Eurotrip '24 - report

Hello all!

I am new to the forums but I’ve been browsing for years and the information here allowed me to conduct my second GA Eurotrip. I am a US licensed PPL/IR and did my trip this summer in a N-reg P28A starting and ending at EHRD. Utilizing some experience from 2 years ago and info from online it was quite a smooth trip.

First stop EDMV. Very pleasant small airport in Bavaria. Self serve BP pump was the main reason I picked this stop. There is a restaurant on site but it was closed on Monday. Reasonable landing fees in the neighborhood of 20€.

Then to Croatia, flew around the Alps and then over Bosnia and Herzegovina to LDSB Brac. Excellent airport in an excellent location. Fuel at par prices these days (2.79€/liter). I ended up parking for 3 nights, and performed a sightseeing flight with a PAX before departing (cut short by terrible forward visibility due to haze, so total 2 operations). Total fees 150€, mostly due to the additional flight. I think it would be about 70€ without. Food for thought, invest in a pitot cover if you don’t have one. The bugs and flies will get in and clog it. Ask me how I know ;) Be mindful of the mountain around the airport, there wasn’t a standard pattern charted in the AIP. After spending some days in beautiful Brac time to head north. LDSB has some funky operating hours so check NOTAM,

I filed YFR (since I was going to another VFR field) and picked up IFR in the air. Long climb over the mountains of Bosnia and next stop was LOAN. Their IFR procedures are kinda funky and there is a “cloud bursting” procedure you can brief. I didn’t want to mess with it at all so I cancelled IFR long before I got to LOAN. Birthplace of Diamond Aircraft, very busy field. Landing fees around 25€ fuel at 2.79€/liter. Very nice restaurant on the north end of the field, park by the big hangar and go on the grass, I got yelled for parking at what I thought was a stand. Also bring cash for food, again… ask me how I know.

Next stop was EPBC, excellent spot if you’re coming VFR into Warszawa. However they recently doubled their fees from 2 years ago. Parking for 3 nights and one operation totaled about 450 PLN. This is highway robbery for the type of facilities they provide. The buildings are in rough shape and so is the runway. Parking will be on grass. For their credit the south end taxiways were repaved. I could land at EPMO and park there probably cheaper. However you can’t beat the convenient location. Watch out for the funky VFR circuit and the approach from the west which makes you follow a VERY tight corridor between a TMA and a R- area. The AFIS staff speaks English well which was not the case years ago from what I read. Beware their sketchy operations tho. AFIS acts like they are ATC but acts a little wild, and I might have been backtracking the runway when another A/C was “cleared to land”. Just stay on your toes and you’ll be fine. In case of IMC I was going to just go to EPMO. Fuel at 2.79€/liter with Orlen fuel truck.

Next stop EPZP, I was coming in late in the day and called ahead if I need to worry about the hours in the AIP, the manager said don’t worry come in. Very pleasantly surprised with this grass strip. Easy access to Zielona Góra. It was an hour after closing but its was a nice summer evening so glider activity was gonna go till sunset for sure. With that, watch out for gliders. No official AFIS at this airport but the girl on Przylep Radio was managing the field quite well. Again, with these uncontrolled fields. Kinda wild west out there, be aware of what’s going on. Stayed for couple hours, ended up settling invoice via email and wire. 60 PLN or so.

Then onto EDDC. I’ve been there before which is why I picked it as my preferred fuel stop in that part of Germany. AirBP card accepted. Landing and handling around 30€. They will park you at GA ramp and marshaller will give you a ride to the GAT terminal. Very well organized.

Then onto EDLP, short stop. Same experience as above. Only difference is that while fuel is BP they do not accept AirBP card for Avgas. Oh well. Very cheap landing fees about 15€. I can easily recommend any of those airports to GA pilots flying around Germany.

Next stop of my trip was the UK. I selected EGMC. Reasonable transport to London and I did not have to fly around the city to get to Denham (that was my initial plan). Beware hours of operation as the GA terminal closes at 2100 LCL I believe. The field NOTAMed no AVGAS. Be sure to get PPR via email from their website. They answer very quickly. I think I was supposed to be checked by border police but nobody showed up and the handlers waved me through and said not to worry about it. Weird, but I guess the GenDec must be enough. Holiday Inn and McDonalds within a minute walk from the GA terminal door. Train station within 5 minute walk. Definitely good option for GA visitors that want to go to London. 70 GBP for one operation and two nights parking.

Ending the trip I stopped at EGMD for fuel. It was windy (as I guess it is next to the Channel) but straight down the runway. A lot of other GA aircraft were also fueling there. Approx 15 GBP for landing.

It was quite the adventure 23.2 on the tach and some great memories. I hope you enjoyed this trip report and maybe it will help someone flying to these airports.