Soest-Bad Sassendorf Airfield facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Soest-Bad Sassendorf Airfield
Flugplatz Soest - Bad Sassendorf
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| Summary | |||||||||||
| Airport type | Private | ||||||||||
| Operator | Flugsportgemeinschaft Soest e.V | ||||||||||
| Serves | Soest / Bad Sassendorf | ||||||||||
| Location | Soest, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany | ||||||||||
| Opened | 1 June 1956 | ||||||||||
| Elevation AMSL | 120 m / 394 ft | ||||||||||
| Coordinates | 51°34′41″N 008°12′53″E / 51.57806°N 8.21472°E | ||||||||||
| Map | |||||||||||
 EDLZ
Location in Germany
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| Runway | |||||||||||
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The Soest-Bad Sassendorf Airfield (its airport code is EDLZ) is a special place for planes in Germany. It is located near the towns of Soest and Bad Sassendorf, close to the Möhnesee lake. This airfield is now used for civilian flights, not for big commercial airlines.
A "special landing site" means it's mostly for private planes and clubs. Unlike a big airport, only the people who run it, or others they allow, can take off and land here. It doesn't have set opening times like a regular airport. In 2001, a special vehicle called the Airfisch 8 was launched here. It was designed to fly very close to the water, like a hovercraft but in the air!
Contents
Airfield's Past: Military Use
This airfield has an interesting history. From 1953 to 1971, the Royal Canadian Army used it. Later, during the Cold War, from 1971 until 1994, the British Army was based here. Specifically, the 3 Regiment Army Air Corps (3 AAC) used the airfield.
The 3 AAC flew different types of helicopters, including the Westland Scout AH1, Westland Gazelle AH1, and Westland Lynx AH1 and AH7. Several squadrons from the AAC were stationed here, such as 653, 654, 660, 662, and 663 squadrons. After the British forces in Germany were reduced, the 3 Regiment Army Air Corps moved to Wattisham Airfield in England.
What's at the Airfield?
The main runway at Soest-Bad Sassendorf Airfield is about 820 metres (2,690 feet) long. There's also a longer area, about 1,000 metres (3,300 feet) long, used for launching gliders with a special winch. Both runways are made of grass.
Planes usually fly in a pattern to the south of the airfield. This is because the air space to the north is kept clear for skydivers. The radio frequency for the airfield is 122.600 MHz. There's also a fuel station where planes can get different types of fuel like Avgas, Mogas, and Jet A-1.
Flying Fun and Activities
Two main clubs use this airfield for their activities:
- The Flugsportgemeinschaft Soest e.V (Soest Flying Club) operates both powered airplanes and gliders.
- The Fallschirmsportclub Soest-Bad Sassendorf e.V (Soest-Bad Sassendorf Skydiving Club) is for people who love to skydive.
There's also a gyrocopter flying school called Flugdienst Sauerland that teaches people how to fly these unique aircraft. Flying usually happens on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays, if the weather is good. Sometimes, flights also happen on weekdays. The gliding season typically runs from late March or early April until late October or early November. Powered flights can happen all year round.
This small airfield also hosts special flying days. During these events, professional pilots and aerobatic pilots show off amazing aerobatics and stunts in the sky. It's a great chance to see incredible flying skills!
Images for kids
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The control tower at Soest-Bad Sassendorf Airfield.
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An ASK-13 glider ready for a winch launch at Soest.
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A view from the control tower showing the fuel station and windsock.
See also
- List of airfields and special landing sites in Germany (German Wikipedia page)
- German-language Wikipedia article
