PPL flying in corfu??

[bajadj]

Hi ppruners, maybe someone can help me out on this. I'm a lowish hours JAA PPL. I'm living in corfu until october and think will be a perfect chance to do some great VFR flying and build some hours to boot. There is absolutely nothing coming up on a google for flying clubs or private hire in corfu although i have spotted a few cessnas / pipers at the airport itself. i would really appreciate any information that anyone may have as to the possibilities of private hire on the island.

besty.

[IO540]

I've flown in there a number of times. No training I know of.

There is a considerable amount of paperwork to be done on each movement, which takes 1-2 hours in two separate offices (Greek style job creation makes the toothpaste-confiscating security guards at Norwich look like M Thatcher) and costs of about Euro 90.

A lovely place to fly to and stay, and an essential port of entry into Greece (has avgas) but I have not found any way to e.g. be based there and fly from there repeatedly, without going through the above process each time.

I have sent you a PM.

[bajadj]

IO540 many many thanks for your reply and your help. The links were very useful, sadly although corfu does have avgas and does have an aeroclub, the aeroplanes one and only cessna 172 has no engine at present!!! all very frustrating...and VERY GREEK!!!

[gcolyer]

Thought about renting one from off island for a while and keeping it on Island for the duration?

[Kyprianos Biris]

and VERY GREEK!!!
"bajadj" watchout because written text can easily be missunderstood and many Greek pilots are reading this forum ...
There is a considerable amount of paperwork to be done on each movement, which takes 1-2 hours in two separate offices ... ... and costs of about Euro 90.

IO540 1-2 hours is way too much for a wise pilot. Still though one needs to keep in mind that LGKR is a very busy airport at summer time with endless charter airliners coming in and out all day.
It takes 45~60 minutes at a busy day from the time you arrive at the airport untill starting up engines.
The delay can be more only if the refueller is busy refueling airliners with JET-A1 since it is hard sometimes to drive back the the bowser and pick up the AVGAS one to serve you.
Some good planning ahead does help as you well know ;-) (e.g. refuelling up on arrival)

1. you turn up and get escorted by Olympic Airways handling to CAA office for payment of fees (~10 minutes)
2. you go up the TWR to submit FPL (~10 minutes) if you have not submitted it on your own via www.homebriefing.com
3. you pay Olympic their handling fee at the main terminal (~10 minutes)
4. they drive you with their bus to the GA parking (~15 minutes with preflight)
5. If you need to refuel OA notify the rufueller at step 3. !

The costs are:
- 1.63 Euro per day for parking & aiport use (counts for all Greek airports in same calendar day)
- 17.8 Euro OA handling
- AVGAS 2.2 Euro/Lt
- 12 Euro airport tax per non crew member per departure (not for local flights)

So again 90 Euro's is not a realistic number unless you park for a month there and take 2 passengers on board next time for a cross country flight.

[IO540]

Kyp - I hear all you say and obviously I am not in a position to disagree, but I paid about Euro 90 for a few days' stay on each of the few occassions I've been there, including late last year. It may have changed recently.

The process you describe is indeed what happens, but as non-Greek speakers we were open to the Olympic person just disappearing, and a replacement not being found, for half an hour or more. The Olympic girls often just walk around chatting and smiling to each other. Sometimes they could not find anybody to escort us, for anything up to an hour. It all depends on how busy the terminal is with the cheap flights.

Basically, one needs to allow ample time, but that is the case in most places. There are a few notable exceptions e.g. Cannes or Prague where you are through within a few minutes.

[Kyprianos Biris]

but as non-Greek speakers we were open to the Olympic person just disappearing, and a replacement not being found, for half an hour or more. The Olympic girls often just walk around chatting and smiling to each other. Sometimes they could not find anybody to escort us, for anything up to an hour. It all depends on how busy the terminal is with the cheap flights.

To that I have to agree :sad:
When it is really busy there is no provision for a dedicated person for GA procedures. The problem with Kerkira LGKR is that it is one of the only 3~4 Greek airports where Handling Agent need to transport you by bus to the GA parking apron, you can't just walk out there.

[AfricanEagle]

Stopover in Corfù yesterday just for fuel on way from Zakinthos to L'Aqulia (Italy).

- On landing requested fuel.
- waited ten minutes for fuel truck, refuelled, payed.(I think AVGAS came to 2.45 Euro/Lt
- was escorted by Olympic Airways handling to main terminal to pay handling fee 17.8 Euro
- stopped at bar for drink and toilet
- went to TWR to submit FPL
- went to Met office for update
- went to CAA office: no landing fee since an european aeroclub aircraft, pilot licence was checked
- was driven back to the GA parking
Departed 75 minutes after arriving

[FREDAcheck]

Could anyone put me in touch with the aeroclub at Kerkira please? I've searched the web and can't find it.

bajadj said last June:
the one and only cessna 172 has no engine at present
Anyone know if it has an engine yet? I'm there for a week in May, but not enough time to fly out my own plane so wondered if I could rent something there.

[Kyprianos Biris]

FREDAcheck the contact person for Kerkira Aeroclub is :
George Provatas [email protected]
Mob. +306945236704

The aircraft is in flying status and in very good condition. That is all I know.

Usefull information regarding flying in Greece:
http://www.aopa.gr/en/infosdetails.asp?NEWS_ID=1

[FREDAcheck]

Thanks - I'll get in touch with him.