"The northwest and northeast sides are good for viewing; the rest of the base is surrounded by forest."
Richard de Florennes: not totally correct, the approaches for both runway directions are also quite open and good for watching landing and departing aircraft.
"Lastly, the southeast shelter area is used by air defence units that are frequently detached here."
Richard de Florennes: not totally correct, it's a QRA detachment normally comprising Mirage 2000s from EC02.002, comprising two or three aircraft.
"Around The Airport
1
... At the end, make a left on the dirt track. You can pole off the CN235 from a distance from here early morning or late afternoon. Alternatively, walk into the farmland along the fence line to get closer. This is a bit of a walk but the CN235s are not that easy to read off so it is probably worth the effort."
Richard de Florennes: you can also continue the dirt track by car or by walking until reaching the approach lights and even further to the QRA shelter area. You are very visble from the base there and staying longer then necessary around the QRA area can not be recommended. Following the approach lights down the hill might allow for parking your car without too much attention from base personnel.
"2
Aero club
From Creil, take the N330 off the N16 southbound towards Senlis. At the roundabout in the northwest corner of the airfield you can take the road to the civil side, Chemin de Creil a L'Igne."
Richard de Florennes: According to my experience, this place does not make much sense for watching the operational mil aircraft?
"3
West side approach runway 07
The N330 runs past the threshold of runway 07. Just north of the gate, you can watch the approaching aircraft and have a distant view of the ramps to see if anything is outside."
Richard de Florennes: There is also a very small village south of the 07 approach. Follow the sign "cemetary". You can park your car on a dirt track along the stone walls of the cemetary. As you are south of the approach, this place is also nice for taking pictures of landing aircraft (less then 200 mm for Mirage 2000 for example). At the same time you also have a good view on the runway and some aprons while still beeing away from the base fence as the road N330 and small fields are between you and the base.
According to my experience, the best place for a rather relaxed stay.
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