Cherbourg Airport - Spotting Guide

Cherbourg Airport – Spotting Guide

November 23, 2020 - last modified on November 19, 2023

Cherbourg Maupertus Airport (CER/LFRC) is a little airport in the normandy, which is located along the northern atlantic coast of France. There is absolutely not a lot of traffic at CER except some charters in the summer and some military (mostly navy) movements as it was used to be a base for the french’s navy NH90 (33F squadron). So as you see, most interesting traffic is military here and that is also the main attraction as CER is great on the D-Day “anniversaries” (6th of June, 1944). During big anniversaries there are many military planes based here for historical flights and special formations. Thus you can see various foreign transport aircraft and especially the US are always here with a lot of stuff.

The airport was originally opened in 1939 after two years of construction as a military airfield and was obviously occupied by the Germans during WW2. Afterwards the US forces used it as a base till December 1944 once they closed it down and gave it over to the French. A civil terminal was only built in 1967, but has no real usage nowadays as the last scheudeled civil service was dropped in 2008.

Written by Severin Hackenberger in cooperation with Maël Robin. Last Update: Summer 2020

Rating
Movements
Photo Locations
Weather
Airport Information
Runways
10/28	2440m / 8005ft – Asphalt
Terminals
T1	One passenger terminal in the southwest, which was built back in the 1960s…
Spotting Information
Ladder	Needed at all spots around the airfield.
Car/Public Transport	Car is absolutely needed.
Restrooms	Nothing around.
Drinks/Food	During the d-day there are foodtrucks at the terminal, otherwise there is nothing at the airport.
Hotels	No spotter hotels around the airfield.
Season	Summer is definitely better regarding the weather and every 5 or 10 years to big D-Day anniversaries is the best season.
Security	This is still a military airfield although operation level is low and it seems chilled. Keep a low profile, adjust to the local and military rules so only display your ladder once needed, do not leave it up all the time! Rather always keep a safe distance to the fence and take your ID with you.
Runway Usage
General Info	Single runway operations and 28 is the main runway direction.

	Spot #1 – ATC Tower – Main apron + 10/28 movements
WHERE	Head towards the airport’s terminal northeast on “Rue Jean Mermoz” and keep left when reaching it. Make your way to the parking in front of the ATC tower then and park your car there. Last step is now, to search your favourite position along the fence between ATC tower and terminal, where you can walk around easily.

WHAT	The main ramp in front – during d-day mostly used by USAF VIP jets and DC3s, during normal times by GA, light/schooling/sports aircraft. In addition also the middle of the runway and thus both – 10 and 28 movements.

TIME	Ramp mostly: sunrise till late noon Runway: later morning till late afternoon

MISC.	The terminal is very close where you may find some restrooms of it is opened. Otherwise there are always foodtrucks around during the d-day events… Haze can be a problem on hot days on the runway.

FOCAL LENGTH	24-300mm – depending on whatever you wanna shoot

	Spot #2 – Parasuite hall – Main ramp
WHERE	Head towards the airport’s terminal northeast on “Rue Jean Mermoz” and park just in front of it on the right in a little side parking (see map/picture below). Then continune by foot towards the southeast, pass the Aero Club on your left and pass an “entrance only allowed for service cars” by foot. Make your way on this dirt road along the fence till you reach the parasuite facility on your left close to a sheep’s meadow. Search your favourite position along the fence there now…

WHAT	The main ramp in front – during d-day mostly used by USAF VIP jets and DC3s, during normal times by GA, light/schooling/sports aircraft.

TIME	Sunrise till late noon.

MISC.	Ladder needed, haze may be a problem. Nothing around. Keep preserved parking spaces free!

FOCAL LENGTH	70-300mm

	Spot #3 – Treshold 28 – 28 Arrivals + Line-Ups
WHERE	This spot can be found south of the village of La Rue on a little road with the same name. Leave the highway D612 at the southwestern entrance of the village to the south onto a bumpy road. It will lead you to the fence, where you can search your favourite position on a field along the fence.

WHAT	28 Arrivals + Line-Ups.

TIME	Arrivals: Only on early summer mornings or late summer evenings Line-Up: from sunrise till noon

MISC.	Ladder needed. Keep a low profile and behave appropiate as during d-days guards are around here and always look at you. Haze can be a problem on hot days.

FOCAL LENGTH	70-200mm C17 Arrival = 85mm

	Spot #4 – Alveole – Military ramp
WHERE	This spot is located southwest of the village of La Rue also on the little road named La Rue. Just leave the highway D612 in the village’s center to the southwest again onto a bumpy road. It will lead you to the fence, where you can search your favourite position all along the fence around the ramp. Parking is easy by the roadside.

WHAT	From here you have a nice view onto military heavies as their ramp is just in front.

TIME	You can drive all around here thus this spot is good during early morning or late evening hours in the summer.

MISC.	Ladder needed. Keep a low profile and behave appropiate as during d-days guards are around here and always look at you.

FOCAL LENGTH	24-100mm