XOG-SPOT1A
BA 115 Orange-Caritat – Spotting Guide
- last modified on April 15, 2024
The French Base Aérienne BA115 “Orange-Caritat” (ICAO: LFMO) is located in the south-east of France between Lyon and Marseille. The base used to be the only 1 squadron of Mirages 2000C/RDI & Mirages 2000B from the Escadron de chasse 2/5 îles-de-France. But since 2022 the M2000 squadron has been shut-down. The airbase was closed from June 2022 until early 2024 for constructions. The constructions were to prepare the field for a new Rafale squadron.
The new Rafale Squadron named “1/5 Vendée” will officially make their journey at Orange one week before the official ceremony on July 18th 2024.
It’s also home of a Fennec helicopter squadron, 5/67 Alpilles, flying everyday and shouldn’t be impacted by works.
Please note that security concerns are OK however do not take any pictures of the Air Base buildings and do not stay at the fence but 2 meters away.
Written by Jeremy Denton. Last update December 2021
| Rating | |
| Movements |  |
| Photo Locations |  |
| Weather | |
| Airport Information | |
| Runway | |
| 14/32 | 2,407m (7,897ft) – Concrete |
| Spotting Information | |
| Ladder | Ladder is mandatory at spot 1. |
| Car/Public Transport | Public transport is not available, we highly recommend you to use a car. |
| Restrooms | Not available at the locations. |
| Drinks/Food | Not available, please bring with you what you need. |
| Hotels | Available at 5km from the AFB in Orange City. |
| Season | Summer in order to avoid the bad weather however heat haze can be an issue. |
| Runway Usage | |
| 14/32 | Nothing special depending on the wind direction. |
 |
Spot #1 – Middle Runway (Morning Action both rwy) |
|---|---|
| WHERE | Exit Orange city by driving on D975 towards Camaret-sur-Aiugues until you reached the first roundabout. Take on D43 first exit on the right. Drive a few hundreds meters and take the second path on your right “Chemin de Ratvoux” until you reached the airport fences. Please park your car next to the road in order to avoid any issues. |
| WHAT | All actions both runways, 1B recommanded for take-off/rotations. Heat haze can be an issue during summer. |
| TIME | Summer: From sunrise until 11:30 Winter: not recommended only 1h. |
| MISC. | Ladder is mandatory but please keep your distances from the fences, see below picture. Nothing nearby so bring with you what you need. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 190mm : Mirages 2000 |
Spot 1A
Spot 1B
 |
Spot #2 – Line-up rwy14 (Morning) |
|---|---|
| WHERE | Exit Orange city by driving on D975 towards Camaret-sur-Aiugues until you reached the first roundabout. Take on D43 first exit on the right. Drive a few hundreds meters and take the first path on your right “Chemin de Grange Blanche” until you reached the airport fences take a left turn on stop at the line-up. Please park your car next to the road in order to avoid any issues. |
| WHAT | Arrivals/departures rwy14. |
| TIME | Summer: From sunrise until 11:30 Winter: not recommended only 1h. |
| MISC. | Nothing nearby so bring with you what you need. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 120mm Mirage 2000 |
 |
Spot #3 – Arrivals rwy14 (Afternoon) |
|---|---|
| WHERE | Exit Orange city by driving on D975 towards Camaret-sur-Aiugues. You should be able to see a small path just before the lights of rwy, take it on your right hand side and continue down the road Stop before going on “Chemin de Ratavoux” please refer to the map. |
| WHAT | Arrivals rwy14. |
| TIME | Summer: from 13:00 to sunset. Winter: from 12:00 to sunset. |
| MISC. | Nothing nearby so bring with you what you need. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 120mm-300mm Mirage 2000 depending angle wishes |
 |
Spot #4 – Arrivals rwy32 (Afternoon) |
|---|---|
| WHERE | From spot 1, drive back on the path and take on your right “Chemin d’Avignon” then continue straight on “chemin des Platriers” until you reached D43. From here take a right turn on D43 continue straight until you reached the center of the village and crossrards. Take the path on your right hand side “Chemin des Hautes Raiailles”. Continue straight until the end of the path. Once you reached the end, take a right turn continue straight until the fences. Park your car next to the road do not block it. At this location, it is important to stay well away from the fence otherwise you will attract base security very quickly as the spot is in close proximity to the QRA shelters. There is a big row of trees just to the right and out of shot of the image above and it’s worth staying to the south side of those trees. |
| WHAT | Arrivals rwy32 afternoon. |
| TIME | Summer: from 13:00 to sunset. Winter: from 12:00 to sunset. |
| MISC. | Nothing nearby so bring with you what you need. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 225mm-375mm depending angle |
I often stay about 30 mins south of Toulouse and have noticed quite often that there are (what I assume to be) low level training flights by Mirages and Rafales, would they be flying from Orange airport ? or is there somewhere closer ?
Is there any sie or anything that helps predict when they may fly over ?
Does anyone know the actual status of Orange. Are there flying activeties?
Hello Frankwin,
The next flying activities will take place in May with a Rafale squadron from Mont de Marsan (they will be based until the new Rafale based squadron will be based). I don’t have more info right now on that subject.
Then from July 18th 2024, a permanent squadron of Rafale will be based. They will host an official ceremony on that day. Their arrivals should be one week before the ceremony.
The Mirages are gone since 2 years.
The guide will be updated accordingly.
Best,
Jeremy
Dear Jeremy,
Thank you for the update. I will be there for my Summer holiday from 10th to 18th July. Hope to see some flying activities.
Dear Jeremy,
Thrust you keep well.
its a while ago since you posted above information. Can you confirm everything developed as stated. I leave home in about two weeks time for a visit to Orange, city and airfield.
Desr Jeremy,
Any update on the arrival of the home based squadron?
Hi, some mistakes in the description. It’s 2/5 Ile de France and not 2/4.
The squadron will be shut down in june 2022 and M2000 will leave the base forever. Then works will happen until 2023 or 2024 minimum where the new Rafale Squadron will arrive. So no aircrafts activities during 24 to 36 months.
It’s also home of a Fennec helicopter squadron, 5/67 Alpilles, flying everyday and shouldn’t be impacted by works.
Thanks
Hello Paul,
Thank you for the insights. The guide is now updated based on your comments.
Kind regards,
Jeremy
For spot 4 you need to make sure you keep well away from the fence otherwise you will attract base security very quickly as the spot is in close proximity to the QRA shelters.
There is a big row of trees just to the right and out of shot of the image above and it’s worth staying to the south side of those trees.
Hello Daen,
Thank you for your comment, the guide has been updated accordingly.
Kind regards,
Jeremy