LDSP Split airport

[Boroda]

Any who has flight expierence to this airport please share it. In particular I am interested in circling for RW 23. What usual ATC procedures before circling: vectors or ILS, or NDB? If vectors - to what point and altitude to start circling. Briefly, what would you tell your college before approach to Split? Thanks.

[Clandestino]

As far as I remember, vectoring is quite good and primary runway is 05 with ILS. NDB approach is used only when ILS is unavailable. When southwesterly winds prevail, ceiling is seldom so low that circling is necessary, more often it's visual left hand circuit to 23. If you're coming from north and 23 is in use Zagreb ACC will direct you to SPL VOR (roughly downwind). Split APP will gradually descend you to 3000 ft and clear you for visual after you report field in sight. On A320 I used to fly at minimum clean and started configuring as I crossed the ridge north of the airport. Downwind was flown with half flaps and gear down. You can use circle-to-land fixes to help you maintain track and start turn at proper place. Despite the looks, there's plenty of room to line up nicely, but not enough to correct if you overshoot the centerline.

Runway is quite undulating, with prominent hump in the middle of 05TDZ and sloping down towards the 23 threshold.

Bring some holding fuel with you if you can. On a couple of occasions last year, arriving traffic was directed to hold for a couple of minute till the parking space became available. The worst part is maneuvering around the too small apron, especially on summer Saturdays. Taxi slowly and when in doubt, stop and ask the marshaller (via tower) to check wingtip clearance. Last year there was wingtip to stabilizer taran between Tu-204 and A320.

Be careful when taxiing out from stands by the terminal not to jet-blast the building. Tight turn with engines at idle is quite difficult trick but it's the only way to play. Also smaller aeroplanes can taxi out from position at eastern corner of the apron, by the fire station, but pushback from it is compulsory for anything bigger than 737.

Cheers, C.

[Boroda]

Thanks a lot, no questions to your briefing. May be some additions from other crewmembers?

[His dudeness]

It has been ages that I was there, but I do remember very good a RAF Tristar that was approaching down the ILS and all of a sudden disappeared below sight...it reappered nose high, engines at full blast and landed uneventful after the missed approach.
Beware of the downdrafts on short finals. Whene there is wind, then they are there, particularly when the 'Bora' is blowing.

When you stay there for a while, see the village of Trogir, which you will overfly on short finals. Beautyful ancient place and lots of good restaurants.

[Boroda]

Thanks:):)

[oligoe]

Hello,

I was there yesterday and had to go around (ILS 05)! If the preceding traffic is unable to vacate by the last exit it will have to taxy down the runway and and all the way back what takes a lot of time (more than I thought...).

For the circling, you have to start with a higher than normal rate of descent initially otherwise you might end up high on final 23.

I hope it helps,

og

[Boroda]

Let me guess - you were on MD-80, preceding was A-320 Aeroflot:) Your captain said:"Shall we go around?" Sorry friend...

[oligoe]

:E Ouups... yes...actually an MD90 to be correct.....

I saw you on TCAS when we were on base and I thought ,"Yeah... we will make it easy even with the backtrack". Wrong guess...


Nice to see you again !

[Boroda]

Very nice as well:)

[jozo]

Hi guys,I am not a pilot,but i work as an approach controller at LDSP.Just wanna tell Boroda that if he is going to Split and rwy 23 is in use,he may expect direct routing to SPL VOR for visual app 23.If we have departures then we give clearance for vis app 23 via left-hand circuit whilst maintaining 4000 ft until crossing rwy or rwy track˙(departures are going to DVN 3000 ft).I would like to now if you had any problems with approach when maintaining 4000 ft until crossing rwy.Thanks !

[jozo]

And just to correct Clandestino,Split APP will gradually descent you to 4000 ft and when you report field in sight (if there are no departures)we will give you clearance for visual approach.If there is departing traffic then you will have to maintain 4000 until crossing rwy,ooooooooor you say best words for my ears "WE HAVE TRAFFIC IN SIGHT,WE ARE ABLE TO MAINTAIN OWN SEPARATION":) I know im an intruder on this forum,but controllers at Split are constantly discussing about rwy 23 and craaaapy visual approach,but it would be nice to have some input from you guys