Hohn Air Base - Spotting Guide

Hohn Air Base – Spotting Guide

June 30, 2024 - last modified on September 19, 2024

Hohn Air Force Base or in German Fliegerhorst Hohn (-/ETNH) is a military airport located in the Schleswig-Holstein region in Northern Germany. It permanently houses the Gesellschaft für Flugzieldarstellung (GFD), which flies Learjet 35/36A to simulate air targets. They fly regularly following military flying days, so expect no flights on weekends and holidays. It is also currently an alternative location for TLG51 and therefore houses support aircraft during major exercises at Schleswig Air Base, as well as fighters if additional space is required. (Foreign) support aircrafts usually land here even if their own fighter jets are deployed at Schleswig AB.

The airport was built during the Second World War but did not see much use, and was later occupied and demilitarized by the RAF. Only in 1967 it was given back to the Luftwaffe and the transport squadron LTG63 was stationed here with the Nord Noratlas. Shortly after the squadron started to upgrade to the Transall C-160, fully replacing the inventory in 1970 and operating them until December 2021. Since then, the air base has become a satellite base for the TLG51 with regular visits of the GFD Learjets.

Written by Tommaso dal Maso. Last Update: Summer 2023

Rating
Movements
Photo Locations
Weather
Airport Information
Runways
08/26	2.440 m (8.005 ft) – Concrete
Spotting Information
Ladder	Not necessary but a small step or 3-step ladder is recommended for all the spots along the fence.
Car/Public Transport	A car is highly recommended to reach the spots, as public transport only brings you to the city of Hohn. Rendsburg is the closest train station and is connected by RE7 on the Flensburg/Hamburg line. All the nearby streets are equipped with cyclying lanes.
Drinks/Food	There is nothing near the indicated spots. An EDEKA supermarket can be found in the center of Hohn. If you bring food to the fence, make sure you clean after yourself! In the city of Hohn a pizzeria and grill bar can also be found, but more options are present in Rendsburg.
Hotels	The closest hotel is Landhaus Garni in Fockbek. More hotels and airbnbs can be found in Rendsburg.
Season	Summer is the preferred season as the weather tends to be nicer. Haze is hardly ever an issue for aircrafts on runway as they are close. Summer is also the period when most military exercises take place in the area. The base has tall grass in the surrounding area and you might suffer symptoms from pollen allergies even if not allergic!
Security	Spotting is tolerated and using a ladder is no problem, especially during military exercises. There are no active military installation at Hohn so having hangars in the background of photos is not an issue, however it is still recommended to avoid pointing the camera straight at the infrastructure present. Be aware that the use of radio is forbidden in Germany and it can get you arrested. Ear plugs are recommended due to the vicinity of the jets!
Runway Usage
General Info	The runway use entirely depends on the wind direction. The preferred runway is 08 for calm winds. You can predict when flights start as the Fire Department drives down the runway with sirens on to scare off birds.

	Spot #1 – Dirt road – RWY 08 movements
WHERE	From the village of Hohn enter the dirt road from Ostpreußenstraß. Here you can park the car on the right side of the road and then continue on foot. It is important you leave the passage free for emergency vehicles or police will write you a ticket. Since there are not many spots for parking, only leave your car here if you plan on using this spot.

WHAT	This spot is recommended for aircrafts lining up on runway 08, especially in the afternoon hours. Aircrafts landing will still be in the air at this location. Aircrafts vacating runway 26 can also be seen.

TIME	All day for runway line-ups. From sunrise until 17.00 for other movements. Heat haze is generally not an issue due to the vicinity of aircrafts.

MISC.	There is nothing here. A a small step or 3-step ladder will get you on top of the fence. Nevertheless the fence is not tall and has plenty of space to fit also large lenses.

FOCAL LENGTH	70-300mm C130 = 150mm

	Spot #2 – Main fence – All 08/26 movements and West flight line
WHERE	From the village of Hohn enter the gravel road from Loher Weg. You have to access it by turning from the larger Hauptstraße. Here you can park your car on the sides of the road and then continue on foot. It is important you leave the passage free for emergency vehicles or police will write you a ticket. Since there are not many spots for parking, only leave your car here if you plan on using this spot. A bus station is located right outside the gravel road.

WHAT	All movements are visible from here: just move along the fence to find your preferred spot. Most fighters taking off from 08 will rotate in the middle of the yellow line “spot 2” and will be airborne at the right/eastern end of the yellow line. From here you can also see the parked aircrafts in the flight line in the West side of the air base.

TIME	From sunrise/later morning until mid-afternoon.

MISC.	There is nothing here. A a small step or 3-step ladder will get you on top of the fence. Nevertheless the fence is not tall and has plenty of space to fit also large lenses. Ear plugs are recommended! Heat haze is not an issue on the runway due to the vicinity of aircraft – except for very hot summer days. For parked aircrafts in the flight line haze is a huge issue, there early morning or evenings are recommended.

FOCAL LENGTH	50-400mm GFD Learjet on runway = 150mm / C130J = 70mm / Flight line = 400mm

	Spot #3 – Field – All 26 movements and East flight line
WHERE	Follow Garlbek road and park on the side of the road. Only during large exercises the owner of the field allows cars to be parked in the area for a donation of €5. Walk to the gate and position yourself. Do not block access to the gate with vehicles or ladders! It is important you also leave the passage free along the road for emergency vehicles or police will write you a ticket. Since there are not many spots for parking, only leave your car here if you plan on using this spot.

WHAT	Takeoffs and landings on runway 26. From here you can also see the parked aircrafts in the flight line in the East side of the air base.

TIME	From sunrise/later morning until mid-afternoon.

MISC.	There is nothing here. A a small step or 3-step ladder will get you on top of the fence. Nevertheless the fence is not tall and has plenty of space to fit also large lenses. Ear plugs are recommended! Heat haze is not an issue on the runway due to the vicinity of aircraft – except for very hot summer days. For parked aircrafts in the flight line haze is a huge issue, there early morning or evenings are recommended.

FOCAL LENGTH	50-400mm GFD Learjet on runway = 150mm / C130J = 70mm / Flight line = 400mm

	Preserved Transalls
WHERE	Around Hohn air base there are two preserved transalls: 1. in the southwest near the center of the city of Hohn on Bahnhofstraße, there are a few spots for parking the car in front of the aircraft on the other side of the road. 2. in the northeast at the former air base entrance fenced off a little but: you may need to ask the gate guard for access to the fenced area

WHAT	Two preserved Transall. If you catch the owner around the Transall in the southwest, aks him politely and maybe he will let you inside as well!

TIME	Southwest: later morning till afternoon Northeast: later morning till afternoon

MISC.	For the southwestern one a ladder is helpful to allow the fence to be completely outside of photos. For the northeastern one you may have to ask the gate guard for access to the fenced off area.

FOCAL LENGTH	15-24mm roughly