Colmar - Meyenheim (BA132)

1Runway 19 am

The easiest way to get here is to follow the D18b towards Rustenhart, and turn right onto the D8 to Hirtzfelden after passing the approach lights. Take the first gravel road to the right again. There are several mounds of excavated soil with pits next to them. Stop at the second one et voilá, you have arrived at spot 1. Parking is possible here clear of the track, not too far from the centreline and out of sight of the base. A lens of 300mm will do on any kind of (D)SLR, provided you don't mind walking closer to the centreline to take photos of arrivals. More (effective) millimetres will be better, though. Departures from 19 can be logged, but not photographed here.

2Runway 19 pm

To drive here directly from Oberentzen, keep an eye on statues of Jesus on a crucifix right of the road, after passing the stream and channel. At the second one, the white one without Maria, turn right onto the gravel road into the fields. At the next junction, turn left and continue towards the mound at this site of the approach lights. Conditions are exactly like spot 1 and the two spots are connected by the same gravel track. You could climb the mounds to have a better look onto the base, but this will generally only result in a visit by the Gendarmerie.

3Base Fence

The third spot on the north side of the field is the base fence at the beginning of 19. Unfortunately it is not possible to take pictures here, as the runway is hidden behind a hill. You can however observe the aircraft taking off.

4Runway 01

The D3 is a through-road that does not allow you to stop and have a look at landing aircraft. In stead, take the turn-off opposite the base entrance and park somewhere near the excavation area (the small lake on the map). From here, continue on foot to find a suitable position to log or photograph the arrivals. Normally, departures from 01 will stay out of sight here. The small road south of the D3bis is off-limits for general traffic. The shortest connection between here and the north side is the route through Hirtzfelden.