ETNN-SPOT1
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August 19, 2020Nörvenich Air Base – Spotting Guide
- last modified on May 26, 2026
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 change: August 2024 – Spot 4 updated
| Rating | |
| Movements |  |
| Photo Locations |  |
| Weather | |
| 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 recommended but you can reach the Spots 2 and 3 by public transport from Düren HBF /Central Station with the BUS SB 8 from Platfrom E every full hour to Nörvenich “Alter Bahnhof”. The Central Bus station (ZOB) at Düren is about 5 min from the HBF on left hand. |
| Drinks/Food | There is a NETTO supermarket and bakery in the village of Nörvenich. |
| 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. |
 |
Spot #1 – The House – 25 Arrivals |
|---|---|
| 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) |
 |
Spot #2 – The Curch – 25 Departures |
|---|---|
| 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. From there follow the small road by foot (closed for traffic) for 250 meters eastwards until the nearby TACAN/church.
By public transport: for the safest option exit at the bus stop in Nörvenich and continue eastwards. Then continue north as marked on the map, pass the tennis courts and use the tunnel below the main road. Turn right at the purification plant. Continue all the way up on the farm road until the TACAN/church. |
| WHAT | Departures rwy25 only. |
| 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 |
 |
Spot #3 – The Field – 07 Arrivals + 25 heavy Departures |
|---|---|
| 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.
By public transport: for the safest option exit at the bus stop in Nörvenich and continue eastwards. Then continue north as marked on the map, pass the tennis courts and use the tunnel below the main road. Turn right at the purification plant. After you have passed a farm turn left, cross the main road B477 and continue all the way to spot 1. You are on farm roads only and there should be almost no traffic. |
| 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 |
 |
Spot #4 – K54 – Line-ups/departures rwy25 |
|---|---|
| WHERE | From spot 1, walk towards the runway onto the road K54. Choose the spot you want. There is also a parking option in the north of the spots (see map) |
| WHAT | Line-ups/departures rwy25. |
| TIME | Best from early morning until ~12:00. |
| MISC. | A 4-step or 5-step ladder is required definitely now as a new big fence was built now. Do NOT place the ladder directly at the fence and stay away a couple of meters. Security is very strictly and will call the police. Nothing nearby so bring with you what you need. No shade. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 200-300mm |
Does somebody know if there is traffic on Thursday 18. June?
I planned to visit then, but need 3 hours for approaching
Where is the RTH helicopter station at Nörvenich (ETNN) field?
Hello Anita in the southeastern shelter area. Not visible from outside. They usualy do one training mission at least a day mo-fr.
Where can You park Your car near spotting area 4 ?
There are markers on the map. It’s not allowed to drive on all farm tracks thats why you have to walk a bit.
-Julian
Excuse me, I plan to go planespotting here in august this year, I am wondering when does the training start and end, how does the fence at point 4 look like right now and what is the law for solo demo training, is it usually appear in the end of a month or something, thanks!
Hi Sam,
The aircraft usually depart in the morning and again in the afternoon, but there isn’t a strict time-schedule. They only fly on working days, not during the weekend.
Regarding the fence at Spot 4: you can see through it, but if you want to take photos, I recommend bringing a small step or ladder. Please be careful: it’s not allowed to touch the fence or place your step/ladder directly against it. (pls also read the discription).
As for solo demo training, there isn’t a fixed pattern. It can take place at different times, please check the website of the German Airforce.
Regards,
ViggenThunder
The Duty Officer was outside and informed us, that from now on Ladders are strictly forbidden (Spot 4) whether it is half of your body, just your had or even a Camera, looking over the fence is prohibited. If they catch you not following these „rules“ they will inform the police and file charges.
Hi Justus, I changed the description. Actually we have rough days with the drone movements in Europe so they are more strict I guess.
-Julian
Kann man bei spott 4 auch ohne eine leiter, durch den zaun photographieren?
As far as we know, the fence is accompanied by a sort of metall-net making shots thru the mesh impossible.
to they fly at nörvenich in the weekend?
No. SA-SO
FR 09:00Uhr-12:00Uhr
they build a new fence at spot 4 so now a ladder is needed there for clean shots
Thanks, added.
At Nörvenich air base I mean.
Good morning, will there be daytime flying on Thursday, April 27?