The Paderborn/Lippstadt Airport (PAD/EDLP) is the 20th busiest airport in Germany and located 20km south-west of Paderborn (NRW). This small airport consists of a small terminal, a GAT, a few hangars and one runway (06/24). Paderborn is a typical „holiday airport“ people use to fly down south; for example to Mallorca or Antalya. There are regular charter flights in the summer connecting Paderborn to Kos and Heraklion as well for example. In addition, Lufthansa also offers connecting flights to Munich.

Despite of all these flights there’s not much traffic in Paderborn; only 694.000 passengers were counted 2019! At the moment (September 2020) there are just a very few airlines flying to (seasonal) destinations in Germany, Spain, Turkey, Egypt and Greece. Sometimes the Paderborn airport is visited by aircraft on behalf of the Royal Air Force, cargo or football charters. Luckily you can monitor the apron 24/7 via webcam, so you won’t miss any highlight (except maintenance guests as they are parking out of the camera’s sight) – the webcam can be found HERE.

For more information, you can use the WDR teletext, as well as the NRW-Aviation- Forum (https://www.nrwluftfahrt.de).

Written by Severin Hackenberger and the PAD-Spotter group: Matthias Buchheim, Moritz Klöckner, Tim-Patrick Müller and Hendrik Schmitz. Last Update: November 2020

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Airport Information
Runways
06/24	2.180m Asphalt
Terminals	One for all passenger (and military) flights
Spotting Information
Ladder	We recommend a small ladder step for the fence options (spot #4b and #6b). Ladders are forbidden at spot #3 and #5, NEVER use one there. Also, please always just use a small ladder step at the airport fence as the authorities do NOT tolerate big ladders with 4-5 steps there!
Car/Public Transport	Depends on where you are coming from. Spot 3, 4, 5 and 6 are walking distance from the terminal, but spots 1, 2, 7 and 8 require a 30-40 min walk.
Restrooms	Public restrooms are only to be found in the terminal.
Drinks/Food	There is a restaurant called “Panolo” in the QUAX-Hangar. The next supermarket is located in Büren, and a small bakery is close-by.
Hotels	In the proximity of the airport is a small hotel called “Airport Hotel Paderborn”.
Season	There isn’t much traffic at Paderborn Airport, neither in the Summer nor in the Winter, which is why you can’t really determine main- or off-season, like one would find in Salzburg or Innsbruck.
Runway Usage
06/24	Used in both directions. The prefered runway Usage is 24 however.

	Spot #1 – Striepen – 24 Arrivals
WHERE	Take the “Alter Hellweg” road from the airport to the north-east, leave the roundabout at the third exit, leading to L776. Just before crossing the arrival lights you should see a small meadow and a small street on your left. Follow this street to the fence, then turn either right or left –  depends on the light situation. By the roadside you are actually not allowed to stop with your car, parking is forbidden here as well!
WHAT	This spot is good for pictures of planes landing on Runway 24.
TIME	Light is good all day here as you can easily switch sides by crossing the runway axis by foot.
MISC.	There are no foods/drinks at this spot. Closest would be the terminal. No ladder needed, but may be useful in the evening as you can walk some steps south along the fence, so to be sure you can still shoot the plane, rather take a small ladder step with you.
FOCAL LENGTH	Depends on where exactly you stand, but 70 – 300mm covers everything A320 in the evening for example = 150mm

Morning side:

Evening side:

	Spot #2 – Bicycle path – 24 Arrivals
WHERE	Park your car at spot #3/the QUAX hangar and then walk back to the roundabout east of this facility from where you can just easily walk up north by foot on the little bicycle path along “Alter Hellweg”. This spot is located on this footpath just before the junction of the “Alter Hellweg” with the “Striepen” street. You can recognize that you are right by looking around. To your left there should still be a field while to the front/northeast there should be a little forest coming up. You can also just look at the spot, which we marked exactly on the map.
WHAT	This spot is good for pictures of planes landing on Runway 24.
TIME	Lighting situation at this position is alright from morning till around 4pm.
MISC.	There are no foods/drinks at this spot. Closest would be the terminal. A small ladder step is needed and a long footpath to get here as parking is prohibited at the gate/spot directly.
FOCAL LENGTH	100-400mm A310 = 235mm

The view towards airport:

The view towards runway:

	Spot #3 – Panolo Terrace All runway movements
WHERE	This spot is easily accessible by foot. Leaving the terminal building and looking left (north-east), you’ll see a relatively high parking garage. Going, until you’re reaching the first parking spaces on your left. Looking to north you can see a relatively high building on which “QUAX” can be read. Just go to this hangar and take the elevator or stairs next to the big room which is covered by big panes. Just go to the 2nd floor and then go out to the terrace. Now you can chose your spot which you like the most – unfortunately the terrace is protected by glass panes, just next to the emergency stairs is a little free room, where I took my poctures through. +++ Closed since spring 2020 due to Corona pandemic as of NOV 2020. Rather always check in advance on their website if it is open again, no one knows when that will happen +++
WHAT	All planes which are landing, taxiing or starting can be seen from here.
TIME	From the early morning hours until 4 o’clock. In the winter months the whole day.
MISC.	The indoor part of terrace is a restaurant (called Panolo), where you can find toilets and food or drinks – of course. You can shoot thru the little gap in the northern part of the terrace, but ladders are not tolerated here at all! It is forbidden to use a ladder up here.
FOCAL LENGTH	30-400mm A330 on taxiway in front = 40mm / A320 on runway = 180mm

Go up to the top floor as shown here in the glass staircase, enter the restaurant on the left and walk to the northwest on the terrace…

…to end up at this glassfront:

	Spot #4 – Carpark – All runway + nearby taxiways + parking apron movements
WHERE	This spot is located between the passenger terminal and the QUAX hangar. Arriving by car, I suggest using the free QUAX-parking north of spot 2 or the official airport carpark just next to the garage and which is free for the first 60 minutes (as of NOV 2020). Then you have the choice: Option a – the garage: This option is already easy to see and to access as well as you’ll just have to go to the garage. Then get up on the roof/highest floor, from where you have the best view and can position yourself along the whole front. Option b – the fence: You can also stay at the bottom and choose your favourite position directly along the fence/windows just in front of the garage.
WHAT	Planes parking right in front of you on the apron. Also, any plane movement hast to move past the parking garage, no matter if it is starting or landing. Thanks to the big parking area you can choose your position freely and thus vary the angle easily.
TIME	Regarding the parked planes, it really depends on the angle they are standing in, but normally you can shoot the northern and southern side, so it works all day somehow – as long as nothing blocks your sight. Airplanes on the runway should be fine from morning until early afternoon.
MISC.	You’ll find food/drinks and restroom in the terminal directly next to you. On summerdays you have heathaze here on the runway. A small ladder step is needed for option b/the fence. In addition, the view from the bottom at option b is often just good into the parked aircraft in front as they or ground equipment normally blocks your sight onto the taxi-/runway.
FOCAL LENGTH	50-350mm A310 on runway = 215mm / B737 on the apron in front (nightshot) = 150mm

Option a – the garage:

View from the lower floor northwards:

View from the top floor southwestwards:

Option b – the fence:

Southwestern end:

Fencekink:

Northeastern end:

	Spot #5 – Towerfence – All runway + Tower apron movements
WHERE	This spot is exactly between the tower and the terminal. Just exit the terminal and keep right. Again, if you’re arriving by car, I suggest Airport Parking as it is free the first 60 minutes (as of NOV 2020).
WHAT	This spot is limited to planes parked directly in front of the tower and the nearby taxiways. Aircraft movements on the runway are spotable as well.
TIME	The lighting depends on the parking position, so it’s hard to give some general information here, but the spot is better in the morning hours. The runway, as from everywhere, from morning until mid-afternoon.
MISC.	A ladder is not tolerated at this spot at all! The usage of a ladder is strictly prohibited, you have to shoot thru the mesh, which is quite finely woven unluckily. Restrooms and food can be found inside the terminal.
FOCAL LENGTH	30-300mm Saab340 = 95mm / ATR72 on runway = ~300mm

View thru the mesh with the glass in front:

	Spot #6 – Clubhaus – All runway + nearby taxiways + main apron movements
WHERE	Follow the airport road from the tower, down the little hill. On the right side you should find the GAT and in 300m you`ll get to an intersection. Turn right and follow the small road to the gate. On the right side you should find some parking spaces, where you can leave your car. Watch out for reserved parking though. Then you have the choice between… Option a – the terrace: Walk up the steps on the southern side of the road to the terrace, which is shown on the overview pictures, and you are at the spot! Option b – the fence: Or shoot right from the fence at the bottom in front of the terrace a few meters lower.
WHAT	You can see literally everything from the Clubhaus. You can even see the apron from here, which makes this spot a real allrounder.
TIME	Planes on the runway are well lit until 4 p.m., on the apron from 2 p.m. ‘till sunset.
MISC.	Bring a small ladder step as you will need a small step for the fence option. Please clean up after yourself and take trash with you, as this terrace is property of „Luftsportverein Geseke e. V.“ Keep in mind, there are no shops or restrooms here. In the summer time, you might find heat flickering, especially on the apron.
FOCAL LENGTH	18-300mm A330 turning to stands = 210mm / RAF A330 on runway with spray = 330mm / A320 from the fence = 35mm

Option a – the terrace:

View from the touchdown area in the west…

…to the northeast towards apron:

Option b – the fence:

	Spot #7 – L637 – 06 Arrivals
WHERE	This position is easy to reach, it is right next to L637. Follow the “Alter Hellweg” road in south-west direction. You’ll get to a roundabout where you should take the second exit. Leave the following roundabout at the first exit, and follow the highway until you reach the runway lights. Now you can leave your car on the right side of the road (see overview pictures below) and position yourself as you want depending on the light (either on the morning or evening side) and your favourite angle.
WHAT	All planes landing on 06 are good from here. Starting planes from 24 are often pretty high, which is why I recommend this spot for planes coming onto 06 only.
TIME	This position is actually useable all day as you can easily switch sides with the light by just crossing the runway axis by foot. However, the northern/evening side is only usable from February to mid-November, due lighting. Otherwise you will have to move sides roughly in the afternoon around 16 o’clock.
MISC.	Watch out so you don’t get hit by a car, DO NOT walk onto the field – not even a bit. This is private property and not tolerated, only causes big problems! No ladder needed and no public restrooms or any infrastructure around. Next would be the McDonald’s/Rewe in Steinhausen.
FOCAL LENGTH	70-300mm, but exact focal lenght depends on where you exactly stand… B738 = ~120mm

Morning side:

Evening side:

DO NOT CROSS THE BARRIER AND THUS ENTER THE FIELD AS MENTIONED ABOVE:

Stay by the roadside here: