Why not LDDU-LGKC and then to somewhere with avgas? You could perhaps rent a TB20 to get the extra range 
The problem with the small Greek islands is that they have narrow openings so you mostly need to fly to/from an airport with a wide opening to make it work, and LDDU takes care of that. But LGKC onwards might be tricky… In 2014 I managed to do Leros Kalymnos Ikaria, all sleepy places, and that worked ok but that’s unusual.
Fraport have grabbed most of the wide-opening ones.
After looking at the opening and closing times, I cannot get LGKC to work, so the current plan is LDDU – LGIO to clear customs then onto Syros (LGSO) – Sitia Crete (LGST) – Milos (LGML) back to LGIO. Though It looks like we will have to stay in Ioannina for two nights as the following day the airport is only open from 16.30Z (19:30 local.
Hi Petakas – of course I get your point, but there’s been so much talk on this and other Greek threads about significant and sometimes hiked costs etc that I wanted to check in advance. It wasn’t really a whole page of questions, just these below copied directly from my efax. The system has worked well over many previous trips in most parts of Europe but obviously not here! I’m also taking two passengers with me – one of whom is quite old and a little nervous about the trip – and I simply want to try and ensure things run relatively smoothly for them by being organised.
But sure, I’ll stick to phoning nearer the time in future!!
Can you advise me of the following costs please?
A. The landing fee and 24 hours parking.
B. Do we require PPR and is there a cost for this?
C. Is it necessary to have handling?
D. We will also require AVGAS. Can you advise me if you have this (subject to NOTAM) and if possible the latest price per litre at your airport?
For Spain, Italy and (definitely when talking to aeroclubs) France or Germany, you should include a google translated text. Or better still forget using English completely!
Greece doesn’t expect anyone to speak Greek and they are fine with English, but they rarely reply to written comms. Phone calls work
In Northern Europe, phone calls seem a rude imposition; emails are answered promptly. In Southern Europe (Italy, Greece) emails, especially in English, are ignored and phone calls treated in a friendly manner (irrespective of the level of English of the person answering).
BTW I consider Megara a 5 star Aerodrome in terms of friendliness, helpfulness and price. It wouldn’t occur to me to send an email unless it were specifically requested on the phone and the recipient waiting for it. The people working there are helpful and fun.
BTW There are places that BOTH answer you emails AND the phone and try to be helpful. Here I would include much of Eastern Europe (the Baltics and Poland) and the Balkans (especially Croatia, but also Serbia, and a country I am afraid/too confused to name with Skopje for a capital).
Stodge wrote:
By the way probably a dumb question
Please pay the patience it deserves and read the whole page www.aopa.gr/Info
The answers to the questions you have asked so far are all in there.
Yes AOPA UK will do as long as its a current card.
I saw your (hard copy) request in Megara today on the CAA officers desk !
You ask so many questions to them, you blocked them; especially since the IT guy is on August leave.
All the CAA does is forward your request to Army.
Your request was a whole page of questions asking them like a financial offer for services.
The lady told me “why the rush ? the request is for October !”
Just send again a single request just for PPR as per LGMG NOTAM and don’t mix in there other questions.
All the other stuff you ask them is already available in www.aopa.gr/Info in paragraph about Megara LGMG.
The charges at Megara are ridiculously low, its not worth (the employee’s time in pay) to even ask them for this data !
1.63 Euro per night landing/parking (N’ register is more)
No handling, no other fees.
AVGAS is now at 3 Euro/Lt.
Its all in in the aopa page.
By the way probably a dumb question but am I right to assume the AOPA handling discounts apply to those (like myself) who are AOPA UK members (and have the card to prove it)? Or do you have to be a member of AOPA Hellas?
Apologies if it sounds silly but from experience it’s just the sort of bl**ding obvious thing that could catch you out once asked to pay the bill!
Brilliant, all noted and many thanks again. This sort of local knowledge is absolutely priceless.
You are right, I expressed it wrong. I amended above post.
You leave 500 for 1500 just at HELLENIKON (the old LGAT airport).
So as you can see 3 things happen at that moment, climb, Elefsis Contact, FIS contact to let them know you got Elefsis permission and all this while you’re at the best part of the route :-0
Megara LGMG
Just give them a phonecall (see LGMG NOTAM).
Its the quickest way (once you have sent them something in writing).
+302296027330
Tell them your name and ask them if they got you email/fax and when you will get a response.
Some times they have said to similar phone calls… ok …ok … you have the PPR, we just cannot send you today the FAX/Email …
For day transit you do not need PPR, you just go there and land.
For OVERNIGHT is when PPR is needed.
If they tell you we don’t have much space … you’ll always find space for short term parking.
Official parking spots are well apart. Convince them you’ll find a solution once there.
They usually have the PPR within 1~3 days.
Its a typical procedure where they consult the Army Aviation HQ to approve.
Reason is that while you park at a Civil apron (long term lease to CAA) you land/take off from a Military airport (the west side).
DO NOT walk out in the open talking pictures of the west side.
Well, MIL guys always want to know who and when will park overnight and I guess they check the details …
I know … it sounds …
Thats all there is to it.
Great video Petakas – and very very helpful. What a view!
Have carefully noted your procedure as above. One thing I don’t quite get – you say you start climbing from 500 ft to 1500 ft as you approach HELLINIKON. My Skydemon states 500 feet for the whole of that VFR leg and then 1500 feet once past HELLINIKON and on the way to KASTELLA. Are you saying it’s OK to start the climb as soon as you’re outside the LGAV CTR but before you actually reach HELLlNIKON?
Regarding Megara, is it best just to call then if they don’t reply to emails/faxes? I just want to get an idea of landing fee, and parking rates for an overnight. Obviously I’ll sort out permissions etc nearer the time.
