From Cyprus to Portugal

Not my intention to create another trip article rather to share a few impressions on the airports I had to land in between.

Left LCLK with a pretty idea that there was no way I could avoid be robed somewhere in Greece, headwind.

For that I just contacted Goldair and gave them the freedom to choose between Rodhes and Samos. Samos it was and around 3 hours after departure there I was facing the normal north cross wing averaging 14 Kt. Refuel with 40 liters, the safe minimums to reach Skopje for 2.75 Euro/L.

Time to go in some and pay all the required fees. I was already with my ‘antennas’ on since the last time when I later realized that I had to pay 30 euros for customs. Back to that later. After the bus, I am taken to the land side to pay the fees. For the landing and PPR I was faced with 75.18 euros, already with the AOPA discount. That was after a big fight with the customs chief not to pay the 30 euros for customs fees. Reason, I am in transit so even being outside Scheguen or EU, I am on a technical stop. Yes I did cross to the land side, not because I wanted, because the system is design like that. Additionally I had to pay 58.50 euros to Fraport (through an old lady that took her time for a simple operation) due for landing fees.

Out of there and 3 more hours to Skopje. 32.82 for landing, handling and ATC, and full tanks for 1.25 Euros/L. A bit more compared to last 2 months when I stayed there for a couple of days. Nevertheless, one thinks about leaving there cargo and passengers there in exchange of a couple of jericans of fuel.

Last leg of the day to Calvi (LFKC). Crossing the Adriatic I was told by ATC of a gliders competition on my route till 11,000 ft. To be on the safe side I do climb to 12,000 ft. Problem is that I could risk to enter Rome Class A airspace in a conflicting altitude for VFR. Making a long story short, I was authorized to maintain 12,000 ft till a moment already on the west cost where ATC asked me if I was ready to cancel IFR. Cauth by surprise I requested a ‘Say again’ followed by ‘’Yes Sir, 5B-CLV ready to Cancel IFR, so descend to 6,000 ft’. Tank you ROME FIR.

Approaching Calvi, a bush fire in the vicinity and 3 water tankers flying around offered me a couple of race tracks around the cost, till a nice clearance to final. After a harsh reprimand for arrive so late, I am offered a ride to the hotel by that nice lady. Next morning full tanks at 1,79 euro/L and 28,19 euro for one night parking and handling.

First leg of the day to LECN, a race to arrive before the siesta period where the airport closes for a significant number of hours in the afternoon. Don’t remember the price for the fuel but you can find it easily, also the fees where insignificant. Rushing to depart before the closure of the airport, the final leg home to LPSO.
Parking fees at LPSO are 7 euros per day, including the landing. Other landings between the initial arrival and final departure are around 50 cents. AvGas at 2,43 euro/L.

BR