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August 19, 2020Nörvenich Air Base – Spotting Guide
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- last modified on July 27, 2022
Nörvenich Air Base (QOE/ETNN) is a German Air Force Base located at around 45 minutes drive from Cologne Airport. The base was initally build for the Royal Air Force because of the “Cold War” and constructions were finished in 1954. These days the the “Fliegerhorst” hosts 34 Eurofigther Typhoons from the “31 Squadron” which flies from Monday to Friday. A busy and interesting base to stop by.
Due to the renovation of the Büchel Air Base until 2026, the “Taktischen Luftwaffengeschwader 33” and moved their base to Nörvenich so you will see the Panavia Torando IDS too.
Written by Jeremy Denton, LaMa Aviation, Robin Bamps, Aurelius Pressler, Thomas Schneider & Tom Wittevrongel. Last update June 2022.
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| Airport Information | |
| Runway | |
| 07/25 | 2,439m (8,048ft) – Asphalt |
| Spotting Information | |
| Ladder | Use of a ladder is tolerated and only needed at #4. |
| Car/Public Transport | Car is mandatory. |
| Restrooms | Not available. Bring with you what you need. |
| Drinks/Food | Not available. Bring with you what you need. |
| Hotels | Available at Düren or Köln city. |
| Season | Summer in order to avoid bad weather however be aware of heat haze. |
| Runway Usage | |
| 07/25 | Nothing special depending on the wind direction. |
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Spot #1 – The House – 25 Arrivals |
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| WHERE | On the highway 61 take the exit 22 “Gymnich”. At the roundabout take on your left cross the bridge above the highway. Pass the city of Gymnich by staying on L495 for a good 5 minutes. Then turn left and park your car along this road but do not block the road. Then walk until the spot location after the house on the field. |
| WHAT | Arrivals rwy25 are perfect otherwise take-off rwy07 can be a bit too high. |
| TIME | Summer: Best from 0800 until 1630. Winter: Sunrise until sunset. |
| MISC. | Please make sure to not leave any trash in the farmer field which allows your presence. Also nothing nearby so bring with you what you need. No shadow. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | FA16 & Typhoon = 400mm / GLF5 = 220mm & B707 200mm (depending where you stand in the photography zone) |
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Spot #2 – The Forest/Curch – 07 Arrivals + 25 Departures |
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| WHERE | Opposite from spot 1. Drive back on the L495 road pass the villages “Oberbolheim” & “Nörvenich” until you reached the road 477. Take a right turn and take the fourth way on your right side where you will notice kind of a forest area. Park your car along this road but do not block the road. |
| WHAT | Arrivals rwy07 (point A) and departures rwy25 (point B). For latter follow the small road by foot (closed for traffic) for 250 meters eastwards until the nearby TACAN/church. |
| TIME | Summer: Best from 0800 until 1630. Winter: Sunrise until sunset. |
| MISC. | Please make sure to not leave any. Also nothing nearby so bring with you what you need. Shadows available. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | Typhoons = 270mm |
Point A, 07 arrivals
Point B, 25 departures
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Spot #3 – The Field – 07 Arrivals + 25 heavy Departures |
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| WHERE | Alternative from spot 2 if there’s no rooms available. Go back on road 477 direction south and take the first path on your right hand side. Continue inside those fields take a right turn again and park your car along this path around the intersection. Be aware as those tiny roads are used by heavy machinery like lorrys, trucks and agricultural vehicles. |
| WHAT | Arrivals rwy07 or heavy departures rwy25. |
| TIME | Summer: Best from 0800 until 1630. Winter: Sunrise until sunset. |
| MISC. | Please make sure to not leave any trash in the farmer field which allows your presence. Also nothing nearby so bring with you what you need. No shadow. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 70-500mm |
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Spot #4 – K54 – Line-ups/departures rwy25 |
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| WHERE | From spot 1, walk towards the runway onto the road K54. Choose the spot you want. There are still a few open spaces between the bushes, but for an unobstructed view a 4-step or 5-step ladder is required. |
| WHAT | Line-ups/departures rwy25. |
| TIME | Best from early morning until ~12:00. |
| MISC. | A 4-step or 5-step ladder is required. Also nothing nearby so bring with you what you need. No shadow. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 200-300mm |
The Tornados from Büchel have been moved to Nörvenich. They fly their missions from there.
Depending on the source, this transfer is said to last 1 or 2 years. Because of work on the runway in Büchel.
Good to know. Left a note in the guide.
-Julian
Small remark, it is stated that ladder are not allowed around Norvenich! But it is tolerated in most cases specially at Spot #4
Okay thanks for the advise.
-Julian