Frankfurt Main in a Light Twin!?

[EricTheRed]

Does anybody have any experience of flying into EDDF with GA single crew aircraft? I would appreciate some feedback to help with a trip that I'm planning.. .. .Some folks have tried to scare me away by claiming that GA flights are regularly messed around by the airport authorities. Is there any truth in this?. .. .Thanks for your help,. .. .ETR

[FL310]

One of the best ATC stations in Germany, certainly no messing around, GA parks in the south, watch the landing fees!!!! Depending on the time you are coming in you will be charged for 21 to minimum..... .For this price you can have the luxury of a limo from Egelsbach and still have another couple of hours free flying...

[aztruck]

Dont do it!! Go to Egelsbach instead. Frankfurt allowed me to shoot the approach (ILS) to a cloudbreak with a break off to the left for Egelsbach. Dont even think about landing at Frankfurt unless you intend to crash there! Mega expensive. Egelsbach is terrific. V friendly and full IFR as soon as you take off with frankfurt.

[Captain104]

Play the game like a professional and go to...... .EGELSBACH.. .Don't mess around in EDDF. It's not funny for you and not for the airliners. As mentioned, excellent ATC service, they guide you to Egelsbach even if you lost your eyesight lately and rely on a dog. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="biggrin.gif" />

[EricTheRed]

Thanks for your input so far - it's really appreciated.. .. .As far as I could ascertain, landing fee, and 2 days parking etc would cost the equivalent of UK£200 - are you suggesting that it could be more than that? ie; is there a "departure charge" as well?. .. .What are the landing and parking fees at EDFE?. .. .Would prospective airline employers like to see some major european airports in my log book!?. .. .Thanks and regards,. .. .ETR

[Pegasus77]

IMHO they don't even look at your logbook, only as far as how many hours you might have gathered over the years.. .There is no experience to be gained at EDDF, as well as you will be distubring traffic flow, just as flying in a Cessna 152 to Heathrow wouldn't get you anywhere. . .. .Egelsbach is the biggest GA-field in Germany, and dealt with by Frankfurt Approach, so if you want to have a German experience, go there.

[FL245]

In my single crew experience of Germany, I recommend you bring your aircrafts noise certificate..

[Pegasus77]

That sounds like a German experience! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="biggrin.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="biggrin.gif" />

[EricTheRed]

Thanks again for your input.. .. .See you all at EDDF next Tuesday at 2030z - I'll be in that white and blue Seneca!. .. .Cheers,. .. .ETR

[aztruck]

Take some cash for fuel. Dont recall credit cards being popular with Bp/shell/whoever.Mind the power cables on approach. Nice orange balloons on them. Hope you have fun.

[Check 6]

If you still intend to land at EDDF, be sure you are current on holding procedures, because you should expect a few turns around the old holding circuit.. .. .Have fun,

[2Donkeys]

Used to fly IFR into EDDF quite regularly at one stage in light aircraft of various descriptions. Handling and ATC was impeccable with none of the holds or messing disruption to traffic flow implied elsewhere on this thread.. .. .Normally, a gap will be created on 25L and you will be landed there, whilst commercial approaches continue to whistle past you on the right hand side. This makes for a shorter easier taxi for all participants once you're down. . .. .The landing fees you quote sound very light to me. Don't forget that you will also be charged for "Navigation Fees" (in addition to Eurocontrol, and irrespective of weight). Expect to be parted with at least £350 for a Seneca for an overnight stay.. .. .Credit cards work fine for landing and fuel, and don't expect anybody to ask for any licences, passports or noise certificates. I have never been approached for those at larger fields in Germany, only at the small ones.. .. .For the taxi ride back, ask for "Tor 31" at the airport. Most taxi drivers know this, and will be able to drop you directly at the GA centre.. .. .For your departure, best to get a slot request in early, as everything gets flow-controlled. There is a telephone linked to ATC in the GA centre, or you can call up in advance.. .. .Have a good run. You won't learn anything about flying your aircraft, but it will give you a great insight into the practical Ops issues of operating an airline. Once will probably be enough for you <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="biggrin.gif" />

[IanSeager]

3 or 4 years ago the bill was £350 for landing and two days parking for a PA28. Eglesbach was the intended destination but was closed due bad weather.

[EricTheRed]

2Donkeys: thanks, very helpful!. .Peg: you sound a tad negative!. .. .According to the German AIP, air navigation fees are now Euro 12.02 for aircraft less than 2 tons.. .. .As far as the handling etc:-. .. .Landing fees: € 110.-. .Departing fees: € 110.-. .Handling: € 84.-. .Parking: € 25.-. .Add 16% VAT to all. .Navigation fees are up to DFS Department. .. .Handling agents have indicated that no credit cards are accepted for fuel.. .. .Thanks to everyone for their input - will let you know how it went, after I return on Thursday.. .. .I will be at EDDF tonight at 1930z if all goes well!. .. .Cheers,. .. .ETR

[Iain]

WOW, it is expensive over there, it only cost me $20 to go into LAX in a 172. I am taking a Katana in there over the next couple of weeks, which will be even more fun!

[EricTheRed]

Got there on schedule without any problems. ATC, as advertised here, had no difficulty in slotting me in with the faster traffic and I was treated professionally by the GA handlers. My documents were not requested at any point. Really enjoyed the three hour trip.. .. .Departure was a bit of a hassle - you need a slot before submitting a flightplan. Tried about eight phone numbers from my hotel room, the evening before leaving and none were answered! Then I discovered that the "slot people" only worked during office hours, which I thought a bit strange at an H24 major airport. Sorted that out the following morning without drama and left in the evening.. .. .Flying back Thurs PM was a bit hairy - EDDF wx was at my a/c's xwind limit - IMC all the way at FL80, except for a brief view of Brussels, hitting icing and turbulence over the channel. My scan benefitted from this trip! Approach to land was like falling down some stairs (onto something soft, of course!).. .. .Thoroughly enjoyed the trip, learned a lot about single crew ops and about how tough it can be on your own (with no auto systems) when things aren't quite going as you would like.. .. .There were no surprises regarding the handling fees (see my earlier post).. .. .Masses of respect to those who earn their crust doing these kind of trips. Wish someone would pay me to do it!!. .. .Thanks again and cheers,. .. .ETR

[Pegasus77]

Must have been a nice experience... Too bad I was out of town that day, or we could have flown a parallel approach <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="biggrin.gif" /> . .. .Didn't try to sound too negative, just didn't think the experience would be worth so much money!. .Although I admit it would be great to have been on board of your airplane...