Here’s a list of my 5 favourite runways.

Long Alongo

This small grass runway is positioned right next to a fast running river. It is approachable from either side, but you will need to do a tight left hand turn on short finals to touch down in the correct area. I normally only use the one runway direction unless the winds are more than 10 kts on the tail.

In the rainy season I approach this runway with caution as it can get quite slippery. If it has just rained or it is busy raining I just turn around and head back home. The flight is only 30 min.

Ibu Bulan, the local agent is a lovely lady who has invited me into her home on a few occasions. The village is about 5 min motorbike ride down a gravel road. It is a small place full of dogs and slightly rundown.

A few numbers:

Runway – 18/36
Length – 400 m
Elevation – 1220 ft

Watch the video HERE

Long Alongo

Long Suleh

On top of a hill in the middle of the jungle, Long Suleh is again one of the more picturesque strips I have been to.

It is lined by pineapple plants and is slightly up-slope. It can get a bit slippery after a rain, but is generally quite tame. Every now I get a gift of pineapples:)

The village it services is down in the valley below along the banks of the river. The people make the trek up the hill when they hear the plane overhead so there is always a bit of a delay here. But it is one of the things I like about the schedule, if you can finish the flights for the day that is what counts.

A few numbers:

Runway – 02/20 (I think)
Length – 500 m (roughly)
Elevation – 2000 ft
Slope – 5%

Watch the video HERE

Long Suleh

Beoga

This is an interesting runway to say the least. I never actually got to land here, but it still makes the list. It is about a 12% upslope, one way in, one way out. It is asphalt as you can see by the picture below. The runway is in a valley and can get covered in fog really quickly. Especially in the early mornings. But the cool air of this high elevation strip is magical in hot, humid Indonesia. It is located in West Papua.

A few numbers:

Runway – 16/34
Length – 566m
Elevation – 5600ft
Slope – 12%

Watch the video HERE

Beoga

Tello Runway

Tello Runway is located in the Tello Island chain. It is in a beautiful location surrounded by crystal clear turquosie water, many islands and great surf. The runway is not that challenging but it is all about the views for this one.

It is a asphault strip and approachable from both directions. The approach from both directions is over the water with runway 18 following the palm lined coast line. It is hard not to get distracted.

Once on the ground the beach is just down the road and inviting you for a dip in the ocean.

We use the C208B to fly into this strip and mainly do Surf Charters for the various lodges around.

A few numbers:

Runway – 06/24
Length – 1400 m
Elevation – 26 ft

Watch the video HERE

Tello Runway

Long Pujungan

Another challenging one. This runway is one way in and one way out, like most of the PC6 strips. It has an approach hugging the terrain, crossing a river and touch down point just as you cross that river. The runway itself is asphault-ish with a slight left dogleg, making it one of the more challenging runways I have landed at.

It can get really hot here and it is always a good idea to check the performance numbers.

We mainly take locals and cargo into this strip as it is not that accesable by land. MAF also operate into here with the Quest Kodiak and the C206.

A few numbers:

Runway – 02/20 (I think)
Length – 450 m (Roughly)
Elevation – 750 ft

Watch the video HERE or HERE

Long Pujungan