Planespotting Volkel AB — EHVK
Volkel, just east of Uden in North Brabant, is the southern of the two Dutch fighter bases and home to 312 and 313 Squadrons, both flying the F-35A since the last Dutch F-16 left here in September 2024. The base has two parallel runways, 06L/24R and 06R/24L, each just over 3 km long, and all regular flying is done from the shelters and hangars on the north side; the south side holds alert shelters and the hangar of the Historical Fighters Volkel group. Very little is visible from outside the fence, so Volkel is a base for runway action rather than apron logging. Westerly winds mean runway 24 is in use most days, and Volkel takes part in Benelux quick-reaction alert, so scrambles can happen outside the normal weekday flying blocks. In October 2025 it was the main base for NATO's Steadfast Noon exercise, bringing dozens of visiting aircraft.
- BAW85U A319 36 000 ft
Conditions right now
Runways
- 06R/24R RWY 06R 3,026 × 22 m · 9,928 × 72 ft
- 06L/24L 3,024 × 45 m · 9,921 × 148 ft
Ask the sky
What flew over this morning? Where was that loud one heading? Ask in plain words — the answer comes from real recorded traffic.
Airport profile
Typical traffic by hour
Relative intensity by local hour — a typical day, not live data.Peak: 10:00
Typical traffic mix
- Military90%
- Turboprop4%
- Cargo4%
- Bizjet2%
Spotter score
Our editorial rating (0–100).Best time of year
When the interesting traffic peaks.Where to spot
Spotter place at the 24R threshold
The traditional spotter place near the threshold of the main runway. It is the best position on the base for reading off serials and watching jets line up and depart, but for photography the sun sits on the wrong side for most of the day.
- Getting there
- Signposted roads east of Volkel village; car is by far the easiest way. By public transport, take a bus to Uden and change to the infrequent service towards Odiliapeel — note the return times before you set off. A medium stepladder helps over the fence.
- Best time
- Early morning only for photos; fine all day for logging when runway 24 is active.
- Lens
- 100–400 mm plus a stepladder.
Peelweg — approach to runway 24
When runway 24 is in use, the parallel road along the Peelweg gives clean shots of F-35s on approach. You stand on the public road; the fields beside it are off limits and signposted as such.
- Getting there
- Peelweg east of the base; park legally on the road side and do not walk into the fields — it is forbidden and potentially dangerous.
- Best time
- Westerly operations (landings on 24). Pick the side of the centreline that puts the sun behind you — south of it from late morning onwards.
- Lens
- 200–500 mm.
South side of the base
To photograph jets moving on either runway without facing the sun, spotters walk to the southern fence. It works for both 24L and 24R and gives side-on take-off and landing shots.
- Getting there
- Park along the road on the south side and follow the dirt track to the fence; bring a medium stepladder. Stay on the track — the land around it is private.
- Best time
- Most of the day, since the sun is behind you to the south; strongest from late morning to mid-afternoon.
- Lens
- 150–600 mm.
N264 lay-bys — runways 06
When the wind turns easterly, the parking spots along the N264 give a good view of landings and departures on 06L and 06R. From here you can also see visiting aircraft on the platform north of the 06 threshold and the preserved F-84F, F-104G and F-16A at the main gate.
- Getting there
- Lay-bys along the N264 at the western end of the base, near the main gate; car or bike from Uden or Volkel village.
- Best time
- Easterly operations. Visitors on the platform are best photographed in the afternoon.
- Lens
- 100–400 mm.
Respect private property, signage and the airport security perimeter. Spotterra predicts the active runway from live weather on the dashboard.
What you'll see
The resident fleet is F-35A Lightning IIs of 312 and 313 Squadrons, flying weekday waves in pairs and fours, with occasional night flying. An ANWB medical H135 and a police helicopter operate from the base too. Visitors park on the platform near the 06 threshold: transports such as C-130s and A400Ms, NATO MRTT tankers from nearby Eindhoven, and foreign fighters during exercises — Steadfast Noon in 2025 drew around 70 aircraft from 14 nations to Volkel and partner bases. As at all Dutch fighter bases, expect quiet weekends and a summer break.
What actually flew over Volkel AB in the last 30 days
Measured from our own ADS-B data — not a schedule, but what really passed overhead.
- B738 31.7 %
- A21N 18.8 %
- B38M 13 %
- A320 11.4 %
- A20N 9.3 %
- GLID 6.9 %
- E190 4.6 %
- E295 4.4 %
FAQ
What's that plane over Volkel?
Spotterra's live map shows what is airborne over Uden and the Peel right now, with type, callsign and altitude wherever ADS-B is switched on. F-35s on training sorties often fly without it, so a quiet map does not mean a quiet base.
Which runway does Volkel use?
Both parallels, 06L/24R and 06R/24L, are used; with the prevailing westerly wind it is runway 24 on most days. Spotterra's live map and the METAR tell you which way they are going before you drive out.
Is photography allowed at Volkel?
Photographing aircraft from public roads is accepted in the Netherlands, but Volkel is a high-security base. Stay outside the fence and off private fields, and follow instructions from the Royal Military Police (KMar).
Do F-16s still fly at Volkel?
No. The last Dutch F-16s left Volkel on 27 September 2024; both squadrons now fly the F-35A. Preserved F-16A, F-104G and F-84F airframes stand at the main gate.
Spotterra watches the sky over Volkel AB
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