Cusco

[Eaglet]

I have recently been to Peru for holidays and flew into Cusco, which i believe is about 11000 ft elevation, with Lan Peru. It was quite an interesting approach.

As an A320 pilot myself, I am curious to know what sort of operating techniques are used and if Lan does any specialised training for pilots operating in and out of high altitude airports in Peru, having only ever operated to coastal ports in Australia myself.

Would appreciate any info,
Thanks in advance.

[FlyingOW]

Hi,

You are right. Cusco is at 10,780 feet MSL and requires a "special airport" qualification. We operate into 3 high altitude (>8000 ft msl) airfields in Peru: Cusco, Arequipa (8,400) and Juliaca (12,550). They are "Captain only" approaches (lucky me) for LANPeru.

There are 3 type of approaches available to LPE in Cusco -SPZO:

A visual aproach, 2 VOR approaches (1 from ZCO VOR with circling and the other from URC straight-in) which must be flown selected and an RNAV-RNP approach not available to other operators. Both VOR approaches require 8km vis and 14,500 MDA with ceiling required no less than 1200m. The RNAV approach lowers required vis to 5km and 11,800 feet DA.

MSA varies from 18,000 feet to 21,000 feet around both VORs.

EGPWS alert ocurrences are normal and after mid-day the weather is an absolute nightmare this time of year.

EOSID requires a 180 visual turn in the valley at 13,000 feet at F speed +10 and Conf 2 for an immediate return to the airfield.

PM me for specific techniques if you are interested.

Saludos,

OW

[Lime]

Hey to the Airbus Captain, Flying OW....I will come to Cusco soon. I have same open questions you might be able to answer them. If you do a VOR Circling Alpha 28 Approach...how is your vertical profile and what is your DME distance for the Base and Final-Turn. Thanks for your answer..cheers
Lime

[FlyingOW]

Hey it's been a while since I flew the scareBus, but the circling VOR Cusco Rwy 28 is mostly a visual maneuver. MDA 14,500 If I recall correctly, then continue on down to 13,500 as you establish downwind and aim just to the right of the "twin peaks" over the lowest part of the hill (the saddle) and at 19.5 DME start turn to base then final, ROD must be at least 1500 fpm down into the valley to intercept final descent profile between 700-1000 feet AGL.

Or you can request VOR 28 from Urcos which is almost straight-in and much less complicated :ok:

OW

[Lime]

Thank you, I got a power point presentation for the approach..they say you should not turn before geeting 18DME urcos and downwind 14000ft...but thanks for reply..I'm prepared.
Cheers
Lime