Aircraft Spotting at Switzerland's airports and airfields

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Altenrhein Airport Bern-Belp Airport Biel Airfield Birrfield Airfield Buttwil Airfield Ecuvillens Airfield Geneva Airport Grenchen Airport Gruyeres Airfield Hausen am Ablis Airfield Holziken Heliport La Cote Airfield Langenthal Airfield Lausanne Airfield Locarno Airfield Lugano-Agno Airport Luzern-Beromunster Airfield Payerne Airport Saanen Airfield Schindellegi Heliport Speck Airfield Triengen Airfield Wangen-Lachen Airfield Winterthur Airfield Zurich Airport

Aircraft Spotting at Switzerland's Airports and Airfields

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NEW! Aircraft Spotting at Switzerland's Airports and Airfields has been plotted on Google Maps and Google Earth and is available to download for just £2.50
All 25 airports - their locations, viewing spots, hotels and preserved aircraft can be seen on detailed satellite images, making planning your spotting trip exceptionally easy
Please read the Release Notes for example screenshots and further details

ALTENRHEIN AIRPORT(LSZR/ACH) - TWR 118.65, GND 121.8
Spotting Info
You can overview the aprons from next to the terminal and car park. The museum here is only open on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. There are quite a lot of private hangars to the east of the terminal buildings. If doors are open some of the occupants can be read from the Rutiweg, which runs along the hangars. You can try asking for access at both the terminal and the hangars, but it will probably be refused. These points are plotted in the Spotting in Switzerland download for Google Maps and Google Earth.
Museum Website: Fliegermuseum - it's in German but you get the idea regarding cost, opening times, exhibits
Updated 23 October 2009

BERN-BELP AIRPORT(LSZB/BRN) - TWR 121.025, APP 127.325
Spotting Info
You can try asking for access but these days it's usually refused. The old tower by the terminal is now a bar and you get great ramp shots of the biz. A parking area at the south end gives good views too. The helicopter hangars in this south east corner are friendly, ask for access and they should let you round the hangars. In the southwest corner of the airport is the gliding club. If you are still unable to log any aircraft from these view points, try the Selhofenstrasse that runs from the gliding club up and along the runway for views across the airfield, including the ramp and hangars north of the terminal. These points are plotted in the Spotting in Switzerland download for Google Maps and Google Earth.
Updated 6 November 2009

BIEL AIRFIELD (LSZP)
Spotting Info
Very friendly, ask for access and they'll hand the keys over. The keys give access to the turn-table hangar, and the main hangar from the inside door.
Updated 16 October 2009

All 25 Swiss airports - their locations, hotels and viewing areas have been plotted on Google Maps and Google Earth's satellite imagery and are all available in one download for just £2.50
Planning your spotting trip has never been easier
Please read the Release Notes for an example screenshot and further details

BIRRFIELD AIRFIELD (LSZF)
Spotting Info
Friendly, ask for access.
Added 11 November 2009

BUTTWIL AIRFIELD (LSZU)
Spotting Info
Friendly, ask for access.
Added 23 September 2009

ECUVILLENS AIRFIELD (LSGE)
Spotting Info
If there's no one around, the hangars have large glass windows to log the inmates.
Added 19 October 2009

GENEVA AIRPORT (LSGG/GVA) - TWR 118.7, APP 121.3, GND 121.675 Free Bus Travel
On leaving the baggage reclaim, there is a machine in the arrivals hall on the left, immediately before customs to collect your free bus ticket for 80 minutes of bus travel free within the Geneva area. There's just one button, push it for your ticket. For the bus timetable visit TPG though the buses seem to be quite regular.

P48 Storage Ramp and Runway 23
Exit the terminal and head to the upper roadway for the bus stops. Get on the number 28 bus towards Jardin Botanique and "Tunnel Routier", and get off near the tunnel into France. The bus stop is 28F and is just before the main junction into the tunnel - it's plotted in the Spotting in Switzerland download for Google Maps and Google Earth. For the bus timetable visit TPG though the buses seem to be quite regular, maybe every 20 minutes. Log whatever is parked here, which will include SX-BTX G2, UR-KKA Da20 and HZ-TNA Jetstar - these are plotted in the Spotting in Switzerland download for Google Maps and Google Earth. Get back on the 28 bus heading toward Hospital-la-tour (the stop is on the other side of the road from where you got off). If you don't want to catch the bus, or there's aircraft parked on cargo that you can't get from anywhere else, you can walk to P48 and back again, takes about 15 minutes each way - turn left out of the terminal, keep the airport on your left and the exhibition centre on your right. Pass the small biz ramp and cargo terminal and ramp and follow the perimeter road. You'll see a raised bank on the right before the biz storage ramp. This bank is very good for photos of 23 movements.

Jet Aviation, TAG and Runway 05
Again you can either walk or get bus 28. Catch the bus southwards, go past the Movenpick hotel and Holiday Inn Express that are plotted in the Spotting in Switzerland download for Google Maps and Google Earth, and get off on the slipway opposite the supermarket complex next to the Business Aviation Terminal. Walk to both biz areas, they are plotted in the Spotting in Switzerland download for Google Maps and Google Earth and it's worth visiting the TAG area as things tend to be tucked away out of sight. The TAG hangar has windows in the side to log the inmates. You can also get views by walking through the TAG car park to the fence. Following the cycle path to the end of runway 05 will give you a different view of the biz ramps and partial views into the hangars and is great for photos of 05 movements. Walking to the TAG and Jet Aviation biz ramps from the terminal will take approx 20 minutes as you log as you go. Then get a taxi to the flying club, or do the opposite - taxi from the terminal to the flying club to spend the day, then get a taxi to drop you at TAG (the flying club will call you one) for you to walk back picking off the biz, cargo and airliners as you head to the terminal.

Flying club, viewing area and cafe
Northside is the flying club and light aircraft parking, plotted in the Spotting in Switzerland download for Google Maps and Google Earth. You will also find turboprops and more biz on these ramps so it's worth taking a taxi here, or you can walk it, approx 25 minutes from TAG car park. The route to walk from TAG is plotted in the Spotting in Switzerland download for Google Maps and Google Earth - follow the cycle lane past the end of the runway and follow the road round to the right. As it bends right, look left and you will see the yellow G-ATTU PA28 pole mounted outside the petrol station - this is plotted in the Spotting in Switzerland download for Google Maps and Google Earth. Walk past the farm track on the right and you will see the NH Hotel on the left. Approximately opposite the NH Hotel is a minor road to the right signposted to the Aero Club. Follow this past some houses and turn right when this track joins a road. Just up the road on the right is a track that leads to the airport perimeter fence. This will give you views across to the biz ramps and cargo and into Jet Aviation's hangars and is plotted in the Spotting in Switzerland download for Google Maps and Google Earth. Back to the road and follow to the club. As the road bends sharp left the building to the right is a hangar - the only view of this ramp and into this hangar is from the TAG and Jet Aviation areas and possibly from within the terminal. Go past a small cemetery on the left and you come to a small cafe ahead of you. There is a gate here marked 'Public' - it's a viewing area where you can see light aircraft in the hangars if they are open. If you turn left just inside the walled entrance you can view all the light aircraft on the apron. Back onto the small road again, this leads to a hangar with large glass windows to log the inmates under maintenance. You can stay at the flying club all day as it has a public cafe and viewing area with views of the runway, and the terminal and biz ramps opposite. One of the hangars here has glass windows in the wall alongside the road for you to read off some of the inmates. J-4085 Hunter and J2314 Mirage are pole mounted near the flying club and are plotted in the Spotting in Switzerland download for Google Maps and Google Earth.

Terminal
At the terminal landside, the Altitude cafe/restaurant on the top floor is where the old viewing terrace used to be and still offers the same great views over the airfield. On the level below, 27 Breguet Atlantic cockpit and cut open fuselage are preserved and there is a small view from the windows, though this area is currently being developed. Upon arrival there is very little opportunity to move around as you're pushed through to baggage claim. You're not allowed airside until the gate for your flight has been announced on the screens, usually 40-60 minutes before departure. No bad thing as views aren't great. If you fly out from one of the satellites you are kept at ground level with the gates right in front of you.

Additionally, F-GCJL B732 is used by the Fire Service for training.

EBACE
The annual EBACE biz show is in May. Registration to enter the exhibition can be extremely expensive. The exhibition halls have an open upper level from which you can see much of the static without paying to enter the exhibition itself. The other viewing spots listed above mean that everything should be visible.

Hotels - these are all plotted in the Spotting in Switzerland download for Google Maps and Google Earth
The Median Hotel in Ferney Voltaire is on the French side of Geneva Airport. You may need a car to get to it as the shuttle bus is only on request and only if available, weekdays only from 0730-1900. Otherwise get a taxi. To get to it by road from the airport, drive towards Ferney Voltaire, through the underpass under the runway. As soon as you have passed the French border post (literally about 30 metres into France), take the first right up a lane, which leads to the hotel, the park and a Lidl supermarket. This lane is before the petrol station on the right.As long as they are using runway 23, you can see all arrivals (and read most of them off from your room) and the vast majority of departures as they line up. The hotel is right beside a small and very pleasant park which overlooks the runway threshold and from which you can get excellent photographs in the afternoon and evening. If runway 05 is in use, subject to cloud cover, you should be able to read off all departures under the wing, or the nosewheel in the case of German and US aircraft. All odd numbered rooms face the approach and the higher your floor the better; the top (5th) floor rooms are suites with balconies and therefore more expensive. To book, visit JJW Hotels.

The Stars Hotel in Ferney Voltaire is on the French side of the airport. You can catch the bus to and from the terminal or you can get a taxi to the flying club for around 20 Euros - though it's a long drive round. The NH Hotel is at the end of runway 05 and is a business hotel so it's a little more expensive but has a great location and a free shuttle bus. Only about a 5 minute walk to Jet Aviation and TAG, or 10 minutes to the northside flying club. There is a Formule 1 hotel within walking distance from the flying club. However, as it has received terrible reviews I won't be including it in the Spotting in Switzerland download for Google Maps and Google Earth and the only piece of information I will offer is that it is behind the Novotel which is included in the download.

Website: DPTS - for photo spots
Updated 9 November 2009

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GRENCHEN AIRPORT (LSZG) - TWR 120.1 Spotting Info
Friendly, ask in control for access, you will need high viz jackets. Usually only allowed in open hangars, but keep an eye out as owners are often opening hangars to get planes out or put them in. Most of the based aircraft are hangared, e-mail before your visit to arrange a guided tour and you will likely get a better reception. MM6830 F-104 is displayed on the roundabout and there is also a reasonable Best Western hotel on site - both are plotted in the Spotting in Switzerland download for Google Maps and Google Earth.
Website with webcam: Grenchen Airport
Updated 11 October 2009

GRUYERES AIRFIELD (LSGT)
Spotting Info
If it's all locked up the hangars have windows to log a few.
Added 2 November 2009

HAUSEN AM ABLIS AIRFIELD (LSZN)
Spotting Info
Friendly, ask for access in both the main hangar and maintenance hangar.
Added 16 November 2009

HOLZIKEN HELIPORT (LSXH)
Spotting Info
If it's all locked up there are gaps in the hangar.
Added 31 October 2009

LA COTE AIRFIELD (LSGP)
Spotting Info
They are cautious with visitors but ask for access at the control point and you should be allowed to wander. Most hangars will be shut but they often ok you to open any hangar doors that are unlocked.
Added 12 October 2009

LANGENTHAL AIRFIELD (LSPL)
Spotting Info
Friendly, ask for access to the hangars. On the right as you drive in are some smaller maintenance hangars. Ask the industrial estate workers for access to these.
Added 10 November 2009

LAUSANNE AIRFIELD (LSGL)
Spotting Info
Friendly, ask in control for access.
Added 23 September 2009

LOCARNO AIRFIELD (LSZL/ZJI)
Spotting Info
Friendly, ask for access.
Added 25 September 2009

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LUGANO-AGNO AIRPORT (LSZA/LUG) - TWR 120.25
Spotting Info
A few biz and turbo props here. Contact them beforehand and you may be able to arrange a ramp tour with the airport manager. There's a security buzzer here to access the hangars, they're friendly but you'll only get access if someone's around to open it up. Landside in the terminal there is a cafe/restaurant with both open air and covered areas with views. Airside, the small lounge has views of the apron.
Updated 2 October 2009

LUZERN-BEROMUNSTER AIRFIELD (LSZO)
Spotting Info
Two parts to this airfield. You'll have to ask for access at both the flying club and the gliding club. Both are very friendly.
Added 21 October 2009

PAYERNE AIRPORT (LSMP) - TWR 128.675
Spotting Info
J-2324 Mirage is pole mounted on display here near the east apron and can be seen from the highway. J-4003 Hunter is preserved on the west apron and J-2334 Mirage is preserved at the gate. There are views of the ramp and open hangars from the Route de Payerne. After passing the end of the runway and the ramps take the next left for more views. Both places are plotted in the Spotting in Switzerland download for Google Maps and Google Earth. The Clin d'Ailes museum is closed on Mondays.
Added 8 November 2009

SAANEN AIRFIELD (LSGK) - A/G 119.425
Spotting Info
Friendly, ask in the control tower for access to the hangar, but photos are not permitted.
Added 6 November 2009

SCHINDELLEGI HELIPORT (LSXS)
Spotting Info
Ask for access. There's also a hangar on top.
Added 19 October 2009

SPECK AIRFIELD (LSZK)
Spotting Info
Friendly, ask for access.
Added 25 September 2009

TRIENGEN AIRFIELD (LSPN)
Spotting Info
Friendly, ask for access. They are usually happy to open the hangars up too.
Added 2 October 2009

WANGEN-LACHEN AIRFIELD (LSPV)
Spotting Info
Friendly, ask for access.
Added 10 November 2009

WINTERTHUR AIRFIELD (LSPH)
Spotting Info
Friendly, ask for access.
Added 5 November 2009

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ZURICH AIRPORT (LSZH/ZRH) - TWR 118.1, APP 118.0 & 120.75, GND 121.9 Runway Usage
Interesting runway layout, I will try and explain the different runway usage and obviously it will vary if the wind is different from the norm. During the main bulk of the day, 14 is for arrivals, 28 is for departures with heavies using the longer 16 to depart. With wind from the east they'll use 10 to depart instead of 28. Early mornings they'll land on 34 and depart off 32. Late evenings they'll land on 28 and depart off 32 and 34. The runways are plotted in the Spotting in Switzerland download for Google Maps and Google Earth so you can see how good the viewing spots are. Afternoons are relatively quiet movement-wise. The viewing terrace at Terminal B is closed while they redevelop this area. There are plans for a new terrace to open in the same area, but this won't be until 2011.

Zurich airport website lists movements with registrations. Visit Arrivals and Departures and in the search box type "spotter" without the quotation marks and press Enter or click 'Search'.

WEF (World Economic Forum), Davos
Whilst many biz park at Zurich and stay, there are also many different arrivals and departures throughout the week. Quite a lot, particularly Government and VIP flights, drop passengers off on the first day, then reposition to Geneva or Basel to stay there for the week, before picking them up after the conference. If you want to log all the Davos traffic you'll have to spend around 10 days here for aircraft arriving before, during and after. The first main arrivals day (obviously some aircraft will arrive before this) is usually Tuesday, though Wednesday tends to be busier. Government aircraft tend to arrive on Monday and Tuesday, then go off and park up at other airports for the week before returning on Friday or Saturday. The departure days are Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Best to book hotels the summer before you want to visit to get the best prices and make sure you book the Buchair ramp tour in advance too or they'll be full. During the WEF, Buchair open the terrace early and close it late for spotters. The entrance to the terrace at terminal E and the shuttle bus to and from it is free. The security building opens at 8am in time for the first shuttle bus to the terrace at 0815. The bus then operates every half hour until 1800, which is when the security building closes. The special 2 hour ramp tour starts and ends at this terrace and you have to pay for your tickets (or pick up your pre-paid ones) at the BUCHairTOURS desk on the top floor in the covered area. Wrap up warm, it's very, very cold in Switzerland in January! Visit BuchAirNet for more on these special WEF tours.

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Observation Deck E
The viewing area on terminal E, which is situated in the middle of the airport with runways all around it, is excellent and is plotted in the Spotting in Switzerland download for Google Maps and Google Earth. You can see pretty well all movements from here and also get some on the GA areas as well though heat haze can be a problem. It's currently only open on Wednesdays and at weekends, 8am-8pm in summer, 945am-4pm in winter (Oct-Mar) with the exception of Davos week (Tue-Sun) when Buchair run the tours and open the terrace from 8am-8pm. This terrace also has a good view of the GA area but it doesn't have shelter or food and beverage facilities except for a couple of vending machines. As it is airside you'll need to catch the bus and go through airport security. The first bus leaves terminal A for terminal E at 0945 and runs every half hour until the deck closes and costs 2CHF. The return bus runs from 1000-1600. Visit Zurich Airport for more. To catch the bus, come out of terminal A on the ground floor. You'll see multi-storey car parks and probably signs for shopping stores. Cross over the road towards these car parks and turn right to walk along the side of the terminal exit road towards Swissair maintenance and follow the signs to the observation terrace on the concrete pillars. As you reach the end of the car parks, look right and you will see a quite large grey portacabin-type building. Enter this and the ticket machines are on the wall. This is the same area to catch the airport tour. Buy the ticket and proceed to the security check - just like the airfield security before boarding your aircraft, except you can take as much liquid as you wish. You then walk down the ramp when called forward to board the bus. Make sure that you stock up with food and drinks at the shopping area, as once on the bus and over at the terraces, there is a very limited supply. After arrival at terminal E, head for the top floor. Once on the viewing deck, there are seats outside or you can stand inside in the warm, toilets are provided too.

Airside Tours
The airside tours leave from a small cabin outside the terminal and cost 8 CHF. They go everywhere on the airfield, so you can log lots in the biz hangars and parking ramps, and also the large maintenance hangars and ramp. You will log plenty more than you would by walking around outside the fence. The tour lasts around 90 minutes and the last 15-20 minutes are spent close to the intersection of 16 and 28 for some fantastic photos. The tours do get booked up early, and some are already pre-booked by groups, so book a tour as soon as the kiosk opens - you may even be able to pre-book before you get there. The winter schedule is Sundays only, starting at 1200, 1300, 1330 and 1430. Visit Zurich Airport for more on these tours.

Car parks 3 and 6
Parkhaus (car park) 3 level 10 has views of EX-1146K IL14 preserved in the restaurant Runway 34 - as you look south you have some remote stands with the Swiss Maintenance hangars and apron beyond, the IL14 is to the right in a glass building. Those parking at terminal B and remote can be read off. There are also views across runway 34 of aircraft parked on the old runway 02 and the heliport. The car park, preserved IL14, remote stands, maintenance ramp and heliport are all plotted in the Spotting in Switzerland download for Google Maps and Google Earth.

Level 11 of Parkhaus (car park) 6, plotted in the Spotting in Switzerland download for Google Maps and Google Earth, gives an excellent view of runways 28 and 14, the TAG/Jet Aviation ramps and you can see the derelict TU-TCP DC8 and N9040V Be60 - it's possible the Beech is now opposite pier B minus engines. Exit Terminal 1, turn left and go across the blue bridge to the car park. Gives excellent views of departures on 28 and arrivals on 14. Also good views of Rena and ExecuJet aprons and their hangars - these are plotted in the Spotting in Switzerland download for Google Maps and Google Earth. All movements on 10/28 will be logged, but arrivals on 14 taxiing to terminal E may be missed - if they take the second runway turn off you can read them, if they use the first you may not be able to get the right angle on them. Departures on 16 can be read if you are quick and run to the other side of the car park. There are toilets on the ground floor and the roof is covered to protect from sun, rain or snow.

Jet Aviation and ExecuJet
Jet Aviation is not visible from the terrace or the car parks. You can either visit it airside as part of the tour or walk there from the terminal and car parks. Come out of car park 6 and walk past the freight area. The Jet Aviation area has it's own building and check in area and a polite request in the offices should allow you to log from their windows and possibly escorted ramp access. Follow the Bimenzaltenstrasse road round the end of runway 28 towards ExecuJet. As you pass the 28 threshold look back towards Jet Aviation as there are biz parked the other side of their hangars which aren't visible from the Jet Aviation windows. At ExecuJet, ask there for access too. The ExecuJet car park is a good place to stay and watch movements. Both these biz areas are plotted in the Spotting in Switzerland download for Google Maps and Google Earth. There are also 2 helicopter hangars outside the airport boundary here.

Heligrill
The affectionate name for the viewing spot near the heliport. If you leave the Heligrill and head away from the airport, there is a track on the right just after the road bends left. This leads to the perimeter fence and overlooks the runway intersection of 16/34 and 28/10. Great views here of movements on these runways and great for photos. Both viewing spots are plotted in the Spotting in Switzerland download for Google Maps and Google Earth.

In addition to these viewing spots, there's a cycle track that runs round the whole perimeter. You can walk from ExecuJet and Rega right up and round to the runway 16 threshold where you will find a snack bar with beer, and a great place for photos. You can also walk south from the terminal and car parks, past Swiss maintenance and runway 34, past the Runway 34 restaurant and up to the heliport.

Airside
If you want to stay airside and warm you can spend all day around gate A01-A09 with views of 28 and 16 and terminal E, but not the biz area behind you.

Hotels - these are all plotted in the Spotting in Switzerland download for Google Maps and Google Earth
The Best Western in Glattbrug has small balconies with each room. From rooms 504 and 506 arrivals on 34 fly right past, you can read them without the need for bins. No airport views from the room - there is a public balcony with airport views but at this distance you would need SBS. Shuttle bus to the airport, takes about 10 minutes and runs every half hour.

The Welcome Inn is only approx 10 minute walk to the airport and also has a shuttle bus.

The Park Inn has a free shuttle bus. Free internet access in reception for you to check the days movements. When booking ask for an airport view, they will try to accommodate you. You can get decent views of a biz ramp and the remote stands near the Swiss maintenance area. It's also a 10 minute walk from the heliport - the route and heliport is plotted in the Spotting in Switzerland download for Google Maps and Google Earth. You can follow the cycle track south past the heliport and biz parking right down to the Runway 34 restaurant, Swiss maintenance ramp and hangars and round to the terminal and biz ramps.

Formule 1 has a timetabled shuttlebus. Anything landing on 34 can be read off with bins from an east facing room.
Updated 10 November 2009