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September 16, 2014Payerne Air Force Base Spotting Guide
- last modified on June 27, 2023
Payerne Airport (LSMP) is partially a military and civilian airfield. It is the main military airfield of the Swiss Air Force in Switzerland. It is approximately 1:15min from Geneva Airport by car. LSMP has mainly FA18 Hornets traffic and if you are lucky up to 10x can be usually seen on busy days. Also but more rare is the F5 Tigers which can still be seen once or twice a day.
The civilian part is handled by Swissaeropol located on south west of the runway. Speedwings jets (C25A & E55P) are based there as well as F900 HB-JIN, E55P HB-VPO, FA8X HB-JSC, PC24 HB-VRL, G280 SE-RKN, GL5T G-SGSG, FA7X M-REEE, etc.
Mostly Swiss AF traffics, rarely foreign armies, except Air show times. French Air Force PC21 are seen once or twice a year for trainings.
The training of the Swiss Air Force is between Monday and Friday from 08:00 to 12:00 and 13:30-17:00. In case of an emergency, the FA18 runs between Monday to Sunday from 06:00 to 22:00. Evening flights, every Monday or Tuesday nights from October and March 18:00-22:00. From 1st January 2021, the Swiss Air Force will cover the 7/7 & 24h/24h flights.
The 2023 flights services from the Swiss Air Force at LSMP can be find below (not available in English):
Written by Jeremy Denton, Loic & Marc Roulin & Omar Alex Saffe / (last update June 2023)
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| Airport Information | |
| Runways | |
| 05/23 | 2483m (8.145 ft) Concrete |
| Terminals | Block A + B + C Different military aircraft |
| Spotting Information | |
| Ladder | Mandatory however it should NOT touch the fence. Please keep your distances with the fences otherwise you will be kick out by the military soldiers or the police. |
| Car/Public Transport | Necessary, no public transport to get around. |
| Restrooms | Available only at spot 3. |
| Drinks/Food | Available only at spot 3. |
| Hotels | Inside the Town of Payerne. |
| Season | We suggest April – September, chance of bad weather in winter is pretty high. |
| Runway Usage | |
| 05/23 | Nothing special, depends on the wind direction mostly always the same as GVA/LSGG. |
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PAYERNE AIRPORT/SWISS AEROPOLE - MORNING BOTH RUNWAYS ACTION
| WHERE | From Geneva, exit at Payerne then take the right towards Payerne city. Drive until the first roundabout. Take the third exit until the second roundabout from which you will again take the third exit. Drive for a few hundred meters, you will pass above the highway until you see the sign “Payerne Airport” take on the right and drive until the end. Park your car on the yellow places “visiteurs”.
From Zürich, exit at Payerne then take the second exit at the roundabout, you will drive above the highway until the first roundabout. Take the third exit until the second roundabout from which you will again take the third exit. Drive for a few hundred meters, you will pass above the highway until you see the sign “Payerne Airport” take on the right and drive until the end. Park your car on the yellow places “visiteurs”. Please refer to the following map PA_Access-Plan if needed. |
| WHAT | swiss aeropole is willing to provide to the public and especially to the aviation photographers the opportunity to enjoy a large terrace on their roof which overlooks the airport as well as their business jet tarmac. It is without any doubt a fantastic privilege to be able to relax and enjoy the air force as well as the business jets traffic without worrying about anything. Only your behaviour will decide if the place will stays open for the community. |
| TIME | Best times for the sun position will be between sunrise until 14:30 during summer months. Winter perfect for all day.
The rooftop terrace opening hours are as follow: *Closed during bank holidays & times may change on a last minute basis by swiss aeropole. |
| MISC. | Price Half-day pass: CHF 5.-/person Day pass: CHF 10.-/person 2 days pass in a row: CHF 15.-/person Spotterguide offers for a “Full Day availability”
Group 5-9 people: 20% discount Settlement
Debit or credit cards are accepted General & terms of conditions
Please read carefully the rules that are applicable by swiss aeropole SA here. Request Your email must includes the following for each visitors
We will contact you as soon as possible to confirm. Remarks
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| FOCAL LENGTH | Runway: PC7/PC21 = 410mm / FA18/F35 = 260mm & KC10 = 90mm |
RUNWAY CROSS (SOUTH) - MORNING RWY05 ACTION
| WHERE | From Geneva, exit at Payerne then take the right towards Payerne city. Drive until the first roundabout. Take the third exit until the second roundabout from which you will again take the third exit. Drive for a few hundred meters, you will pass above the highway and drive until the end of the road. Park you car on the grass next to the road.
From Zürich, exit at Payerne then take the second exit at the roundabout, you will drive above the highway until the first roundabout. Take the third exit until the second roundabout from which you will again take the third exit. Drive for a few hundred meters, you will pass above the highway and drive until the end of the road. Park you car on the grass next to the road. |
| WHAT | Arrivals and departures both runways plus taxiing aircraft to runway 05 and taxiing aircraft from runway 05 to the box. |
| TIME | Summer: sunrise until 14:30 Winter: all day |
| MISC. | There is nothing nearby this spot so bring with you what you need. It is necessary to have a ladder. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | Runway: F5 = 210mm / FA18 = 170mm Opposite taxiway: FA18 = 240mm Front taxiway: 18-50mm |
THE FIELD - MORNING ARRIVALS RWY23
| WHERE | From Geneva, exit at Payerne then take the right towards Payerne city. Drive until the first roundabout. Take the third exit until the second roundabout from which you will take the second exit. At the next roundabout take the thrid exit on right and continue straight until you pass under a bridge. Once you passed the bridge take the second road on your right and continue along this small field road. Park your car on the grass and do not block the road.
From Zürich, exit at Payerne then take the second exit at the roundabout, you will drive above the highway until the first roundabout. Take the third exit until the second roundabout from which you will take the second exit. At the next roundabout take the thrid exit on right and continue straight until you pass under a bridge. Once you passed the bridge take the second road on your right and continue along this small field road. Park your car on the grass and do not block the road. |
| WHAT | Arrivals rwy23. |
| TIME | Summer: sunrise until 14:30 Winter: all day |
| MISC. | There is nothing nearby this spot so bring with you what you need. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | PC6 = 380mm / FA16 = 290mm / C160 = 140mm |
CRASH GATE - HOLDING POSITION AFTERNOON/NIGHT
| WHERE | From spot three, drive back and passed over the canal “Petit Glâne”. Then take the road on the right for a couple of hundred meters. It will be a small path on your right side. A crash gate could be seen as well as signs that doesn’t allow you to be here. If you park the car next to the way and if you stay here only for this short moment it’s fine. |
| WHAT | Only if they use runway 23, they will use this awaiting area before they go to complete their mission. Good point for night shots as well. 4x FA18 could be possible to shot through the crash gate. |
| TIME | Best afternoon light, from 1500. |
| MISC. | Do not stay here to long because you are not allowed to park the car here. Only FA18 are possible to get from here. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 18mm to 200mm |
PUBLIC VIEWING AREA - ALL MOVEMENTS
| WHERE | From spot 4, take back the road on your left and continue until the crossroad from which you’ll have to take on the left until you reached the parking place on your right. |
| WHAT | Good location for taxi, arrivals and departures of both runways. It’s also possible to sneak a good shot of what’s standing on the left ramp by standing on a ladder right under the control tower, you can get a nice view over the first positions there. Don’t stay on the ladder for too long, just take your shot and go back next to the public parking. |
| TIME | From the afternoon until the end of the day. |
| MISC. | There is a restaurant for the pilots and staff of the airfield where you can have food, drinks, toilets. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 18mm – 300mm |
THE FIELD 05 - ARRIVALS RWY05
| WHERE | This spot can be reached wheather by parking spot 2 or 9. Only by foot as cars are not tolared anymore by the farmer. Place yourself along the road where you wish. A good 10 minutes walk. |
| WHAT | Approach rwy05. |
| TIME | Summer: sunrise until 14:30 Winter: all day |
| MISC. | Bring what you need before coming at this spot. Cars are no longer allowed in the farmer field. Please refer to the map in order to find out where to park and which direction to take by foot. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 100mm – 400mm |
RWY05 LIGHTS - ARRIVALS RWY05
| WHERE | This spot can be reached wheather by parking spot 9. Only by foot as cars are not tolared anymore by the farmer. Place yourself along the road where you wish. A good 5 minutes walk. |
| WHAT | Arrivals face to face or closeup shots on rwy05. |
| TIME | Summer: sunrise until 14:30 Winter: all day |
| MISC. | Bring what you need before coming at this spot. Cars are no longer allowed in the farmer field. Please refer to the map in order to find out where to park and which direction to take by foot. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 50mm to 500mm |
HOLDING POSITION WEST - RWY 05 ACTION
| WHERE | From Geneva, exit at Payerne then take the left continue straight pass the roundabout by takking the second exit. Drive until the second roundabout from which you’ll have to take the first exit on the right. Follow this road and take the thrid path on your left. Park your car along the grass but do not block the road. Then walk by crossing the road it’s at the opposit.
From Zürich, exit at Payerne then take the first exit at the roundabout on your right. Drive until the second roundabout from which you’ll have to take the first exit on the right. Follow this road and take the thrid path on your left. Park your car along the grass but do not block the road. Then walk by crossing the road it’s at the opposit. |
| WHAT | Arrivals, departures and taxiing aircraft for runway 05. |
| TIME | Summer: 15:00-sunset Winter: no go |
| MISC. | Theirs nothing nearby this spot so bring with you what you need. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 50mm to 300mm |
ON TOP OF THE BUNKER - ARRIVALS RWY 05
| WHERE | From Geneva, exit at Payerne then take the left continue straight pass the roundabout by takking the second exit. Drive until the second roundabout from which you’ll have to take the first exit on the right. Follow this road and take the second path on your left. Park your car along the grass but do not block the road. Then cross the road it’s at the opposit.From Zürich, exit at Payerne then take the first exit at the roundabout on your right. Drive until the second roundabout from which you’ll have to take the first exit on the right. Follow this road and take the second path on your left. Park your car along the grass but do not block the road. Then cross the road it’s at the opposit. |
| WHAT | Approach rwy05 afternoon. |
| TIME | Summer: 16:00-sunset Winter: no go |
| MISC. | There is nothing nearby this spot so bring with you what you need. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 100mm – 400mm |
SWISS HORNET TRAINING DISPLAY
| WHERE | From the spot 1, drive back on the main road and then take the first small path next to the farm on your left. Then I’ll suggest you to check on the map as few locations are available. Please always park on the grass and do not block the road. |
| WHAT | I put several position that a great to get pictures of the Swiss Hornet Display when it takes place. It’s always at the same area that the training display takes place. |
| TIME | Best from sunrise until 1300. |
| MISC. | Theirs nothing nearby this spot so bring with you what you need. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 100-400 however a bigger lense may be worth it. |
Le Musée Clin d'Ailes
| WHERE | From spot two, drive back to the crossing roads, take on the left, pass in front of the restaurant and for a few meters on the right you will see the museum. |
| WHAT | You will be able to shot a range of history of the Swiss Air Force that includes :
From the terrace you are able to get shots on the runway as well both directions but taxiway no way as the fences will obstruct. |
| TIME | If you wish to visit the musée, then please refer to the times/dates available on their website.
Runways actions |
| MISC. | Toilets, snacks, drinks and souvenirs, shops are available. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | Smaller you have the best it is. |
South Entrance Gate
| WHERE | From spot 3, drive back to the main road. Take a left turn and again a left turn a the first road. You will notice a small u-turn area with trees this is where to park on your left hand side. Please do not block the road, park your car correctly and then walk to the south entrance gate. |
| WHAT | Only ramp shots of traffic that passes in front of you. It is not a location to stay, you come take the picture and leave. It is very important to avoid capturing any military facility or the inside of it and any military personal. |
| TIME | Best from sunrise until 1300. |
| MISC. | Nothing nearby, just take the picture and leave. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | C130 = 80mm for the 3/4 front and when it’s parked or 18mm while it taxies in front of you. |
The North Field
| WHERE | From spot 11, drive back direction runway 04 and at the first roundabout turn right then take the first on your left. Drive at the end and park the car at the graveyard. Then walk back until you reach the cross road. |
| WHAT | Very good location to cover the take-off on rwy23. |
| TIME | Summer: 16:00-sunset Winter: no go |
| MISC. | Nothing nearby and completely exposed to the sun. Take everything you need with you. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | Runway 23 usage: C130: 3/4 front = 300mm minimum & side shot 135mm |
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