Flying to the Algarve

[silverknapper]

Hi All

Does anyone have any experience of flying to Lagos or more likely Portimao Aerodromes? In particular will I have to clear customs at Faro first? Some one at Portimao said no but I'd like to be sure. Any Gotchas to consider?

Cheers

SK

[172driver]

Any Gotchas to consider?

Yes - the landing fees at Faro :eek:

If you come directly from the UK, you will have to clear immigration at some Schengen airfield. Have flown a number of times to Portugal, but never to the Algarve, so don't know if Portimao has immigration. Check the Portuguese AIS (http://www.nav.pt/ais/). Think you have to register, but it's free.

Also, ATC prefer you to cross into their FIR at some designated point (e.g. ROSAL), again check the AIS.

Also, if transiting the FARO area, program the VFR route into your GPS (again avail on the AIS site).

Other than that, flying in Portugal is delightful! Loads of little fields, great ATC. Enjoy!

[Kiltie]

First off SK I would get yourself a moving map off e-bay rather than attempt it with that geriatric KLN90A with the 1989 database!

[Whiskey Kilo Wanderer]

I did a Microlight AFI Course with Gerry Breen at Lagos (LPLG) a couple of years ago. The runway is quite narrow, but there is a Mooney that operates from there from time to time. I drove down, so can’t comment on the technical niceties of crossing borders etc.

Link to Algarve Airsports, including airfield info: gerrybreen.com, The Algarve Airsports Centre (http://www.gerrybreen.com/index1.htm)

Safe Flying,
Richard W.