Payerne closed for runway works, like every summer. June 2nd 'till July 3rd, 2020

Like every year the military airfields in switzerland closes down for some weeks for maintenance works on runway and installations.

The main base Payerne will be closed from June 2nd 'till July 3rd, 2020.

QRA/Air Defence (LPD24) from 0600-2200h LT will be executed out of Meiringen during this time, together with nearly all flights with F-18 Hornet.

15 years ago - Sion with F-5 Tiger II and a lot of steel on the railroad

Heavy Metal 15 years ago - Sion was always an fascinating airbase to combine my photografic interests in military aviation, birds and railways.

all pictures Mai 03rd, 2005

F-5E Tiger II J-3025 - now in duty by VFC-111 Sun Downers in the US Navy

F-5E Tiger II J-3076, sold and ready to be shipped to the USA

Two Re 4/4 - this combination is also called Re 8/8 - may be 11267 and 11276

Two Re 4/4 again, 11287 and an unknown one

Re 6/6, now called Re 620 061-2 'Gampel-Steg' in SBB Cargo colours

Re 460 015-1 in special paint Radio DRS 3, named 'Uf u dervo' (up and away)

Re 460 013-6 in special paint Microsoft/SAB, named 'Nord Vaudois'

Re 460 012-8 in special paint DRS I-II-II / RSR idée suisse (D/F), named 'Erguel' (a village)

Ae 6/6 11518 'Flüelen', believed scrapped today

scrapping of an Ae 6/6 on youtube

Air to Ground Shooting Range Axalp (-Ebenfluh) - Power Demonstration 2018 - last time with our grey Tigers

Every year in October, the Swiss Air Force invites the world to the Power Demo showed up there. No more rockets and bombs since the end of Vampire and Hunter, but still impressive.
Unfortunally it was the last year with the grey Tiger F-5's - the're only used for the agressor role and Patrouille Suisse in the future, but not needed to shoot there bullets anymore.

Graduation of Pilot Class'13, Vitznau and Training PC-7 Team this week

The ceremony will take place on thursday 12th with a Super Puma Display at the seaside of Vitznau. PC-7 Team cancelled there planned contribution but will fly in Emmen, Payerne and Dübendorf this week:

EDIT December 12th: SUPER PUMA DISPLAY TEAM cancelled there participation too ....

PC-7 Team Training for World Cup Crans Montana

Wednesday, 11th:
Emmen 1045-1115LT
Payerne 1345-1415LT

Thursday, 12th:
Dübendorf 1100-1130LT

WEF 2020 - Air Policy above Davos

In 2020, the armed forces will once again support the civilian authorities in the canton of Graubünden in carrying out security tasks in connection with the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF). Parliament approved the deployment of a maximum of 5,000 soldiers on these civil affairs support operations from 2019 until 2021. The 2020 WEF meeting will be held from 17 to 27 January.


Main base for the combat ready jets is Payerne LSMP (1st ALT is LSMM, 2nd ALT is LSMS) again and the 25 nautical miles flight restrictions above Davos are on the following dates:

January 17th, 2020 from 1300-1700h LT (training)
January 20th from 0800h LT continuosly 'till January 25th, 1700 LT (hot)

Some Pilatus (NC)PC-7 will be flying out of Samedan airport during training day and the hot mission.

More informations: https://www.vtg.admin.ch/de/aktuell/einsaetze-und-operationen/sse/wef.html

Some impressions of Air Policy from other years 

Evaluation NKF - Mission Rafale - Media- and Spotterday

Another successful event perfectly organised by armasuisse and Dassault Aviation - with a lot of information again and many interested visitors, Media and Spotter side. And of course a lot of people from France interested to see there new aircraft from near.

Crossing Switzerland in the Vampire - historic video of swiss television

'Karussel' was the name of the saturday evening show, long before youtube and netflix. With the heavy camera equipment in the nose, the Vampire flew three routes through switzerland - accompagnied by the Patrouille Suisse (still on Hunter) above the Gotthard and other aircrafts like Mirage and F-5 Tiger II elsewhere.

Enjoy ;)

Evaluation NKF - Mission Super Hornet

The second candidate will arrive this week and includes an Omega Company Tanker as support. The test flights will start next monday april 29th and end on Mai 3rd. Eight missions are scheduled, with a total of 17 takeoffs and landings (PAY/MEI).

As support aircraft an KDC-10 Tanker aircraft is expected (N974VV, Mc Donnell Douglas DC-10-40) - due Air'04 Airshow an KC707 of the Omega company was here. 

OMEGA Air Refueling: http://www.omegaairrefueling.com

All photos taken by myself, archive.

Evaluation NKF - Mission Eurofighter - Media- and Spotterday

The first visit on base due evaluation NKF is made and ended with a lot of informations and pictures. Highly secured (military police everywhere), highly visited (around 600 people only in the spotters zone) and highly appreciated event of Armasuisse, our Air Force and Airbus company - good job !

Some impressions from my side ;)

Evaluation NKF - Mission Eurofighter Typhoon

As first of the candidates for the new fighter aircraft in Switzerland, two RAF Typhoons landed in Payerne today. For the following days eight missions are scheduled, with a total of 17 takeoffs and landings (PAY/MEI). Flight days are in between11th 'till 17th of April, with a nightflight mission next monday.

Present aircrafts:
Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4
Registration: ZK356 (cn BS117)

and

Eurofighter Typhoon T3
Registration: ZK303 / AX (cn 207/BT017/ISPA5)

Spotter-/Mediaday of april 12th - no Eurofighter flights in the morning. Takeoff in the afternoon 1515, landing 1615h local time. Beware of the Hornet Display training at 1330h.


(photos out of my archive)

Patrouille Suisse training weeks

Today our national display team performed two trainings in my area - above the idillic little airfield of Bellechasse. Some pictures of a friend, Adrian Flühmann:

tomorrow no display training due weather: