Leeuwarden

1Spottershill - Marssum

Starting with the Marssum side which is closest to Highway A31, there is an official spotter's location. The spotter's corner is situated just southeast of the short final of runway 05. It is on a small road, just outside the village. Look at Google Maps for “Spottersbult baankop 05 EHLW”. This is the best place to take pictures at Leeuwarden AB. You can park your car here and make great shots of the aircraft from the small hill. From the hill, you can take pictures of the aircraft taxiing out from the “Southside” as the former 323sq area is called. Aircraft will come taxiing from the right. Under colder weather conditions it is also very well possible to take pictures of for example 322sq F-35s coming from the Northside, just when the line up on the runway. In the summer there might be quite a bit of heat haze, this place is best on a cold day with wind coming from the east. If the aircraft are taking off towards you, using runway 23, they tend to break to avoid the village. Sometimes great banking shots can be made then. Furthermore, some serials of aircraft on the south apron can be read from this position.

2Bitgumerdyk

When late missions are flown and the sun is on the other side of the runway, you might want to back to the Bitgumerdyk. If you pass by the farm, landing shots can be made with the Leeuwarden skyline in the background

3Towards runway 09

This spot is halfway the “Jan Minnesdykje” and here pictures of landing aircraft on runway 09 can be made, or transport aircraft taking of from runway 27. Unfortunately the spot at the end of the road is off-limits nowadays. It provides a great overview of the taxiway but security is tight and you will be soon be sent away by our friends of the KMar (Dutch Carabinieri)

4Jelsum - evening

In the late afternoon, you can position yourself around this spot at “Pieter Rindersreedsje” in the village of Jelsum. This is where you can take pictures of aircraft approaching Runway 23. There is a parking spot here as well. This spot is not often used.

5Jelsum - During the day

This spot covers both the landings of 27 and 23. Runway 23 is mostly used for landings from this side. Park your car on the small road next to the N357 and position yourself along this small road. Crossing the N357 by foot is forbidden nowadays. There is a cycle path leading to the north where you can also position yourself for some decent landing shots.

6Main gate

At the main gate, a couple of aircraft are preserved. Unfortunately, they are located behind the gate and only the Meteor can be seen from the outside.