🇩🇪 Niederstetten Army Air Base

Niederstetten Army Air Base (ICAO: ETHN) is a military and civilian airport located 4 kilometers (2.5 mi) east of Niederstetten, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. It is owned by the Federal Ministry of Defence and operated by the German Army.

History and Features:

• Construction of an airfield for the Luftwaffe was completed in 1936, though it was abandoned after World War II.
• Works to convert it into an air base for the German Army's Aviation Corps began in 1957 and were completed in 1962.
• The air base has a concrete runway measuring 1,391 meters (4,383 feet) in length. SkyVector reports the dimensions as 1311 x 30 meters (4301 x 98 feet).
• In 2011, the runway was extended by 200 meters to comply with EU regulations and retain permission for civilian use.
• An extensive building program started in 2007 to accommodate new NH90 helicopters, including a hangar completed in 2008.
• It serves as a border crossing point with customs clearance.
• The airport offers AVGAS and JETFUEL, aircraft hangars, and a restaurant.

Current Status and Operations:

• The air base is currently home to Army Aviation Transport Helicopter Regiment 30 of the German Army, which was integrated into the Rapid Forces Division after the dissolution of the Airmobile Operations Division in 2014.
• Approximately 750 members of the armed forces are employed at the base, with an increase of 600 in 2011 due to restructuring.
• The regiment is equipped with Bell UH-1D helicopters, which are being replaced by 32 NH90s.
• While primarily military, the base is also used for civilian purposes, including business and recreational flights.
• Civilian operations are managed by "STETTEN INFO" (119.780 MHz), while military air traffic control ("STETTEN TWR" or "STETTEN RADAR") handles civilian flights during military operating hours.
• IFR and night approaches are possible with prior notification and a fee.
• The military airfield is generally not accessible for civil aviation or cargo, with Stuttgart Airport being the nearest full cargo option.
• Operating hours vary, with military operations typically Monday to Friday, and civilian flights on weekends and holidays.

*Sources researched: en.wikipedia.org, skyvector.com, flugplatz-ethn.de, freight-academy.com, flugplatz-niederstetten.de*