A400M flying low over Rhön-Grabfeld: Bundeswehr declares the operation!

A400M flying low over Rhön-Grabfeld: Bundeswehr declares the operation!

The residents of Bad Neustadt were treated to an impressive sight when an Airbus A400M Atlas glided low over the region on July 16, 2025. With the call sign ARCTOS1, the transport aircraft took off from Schwäbisch Hall and flew over the Rhön-Grabfeld district from the south before turning over Eisenach and flying a few curves in the neighboring Thuringian state. The machine then continued on its course towards Hanover/Hildesheim, as mainpost.de reports.

Such flight maneuvers are not entirely unusual. In fact, a similar low-level flight by a Bundeswehr A400M took place in Bisingen on February 15, 2023. At that time, the machine was operating at an altitude of about 664 feet, which is approximately 200 meters above ground. It should be noted that the minimum altitude for low-level military flights is 500 feet; over cities with more than 100,000 inhabitants, this is a minimum altitude of 2,000 feet. The flight from Bisingen to the Wunstorf military airfield was carried out by the Bundeswehr as compliant with the rules and taking into account all necessary regulations, such as [schwarzwaelder-bote.de].

Compliance and implementation

A spokesman for the Bundeswehr Aviation Office explained that military flight operations are generally permitted in Germany and do not require specific routes. Rather, flight movements are distributed evenly across the airspace, avoiding inhabited areas as much as possible. Factors such as weather conditions and the availability of personnel and material play a decisive role in how frequently such flights take place.

The A400M flights are mostly training flights, and similar air movements are not uncommon in the Zollernalb district. The Tornados of the Luftwaffe can often be seen here, training to always be ready for action.

Digital supports for aviation

Nowadays it is easier for pilots to keep track of air traffic regulations. The BAF offers interesting digital offerings that can be used free of charge. The Aviation Manual Germany is accessible in a simplified, electronic version via the DFS AIS portal. Pilots can submit flight plans here and find out about the current regulations, which makes planning flights much easier.

Overall, the Bundeswehr's regular low-level flights show that aviation encompasses both military and civil aspects while taking local conditions into account.