Leeuwarden Air Base - Spotting Guide

Leeuwarden Air Base – Spotting Guide

October 2, 2020 - last modified on November 21, 2023

Leeuwarden Air Base (IATA: LWR/ICAO: EHLW) is the home base of one remaining squadron 322sq F-16s and F-35 and in the future MQ-9 Reaper 306sq . Leeuwarden is a good base to spot at, as there is plenty of traffic and some good places to take pictures. Best times are of course during Frisian Flag end of march begin april and during the Fighter Weapon Instructor Training exercises for the F-16 fighter jets and future maybe F-35 . All this has one disadvantage: many spots are on farmers’ lands, and they obviously do not appreciate disturbance to their business. So, stay out of all the fields around the base, people may really get angry if they see you on their property.

Written by Arjan Boekensteijn and some pictures provided by Alex van Noye (www.runway28.nl). Last change: November 2022 (Spot 5 updated)

Rating
Movements
Photo Locations
Weather
Airport Information
Runways
05/23	2,957m / 9,701ft (asphalt)
09/27	1,999m / 6,559ft (asphalt)
Spotting Information
Ladder	Yes for spot 1 , 3 , 4 and 5.
Car/Public Transport	You can take a couple of buses from the main railway station in Leeuwarden. Take a bus to Jelsum for spots 1 to 3 and to Marssum for spots 4 and 5. But car is the best way for quick change.
Restrooms	Only with exercise Frisian flag.
Drinks/Food	Supermarket are near at leeuwarden.
Hotels	Hotels are at leeuwarden 10 to 15 minutes driving.
Season	All year long not at the weekend flying times 09:30 till 12:00 13:00 till 16:00 and periods of night flying.
Runway Usage
05/23	Main runway in use.
09/27	Second runway in use.

	Spot #1 – Official Spotting Hill
WHERE	The spotter’s corner is situated just south-east of the short final of runway 05. It is on a small road, just outside the village of Marssum. You can park directly at the location and make great shots of the aircraft from the small hill or you can also enter the farmers’ field and make close-up landing shots. Furthermore,

WHAT	All the traffic take off from 23 roll out and line up 05 and landing 05. From the hill you can shoot aircraft taxiing on the taxiway but these are pretty far away and lighting conditions are not always good. Some serials of aircraft on the south apron can be read from this position.

TIME	From sunrise till 15:00.

MISC.	There are no facilities (ONLY with Frisian Flag ) closest at leeuwarden. No ladder needed but can be used at the fence.

FOCAL LENGTH	150-600mm

	Spot #2 – Road Pad
WHERE	Park by spotting hill and walk back and make banking and landing shots.

WHAT	All take off traffic for 23 and landing 05.

TIME	From sunrise till 15:00.

MISC.	There are no facilities closest leeuwarden.

FOCAL LENGTH	200-600mm

	Spot #3 – West side approach 09
WHERE	The other spot on this side is along the taxiway, close to runway 09.

WHAT	Taxishots to 05 take ore landing 23 and runway 09. Aircraft coming from the 322/North side of the base use the taxiway here to get to runway 05 or the taxi back after landing on 23.

TIME	15:00 till sunset evening missions.

MISC.	There are no facilities closest leeuwarden and a ladder is needed.

FOCAL LENGTH	100-400mm

	Spot #4 – Northeast side approach 23 and 27
WHERE	This spot covers both the landings of 27 and 23. Along the busy N357 road you can stand on both sides of the runway centreline, so the sun will never be a problem. Park your car on the small road next to the N357 and position yourself along this small road. You can also cross this quite busy road and position yourself near the gate leading to a meadow. Do not cross this gate unless authorized by the farmer himself. If so, position yourself along the small creek, never in the middle of the field and leave this field after the aircraft have landed. In the late afternoon, you can proceed to the small road to the left, called Pieter Rindersreedsje. There is a parking spot here as well.

WHAT	Landing 23 and 27 and take off 05 or 09.

TIME	From 08:00 till 15:00 for 27-09 17:00 21:00 evening mission.

MISC.	There are no facilities closest leeuwarden.

FOCAL LENGTH	100-600mm

	Spot #5 – East side approach 27
WHERE	For runway 27, park your car at the minor road next to the N357. Cross the road and look for the dirt road which used to be a railroad. Follow this disused railroad towards a gate at your right. Cross this gate to the base fence via another gate. Now take a left and walk along the fence towards the beginning of runway 27. This is an excellent spot for photography as this part of the runway is also used as taxiway from the south parking towards runway 23. For landings on 23, you can walk along the fence towards the beginning of runway 23 and position yourself here. +++ Update Summer 2022: looks like this spot is not available anymore due to a new installed gate https://goo.gl/maps/entJ4iL6KU7ZKpYC8 +++

WHAT	~~Taxishots to 23 or landing or 27.~~

TIME	~~From 08:00 till 13:00.~~

MISC.	~~There are no facilities closest leeuwarden ladder needed.~~

FOCAL LENGTH	~~200-600mm~~

	NATO EXERCISE – FRISIAN FLAG
WHAT	Is one of Europe’s largest annual air force training exercise. It last of 2 weeks and is taking place in spring (check the NATO website for exact dates). Air forces from across the alliance of NATO trained for a variety of combat missions, including simulated air strikes and aerial refuelling. It usually includes a total of 50x aircraft from Germany, France, The Netherlands, Poland, the United Kingdom and the United States of America as well as Switzerland.

TIME	Monday to Friday during day and night times.

MISC.	Restrooms are available during this exercise.

FOCAL LENGTH	50-600mm