Flying into Frankfurt-Egelsbach

Among aerodromes in Germany, Egelsbach (EDFE) has some weird differences. We’ll demystify them here. As always, I am not a flight instructor. This information was put together to best of my knowledge and is valid at the time of publishing. Egelsbach is my home base, and I learned to fly here.

Aerodrome

Frankfurt-Egelsbach serves Frankfurt, Offenbach, Darmstadt and surrounding area. It is located about 15 km south of Frankfurt, which you can reach by car sharing (App2Drive) or Train (S-Bahn) from the station, which is about a 15 minute walk and about a 25 minute ride into the city center.

Egelsbach has a 1400m asphalt runway (08 and 26), as well as a 670m gras strip with the same orientation.

It is usually open from 08:00 local to ECET and maximum 21:00 local time. Besides Avgas 100LL, you can also get UL91 and Jet A1, as well as oil.

Although Egelsbach Aerodrome is uncontrolled, expect instructions and follow orders. You will not receive clearances.

Airspace

Frankfurt-Egelsbach aerodrome lies just a couple of miles south east of Frankfurt Rhein-Main Airport (EDDF), one of the busiest airports in Europe. Egelsbach has Germany’s only ATZ and is also within a TMZ and RMZ. Its airspace borders Frankfurts on the west and north. Also, above Egelsbach, Frankfurt Class C starts at 1500ft MSL, which is only about 1100ft above Egelsbach aerodrome.

Flying to Egelsbach

In order to fly into our out of Egelsbach, there are published routes, which need to be followed. Except for the first arrival, contact Egelsbach Info 10 minutes prior to landing.

From the north-west

You can ask FIS for a crossing of the Frankfurt CTR at or above 1500ft from N to L, along the Autobahn A5. If possible, you will be passed to Frankfurt Tower. If your radio telephony skills are a bit rusty, I would not recommend this. When arriving at L, you are already almost in the pattern for Egelsbach.

Most likely this route will not be possible.

To Runway 08 Via T (east / north-east)

Follow T route as published, when reaching the Autobahn 661, turn right, overfly the newly built residential area and join left downwind for 08. Do not overfly the hunting lodge (Jagdschloss). Turn base prior to reaching the Autobahn A5.

To Runway 08 Via D (south)

Follow D route as published on the east side of the Autobahn A5. When abeam the row of transmission lines (running east/west), you are in right base.

To Runway 26 Via E (east)

Follow E route as published. You should be able to see a tall white and gray building (“Dr. Beckmann”). When reaching the end of the Autobahn 661, which turns from north-south to east-west, you are on final. Above the industrial area 1000 feet is a good altitude to have. Just in front of the fence to the aerodrome there is a rail line with overhead line. Be careful to be high enough to clear it.

To Runway 26 Via K (south)

Follow K route as published. The entry point is located next to two wind turbines over a clearing in the forest. You should be able to see a yellow residential tower, which you can aim for. When passing the transmission lines you have reached base. When reaching the end of the Autobahn 661, which turns from north-south to east-west, you are on final. Above the industrial area 1000 feet is a good altitude to have. Just in front of the fence to the aerodrome there is a rail line with overhead line. Be careful to be high enough to clear it.

Departing from Egelsbach

Departing is very similar. Before take off, inform Info on the route you want use for leaving the ATZ. These are the opposite ones from the arrival routes. So, for runway 08, you can depart via K or E, for runway 26, you can depart via D and T. You can also ask to get a CTR crossing from L to N. In this case you will receive the tower frequency and will have to switch when advised. This is subject to traffic and does not always work out.

Radio Examples

Landing

P Egelsbach Radio, D-EXXX

E D-XX, Egelsbach Radio

P D-XX, P28A, 3 POB, VFR from Dresden, 15 miles north east, 2500 feet, request landing information

E D-XX, Runway 26, QNH 1005, Squawk 4441

P D-XX, Runway 26, QNH 1005, Squawk 4441, will enter via Echo

…

P D-XX, Starting Echo route, 1500 feet …

Departing

P Egelsbach Apron, D-EXXX

E D-XX, Egelsbach Apron

P D-XX, P28A, 3 POB, VFR to Innsbruck, at hanger 6, request taxi information

E D-XX, Runway 26, QNH 1010

P D-XX, Runway 26, QNH 1010, Squawk 4441

… switching to Radio at holding point …

P Egelsbach Radio, D-EXXX

E D-XX, Egelsbach Radio

P D-XX, holding point runway 26, ready for departure via Delta

E D-XX, wind 260 degrees, 10 knots

P D-XX, departing runway 26

…

P D-XX has left the RMZ via Delta, 1400 feet, good bye

Updated 2023-08-06: Changed call sign of Egelsbach from "Info" to "Radio".