Spangdahlem

1Preserved aircraft

At the old main gate, five USAFE fighter types that have served from this base are on display. The F-4E has been nicely modified to represent an F-4G.

2Approach 05 - evening

This spot is good as well for evening departures of 23, provided they turn right. From spot 1/Spangdahlem village, follow the main road towards Binsfeld and Wittlich. Pass the roundabout south of the village and look for the first paved farm road going downhill on the right, more or less opposite the last shelter on the base. Follow this around to where you can turn left, uphill again. Be sure not to block farmers' vehicles when parking, but you can stay with the car anyway. The light is really only favourable after around 5pm here but numbers can be had all day, of course.

3Approach 05 - morning

From spot 2, drive south and park along one of the farm road entries on the right after passing the approach lights. This can be considered a standard photo spot and spotting point, with light being OK until around 1pm.

4South side - 23 departures

A lesser known spot can be found close to the south gate. Continue to Binsfeld from spot 3, pass the roundabout at the gate and then take the first left. From this farm road, take-off shots can be made of runway 23 traffic when they turn left. Bring a very long lens though, 500mm or more and expect to still be cropping the results.

5South side view no.1

Continuing towards Binsfeld from the previous spots, you will see tails popping up behind the buildings if there are heavies on the large apron. A short stop just off the road and possibly some walking will enable you to pole off the serials.

6South side view no.2

The best spot to read most transport planes on the main apron, except those on the far left, is spot 6. The easiest way to get here is to continue through Binsfeld on the B50. On the eastern edge of the village is a roundabout, make a left here. Take the second left after that again and then right at the T-crossing. This should be the Saalholzstrasse. Follow it to just outside the village, at the highest point along the street. This is less than 200m past the restriction for road access and a good spot to make the numbers.

7South side - 05 departures

This spot is comparable to spot 4 but much closer to the centre of the runway. That means departures will not always be high enough yet and will normally not be in a turn. Like at spot 4, 500mm or more is recommended for satisfying results. Parking is possible in the forest along the Saalholzstrasse but be aware, police do fine motorists breaching the rules for road use by locals only ('Anlieger Frei'). For number crunchers, other spots are better.

8Landing 23 - morning

This spot requires a bit of walking, either from spot 9 or from the parking option mentioned with spot 7. Due to the terrain and fence, steps at least five high are needed for a clear view on landing traffic here, and favourable light lasts until around 1pm. Heavies taxiing to or from the runway 23 beginning are almost fully in view as well but the wheels will be obscured. If you are here for the numbers, an easier spot is advised.

9Northeast side

Along with the latest base extension to the north came a perimeter road outside the fence, running from the main gate all the way to spot 9. This road too is restricted to agricultural and forestry traffic, but its use by others tends to be tolerated somewhat. No guarantee for that of course and if you decide to drive here, do park out of the way at all times and prevent the risk of wildfires.
The main gate is at the end of the Burgstrasse out of Spangdahlem, adjacent to a roundabout (the first one after leaving the A60, just 5km/3mi from the exit). Enter this roundabout, pass the exit to the gate and then leave it. The small road you enter bends left, crosses the separate access road to the main gate and follows the fence all around the northern edge of the base. At the spot, parking is possible on a little side-road. Like at spot 2, the light here is good only in the evening, but a short walk brings you to the other side of the centreline. Both landings on 23 and departures from 05 can be caught here. Moreover, there are several places on the embankment between spots 8 and 9, close to the centreline, from which planes on the beginning of 23/end of 05 can be framed with lots of tele on the camera.

10Beilingen

The village of Beilingen is on a hillside, separated from the base by a small vally. To get to this spot, take the L46 from the roundabout between spots 3 and 4 to Herforst and turn right at the large crossing, onto the L39 towards Speicher. The second road to the right after that, the Herforster Straße, leads into Beilingen. Where this starts descending, turn right onto the track between the fields and hope for clear enough weather. With that, views on the southwestern flight lines and into some shelters can be had. Obviously, serious binoculars or scopes are required to get the numbers at this distance (some 3km/1.75mi) and it is not a photo spot. The alternative route to this spot starts at the roundabout between spots 1 and 2, via the B50 in direction Bitburg and the K200 into Beilingen.