Grenchen Airport - Spotting Guide

Grenchen Airport – Spotting Guide

November 24, 2021 - last modified on November 20, 2023

Grenchen Airport (IATA: none ICAO: LSZG) is a small airfield that hast just celebrated the 90 anniversary on 02.09.2021. It is located in the state of Solothurn and it’s mainly used by props. However, it hosts a couple of bizjets and interesting warbirds/oldies as listed below that might definitely be worth a stop. It is a spotter friendly airport and you don’t need any ladder.

Bizjets: PRM1 (HB-VTS), E55P (HB-VYM & HB-VYS), C68A (9H-AOA), C500 (CX-CCT)
Warbirds/oldies: BE18 (N21FS & N223CM), DC3 (N431HM), AT6 (HB-RTA), AN2 (HA-ABA), P750 (HB-TCP)

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Written by Dominik Kauer & Jeremy Denton. Last update November 2021

Rating
Movements
Photo Locations
Weather
Airport Information
Runway
06C/24C	1,000m (3,281ft) – Asphalt
06R/24L	700m (2,297ft) – Grass
06L/24R	500m (1,640ft) – Grass
Spotting Information
Ladder	The airport isn`t fenced off so no ladder is needed.
Car/Public Transport	Public transports are available and stops are directly at the airport. You don’t need a car to move around. All spots can be reached by food from the terminal.
Drinks/Food/	The Airport Hotel offers a restaurant and restrooms.
Hotels	The Airport Hotel is directly at the terminal
Season	We suggest March – October, chance of bad weather in winter is pretty high.
Runway Usage
06C/24C	Main runway used depending on the wind.
06R/24L	Used by gliders.
06L/24R	Used by gliders.

	Spot #1 – Arrivals rwy06 Morning
WHERE	While driving on highway 5, take the exit 30 towards Grenchen Airport. While on Archstrasse you’ll notice on your right a small dirt area surrounded by tress (before the airport) right after exiting the highway. You may park your car at this location (refer to the map) and start walking to the runways along the dirt path and put yourself next to the gliders parking.

WHAT	Arrivals rwy06.

TIME	Summer: Sunrise to 14:00 Winter: All day

MISC.	Nothing nearby therefore bring with you what you need before coming here and watch-out for the tractor.

FOCAL LENGTH	Between 200-500mm depending on the subject.

	Spot #2 – Mid Runway
WHERE	From spot 1, continue further on the road and park your car next to the path but do not block the farm oad or you may have trouble with the farmer/police.

WHAT	Both runways movements, action shots.

TIME	Summer: Sunrise to 14:00 Winter: All day

MISC.	Nothing nearby therefore bring with you what you need before coming here and watch-out for the tractor.

FOCAL LENGTH	Between 70-200mm depending on the subject.

	Spot #3 – Pistenachse 06
WHERE	While driving on highway 5, take the exit 30 towards Grenchen Airport. While on Archstrasse you’ll reach the airport roundabout take the first exit on your right and again on your right in the public parking (spot 4). Then start walking back towards rwy06 line-up along the road.

WHAT	Face to face shots arrivals/departures rwy24.

TIME	All day depending what you wish to shot but summer during mid-afternoon it’s the best.

MISC.	Nothing nearby therefore bring with you what you need before coming here and watch-out for the traffic. Heat haze can be a big issue during warm days.

FOCAL LENGTH	Depending on the subject up to 500mm.

	Spot #4 – Grenchen Airport
WHERE	Same direction as above and drive to the phe public parking. From the parking place or the kids playground put yourself where you feel it’s the best place.

WHAT	Arrivals rwy06, taxi towards 06 or park aircraft at 06.

TIME	Summer Rwy & Apron: From 17:00 to sunset Taxiway: From 14:00 to sunsetWinter Rwy & Apron: Backlight Taxiway: From 12:00 to sunset.

MISC.	Everything you need here, foods/drinks, toilets.

FOCAL LENGTH	Depending on the subject up to 300mm.

	Spot #5 – Touchdown rwy24 & Taxiway
WHERE	From the previous spot continue driving northwards, pass the airport as well as the tennis court and the river. Take the small road straight after passing the river. Drive until you see the VOR and stop the car on your left there’s in a small dirty parking area (refer to the map). Then walk down the street until the end.

WHAT	Arrivals runway24 and some departures if they taxi back to the start of rwy24.

TIME	Summer: From 1700 until sunset. Winter: From Backlight.

MISC.	Nothing nearby therefore bring with you what you need before coming here.

FOCAL LENGTH	18 up to 150mm depending on the subject.