Flying in Cyprus - Aviator Flight Center

[camel toe]

Hi

I am just after some information from anyone who has been and done any flying Cyprus. I am planning on going out for a couple of weeks to Aviator Flight Center next month and doing about 20 hours.

Anyone with past experiences on the actual flight school, local ATC, tips or general advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks

Camel Toe
"Over Macho Grande?"

[SW1]

All I can say regarding Flying out in Cyprus, is that you would beb very restricted in where you can go. The north is off limits due to the Turkish which leaves commuting between Larnaca and Paphos.

A few years ago you could do the short hop to Beirut or Ben Gurion airport- Wouldnt recommend that in this current climate!!!!

The owner, Mr K, is a current Cyprus airways pilot.

Hope that helped.

[CY333]

Actually Mr Kountouris flies for Eurocypria.
ATC is a bit strange some times as they get a bit worried when more than 3-4 light aircraft are flying and in the summer it gets a bit busy with the charters coming in.
They have specific VFR routes between LCLK and LCPH which you are not allowed to deviate usually and as someone spotted the northern part is off limits.
A couple of RAF bases around and some Cyprus Military shooting areas.
As for your option of the school PM me if you want and will give you more info about the school and other schools in the area with British instructors if you are interested.
Lebanon is still ok to fly to, we did it last week so dont worry.
You can also fly to Rhodes but if you fly a 152 or a PA-38 you must take up some fuel at LCPH.

Hope it helps.

[Leezyjet]

I flew with them a couple of years back, only did 2 hours whilst on holiday. They had a very attractive young female instructor when I was there which was a bonus. :ok:

I'll second what SW1 said about being restricted about where you can fly, we couldn't even fly from LCA up over Agia Napa and Protoras (which is where I was staying) as we were not allowed to fly over the British Military base which is basically the whole area in between !!. We just flew up towards Nicosia and then turned down towards Paphos, then went back. There is also not a huge amount to see from the air either.

The ATC was quite hard to understand due to the thick Greek accent even though they were speaking in English.

Trying to access the Flight School itself was a bit of a mission. I had to meet the instructor in the terminal, go down some back corridors to get a temp ID, then clear security and then she drove us down to their offices - make sure you take your passport with you.

Their 172 was in pretty good condition too considering it sits out in the sun all day. The couple of hours I did was a nice experience, but I doubt I'd fly in Cyprus again (unless I'm in a big fat jet :ok: ), that is no reflection on Aviator, but more on the place itself. It is just too restricted IMHO to really make it worth while.

:)

[OTHELOS]

Hi and Happy New Year.

Actually I had a very bad experience with those guys to be honest.
Their attitude is not very professional and when I was also flying in Cyprus everyone whom I ask about the owner advise me to stay away. The Aircraft's are the least maintained in the island.

Especially his collages in ECA were telling me not to trust him.

Better safe than sorry.

[CY333]

I did not want to be the guy to say it but is true.
I know for sure that the they had ac flying with expired annuals, radios not working at both yogues and one of the 152 needs a wing spar after a small twister landed it on its back.
Also they do not use books for the RT GS but give students a printed A4 with what they should know.
Other than that they are ok.
As I said there are other schools and will be happy to help you.

[camel toe]

Thank you people for your honest feedback, I had a feeling it might be a bit restricted in terms of cross countrys.

[CY333]

Tomahawk does not get maintenance from the same people as the rest.
Reason to this is that the owner is a Engineering Supervisor at Cyprus Airways so he does the maintenance.
I did quite a few hours with them and they are not bad.
Ok all schools have quite old ac but maintenance wise I trust Tomahawk and I feel more secure to fly with them.

[Pitch+Power]

Hi..
without getting into a political debate.. why is it assumed Cyprus = Greek side..?

Is there any GA over on the Turkish side.? What are restrictions to fly between the 2 as a UK citizen ( I understand the residents of Cyprus have some restrictions )

I should be visiting the Turkish side towards the end of the summer, a couple of hours flying would be great if anyone has any info on that side.

cheers :)

[CY333]

Turkish invasion of Cyprus - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkish_invasion_of_Cyprus)

[Pitch+Power]

and the relevance of that link on an aviation discussion website is....?????

:confused: :ugh:

[CY333]

The point is that you should know that the Turkish side (that does not exist according to the rest of the countries of the world and international law, except Turkey) is not recognised by anyone and therefore their Civil Aviation Department they have is not legal as there is not a legal state, which means you can't just fly from one side to the other as there are stil issues about Cyprus.
Actually there are some serious issues with Nicosia IFR and lately there has been a big concirn in Europe about it.

So as I guess you have some sort of pilot lisence, so you should for sure know that is the political agreements/relations between states that dictate if you can fly throught the IFR/airspace of a country and not if you are British,German or Cypriot.

Oh, it also educates European individuals like you about what is going on outside their doorstep, at the end of the day you said you dont want to start a political debate ,so you better know the facts before you start one by mistake.

Right?
Hope it helped :rolleyes:

[500 above]

Pilotwhite

There are no aircraft rentals on the Northern occupied side. Larnaka would be the best bet, and you most certainly cannot fly between the two sides, or indeed to mainland Turkey from Cyprus. As CY333 stated - the airport of Ercan (LCEN) is not a legal airport. It is not recognised by ICAO - they even gave themselves the four letter LCEN code without ICAO approval. Even as an alternate, the airport data is not even in the FMS's of our aircraft.

Hope that helps you.

Regards.

[Radar Contact]

I tried contacting Aviator using email but had no luck - anyone has any idea?

[OTHELOS]

Good day,

I also had the same problem and I made the MISTAKE to call them.The guy was so rude that I had to hung the phone.
When I discuss the matter with I friend of mine who flies for Eurocypria told me that he is always like this.:confused:
I would not give him my money if he treats customers like that.

[DH-110]

CY333

Reading the history books post 1960. I think you will agree it was a Turkish intervention in 1974. Not an invasion.

The reason for the intervention was to stop the ethnic cleansing of the Turkish community by the Greeks.

Hopefully a peaceful settlement will come out of the latest talks? Leading to the reunification of such a beautiful island?

[Radar Contact]

What about Griffon Aviation? What do you peeps think

[annita]

Looks like OTHELLO had a problem with both the flying schools in Larnaca airport.
He also mentioned that that AVIATOR had the least maintained aircraft on the island and then said in a different thread it was TOMAHAWK that had the least maintained aircraft on the island.
It would be nice to make up your mind and let us know who actually has the least maintained aircraft.:ok:

[mractive]

OTHELOS he wasn't being rude he was being Cypriot, in my experience you either have a very out going friendly Cypriot or an extremely grumpy one. I wouldn't take much notice of the attitude it can be amusing at times.

[CY333]

He is Dutch actually, used to be the engineer for an airline that was grounded after the owners have been involved in an economic scandal.

[freeflyer28]

....several month's later....this subject has gone quiet!

Why is it that on every post concerning Cyprus the subject eventually becomes the Turkish/Cypriot problem? Really it does, check it out for yourselfs.

Anyway...personally I think Griffon at Pafos airport is my choice. they are professional(enough), polite, easier access to airside, better local flying and less taxi time(£££).

Maybe I see you there? Take care to you all.

[Pitch+Power]

what do you mean turns into Cypriot problem..?

Anyway, I like to thank CY333 for drawing my attention to it, and this 'European Individual' learnt as always, 2 sides to everything..

I found DH-110 was correct

Assembly of Turkish American Associations (http://www.ataa.org/reference/trnc/genocide_trnc.html)

ATMG - Australian Turkish Media Group - Greek Barbarism (http://www.atmg.org/GreekBarbarism.html)

I never knew any of this..!
Can't we all just get along..!

Shame about GA there, it must be lovely area.

:ok:

[OTHELOS]

Good day,

Is it true that last night due to the heavy winds experienced at Larnaca airport, two Cessnas owned by Aviator were destroyed ?

[Jacky O]

AGAIN????????????

I was told that this happened again a few year back with a C172.

Did someone " forgot" to tie them down like last time?

Let me guess, are the damages covered by insurance like last time! :confused::confused::confused::confused:

[annita]

Yes....it is so.....
The two aeroplanes have been tied down but with a wind of 80-90kts:eek: you can't expect much I guess.
This is what I received from a friend flying there now....

[500 above]

Also,

The two (one brand new...) agricultural aircraft (Turbo Thrushes I think) rolled into one and other creating substantial damage. The Aviator C150 and the C172 (5B-CBW) are in a serious condition... They were tied down with concrete blocks.

BTW if anyone is coming to Cyprus to fly GA on holiday please feel free to PM me. I can offer some friendly advice on where to go. If its the Paphos side then we can meet for a beer or two!

Regards

[cypriotflyer]

Hi am new here !
Could you please tell me some flying schools based in larnaca or nicosia?
Thanks in advance:)

[A16X100]

Sorry about joining the party late. I Have recently become a ppl flight instructor and was considering flying in Cyprus. I was wondering if anyone still works or know people that are still with the flying schools?

As for the debate.....

@DH-110, I think you will find that it was indeed an invasion for several reasons.
1. During the 'invasion' there have were countless murders, attacks, rape, pillaging and the destroy of religious building. I do not know what book your reading, but the European Union and the UN have both outline that Turkey violated the human right of many during the invasion and occupation.

2.Secondly an intervention is a short term solution, well the Turkish troops have been there for almost 37 years.

@Pilotwhite, yes many thing did happen that has given Cyprus a shaded history; but I could not help notice that both websites you referenced were both of Turkish origin, did you not consider that those may be slightly biased and the whole story is not being told?

Anw I would like to flying in Cyprus to any by looking just at the websites Griffon does look like the preferred choice. May anyone of is currently employed or training at the schools. Thank you

[CY333]

Griffon has recently opened this one in LCLK:

Adams Flight / Griffon Aviation Larnaca (http://www.adamsflight.com/)

I personally suggest them without any hesitation.

[A16X100]

Sorry the last bit I wrote did not make complete sense, if anyone still works or knows anyone at the flights schools to please let me know; as I would like to go flying in Cyprus. Thank you.