Spangdahlem Air Base

ETAD / SPM

Trier, DE

Last Updated
May 14, 15:23Z

Military Airport

Restricted

Dies ist ein Militärflugplatz der Bundeswehr. Zivilverkehr ist in der Regel nicht gestattet.

Access Notes:

Bundeswehr fields generally closed to civil traffic; some historical civil use

Consult official AIP (German AIP ENR 5.2) for current access procedures and restrictions.

Current Weather

Display Units
Fresh 27 min ago
15:23Z

☀️ Day
VFR
Flight Rules
8°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 3°C
11 kt
320° G17 kt
10+ km
Visibility
6,500 ft
Ceiling
Above Ground Level
997 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

SPECI ETAD 141523Z 32011G17KT 9999 -RA SCT038 BKN065 08/03 A2945 RMK AO2A DZE1455DZB08E16RAB16 SLP969 $

Clouds - Visual Profile

12,000ft
9,000ft
6,000ft
3,000ft
Ground
Field Elev: 1,197 ft
SCT 3,800 ft AGL
BKN 6,500 ft AGL
SCT
Scattered (3/8-4/8 sky coverage)
3,800 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
4,997 ft AMSL
☁️
BKN
Broken (5/8-7/8 sky coverage)
6,500 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
7,697 ft AMSL

Weather Briefing

VFR

Spangdahlem Air Base is currently reporting visual flight rules (VFR) conditions with broken clouds at 6,500 feet and 10 miles or greater visibility.

Wind Analysis

Winds are from the northwest (320°) at 11 knots with gusts to 17 knots. Runway 05/23 is favored with a 0-knot headwind and 11-knot crosswind component (gusting to 17 knots crosswind).

Visibility & Ceiling

Visibility is unrestricted. The ceiling is 6500 feet AGL (broken), well above standard VFR minimums.

Temperature & Moisture

Temperature is 8°C (46°F) with a dewpoint of 3°C, indicating moderate moisture conditions.

Forecast Outlook

The TAF forecast covers the next 27 hours. Conditions are expected to fluctuate between VFR and MVFR. VFR pilots should be prepared for deteriorating conditions. Expected weather includes: Light Showers Rain, Light Rain.

Pilot Recommendations

Conditions are favorable for visual flight. The forecast indicates conditions may deteriorate. Ensure you have fuel reserves and a viable alternate airport.

This briefing is generated from real-time METAR and TAF data. Always verify with official sources before flight.

QNH
997 hPa
Sea Level Pressure
For altitude above MSL
QFE
957 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (1,197 ft)
Pressure Alt
1,685 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: 1,132 ft
ISA Deviation: -4.6°C

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF AMD ETAD 141505Z 1415/1518 29010G20KT 8000 -SHRA BKN030 510303 QNH2944INS BECMG 1417/1418 27006KT 9999 NSW SCT040 QNH2944INS BECMG 1506/1507 35006KT 8000 -RA BKN015 620204 QNH2957INS BECMG 1512/1513 32010G15KT 9999 NSW BKN040 QNH2959INS TX12/1513Z TN03/1504Z
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
15:49Z BASE
+0h
MVFR 290° 10 kt
Visibility: 8 km
Ceiling: 3,000 ft
Light Showers Rain
17:00Z BECMG
+2h
VFR 270° 6 kt
Visibility: 10+ km

24-Hour Weather Evolution

Loading weather data...
Data Sources
  • • Current conditions from METAR observations
  • • Historical data from past 24 hours
  • • No forecast or predicted data included
  • • Data updated with each new METAR report
Chart Features
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Note: Future values beyond current TAF validity are estimates based on climatological data and trends. Always verify with current forecasts before flight operations.

Airport Runway Layout

N
TAD
05 ✈️
23

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
✈️ 05/23
Active: 05
10,007 ft 148 ft ASP 44°
0.0 kt 11.0 kt
90° angle
🟢 Active Runway: Best headwind component for current conditions
⬆️ Headwind: Favorable wind component
↔️ Crosswind: ≤10kt Safe, 11-15kt Caution, >15kt Challenging

Weather Statistics - ETAD

14,966 observations | Sep 2025 - May 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
43.9%
MVFR
23.5%
IFR
16.4%
LIFR
16.2%

Spangdahlem Air Base is frequently affected by reduced visibility conditions, with VFR weather only 43.9% of the time and IFR/LIFR conditions occurring in 32.6% of observations. Prevailing winds are from the SW averaging 7.7 knots, with gusts recorded up to 31 knots. Calm conditions occur 16% of the time. Temperature extremes range from -8°C to 26°C, reflecting significant seasonal variation. The best months for VFR flying are April, March, May.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: SW (225°)
Average Speed: 7.7 kt
Maximum Recorded: 31 kt
Calm Winds: 16%
Direction Distribution:
N
2.9%
NE
6.6%
E
21.9%
SE
2.6%
S
6.9%
SW
25.2%
W
15.1%
NW
2.8%

Temperature Range

Average: 6.7°C
Range: -8°C to 26°C
-8°C 26°C

Visibility

Average: 10 SM
Below 3 SM: 0%
Fog Frequency: 4.2%

Best Months for VFR

April March May

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 05/23
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 3 kt

Statistics computed from 14,966 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - May 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

Spangdahlem Air Base - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: ETAD
IATA Code: SPM
Type: medium airport
Status: active
Elevation: 1,197 ft MSL

Location

City: Trier
Country: DE
Latitude: 49.976507°
Longitude: 6.698413°
Time Zone: Europe/Brussels

Runway Information

Runway 05/23
Length: 10,007 ft
Width: 148 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No

About Spangdahlem Air Base

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

Overview

Spangdahlem Air Base is a medium-sized airport located near Trier, Germany, serving military and potentially joint civilian aviation operations. Situated at an elevation of 1197 feet above mean sea level, the base provides strategic aviation infrastructure in the European theater. Its single runway 05/23 offers a substantial 10,007-foot asphalt surface capable of supporting significant aircraft operations.

Flying Conditions

Weather conditions at Spangdahlem demonstrate significant variability, with visual flight rules (VFR) conditions present 36.8% of the time and marginal conditions (MVFR) occurring 24.2% of observations. Temperature ranges from -8°C to 26°C, with an average of 6.2°C, indicating potential for icing and temperature-related performance considerations. Pilots can expect predominantly southwestern winds averaging 7.8 knots, with occasional stronger gusts up to 31 knots.

Notable Features

The airport's geographic positioning in western Germany suggests potential interaction with complex European airspace structures and terrain variations. Calm wind conditions occur 15.6% of the time, which may impact runway selection and approach strategies. Visibility averages 10 statute miles, with minimal instances of severely restricted visibility, supporting generally reliable visual navigation.

Approach Considerations

Runway 05/23 demonstrates highly favorable wind alignment, with 100% wind compatibility and a minimal average crosswind of 2.7 knots. September through November represent the most consistent visual meteorological conditions, potentially offering the most predictable flying environment. Pilots should anticipate potential instrument meteorological conditions, as IFR and LIFR conditions combine to represent approximately 39% of observed weather patterns.

Data Sources & Accuracy: Airport information sourced from OurAirports.com, a collaborative database of worldwide airport data. Weather data from official aviation weather services including NOAA Aviation Weather Center and international METAR/TAF providers. Information is updated regularly but pilots should always verify current conditions and NOTAMs through official channels before flight operations.

Official Data Sources

Weather NOAA Aviation Weather Center • International METAR/TAF Network
Airports OurAirports.com • Public domain airport database
NOTAMs FAA NOTAM System • ICAO NOTAM Distribution
Last updated: Jan 1, 1970 12:00 AM UTC

Disclaimer: Data is provided for informational purposes only. Pilots must verify all information through official sources before flight operations. Weather conditions change rapidly; always obtain a current briefing from approved weather services.