Civil Airfield Birrfeld (LSZF)

Birrfeld (LSZF) is a busy, GA-focused airfield near Zurich with no flight information service officer (Flugleiter) on duty; operations rely on self-announced radio calls, though someone may occasionally respond. The circuit entry procedure is unique and must be studied in advance via the airport website or VAC; entry is via defined sectors with minimum altitudes, and a tight entry circle overhead is required before joining the pattern. The southern sector is often closed to powered aircraft during glider operations. High traffic levels are common, especially on weekends, and strict adherence to published procedures is expected. IFR arrivals require an online airport qualification, and approaches in IMC are demanding due to necessary high climb gradients.

Customs is available for Schengen flights only and must be pre-notified online; after landing from abroad, park in the marked customs box and wait until customs arrives or your slot expires before leaving the area. Customs fees apply for arrivals but not departures. Example: customs fee about CHF 20. Landing fees vary by noise category and weight; for typical GA aircraft, landing fees range from CHF 20 to CHF 50, with daily parking around CHF 15–40. Example: landing fee about CHF 50; parking per day about CHF 40.

AVGAS100LL, JET A-1, UL98, and MoGas are available; fuel prices are comparable to Germany. Car sharing via flydrive.ch is offered on site, with rates around CHF 10 per hour or CHF 100 per day. Public transport can be reached in 15–25 minutes on foot in Lupfig, where there are also shops and restaurants.

On the ground, pilots must self-complete arrival/departure forms using a QR code or PC in the briefing room. The airfield has a restaurant with moderate-to-high prices and public WiFi in the briefing area. Staff are generally friendly but may be busy during peak times.

Noise abatement areas surround the field; careful circuit discipline is required to avoid conflicts and airspace infringements near Zurich TMA. Procedures vary; see AIP/NOTAM.

Birrfeld offers efficient GA access to the Zurich region with well-organized ground processes but requires thorough pre-flight preparation due to its procedural complexity and high activity levels.