Akeno

Layout

This is a compact helicopter base where nearly every part of the surface is either built on, or used for manoeuvring. On the runway and apron sides, the field is very open allowing for easy reading and photography. Tiny roads lead to the perimeter and you can literally stand in rotor downwash during the action. The remote apron is relatively new and primarily houses the flying school. The test squadron hangar is the southern one on the central area. Immediately south of the 'real' airfield is the coast guard base. Its helicopters use the official runways but hover-taxi to and from their apron, crossing overhead the public road.

Getting There

From Nagoya, road 23 follows the bay shore anti-clockwise and brings you very close to the field. A drive like that through urban and industrial areas will take quite long and the alternative is the Expressway that takes a wider turn around the bay, towards Ise. From Nagoya-Komaki to Ise the highway drive is about 140km and costs 3650 yen in toll for an average car (2006). From the interchange in Ise there are less than 10km left to Akeno. An alternative IC to leave the highway is south of the field, near Tamaru. The latter also leaves some 10km to the field but the route is a bit more complicated then.

Around the Airport

Based Operators

Preserved

Order of Battle Japan

Other Airfields