Den Helder Airport - Spotting Guide

Den Helder Airport – Spotting Guide

May 20, 2019 - last modified on November 7, 2024

Den Helder De Kooy Airport (DHR/EHKD) is both a civil and a military airfield located just south of the city of Den Helder. It is a one-hour drive from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport and if you like helicopters worth a visit. Both CHC (Canadian Helicopter Corporation) and NHV (Noordzee Helikopters Vlaanderen) operate a fleet of various helicopters, to oil platforms in the North Sea. At the North-eastern side of the airport is the military base. Most of the NH-90 of the Dutch Air Force/Navy are based here (the others are based on navy ships). There are no scheduled airlines operating to/from Den Helder (although FlyBe briefly tried a service to Norwich and Manchester in 2013, without success).

On a typical business day (mon-fri) you will have a nice mix of civil and military helicopters. The weekends are much quieter. A timetable can be found at: https://flightaware.com/live/airport/EHKD.

Every 5 years the Heldair Show Maritiem is held at the airfield. Last addition was in 2017, so the next show will probably be in 2022. More info can be found at www.heldairshowmaritiem.nl.

Written by Bas Velders. Visited regularly.

Rating
Movements
Photo Locations
Weather
Airport Information
Runways
03/21	1275m Concrete
Terminals	One for all civil flights.
Spotting Information
Ladder	Not necessary but it could be helpful (just 2 steps) at spots 1, 2 and 4.
Car/Public Transport	Car is recommended, but all spots are walkable from the terminal. To get to the main terminal by public transport: take bus 135 from the Den Helder train station.
Restrooms	Only at the terminal.
Drinks/Food	Only at the terminal.
Hotels	There are a few in the city of Den Helder but no one at the airport.
Season	We suggest May-October as this is the summertime. It can get very cold during the winter and a lot of fog can come up.
Runway Usage
03/21	Mostly runway 03 is in use.

	Spot #1 – Luchthavenweg – Arrivals 03/departures 21
WHERE	When entering the airport, from the Luchthavenweg, turn left before you pass the hangar area. Drive all the way to the end (to the former Bristow Helicopter office). You can park your car at the spot.

WHAT	You only can take pictures almost all movements on the runway and platform.

TIME	The best time is from sunrise till 14:00.

MISC.	Bring with you what you need, no toilets, no food, no drinks (the terminal is a 10 minute walk). A small two step ladder is helpful to photograph over the fence.

FOCAL LENGTH	Platform: 70-200mm, Runway: 300-400mm

	Spot #2 – Platform/hangars
WHERE	From spot 1, drive back towards the first Hangar. Park your car on one of the parking spots (on the grass-side). Walk along the yellow route, there is a small opening in the fence where you can pass through spot 2.

WHAT	Part of the platform and hangars.

TIME	The best time is from sunrise till 14:00.

MISC.	Everything you need is in the terminal. A small two step ladder is helpful to photograph over the fence.

FOCAL LENGTH	70-200mm

	Spot #3 – Airport Restaurant – Platform
WHERE	Den Helder Airport has a small terminal with a small restaurant. Almost all movements can be seen from inside, but photography is a bit difficult, because of the tinted and double-glazed windows.

WHAT	All platform movements, runway movements are a bit far away.

TIME	The best time is from sunrise till 14:00.

MISC.	Everything you need you find in the terminal

FOCAL LENGTH	Platform: 60-200mm

	Spot #4 – Helicopters of NHV
WHERE	From the terminal, walk towards the bicycle shed on the left (north side). Update October 2024. Signs saying photography here is forbidden. Spotting here on your own risk to be sent away.

WHAT	Taxiing traffic and platform of NHV Helicopters.

TIME	All day long (depending on the angle of photography).

MISC.	Everything you need you find in the terminal. A small two step ladder is helpful to photograph over the fence.

FOCAL LENGTH	24-300mm

	Spot #5 – Doggersvaart – Arrivals 21/departures 03
WHERE	This spot is located on the north of the airport. From the terminal drive towards the south entrance and turn left on the Luchthavenweg. Go left again on the Rijksweg, until you cross the runway, the parking area is on the right side of the road.

WHAT	Departing traffic from runway 03 or runway 21 arrivals.

TIME	Early mornings (between 06.00 and 08.00) and from approximately 17.00 (summer months).

MISC.	There is nothing here.

FOCAL LENGTH	24-300mm