Was it a bird? Was it a plane? No, it was the Flugplatz Mainz-Finthen calling to us through time. The Flugplatz Mainz-Finthen stands before us. It is more than just an airfield. It’s a living testament to Germany’s complex past.
The Flugplatz Mainz-Finthen first opened in 1939. It was originally built as a Luftwaffe military airfield. Back then, it was named Fliegerhorst Ober-Olm. The Reich Labor Service built it from 1939 to 1942. From 1942 until its capture by the United States Army in 1945, conscript laborers of the SS special camp Hinzert maintained it.
The special thing about the Flugplatz Mainz-Finthen is that it was built as a round grass field. It was for night fighter planes during the Second World War. The entire area has an efficient drainage system. This circular system has a diameter of about 1.2 km. It was built across the entire airfield. Large quantities of blast furnace slag were dug into the surface. A network-like drainage system was laid in between. This allows for the rapid drainage of the entire airfield. The Finther Forest was cleared for the construction of the airfield.
Allied troops took over the Flugplatz Mainz-Finthen on March 27, 1945. They called it Advanced Landing Ground ALG Y-64 Ober-Olm. The United States Army Air Forces used it until June 20, 1945.
After that, the French army took over the Flugplatz Mainz-Finthen. They built the 1000 m long asphalt runway. They used it for their army aviation. In the second half of the 1950s, the Ecole de Spécialisation de l’Aviation Légère d’Observation d’Artillerie used the airfield. This was a training facility for artillery observers.
After the French left, the Americans took over the Flugplatz Mainz-Finthen again. It was renamed Finthen Army Airfield. From the mid-1970s, the US Army stationed the 205th Assault Support Helicopter Company here. This unit had about 20 helicopters. Most of them were CH-47C Chinooks. In 1988, this unit was moved to Mannheim. The 295th ASHC replaced it. The Finthen Army Airfield was closed. This happened between December 1991 and September 1992. After the US Army cleared it in November 1992, it was returned to Germany.
The Flugplatz Mainz-Finthen has two runways. They are oriented 07/25. One is asphalt with lighting. The other is grass. Both are 1000 m long. Night flights are allowed with prior permission.
Pope John Paul II celebrated Holy Mass here on November 16 and 17, 1980. This was during his first major pastoral visit to Germany. Thousands of believers attended the mass at the Flugplatz Mainz-Finthen.
The US Army gave up the Flugplatz Mainz-Finthen in 1992. On September 30, 1993, the first joint use agreement was signed. This was between Germany and the USA. It allowed the state of Rhineland-Palatinate to use the airfield for civilian purposes. The ICAO code changed from EDOT to EDFZ on January 5, 1995. The Aviation Association of Mainz has operated the airfield since then. On August 1, 2008, they transferred operations to the newly founded Flugplatz Mainz-Finthen Betriebs GmbH.
The Flugplatz Mainz-Finthen is located about 9 km southwest of Mainz city center. It is about one kilometer west of the Mainz-Finthen district. It sits at an altitude of 232 meters.
Today, the Flugplatz Mainz-Finthen is approved for aircraft and helicopters up to 14 t MTOW. Gliders and ultralight aircraft are also allowed. You can get AVGAS, Jet-A1, and Super gasoline at the airfield’s gas station during opening hours. Besides the operating association, there are several flight schools at the airfield. Here, you can learn to fly various aircraft. There is also an aircraft repair shop with three employees.
From 1984 to 1990, the Flugplatzrennen Mainz Finthen was held here as part of the DTM.
The Flugplatz Mainz-Finthen stands as a reminder of war and peace. It has transformed from a military base to a civilian airfield. Today, it is a place where aviation dreams take flight.