Finsterwalde-Heinrichsruh Airfield

Finsterwalde-Heinrichsruh Airfield is an airfield located near the town of Finsterwalde in southern Brandenburg, Germany. It is approved for balloons, gliders, motor gliders, microlights and motor planes as well as for helicopters with a maximum take-off weight of two tons. In addition, Antonov An-2s are allowed to take off and land here.

The airfield was inaugurated on 3 August 1932. Initially, it was only used for gliding. The airfield survived World War II largely unscathed, except for a few bomb impacts that destroyed the aircraft hangar. After the end of the war, air operations were initially banned by the Allies. In 1950, air operations resumed. With the construction of the Berlin Wall in 1961, however, it became extremely difficult to maintain air operations, as it was under strict restrictions to prevent the exodus of the Republic. In 1979, the square was finally closed. However, the Finsterwald pilots did not want to abandon the terrain and continued to maintain the terrain. Shortly before these activities could also be stopped, former pilots came up with the idea of founding a museum and exhibiting historical aviation technology in the former aircraft hangar in order to preserve the site. The museum opened in 1987. After the fall of the Berlin Wall, the operators had the choice of preserving the museum or welcoming active aircraft back into the hangar. In 1990, the airfield was reopened by the Otto Lilienthal Flight Association.

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