches and the thrilling
spot directly behind the treshold.
JSI is a small airport, capable only of
handling 3 aircraft at the same time.
Another limiting factor is the extremely
short runway.
JSI is located just east of the pretty Skiathos
town and can well be reached on
foot. It’s about a 15min walk along the
cost from town to the main spotting area,
10mins more to the terminal.
The town’s bus stop is also on the eastern
end, close to the airport. From here,
buses run regularily to the holiday areas
and beaches in the south of the island.
I recommend renting a bicycle (4-8 Euro
per day if I recall correctly) which allows
you to head to the terminal or into town
to buy some refreshments.
Caution: I was chased by a group of
rather aggressive stray dogs on the
way from Spot 1 to the Terminal. This
was only the case early in the morning,
when there was no traffic on the
road and I was about the only person
around. However, they were too slow
for me on my bicycle, so renting one
sounds like a safe idea :) Good luck!
Procedures
Most of the time, Rwy02 is in use. However, during calm winds, it may occur that some landings take place on Rwy20, which is shorter for all the charters arriving from the north.
However, even in this case the spots at the southern end (spot 1-3) work fine, as the aircraft will taxi all the way down after landing to turn around.
Traffic
Well, Skiathos isn’t Heathrow, and you
should definitely take a good book with
you.
Friday is the best day with by far the
most movements, virtually all of them
english charters. In July 2006 I had:
9x Excel, 6x First Choice, 2x Monarch
2x Astreus, 2x Air One. Most are
A320/B737, but also some 757.
Monday has mainly scandinavian traffic, but far less movements than Friday.
Some Novair and SAS can be seen.
Wednesday has some UK charters, but
not really a lot.
Tuesday as well as Saturday see a nice
mix of european traffic, but by far not as
busy as Friday.
Flightstats.com might be a good option to check for flights before you go.
Here's all traffic from Friday, July 28, 2006 (departure times, all other types were A320/B737)
| Airline | Callsign | Destination | Time | Type |
| Lithuanian | 4526 | MXP via Araxos | 09:55 | |
| Air Italy | 229 | MXP via Kos | 10:30 | |
| Air One | 8220 | FCO via Kos | 10:50 | |
| Astreus | 476 | MAN | 11:15 | |
| Air Malta | 4509 | BHX via Kavala | 12:10 | |
| Astreus | 322 | LGW | 12:30 | B757 |
| Excel | 5079 | LGW via Lemnos | 13:05 | |
| First Choice | 4525 | LGW via Thessaloniki | 13:30 | B757 |
| Excel | 2007 | MAN via Volos | 14:00 | |
| Excel | 963 | EMA via Kavala | 14:25 | |
| First Choice | 2515 | MAN via Thessaloniki | 15:00 | |
| Excel | 6047 | BRS via Kavala | 15:30 | |
| Excel | 4151 | NCL via Kavala | 15:55 | |
| Excel | 2409 | MAN | 16:20 | B757 |
| First Choice | 4525 | LGW | 16:30 | |
| Excel | 5273 | LGW | 17:30 | |
| Excel | 5285 | LGW via Volos | 17:40 | |
| Excel | 5273 | LGW | 17:45 | |
| First Choice | 2515 | MAN | 18:00 | |
| First Choice | 4553 | LGW | 18:35 | |
| Monarch | 1579 | LGW | 19:00 | B757 |
| Monarch | 1275 | MAN | 20:40 | B757 |
| Air One | 8525 | FCO | 21:00 | |
| First Choice | 4553 | LGW | 21:35 | |
ATC-Frequencies
| Macedonia Radar | 135.25 |
| DEL/GND/TWR/APP | 126.05 |
Spotting Points
Location 1: Threshold Rwy02
For sure the most impressive spot. A
small road runs close behind the treshold
of Rwy02. The fence is only chest-high,
so you don’t need a ladder. Impressive
for backtracks and takeoffs, but also for
the low landings.
Caution: The jet blast is VERY strong,
be sure to have your bags out of reach!
If you don’t like your current haircut, go
ahead, but be warned, it’s hot, sandy and
windy, but quite a thrill to stand behind
an MD-80 applying Takeoff-thrust.
There’s also a small, pebbly beach just
behind the runway.
Getting there: A 15min walk from downtown along the (empty) main road hugging the coast
Equipment: Taverna/Café nearby, beach and a small harbour
Zoom: 18-55 is enough for backtracking and landing aircraft
Time: All day
Perspectives: Aircraft approaching *very* low, aircraft backtracking before departure
Example shots:
Approach Rwy02 |
Backtracking |
This is it! |
Feeling the power! |
Location 2: The trailer
On the eastern side of the beginning of Rwy02, an
abandoned truck trailer is parked beside
the road. Nobody cared when I climbed
up there, you get nice shots of arriving
aircraft with the town in the background. Touchdowns on Rwy02 can be shot as well, as can be backtracks (but here spot 1's probably more impressive)
Getting there:2min walk from spot 1. Follow the road leading along the runway on the right
Equipment:same as spot 1
Zoom: 200-400mm
Time: First half of the day
Perspectives: Approach and touchdown Rwy02
Example shots:
Approach Rwy02 |
Takeoff Rwy17 |
Location 3: Long term car park
Just south of the terminal is a big, paved
parking area. It is slightly elevated, allowing
you to see over the fence onto the
runway, or to have a look at the tarmac through the fence.
Getting there: 10min walk along the road on the left of the runway from Spot 1, 3min walk from the Terminal
Equipment: Terminal with shops and toilets is 3min away
Zoom: 100-300mm
Time: Second half of the day
Perspectives: Aircraft touching down, runway-movements
Example shots:
Landing Rwy02, morning |
On the runway |
On the tarmac |
Location 4: Terminal Caféteria
There is a caféteria on the second floor of the terminal. Offers good apron views, altough through (quity dirty and slightly tinted) windows.
Caféteria can be seen in the top right corner |
Location 5: Xanemos Beach
On the northern side, this sandy beach
is a nice place to stay. You can try to
shoot aircraft from down there, or climb
up one of the hills it is framed by for
fantastic views. Access via the road east
of the airport, 3 daily busses should run
from town, too. Small café at the beach. I haven't been there so I can't tell you more...
Examples:
Approaching over the beach
View from the top of the hill
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