Fliegerhorst Neuburg an der Donau (-/ETSN) can be found directly southeast of the city of Neuburg itsself and roughly 20km southwest of Ingolstadt. The airfield was opened in 1936 as a real air base for the NS-Air Force, although the first military aircraft already landed here in 1912. As the airport was a big miliary base during the NS-time and WW2, serving as schooling and developing airfield for the first German fighterjets, which were then based here since December 1944, the US troops bombed the airfield in March 1945 three times and almost completely destroyed the former base area.
On behalf of the US troops, an airbase was however newly founded back in 1961 again here and since then, the Fliegerhorst is home to the German Air Force “Taktisches Luftwaffengeschwader 74” – nowadays with its fleet of Eurofighters.

Written by Severin Hackenberger in cooperation with Stefan von der Mühlen and David M. Last change: October 2023 (Spot 1 updated)

Rating
Movements
Photo Locations
Weather
Airport Information
Runways
09/27	2518m x 30m – Asphalt
Spotting Information
Ladder	A ladder is recommended but not really essential as mesh is wide enough.
Car/Public Transport	Car is definitely needed as public transport is very poor.
Restrooms	No facilities aviable.
Drinks/Food	In the nearby village “Neuburg an der Donau” are supermarkets and smaller shops..
Hotels	Private guest rooms can be found in the nearby village
Season	There is no peak season in Neuburg. The training flights usually start between 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. and return between 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. In the afernoon, departure is usually between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. The Eurofighter returning normally after 45 min up to 120 min trainig flight.
Security	Eventhough ETSN is a military base, planespotting is very relaxed there. Using a ladder is no problem. Taking pictures of aircrafts on the ground is tolerated but don`t photograph any military buildings and infastructure. Behave appropriate please!
Runway Usage
09/27	Depature and arrivals in both directions – as the fighter wish and the mission fits best.

	Spot #1 – Fence West – 09 arrivals
WHERE	This spot is just located at the western end of the airport by the roadside of a little farmer road. There are various ways to get here, but best is to make your way to spot #2 and then just follow the farmer road northwards. Pass the arrival path and just search your favourite position along the fence now here.
WHAT	09 arrivals work from here.
TIME	For arrivals the light would be best in the early summer morning or late evening. As fighters normally don’t fly then, usually you don’t see any arrivals in the times with good light here.
MISC.	The fence is still low here, so you can photograph the F4 without a ladder.
FOCAL LENGTH	100-250mm

No photos available from this location. Please contact us if you can provide some photos.

	Spot #2 – Shortfinal 09 – All 09 movements
WHERE	Just follow the small road around the airfield and at the southwestern fencecorner of the airfield, turn off the road to a little kind of path to the east by foot. Depending on which angle you prefer, just stand somewhere along the fence then here in the southwest. Parking on the roadside is tolerated along the street south of spot #1 as long as you do not obstruct the traffic and do not break any parking restrictions obviously.
WHAT	Arrivals for runway 09 as well as line-ups/take-offs from runway 09.
TIME	Later morning till later afternoon.
MISC.	Ladder needed here.
FOCAL LENGTH	150-250mm Fighter arrival = 210mm

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View from a ladder to the east:

	Spot #3 – Helipad –  Touchdown 09 Arrivals and Departures + Roll out 27 Arrivals + Take offs.
WHERE	Just follow the small road from Spot #1 to the south and turn to the second street on the left hand side (one south of the path for spot #2). Follow the street for approximately 1km and then turn left again into a small, bumpy farmer road. You can easly identify the correct street through a large hole at the beginning. You can see the the sitiation in the overview picture below. Then drive in that dead end street but park at least 100m away from the fence on the side of the road (security don’t like that). Walk the last part to the fence and search for your favourite position.
WHAT	You can spot every movement on the runway and on the parallel taxiways from here.
TIME	Later morning till later afternoon.
MISC.	At the beginning of the dirt road is a very large depression. The road is in very poor condition. Drive slowly and carefully. Ladder recommended. Heat haze can be a problem here.
FOCAL LENGTH	200-300mm Single Eurofighter on runway = 270mm

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	Spot #4 – Fence East – 27 Arrivals + Line-Ups
WHERE	Just follow the small road from Spot #1 to the south and turn to the second street on the left hand side (one south of the path for spot #2). Keep left all the time, so drive along the base’s fence and after approximately 3km you should have reached the airbase’s eastern end. park your car by the roadside then and search your favourite position along the fence – depending on what you wanna shoot and the light.
WHAT	Arrivals on runway 27 as well as nearby apron/taxiway movements like Line-Ups for example. F4 Phantom at the apron can be spotted as well.
TIME	Depending on where exactly you stand and what you wanna shoot: Arrivals: Later morning till later afternoon. Line-Ups: In the morning is the best time.
MISC.	To get the approaching aircraft in an 90 degree angle, you need a 3 step-ladder as the fence disturbs then. Also for Line-Up shots you need a ladder here. Heat haze can be a problem for Line-Up shots here.
FOCAL LENGTH	150-300mm Eurofighter Arrival = 220mm

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