Published on 18 March 2026
Payerne Air Base
Welcome to Switzerland's largest air base. Thank you very much for your interest in our organisation.
The Swiss Air Force (and our airbase) can now be accessed via a smartphone app
QR-Code Swiss Air Force — © VBS/DDPS The app provides you with real-time updates and allows you to filter content based on your personal interests. To make getting started as easy as possible, you can download the app in no time using the QR code below. One click, one scan, and you’re connected to the Swiss Air Force.
Our organisation
Organisation BA PAY — © DDPS The Air Base Command (Etat-major) ensures command and control in all situations. It is responsible for basic areas of command such as personnel, security and intelligence, occupational safety, planning, training, logistics and construction, public relations and finance. The Headquarters Operations Cell plans, organises and supervises the readiness of the airport platform.
The Fighter Wing 11 (esca av 11) guarantees operational missions and training of aircrew in the field of defence and air policing. It commands Fighter Squadron 35, newly founded from the merger of 17 and 18 squadrons, thus bringing together all professional pilots operating on F/A-18 Hornets. The Fighter Wing 11 guarantees more than half of Switzerland’s Hornet engagements. In particular, it provides ‘Air Police 24,’ i.e. the engagement of two armed F/A-18s on alert, in less than 15 minutes, 24 hours a day (Quick Reaction Alert 15).The Air Transport Wing 1 (esca TA 1) carried out all possible air transport missions for the benefit of the Army and the Authorities. Operating on Super Puma, EC-635 and Turbo Porter, the pilots of the Squadron AT 1 were mostly professional military personnel. Nevertheless, some militia pilots reinforced them, mostly private company pilots or REGA pilots who thus performed their compulsory service. Together with the other TA Wings located at other air bases, the AT1 Wing covers the Search and Rescue (SAR) mission 365 days a year for the benefit of the police forces and the rescue chain, for example, to find people missing or buried in an avalanche, 24 hours a day, thanks to the use of infrared technology. In addition, AT1 pilots and SSV helicopter mechanics are regularly engaged abroad for humanitarian and peacekeeping missions.
The Flight Support Service (SSV) brings together all functions and workshops related to flight service and aircraft maintenance (fighter jets, propeller planes and helicopters). The technical staff at the air base enable up to ten F/A-18s to be deployed three to four times a day, as well as the helicopters and light aircraft needed to cover operations. The ‘F/A-18’ and ‘Aircraft Munitions’ operational competence centres report to the FSS. Their engineering specialists support the areas of deployment, maintenance and training at all air bases and recruit schools.
The Fire and Rescue Service (SDIS) guarantees the aviation rescue picket and rescue, including for civil traffic (‘Payerne Airport’). It also provides firefighting, flooding and pollution control, as well as the medical service of the Air Base. SDIS also provides operational support, such as the management and maintenance of aircraft arresting systems.The Simulation and Training Support (SSF) ensures the availability, operation and maintenance of F/A-18 flight simulators, maintenance simulators and jet mission planning and debriefing systems. The Payerne training centre (16 polymechanical apprentices and 16 electronic apprentices) and Sion training centre (32 polymechanical apprentices) are also subordinate to the SSF.
Partners
To accomplish its missions, the Air Base relies on other Defence organisations and contracted external contractors, including:
- the Army Logistics Base (BLA), AirForce Support,
- the Cyber Command, Aviation Safety Systems Support,
- the Military Police,
- skyguide,
- RUAG
The AF Support Department of the BLA ensures the readiness, operation and maintenance of the infrastructure, the runway system and the Special Vehicles. It is also responsible for the management and replenishment of spare parts. The Air Force’s National Special Vehicles Competence Centre is also subordinate.
Aviation Safety Systems Support, a service subordinate to the Army’s Cyber Command, ensures the readiness, operation and maintenance of all telecommunications, control and air navigation systems (radar, approach systems).
The Military Police are responsible for the safety and security of the Air Base.
Skyguide, a public limited company whose majority shares are held by the Swiss Confederation, guarantees with its air traffic controllers all air traffic control and air navigation services on the base.
RUAG is another key partner of the Base. RUAG has a team of maintenance specialists, which conducts major periodic inspections of F/A-18s off-site and works closely with its Air Force counterparts. In addition, RUAG provides engineering support for the management and maintenance of some simulators. Finally, RUAG’s plant pilots carry out all the necessary inspections following the maintenance of the aircraft.
Militia organisation
Throughout the year, the Air Base operates with professional military personnel (primarily pilots) and civilian employees. In the event of increased demand and/or a tense security situation, specialised military troops may be called upon to supplement and/or sustain and increase the Air Base’s sustainability capability. Four battalions are subordinate to the Air Base Commander, three of which are deployable on a very short-term basis, for a total of more than 2,000 personnel. These are:
- The Fighter Wing 11, whose mission is to fly the fighter aircraft stationed at Payerne
- The Air Transport Wing 1, which performs the same task for helicopters and propeller-driven aircraft
- The Airbase group 11, whose primary mission is to operate the Payerne airport infrastructure
- The Mobile Airbase group 14, capable of commissioning and operating infrastructure outside the usual bases or even temporary infrastructure (such as a section of motorway converted into a take-off/landing runway, hence the exercise carried out on the A1 in 2024).
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External location Sion
The Air Force’s external location in Sion is subordinate to Payerne Air Base.
Economic importance of the Airbase to the region
Image d'archive — © DDPS The Air Force has been closely linked to Payerne and the region of "La Broye" since 1921. Over time, it has become one of the largest employers in the area. Today, more than 500 people are closely linked to the Air Force’s engagement and training at Payerne Air Base and "Place d’Armes".
Payerne — © DDPS The area occupied by the Airbase and the "Place d’Armes" comprises about 320 hectares, of which 150 are in Vaud and 170 in the canton of Fribourg. Together with the firing ranges and the external detachments, this amounts to about 500 hectares in total, of which 350 are in the canton of Fribourg. All areas of the aerodrome not directly affected by infrastructure or exercise areas are leased to local farmers at preferential rates.
Military hours
Combat Aircraft
Training flights Monday to Friday from 08:30 to 12:00 and from 13:30 to 17:00 (during troops rehearsal service from 08:00 to 18:00)
Night flights from October to March, Mondays or Tuesdays, from 18:00 to 22:00 (during troops rehearal service once a week with the same timetable).Helicopters and propeller-driven aeroplanes
Training flights Monday to Friday from 07:30 to 12:00 and from 13:15 to 17:00 (during troops rehearsal service from 07:30 to 22:00)
Night flights from October to March, Mondays or Tuesdays, from 17:00 to 22:00
Night flights in April-May-August-September, Monday or Tuesday evenings, from 20.30 to 23.00Others
Drones: Schedules identical to helicopters Possible flights outside these times in case of operation and/or support to Civil Authorities.
For more details, see the Military Operating Regulations (link below)Flight Service Planning
Activités aériennes actuelles en Suisse
Planification 2026 — © DDPS Planification du service de vol 2026 (pdf)
Civilian aviation
Find the civil aviation activities of PAYERNE AIRPORT
Swiss Aeropole – Airport and Business Park: 25 ha available for development next to 2.8 km runway.Operating Regulations and Noise Cadastre
The activities of Payerne Air Base are regulated by various legal bases. The main documents, such as the Military Sector Plan, the Military Operating Regulations, the Noise Cadastre and the Environmental Impact Report, have been drafted in the local language and are therefore not available in English.
Cadastre du bruit de l’aérodrome militaire de Payerne
PDF26.28 MB17 March 2017
Demande d'allègements pour l'exploitation de l'aérodrome militaire de Payerne
PDF758.61 kB17 March 2017
Exploitations des Forces aériennes
PDF523.94 kB26 January 2011
Périmètre d'isolation acoustique et d'allégements
PDF3.77 MB13 March 2017
Rapport d'impact
PDF6.23 MB13 March 2017
Règlement d'exploitation de l'aérodrome militaire de Payerne
PDF102.58 kB26 January 2011
Bulletins of sound recordings around Payerne Air Base
Bulletin ANMS 2022
PDF1.16 MB22 May 2024
Bulletin ANMS 2020 - 2021
PDF1.32 MB22 May 2024
Bulletin ANMS 2020 - 2021 Complément Morens
PDF115.28 kB22 May 2024
Bulletin ANMS 2019
PDF2.17 MB22 May 2024
Bulletin ANMS 2019 Complément Morens
PDF281.02 kB22 May 2024
Bulletin ANMS 2018
PDF1.81 MB22 May 2024
Bulletin ANMS 2018 Complément Morens
PDF655.92 kB22 May 2024
Bulletin ANMS 2017
PDF2.91 MB22 May 2024
Bulletin ANMS 2017 Complément Morens
PDF1.06 MB22 May 2024
Bulletin ANMS 2016
PDF2.34 MB22 May 2024
Bulletin ANMS 2016 Complément Morens
PDF818.97 kB22 May 2024
Bulletin ANMS 2015
PDF2.34 MB22 May 2024
Bulletin ANMS 2015 Complément Morens
PDF740.34 kB22 May 2024
Bulletin ANMS 2014
PDF2.31 MB22 May 2024
Bulletin ANMS 2014 Complément Morens
PDF779.89 kB22 May 2024
Bulletin ANMS 2014 AIR14
PDF2.01 MB22 May 2024
Bulletin ANMS 2013
PDF1.93 MB22 May 2024
Bulletin ANMS 2013 Complément Morens
PDF2.19 MB22 May 2024
Bulletin ANMS 2012
PDF3.54 MB22 May 2024
Vacancies for civilian employees at the air base, whether for the benefit of the Air Force or its partners (BLA, Cyber and Military Police) are published on the Confederation’s job portal, under the following link:
Helping to shape Switzerland | Federal Jobs PortalOur civil partners have their own site for recruitment
Military career
- Devenir pilote ou éclaireur parachutiste | SPHAIR
- Métiers militaires de l’armée – des défis au quotidien
Learning Centre
The Payerne Air Base Learning Centre was created in 1967. Each year, it welcomes 4 apprentices in electronics and 4 apprentices in polymechanics, a total of 32 young people in training who benefit greatly from all the experiences accumulated over more than 50 years.
For more information, go to our web page in French.There are currently no events organised by the Swiss Air Force. If you have any questions or requests, please contact the Air Force Communications Service at kommunikation.lw@vtg.admin.ch.
Official information and communiqués
Video & Pictures gallery
"Aéronews" 2015 - 2023
Acces by road
Carte d'accès Payerne — © DDPS Access by public transport
Train to Payerne railway station
horaire CFFAt the bus stop ‘Payerne, gare,’ choice between 2 buses of 2 different companies, either:
- CAR POSTAL : bus n° 560 direction Chevroux, stop at "Payerne, aérodrome" (1st stop, 6')
horaire CarPostal - TPF : bus n° 554 direction Estavayer-le-Lac, stop at "Payerne, aérodrome" (1st stop, 8')
horaire TPF
Aircraft noise
Contact the airforce bureau du bruit des avions (french or german)
Restaurant
Our location has a restaurant, operated by SV Service, and also open to the public.
http://topair.sv-restaurant.chOpening hours : Monday to Friday, 07:15 to 15:00
Adress : Restaurant Top-Air - aérodrome militaire - CH-1530 Payerne
Tél: + 41 58 432 44 66
E-Mail: topair@sv-group.chMuseum "clin d'Ailes"
Don’t miss the opportunity to discover the fascinating world of military aviation by visiting the fantastic Clin D’Ailes Museum
Clin d'Ailes – Musée de l'aviation militaire de Payerne
Clin d'Ailes — © DDPS - CAR POSTAL : bus n° 560 direction Chevroux, stop at "Payerne, aérodrome" (1st stop, 6')
Contact Airbase Payerne
Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DCPS)
Swiss Army
Base aérienne Payerne
Switzerland - 1530 Payerne