Flying to the Western Balkans for a week

Here is the write-up of our last proper fly-out this year. Our 252 is in for the annual next week and thereafter she has an appointment for some major panel surgery in Straubing. Due to personal and day job constraints, the trip had to take place in the first week of October. According to the forecasts, the former Yugoslav republics looked the best, or at least not as terrible as other destinations not too far away.

Apparently the majority of of EuroGA members has explored this region in depth, so I’ll keep it brief and focus on current information concerning airports, procedures handling requirement and so on.

So here is the route Mannheim (EDFM) – Belgrade (LYBE) – Tivat (LYTV) – Portoroz (LJPZ) – Mannheim (EDFM).

The flight to Belgrade was uneventful until we were already on vectors in Belgrade. Then we could enjoy a little radio drama.

The controller had told us to reduce to 110kt in the descent for spacing, as we were number three. Then number one, a Qatari 737 reported that warning lights concerning their brakes came on when they dropped the gear and requested time to sort that out. They were sent to the holding at the KN, which is the FAF. Number two was instructed „enter the BLABLA holding, if unfamiliar you can orbit at BLABLA, BLABLA is in your 2 o’clock position“. The same for us: „climb 8000, enter the FRUGO holding, if unfamiliar orbit at FRUGO, FRUGO is in your 11 o’clock position“. He didn’t say that it was only half a mile, so by the time I had the plane climb again and Mrs terbang had selected FRUGO and sorted out the chart, the point was a mile behind us. My entry into the holding was very non-standard Number two started to bargain with ATC, but was told that the ILS was blocked. He offered to accept a visual approach, but to no avail. After about 20 minutes number two got very uneasy and lamented that he would have to divert within the next three minutes, but then number one reported ready. The landing apparently was a non-event and they could taxi to the gate under their own power.

A small queue of aircraft ready for departure had formed when we finally approached.

LYBE is still an excellent airport for GA. Avgas was slightly less than one Euro per liter, so the 20 minutes holding didn’t hurt that much. Staff was very friendly. We were told that we would have to wait for half an hour for the fuel truck, but they would take us to the GAT and back. We used the time to organize a hotel and transport to the city. The transport was arranged by the hotel and cost 22€ what appears quite reasonable, as there are reports on over-charging and cons when taking a taxi. Handling and all other fees added up to 75€ for two nights.

Belgrade is a rather large city – a little rough around the edges, some buildings appear neglected. However, it’s full of bars, restaurants, clubs and a lot of young folks in the streets. It’s a very nice place for a night out and a Ćevapčići lunch will get you going again the next day.

We continued to Tivat (LYTV) in Montenegro. The weather was so-so, but the approach in LYTW is spectacular, this is Budva.

Here we are on final, sorry for the poor pictures.

LYTV was not exactly cheap but OK for what it was. There is a NOTAM stating that it’s PPR 36h in advance for GA, but they provide an email address and reply came instantly. We were greeted by a marsheller and at the stand by two guys who tied down the plane and a (good looking) lady who took us to the terminal. We had to clear immigration but that took a minute and then we were escorted to the terminal. We didn’t have any prior arrangements but it was easy and affordable to get a rental car for four days.

We spent a night in Kotor, which is located on the „inner fjord“, to the right, while you can see Tivat and the runway to the left.

At least according to German Wikipedia this region normally enjoys a beautiful Indian summer. Unfortunately the guys in charge of making the weather are unfamiliar with German Wikipedia. We drove to Kolašin, where the Biogradska Gora national park offers some good hiking, but the weather deteriorated further.

We decided to return to the coast, to Budva, to mix up with the numerous Russians holidaying there. On the way we came along Sveti Stefan. The island is not accessible as it is completely occupied by a resort.

The next day we left Tivat. Once you’re in the main terminal, you have to report at the information desk. This turned out to be a bit complicated as the lady there didn’t speak English. However, she managed to have one of the shop keepers translate and once she understood what we wanted she called some one competent. After a short wait, yet another young lady appeared. Almost as pretty as the first one, but even in a better mood. It’s crucial to have a piece of baggage you can check in via one of the conveyor belts, as security won’t let you pass even with a swiss knife on you. Your „checked baggage“ will be brought to your plane. For our Mooney and the two of us it was 60€ flat plus 6€ per day. If you stay overnight, you have to pay for two days, but well… There is AVGAS available, but we didn’t refuel.

The SIDs published for Tivat ask for a very long and steep climb. You actually leave the CTR at FL160. I’m not sure if this is really enforced, but we elected to file Z, what gave us the freedom of some sightseeing in the fjord and worked perfectly with an IFR pickup in Dubrovnik. Unfortunately the weather was less than perfect, again.

Actually we had planned for Brač, or Mali Lošinj, but the weather was much more favorable further north. So we flew to Portoroz. There’s not much to say about Portoroz of course, except that we found the EuroGA flyers there.

Piran and the world’s largest sail boat (sorry if this is BS or the wrong wording, I have no clue about boats).

I had my beloved Sardines in the town of Portoroz.

It was windy when we left and these guys enjoyed that more than we did.

The flight home was uneventful again, though we picked up a little ice while climbing, but it was gone again when we reached Bavaria.