1Aéropole
Swiss Aeropole are the operators of the civil airport and the business park around it. They offer a great viewing terrace on top of their hangar, overviewing most of the airfield. The entry to the civil apron is right next to the building. To use this facility, visitors must make prior arrangements and pay a modest fee. See our More Info panel for the Aeropole website with contact information. The terrace is some 250m from the runway, so bring at least a 300mm lens for fighters and trainers. The southern taxiway is at about half that distance.
To get here from the A1/E25 motorway, take exit 27 and turn onto the Route de Bussy towards Payerne. Then follow the signs to Aeropole, which is to the left at the next two roundabouts and finally second right after the Belle Ferme farm complex. For those who have been here in the past: the ammunition bunker has become off-limits years ago.
2Southern taxiway
The runway crossings are now closed by default, but this spot at the Route de Morens is still available. It offers a very close view on the southern taxiway, a rather good one on the runway and an acceptable one on the northern taxiway. Steps are needed for photography over the fence. To get here, follow the directions to the Aeropole but carry on straight ahead after Belle Ferme. As with the other spots on this side, the sun gets behind the planes halfway in the afternoon.
3Final runway 05
A classic spot on final along the fence, or rather an area with plenty of such positions to choose from. At mid-fternoon, the sun will be on the tail of the planes but later on, it gets better again when taking position north of the centreline (not marked on our map). The only access to this area is via very small farm roads though, and parked cars will definitely block the farmers' vehicles. For that reason, park at the location described under spot 4 please and walk the five to ten minutes to this area.
4Holding runway 05
Getting here is easy. From the A1, exit 27 Payerne, follow the signs to Estavayer-le-Lac. At the second roundabout counting from the motorway, after passing the approach lights on your right, turn right onto the Chemin de Vallegny. At the first crossroad, park out of the way near the buildings and walk towards the gate of the taxiway leading to the western cavern. At this spot, aircraft entering 05 at the beginning can be admired up close. The light is good for photos in the second halve of the afternoon and these can be shot through the gate or over the fence near the threshold.
5Elevated View
This is a location for a view somewhat from above onto the field. From the parking location described under spot 4, drive uphill to the next road that parallels the airfield. Turn right and take position somewhere along this Route de Morens, just past the cavern that is south of the road might work best. Be advised this is a rather remote spot: the distance to the runway is nearly 500m.
6Morens runway crossing
Virtually all of the perimeter road along the north side of the field offers excellent views onto the runway and taxiways, but most of it between spots 5 and 7 is a no-stopping zone and the fence gets in the way for photos. Near the roundabout where the road from Payerne technically still crosses the manoeuvring area, photography (best light late afternoon and evening) should be possible through the gate. The closest parking options are in the village of Morens, and otherwise near the museum short of spot 7. The walk from or to Morens takes about five minutes.
7Museum
Still along the same road is the military aviation museum Clin d'Ailes, also signposted from the Route de Payerne east of the field. The museum has a nice collection of aircraft, of which a Vampire is sitting outside on a pole. Through the glass facade, the rest can be seen even if the museum is closed. For opening times and fees, see the museum's website via our More Info panel on the right.
8Main gate & viewing area
From the museum, another 500m eastbound down the road is the simulator building with what looks like a large tank. Directly after that, a right turn into the dead-end road next to the large hangar 2 leads to the main gate and spot 8. The parking lot will be on the right, opposite the Mirage 3S on a pole. The official viewing area offers a good overview of the field, with facilities at hand. Horizontal openings at different heights in every section of the fence accomodate photograpers. The only drawback could be the relatively low number of them at a convenient height, so if you want to be absolutely sure, bring steps to shoot over the fence. Keep in mind that backlight may be a problem until halfway the afternoon. Walking up to the fence in front of the tower brings the apron behind hangar 2 in view; do not hang around in that corner though.
9Northern taxi gate
Continuing east along the perimeter from the main airbase gate (spot 8), one crosses a taxiway leading to one of the aircraft caverns outside the fence. The area at the gate where this taxiway leaves the base offers some views of the adjacent aprons. With runway 23 in use, F/A-18s will be holding there before departure. Photos are possible, including night shots if you are prepared. Parking is not allowed in this area, so find another place for that or move on quickly.
10Final runway 23
A nice spot on final with westerly winds, some 200m from the centreline. The light is OK until about halfway the afternoon. To get here from spot 2, simply take the road towards Payerne and, after passing the approach lights, turn off at the second small road to the left. Do not take the first one, as that is inside the no-stopping zone with aircraft flying there, and it is too close to the centreline for photos anyway. When driving here directly from the A1, follow the directions to spot 13 but at the last roundabout mentioned there take the third exit, northbound via the Route de Payerne. After passing underneath the motorway, take the second right to arrive at this vantage point.
11Southeast gate
To reach this spot, use the overfly of the Route de Payerne, next to the A1. Enter it by taking the turn-off just north of the underpass of the motorway.
A Mirage 3S gate guard is posing for photos here and if anything of interest is parked in front of hall 5, it should be visible from this spot.
12Remote stands
By continuing along the fence from spot 11, the remote eastern stands, helispots and possibly even the central aprons (although spot 8 may be better for that) can be checked for presence of aircraft or helicopters.
13Fliegerkaserne
Hunger F58 J-4045 is guarding the gate of this barracks, behind the fence on the roadside. To get here from spot 10, follow the main road into town: third exit at the roundabout, direction of Payerne hospital. When arriving from the A1, follow the directions to spot 1 initially. Then, at the second roundabout after the motorway, take the second exit: more or less straight ahead. This again leads to a roundabout where spot 13 is at your right, so via the first exit there.
14Payerne town
In the town of Payerne, Mirage 3RS R-2114 is preserved at the Caserne DCA. It should be visible from the main gate on the Route de Grancour. This is some 950m down the road from spot 13, so simply continue into town from the previous spot. You will be driving along the barracks and the gate is signposted.
For a more accessible relic, take the route south out of town. The car dealer at the Rue de la Vignette 60 has Vampire FB6 J-1134 outside on a stick. From the Caserne DCA, continue further into town and turn right at the first roundabout onto the Grand Rue. This becomes a one-way street in the old town. After 300m, take the junction to the left onto the Rue de Lausanne. Then continue straight ahead as much as possible and the Vampire will be on the left after another 1200m.
