Nordholz 2021

[Herby]

Due to runway WIP from 17.5.-21.5. the P-3C and Do-228 will operate from Bremen in this period. Possible training pattern will take place at Wunstorf.

[Krazy]

Seems the plans at Nordholz are a bit different currently.
This morning a P-3 took off from Nordholz, and did practice at Bremen and Hannover Langenhagen. Didn't see where it ended up in the end.
The Do.228 just took off from taxiway S at Nordholz according to ADSB, and it landed on the same taxiway.

[Bennie]

RWY08/26 is closed by NOTAM since 0500 until 1500 on the 21st.

[Krazy]

RWY08/26 is closed by NOTAM since 0500 until 1500 on the 21st.

Yeah seen that, that is what makes it weird. Unfortunately I didn't check what the P-3 used and it just might be an early morning launch before the RWY was actually closed. But the Do.228 was shown on Taxiway S. (take off and landing). I'll see if I can find out where the P-3 went.

Edit:
The 60+08 (ADS-B) is indeed currently in the pattern at Wunstorf.

[Herby]

P-3C 60+08 is based at Wunstorf for the week. 60+04 is at Lossiemouth. That’s the whole active fleet.

[Key]

The Do228 shows on adsb now operating out of Bremen indeed.

Erik

[Herby]

MFG 3 P-3C CUP 60+04 came from Lossiemouth to Wunstorf and was replaced by 60+08 (perhaps due to technical problems).

[Chrissly69]

Hex AE6791 just landed. Seems an US Navy P8. (Adsb)

[Chrissly69]

Hex AE6791 just landed. Seems an US Navy P8. (Adsb)

Confirmed by FLF: P-8A 169008 VP40

[Prins Maurits]

[td]Hello[/td],we want to visit airport Nordholz to see the PC Orion,we are travelling with our son with autism.He wants to see this plane Is there in the neighboorhood of the airport a place where you can see the PC Orion.
Can someone tell me if the PC Orion is flying daily.
Where is best spot to see the PC Orion.

Els

[Key]

Hi Els,

Military aircraft watching is almost always a matter of patience and luck, unless you have detailed inside knowledge. Maritime patrol aircraft form an additional challenge in that they are able to fly very long missions. This often results in low activity at their base unless they are training in the circuit, when they make multiple approaches. From what I understand, just two of the German P-3C Orions are active at all nowadays. In other words: there is no guarantee whatsoever that your family will actually 'catch' an Orion if you visit Nordholz - but you can get lucky of course!

If you decide to give it a try, I would advise the Wanhödener Str. just east of the base near the approach lights, for winds from the west. For winds from the east, I would tip on the Wanhödener Str. again but then just east of the roundabout with the Bundesstraße. From there, you also see the approach lights. Both spots should be relatively easy to find, assuming you have the location of the base on the map.

Good luck!
Erik

[Herby]

The financial board gave a „green light“ for the purchase of five P-8A Poseidon!

https://www.msn.com/de-de/finanzen/top- ... d=msedgntp

[Herby]

The Bundeswehr said the P-8A Poseidon should be an interim solution as the French-German A320neo based airframe will most probably not meet it’s time frame. This has to be expected when Airbus is developing a new kind of military aircraft (e.g. A400, Eurofighter) or has it’s hands on a modification programme (P-3C).

If everything goes right the P-8A could easily be sold on the second-hand market. If not, the Marine still has a modern ASW/Sea recce aircraft.

[Krazy]

Hi Els,

Military aircraft watching is almost always a matter of patience and luck, unless you have detailed inside knowledge. Maritime patrol aircraft form an additional challenge in that they are able to fly very long missions. This often results in low activity at their base unless they are training in the circuit, when they make multiple approaches. From what I understand, just two of the German P-3C Orions are active at all nowadays. In other words: there is no guarantee whatsoever that your family will actually 'catch' an Orion if you visit Nordholz - but you can get lucky of course!

If you decide to give it a try, I would advise the Wanhödener Str. just east of the base near the approach lights, for winds from the west. For winds from the east, I would tip on the Wanhödener Str. again but then just east of the roundabout with the Bundesstraße. From there, you also see the approach lights. Both spots should be relatively easy to find, assuming you have the location of the base on the map.

Good luck!
Erik

Nice description Erik. Some extra details can be found here:
https://www.spotterguide.net/planespott ... -fcn-etmn/
Spots 1, 4 and 5 are the ones to aim for, depending on the wind. (In Erik's description he mentions spot 5 first, then spot 1). Spot 4 is a possibility as well, but you have to walk a bit along the fence in that case.