Royal Air Force Coningsby or more commonly RAF Coningsby  (IATA: QCY, ICAO: EGXC) is a military airfield located in the eastern part of England. The airfield opened in 1937 and is operated by the RAF since that

Coningsby is beside RAF Lossiemouth the only Eurifighter operating base. It is home to three front-line units which operate the Typhoon, each of which contribute to the Quick Reaction Alert (Interceptor) Southcapability which provides protection to UK airspace 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Beside that the BAttle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) witht their historic planes is based here.

Based aircraft:

• No. 3 (Fighter) Squadron – Typhoon FGR4
• No. 11 (F) Squadron – Typhoon FGR4
• No. 12 Squadron – Typhoon FGR4
• No. 29 Squadron – Typhoon FGR4
• No. 41 Test and Evaluation Squadron – Typhoon FGR4
• Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) – Spitfire, Hurricane, Lancaster, Dakota and Chipmunk

The usual operating times are Mondays to Thursday all day and Friday mostly till lunch. Goes without saying, as well, the Air Force doesn’t do weekends (QRA). The BBMF is operating quite often during the weekends.

Written by Patrick Weis . Last change: February 2024 – Spot 6 added

Rating
Movements
Photo Locations
Weather
Airport Information
Runways
07/25	2,744 metres (9,003 ft) Asphalt and Concrete
Spotting Information
Ladder	2-4 steps are helpful for the spots to clear the fence at the most spots for runway movements. For arrivals not necessary.
Car/Public Transport	Car is necessary here
Drinks/Food	Bring what you need.
Hotels	Some accomandations arround the base
Season	Best weather is during the summer
Security	No problems during our stay.
Runway Usage
General Info	Used in both directions, depending on the wind.

	Spot #1 – Langrick Rd – 25 arrivals and line ups
WHERE	This spot is just at the side at Langrick Rd. Just park your car befor the traffic lights. They turn red when there will be an approach.
WHAT	All arrivals runway 25 and line ups (during winter only useable due to heat haze). For line ups 2 steps are helpful to clear the Fence.
TIME	All day during winter. 08a.m.-4p.m. during summer
MISC.	Nothing here. Bring everything you need and take your rubbish home.
FOCAL LENGTH	for arrivals 200mm at the traffic lights. For Line ups up to 400mm.

	Spot #2 – Fence Corner – 25 Line up
WHERE	This spot is just at the side at Langrick Rd. Just walk allong the fence until the corner.
WHAT	Line ups runway 25/arrivals 25. Here you will need at least 4 steps to clear the fence .
TIME	All day during winter. 08a.m.-4p.m. during summer
MISC.	Nothing here. Bring everything you need and take your rubbish home.
FOCAL LENGTH	For the southern taxiway about 70mm for the line up from the north arround 130mm

	Spot #3 – Reedham Ln – Taxiway
WHERE	This spot is at the end of Reedham Ln. Just park at the side of the road without blocking it.
WHAT	Taxiway to runway 25/taxiway after arrivals 07 on southern taxiway. For runway shots you need to walk a few meteres to the right as there is a fence at the crash gate. You will need at least 4 steps to clear the fence or shoot through the holes at the gate with a smaller lens.
TIME	All day during winter. 08a.m.-4p.m. during summer
MISC.	Nothing here. Bring everything you need and take your rubbish home.
FOCAL LENGTH	about 80mm

Sorry we can’t provide pictures from this spot. Pictures look like in the link.

https://www.jetphotos.com/photo/10902775

	Spot #4 – The Mound – 07 Arrivals
WHERE	This spot is on a mound next to Coningsby road. Park as marked on the map by the roadside, but it is limited, maybe 3-4 cars. If there is no space park at spot 5. Now walk on the southern farm track, do not use the one along fence, to the mound. No longer available as the land owner no longer tolerates plane spotters on his property. See picture below.
WHAT	Arrivals and depatures (can be fast hazy in summer) for runway 07. For line ups at least 2 steps are necessary to clear the fence in your picutres
TIME	All day during winter. 08a.m.-4p.m. during summer
MISC.	Nothing here. Bring everything you need and take your rubbish home. Can be a bit slippery there.
FOCAL LENGTH	about 200-300mm for Eurofighters arriving. Line ups arround 300-400mm.

	Spot #5 – Official Spotter Area – 07 taxiway
WHERE	This spot is at the official Spotter parking at Coningsby Rd. Park on the official car park and walk to the opposite side.
WHAT	Taxiway to runway 07 movements and 25 arrivals taxiing in if they take the last exit and aircrafts parking on the apron. Walk up and down the fence for your favourite position.
TIME	From 4p.m. till sunset during the summer.
MISC.	Nothing here. Bring everything you need and take your rubbish home. 2 Steps at least are helpful here.
FOCAL LENGTH	about 140mm for the taxiway and more for the apron.

Sorry we can’t provide pictures from this spot. Pictures look like in the links.

https://www.jetphotos.com/photo/10342162

https://www.jetphotos.com/photo/10920648

	Spot #6 – Cross Keys Lane – 25 movements
WHERE	The spot is at the end of Cross Keys Lane, next to a crash gate. Turn into Cross Keys Lane from Leagate Road which runs across the north east of the base, and drive all the way down to the end. There is only room for one or two cars (please avoid parking on the farmer’s land, there is a small gap next to the crash gate which can be used). We would advise walking down if possible due to the small area which may be blocked off if someone else is already there! Be aware, the walk from Leagate Road down to Cross Keys Lane is approximately a mile. A small stepladder is advised, but there is a small concrete block that can be stood on, with a clear view of the whole runway.
WHAT	Activity from both runways can be seen, the takeoff/landings on runway 25 are preferred due to the altitude of the aircraft. Aircraft taking off from runway 07 will still be visible, but they might be too high for any “good” photos. If runway 25 is in use for takeoff/landings you will be able to get nice and close to them as they taxi towards the runway for takeoff. However, if runway 07 is in use, you will be able to see them on the same taxiway as they taxi back towards the ramp. Unfortunately, the ramp is too far away to see anything, and the view is partially blocked by buildings.
TIME	This spot is best during the mid-summer evenings. Avoid in the winter due to the low sun being directly in front of you, making photos backlit. Heat haze was not an issue during  visit in august.
MISC.	Nothing nearby, it is just a small wooden fence and a crash gate. The nearest restrooms and food/drink are in Coningsby – there is a Coop quite close which is very useful. We have not heard of any issues with police or security, the main thing to be aware of is any farmers who may want you to not be there.
FOCAL LENGTH	100-400mm lens would be good for landing/takeoff shots. 50mm for any photos of typhoons taxiing past, if you want the whole plane in the photo.

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