Wiesbaden AAF

1Mittelpfad

This first spot is an alternative to the next two, to read serials of aircraft/helicopters on the apron. The angle is far from ideal but heat haze may be less than at spot 3. Especially helicopters may be identified on the nose. In the evening or with cloudy weather, it is also suitable to photograph landings on 07 or departures from 25. To get here from the A66, leave that for Bundesstraße 455 at exit Wiesbaden-Erbenheim and then exit the B455 at Wiesbaden-Erbenheim Nord. For an alternative route from Mainz or the A671, see spot 6.

From the Erbenheim Nord exit, turn right at the crossroads onto the Berliner Straße. Entering our map from the left, follow this practically straight ahead: second exit at the roundabout and second right thereafter, where the main street turns left. This is the Rennbahnstraße that passes under the A66 and railroad. Immediately after that, the Mittelpfad branches off to the right and here the restriction of local traffic only starts. Legal parking is available along the Rennbahnstraße, just after the right turn that it makes. The spot is where the Mittelpfad turns right again.

2Clay North Gate

Serving the same purpose as spot 1, this spot is right in front of the northern base entry so your activities may cause concern right away. When going here, it is certainly advisable to park along the first part of the road and walk the last 400m. To get here, follow the directions above for spot 1 but pass the Mittelpfad. Parking along the Rennbahnstraße should be possible after the 90° right turn.

3Kühweg

This small road, passing through an allotment area, runs all along the north of the base and offers a complete view onto the aprons. Buildings in the former shelter area should be no problem as you are free to move back and forth to look between them. The only disadvantage is the distance: heat haze will definitely be a problem in warm weather. To get here, follow the directions for the previous spots but after passing under the railway, take the first left. Be advised, this too is allowed only for local traffic (Anlieger frei). The Kühweg can also be entered from spot 4, see the next description.

4Railway bridge

Spot 4 is easily reached from the A66 by taking the exit for Wiesbaden-Nordenstadt. Turn right at the second crossroads after the Autobahn and right again, to park at the Globus shopping centre. A footpath starts next to the petrol station and runs back along the A66 exit from Frankfurt, to a pedestrian bridge over the motorway. Use that to get to the railway bridge that gives a nice, but distant view over the airfield, with only the southeast apron corner shielded by a hangar. This may give you an impression whether it is worth to visit other spots to poll some numbers. It is also an evening (or overcast day) photo spot for traffic landing on 25 or departing from 07.

After the bridge, the Kühweg of spot 3 is the first right, so this is the alternative way to get there. For a bolder approach, drive to the railway bridge by choosing the L3028 to Delkenheim from the same Autobahn exit, which is left at the first crossroads when coming from Frankfurt. Just before parallelling the motorway, turn right onto the 'Anlieger frei' road leading directly to the bridge and park somewhere safe.

5Holding point 25

This spot at a crash gate (do not block) enables you to photograph aircraft on the taxiway or runway. Moving a bit further down the An der Hochheimer Straße is the best option for flying traffic, be it landings on 25 or departures from 07. The spot is easily reached from spot 4, the distance to cover is some 750m.

6Landings 07/departures 25

Our final spot is a good position for photos of flying movements in either direction. Additionally, one can use the track right along the fence near the beginning of the runway from here, to try and photograph aircraft on the ground. The end of that track is also the closest spot to the apron to possibly read some numbers, with the viewing angle comparable to spot 1. To get here from spot 1, continue on the Mittelpfad and take the road Zum Friedhof to the left. At the large crossroads, turn left again and then park in the verge of this road that leads to the main gate, near the first crossing with farm roads. From here, walk or cycle to the nearest corner of the fence. The track along it starts there and spot 6 is at your right, along the former railway track.

To get here directly from the motorway, use Bundesstraße 455 between the A66 and A671, which is between Mainz and Erbenheim. Exit at Wiesbaden-Erbenheim Süd, at the far left on the map, where the base will already be signposted. The first crossroads you come to is the one mentioned above, at Zum Friedhof. From here, all spots on the west side are easily reached.