File:1991 03 99 EDTL Apron decommissioned.jpg

English: Apron of decommissioned CAF Lahr Airbase, later Black Forest Airport, during total closure in 1992 (note the crosses on the runway), shortly after the Canadians had left. During a brief period, the circumstances for GA in the Upper Rhine valley were very favourable, as the control zones of Lahr, Soellingen and Bremgarten air bases had been removed, and overflying the airfield was possible at minimum altitude for VFR flights. The photo was taken en route to Freiburg (EDTF) from board Cessna 150 D-ECTO, owned by Freiburg-based company Harter flight services and flying school. It has to be noted that the Canadians had left the base in an immaculate condition. After their handing over the keys however, the fiddle-faddle created by diverging local and regional political interests was an open invitation for vandalism as no one was there to guard a terrain with a perimeter of some ten kilometres length. Rumour had it that during this period, even parts of the runway lighting were stolen and had to be reinstalled for good money before the airfield was commissioned again for civil purposes.