Leeuwarden Air Base

Leeuwarden Air Base is a military facility. Civilian access may be restricted or require Prior Permission (PPR). Pilots should consult the NL AIP for current access procedures and restrictions.

Overview

Leeuwarden Air Base is a medium-sized airport located in the northern Netherlands, serving as a key military aviation facility. Positioned at a low elevation of 3 ft MSL, the airport is situated near the city of Leeuwarden with geographical coordinates 53.228600, 5.760560. The base features two asphalted runways capable of handling a variety of aircraft operations.

Flying Conditions

Weather conditions at Leeuwarden demonstrate significant variability, with visual flight rules (VFR) prevailing 44.7% of the time and marginal VFR conditions occurring 29.9% of observations. Winds predominantly originate from the south at 180° with an average speed of 10.4 knots, and temperature ranges from -7°C to 24°C. Pilots can expect most favorable visual conditions during September, October, and January.

Notable Features

The airport's low elevation and coastal Netherlands location contribute to its relatively stable wind patterns. Both runways demonstrate 100% favorable wind alignment, with modest average crosswind components of 6.1 knots for runway 05/23 and 6.8 knots for runway 09/27. The airport experiences minimal fog, with only 4% of observations reporting fog conditions.

Approach Considerations

Runway selection can be confidently made based on prevailing southerly winds, with both 05/23 and 09/27 offering consistent wind alignment. Visibility averages 10 statute miles, providing generally excellent approach conditions. Pilots should be prepared for potential marginal conditions, as IFR and low IFR conditions comprise approximately 25.4% of observed weather patterns.