Overview of the affected areas
1. ED-R Nordenham
- Lateral limitation: Circle with a radius of 2.5 nautical miles (NM) around the coordinates 53°30'00 "N 008°30'00 "E.
- Vertical limitation: From ground level (GND) to 3000 feet above ground level (AGL).
- Period: 25 March to 5 April 2025.
- Frequency for status request: 128.525 MHz (FIS Langen).
This zone affects the Wesermarsch region in Lower Saxony and is located in the immediate vicinity of sensitive industrial plants and military facilities, which is why temporary airspace restrictions occur more frequently there.
2. ED-R Hude
- Lateral limitation: A complex defined area around Hude with several circular arcs and line connections. The centre of the zone is also 53°30'00 "N 008°30'00 "E.
- Vertical limitation: GND up to 3000 feet AGL.
- Period: 25 March to 5 April 2025.
- Frequency for status request: 128.525 MHz (FIS Langen).
- Important note: Transit authorisations already granted for the adjacent ED-R 41 "Unterweser" apply not automatically for ED-R Hude. Separate authorisation required.
Due to its location south-west of Bremen, ED-R Hude is particularly relevant for through traffic in north-west Germany.
3. ED-R Fulda
- Lateral limitation: Circle with 2.5 NM radius around 50°32'32 "N 009°41'23 "E.
- Vertical limitation: GND up to 3000 feet AGL.
- Period: 25 March to 5 April 2025.
- Frequency for status request: 119.150 MHz (FIS Langen).
The zone affects the Hessian low mountain range and could affect VFR flights in the Rhön region in particular.
4. ED-R Niederaichbach
- Lateral limitation: Circle with 2.5 NM radius around 48°36'12 "N 012°17'35 "E.
- Vertical limitation: GND up to 4000 feet AGL.
- Period: 25 March to 5 April 2025.
- Frequency for status request: 120.650 MHz (FIS Langen).
This zone is located in Bavaria, east of Landshut, and also affects routes towards the Austrian border or to popular destinations in south-east Bavaria.
Background to the measure
Temporary flight restriction areas (ED-R - "Restricted Areas") are set up when security-relevant events or events requiring special protection take place. This may involve military exercises, diplomatic state visits, safety-critical infrastructure or large-scale events. There is no official justification for the current zones, but the simultaneous activation of several ED-R areas suggests a supra-regional security situation or a national manoeuvre.
What do pilots need to consider?
- Flight preparation: A thorough airspace search is required before every flight within the affected period. The use of current aeronautical information (NOTAMs) and charts is mandatory.
- Contact FIS: The specified frequency of the flight information service (Langen FIS) should be used to query the activity of the restricted areas - especially as the activation can be dynamic.
- No automatic release by neighbouring zones: Pilots must note that a permit to fly through a neighbouring ED-R area is not required. not automatically authorises the flight through a neighbouring ED-R area. A separate authorisation is required for each area.
Conclusion
The temporary establishment of the four new ED-R zones represents a not insignificant restriction for traffic in lower airspace. General aviation pilots in particular who wish to carry out spontaneous excursions or training flights should pay more attention to the airspace structure during this period. If you inform yourself in good time and contact FIS if necessary, you can navigate safely even during the activation.
For up-to-date information, we recommend daily consultation of the DFS NOTAMs and the use of electronic tools such as DFS AIS portal, SkyDemon, ForeFlight or comparable applications.
Source references:
NFL (the link requires a subscription to Eisenschmidt)
