Froidchapelle Glider Field

Economic and regional development. The closure was not due to an accident or lack of activity, but rather a strategic decision by regional authorities. The land occupied by the airfield was identified as a key area for the touristic and economic expansion of the nearby Lacs de l'Eau d'Heure resort area. The airfield was closed to free up the land for projects deemed more economically beneficial, which ultimately led to the construction of a large solar farm.

The site of the former airfield has been completely repurposed. It is now home to the 'Parc photovoltaïque des Lacs de l'Eau d'Heure', one of Belgium's largest solar farms. The vast array of solar panels covers the former runways and operational areas, making any future aviation use of the original site impossible. The only remnants of its past are the general shape of the field and its location on maps, but the infrastructure is entirely gone.

Froidchapelle Glider Field was a site of national importance for the sport of gliding in Belgium. It was the long-time home of the Centre National de Vol à Voile (CNVV), the national gliding center for the French-speaking community. For decades, it served as the primary training and recreational hub for glider pilots, hosting countless training camps, national competitions, and club activities. The airfield operated with grass runways and specialized in glider operations, including winch launches and aerotows using light aircraft. Its closure represented the end of an era for the Belgian gliding community, which then had to consolidate its main activities at the Saint-Hubert Airfield.

There are zero prospects for reopening the Froidchapelle Glider Field at its original location. The land has been permanently redeveloped for renewable energy production. The national gliding activities and the CNVV have been successfully and permanently relocated to Saint-Hubert Airfield (EBSH), which now serves as the central hub for the sport in the region.