Büchel

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ICAO Code ETSB/
Last Validated
City Büchel
Position 50°10'26"N 007°03'48"E
Runway(s) 03/21
Elevation 1568 ft

General

This German base, close to Cochem, is not the best spotting place in the world. Reading serials of the based JBG33 Tornados is OK when they are flying. It takes some effort, but then it is possible to take some decent photographs.

Due to extensive renovation works, Büchel is closed except for occasional approaches June 2022 - February 2026. TLG33 operates mainly from Nörvenich during this period.

Layout

The airfield has a typical military lay out with a north-south orientation and three shelter areas. Only the northeast corner lacks one.

Getting There

Büchel can be reached by taking the exit no.2 'Ulmen' from Autobahn A48/E44. From there you follow road B259 to Cochem. Following this road, you will eventually pass the northern approach.

Around the Airport

1Northern approach

From this spot, along the B259, you can read the serials but there is no view of the airfield. Photography is difficult. The spot is easily found because the runway approach lights show up and you can position yourself on a small hill nearby.

2Southern approach

The Southern approach can be reached by following the road B259 through Büchel, turning right towards Gevenich and take a small road in Genevich to the right (called Ackerweg). You can also reach this spot by taking the road from Alflen to Lutzerath (the L52) and taking a small road to the left after passing a smaller gate of the base. In both cases you will eventually end up in an open field that offers opportunities for reading the serials and taking pictures.

3Threshold runway 03

There is an option to reach the fence near Runway 03. This position is great for photos and serials. The negative side of this position is that you have to walk for a while and choose a spot that is not in full view of the base's perimeter road, if you want to stay for a while.

Su-22 of the Polish airforce visiting Buchel, spot 1. (June 2004, Marcel Bos)

Picture of one of the locals, also from Spot 1 (Marcel Bos)

Frequencies

282.200 / 140.450Tower
257.800Tower (NATO Common)
242.400/ 344.625Radar
389.225/ 378.375Radar
CAUTIONUsing a scanner to monitor radio traffic of agencies with a security task is not allowed in Germany.

Based Operators

TLG33Tornado IDS

Preserved

21+67F-104G, inside gate
43+70Tornado, inside gate
DD+354/'DC+101'F-84F, inside gate

Other Airfields

Ansbach/Katterbach AHP  
Berlin/Tegel - CLOSED  
Braunschweig-Wolfsburg  
Bremen/Neuenlanderfeld  
Büchel  
Bückeburg
Celle  
Coleman Barracks - CLOSED  
Diepholz  
Donauwörth Heliport  
Dresden  
Düsseldorf  
Emden
Fassberg
Frankfurt/Hahn  
Frankfurt/Main  
Fritzlar
Geilenkirchen  
Hamburg/Finkenwerder  
Hamburg/Fuhlsbüttel  
Hannover/Langenhagen  
Hohn  
Holzdorf
Illesheim AHP  
Ingolstadt/Manching  
Jever - CLOSED
Kiel/Holtenau
Köln-Bonn  
Laage (Rostock)  
Landsberg - CLOSED
Landstuhl - CLOSED
Laupheim  
Lechfeld  
Leipzig/Halle
Mendig  
Mönchengladbach (Düsseldorf)  
München/Franz Josef Strauss  
Münster-Osnabrück
Neuburg  
Niederstetten  
Nordholz  
Nörvenich
Nürnberg  
Ramstein  
Rheine/Bentlage - CLOSED  
Roth
Saarbrücken (Ensheim)  
Schleswig (Jagel)  
Spangdahlem  
Stuttgart  
Weeze
Wiesbaden AAF  
Wittmundhafen  
Wunstorf  

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