Erlangen: Army Airfield AAF

Ferris Barracks Army Heliport AHP

For historical information only, do not use for navigation or aviation purposes!
CoordinatesN493516 E0110143 (WGS84) Google Maps
Elevation 925 ft
Federal stateBayern (Bavaria)
Location indicatorDBEL (195x), EDET (196x-199x)
Map with location of Erlangen airfield
Germany during the Cold War Map

General

Until 1945, Erlangen was a landing ground. After 1945 the area was used by the US Army as Ferris Barracks, which included an airfield for light aircraft and helicopters.
Over the years, flight operations were more and more reduced. During the 1960s, the field could be used without limitations. Since mid of the 1970s, landing of fixed-wing aircraft was subject to prior permission. But there were still scheduled operation hours. From the early 1980s, Erlangen was completely closed for fixed-wing aircraft. There were no scheduled operation hours and the airfield was unattended. Helicopters had a marked landing spot on the runway. From the mid 1980s, the runway was closed and helicopters were to land on the parking lot 20 m east of the flag pole.
With the withdrawal of the US troops in the mid 1990s, Ferris Barracks and the helipad were finally closed. Today, parts of the area belong to the Röthelheimpark industrial estate. The runway is completely renaturated. Individual buildings from the barracks can still be found.

Location of airfield

The airfield was in the eastern part of Erlangen.

During World War II

Use

Landing ground.

During the Cold War

Use

US Army airfield, later Helipad only.

Situation

Erlangen Army Airfield AAF on a map 1972
Erlangen Army Airfield (AAF) on a map of the US Department of Defense from 1972 - Well recognizable is the location of the airfield at the north-western end of the Tennenlohe Local Training Area, which was protected by the almost square-shaped ED(R)-4 restricted area
Source: ONC E-2 (1972), Perry-Castañeda Library Map Collection, University of Texas at Austin

Overview

Erlangen airfields on a US map from 1954
Erlangen airfields on a US map from 1954
Source: AMS M841 GSGS 4414, Courtesy Harold B. Lee Library, Brigham Young University
Erlangen Army Airfield, 1971
Erlangen Army Airfield, 1971 - The dimensions of runway 05/23 are given in feet. The map also show a tank trail which crosses the runway.
Source: DoD
Erlangen Ferris Barracks 1975
Ferris Barracks on 28 December 1975 - The landscape is snow-covered.
Source: U.S. Geological Survey

Runways

Data for the year 1971:
  • 05/23: 670 m x 20 m

Telephone

Military 2631-811/733 (197x),
ETS 464-3xxx (1990)

Airspace and procedures

The airfield was located at the northwest corner of the Tennenlohe Local Training Area, which was protected by the restricted area ED(R)-4. Before entry, helicopters were to call RANGE CONTROL via radio (in 1990: frequency 53.6).

Today

Use

Closed. The former airfield is partially overbuilt with the new Röthelheimpark industrial estate.

Overview

Aerial image Erlangen Röthelheimpark 2017
Aerial image (2017)
Source: Datenquelle: Bayerische Vermessungsverwaltung www.geodaten.bayern.de, License: Creative Commons Namensnennung 3.0 Deutschland (CC BY 3.0 DE)

Sources

Links

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