Nörvenich Air Base (QOE/ETNN) is a German Air Force Base located at around 45 minutes drive from Cologne Airport. The base was initally build for the Royal Air Force because of the “Cold War” and constructions were finished in 1954.  These days the the “Fliegerhorst” hosts 34 Eurofigther Typhoons from the “31 Squadron” which flies from Monday to Friday. A busy and interesting base to stop by.

Due to the renovation of the Büchel Air Base until 2026, the “Taktischen Luftwaffengeschwader 33” and moved their base to Nörvenich so you will see the Panavia Torando IDS too.

Written by Jeremy Denton, LaMa Aviation, Robin Bamps, Aurelius Pressler, Thomas Schneider & Tom Wittevrongel. Last change: August 2024 – Spot 4 updated 

Rating
Movements
Photo Locations
Weather
Airport Information
Runway
07/25	2,439m (8,048ft) – Asphalt
Spotting Information
Ladder	Use of a ladder is tolerated and only needed at #4.
Car/Public Transport	Car is recommended but you can reach the Spots 2 and 3 by public transport from Düren HBF /Central Station with the BUS SB 8 from Platfrom E every full hour to Nörvenich “Alter Bahnhof”. The Central Bus station (ZOB) at Düren is about 5 min from the HBF on left hand.
Drinks/Food	There is a NETTO supermarket and bakery in the village of Nörvenich.
Hotels	Available at Düren or Köln city.
Season	Summer in order to avoid bad weather however be aware of heat haze.
Runway Usage
07/25	Nothing special depending on the wind direction.

	Spot #1 – The House – 25 Arrivals
WHERE	On the highway 61 take the exit 22 “Gymnich”. At the roundabout take on your left cross the bridge above the highway. Pass the city of Gymnich by staying on L495 for a good 5 minutes. Then turn left and park your car along this road but do not block the road. Then walk until the spot location after the house on the field.
WHAT	Arrivals rwy25 are perfect otherwise take-off rwy07 can be a bit too high.
TIME	Summer: Best from 0800 until 1630. Winter: Sunrise until sunset.
MISC.	Please make sure to not leave any trash in the farmer field which allows your presence. Also nothing nearby so bring with you what you need. No shadow.
FOCAL LENGTH	FA16 & Typhoon = 400mm / GLF5 = 220mm & B707 200mm (depending where you stand in the photography zone)

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	Spot #2 – The Curch – 25 Departures
WHERE	Opposite from spot 1. Drive back on the L495 road pass the villages “Oberbolheim” & “Nörvenich” until you reached the road 477. Take a right turn and take the fourth way on your right side where you will notice kind of a forest area. Park your car along this road but do not block the road. From there follow the small road by foot (closed for traffic) for 250 meters eastwards until the nearby TACAN/church. By public transport:  for the safest option exit at the bus stop in Nörvenich and continue eastwards. Then continue north as marked on the map, pass the tennis courts and use the tunnel below the main road. Turn right at the purification plant. Continue all the way up on the farm road until the TACAN/church.
WHAT	Departures rwy25 only.
TIME	Summer: Best from 0800 until 1630. Winter: Sunrise until sunset.
MISC.	Please make sure to not leave any. Also nothing nearby so bring with you what you need. Shadows available.
FOCAL LENGTH	Typhoons = 270mm

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	Spot #3 – The Field – 07 Arrivals + 25 heavy Departures
WHERE	Alternative from spot 2 if there’s no rooms available. Go back on road 477 direction south and take the first path on your right hand side. Continue inside those fields take a right turn again and park your car along this path around the intersection. Be aware as those tiny roads are used by heavy machinery like lorrys, trucks and agricultural vehicles. By public transport:  for the safest option exit at the bus stop in Nörvenich and continue eastwards. Then continue north as marked on the map, pass the tennis courts and use the tunnel below the main road. Turn right at the purification plant. After you have passed a farm turn left, cross the main road B477 and continue all the way to spot 1. You are on farm roads only and there should be almost no traffic.
WHAT	Arrivals rwy07 or heavy departures rwy25.
TIME	Summer: Best from 0800 until 1630. Winter: Sunrise until sunset.
MISC.	Please make sure to not leave any trash in the farmer field which allows your presence. Also nothing nearby so bring with you what you need. No shadow.
FOCAL LENGTH	70-500mm

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	Spot #4 – K54 – Line-ups/departures rwy25
WHERE	From spot 1, walk towards the runway onto the road K54. Choose the spot you want.
WHAT	Line-ups/departures rwy25.
TIME	Best from early morning until ~12:00.
MISC.	A 4-step or 5-step ladder is required definitely now as a new big fence was built now (AUG 2024). Also nothing nearby so bring with you what you need. No shadow.
FOCAL LENGTH	200-300mm

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