Heidelberg: Army Air Field AAF

Army Heliport AHP, Pfaffengrund

For historical information only, do not use for navigation or aviation purposes!

Coordinates	N492336 E0083907 (WGS84) Google Maps
Federal state	Baden-Württemberg

Map with location of Heidelberg Army Air Field AAF, Germany

Germany during the Cold War Map

The history of the Cold War airfields: Heidelberg

During the Cold War

General

Airfield for US Army utility aircraft and helicopters. The airfield had a difficult obstacle situation.

In the 1960s

Overview

Map from the year 1960. At this time there was also a runway in roughly north-south direction 17/35.

Source: US DoD

Maps

NDB approach in 1960, Heidelberg Aerodrome

NDB approach in 1960 - Due to the difficult obstacle situation in the east, an instrument approach is only possible from the west. Also the missed approach procedure must be already initiated at the HDL beacon. In addition, between the HDL and the field there is a unlighted high-voltage power supply line.

Source: US DoD

Images from April 1961

Source: Radio-TV tour, Germany. US National Archives. National Archives Identifier: 28518, Local Identifier: 111-LC-45092

A US Army helicopter Sikorsky S-58 / H-34 at Heidelberg Army Airfield

Control tower, bus and helicopter

In the 1970s

Situation

Map with Heidelberg Army Airfield, Germany, 1972

Heidelberg Army Air Field AAF on a map of the US Department of Defense from 1972

Source: ONC E-2 (1972), Perry-Castañeda Library Map Collection, University of Texas at Austin

Overview

Heidelberg Airfield: north-south runway was already closed

In 1973, the north-south runway was already closed.

Source: US DoD

Heidelberg Army Air Field AAF, Germany, on a US satellite image 1977

Heidelberg Army Air Field AAF on a US satellite image from 03 July 1977

Source: U.S. Geological Survey

Runways

08/26: 1067 m x 30 m Asphalt
17/35: 401 m x 12 m

In the 1980s

Situation

VFR arrival and departure routes in 1984 - The black triangles are compulsory reporting points, the unfilled ones are non-compulsory reporting points. The dashed rectangle is the Heidelberg control zone ("HEIDELBERG CTLZ").

Source: US DoD

Overview

This map from 1984 shows the airfield with runway, taxiways, ramps and buildings. - In the east, a road leads over the runway. The former north-south runway is now being used as a taxiway C. On its northern end (not shown here) is the approach radar.

Source: US DoD

Runways

08/26: 1067 m x 30 m Concrete

Radio beacons

NDB: 417 "HDL", 080°/1.9NM to field

Maps

NDB approach in 1981 - Heidelberg had its own "Heidelberg Approach Control" (APP CON) and was equipped with an aerodrome surveillance radar (ASR) and a precision approach radar (PAR). The missed approach procedure is now heading north.

Source: US DoD