Looking for operational intel at Cassidy International Airport, Kiribati.

[Mydogflo]

Just assigned a trip to PLCH and I'm not having much luck finding information about the airport and operations. Jeppeson seems to have very little in the way of airport specific information and the briefing material provided by ARINC isn't very helpful either. If anyone can point me to a good information source, and/or has first hand knowledge, I would be very grateful.

[Kooka]

Very limited facilities. Accommodation is basic. Internet is available at the hotel but very slow. There was a restriction on non airline uplift of JetA recently. Ensure you have PPR in writing. Good fishing.

[Mydogflo]

That sounds like most other reports I've been able to find. Are ATC clearances available on the HF/VHF AFIS frequencies, or is it necessary to be able to reach San Francisco radio in order to get a release?

[Car RAMROD]

Aus mobiles won’t roam there. Satcom is your best bet.

Contact Air Kiribati or KOil about fuel. Won’t be cheap.

RNAVs are good.

single runway, single taxiway.

Basic runway lighting and PAPIs. No taxiway lighting and very limited apron lighting. Was told they have standby power, but I’d prefer to go there with plenty of daylight remaining.

Not many divert options; however this obviously will depend on what you are flying and where from.

Air Kiribati are planning on taking the 190 E2 there with Kanton as the alternate and both were/are going to get some upgrades. Not sure on the status of these upgrades.

airport is uncontrolled with a flight service. San Fran HF covers the area for clearances/arrival reports and all that.

My info is a couple years old so things may have changed. I’ll see what I can dig out but can’t promise anything substantial.

[Car RAMROD]

Found a few more of my scribblings for you.

Take cash. They accept Australian and US dollars. Don’t rely on places taking card nor the card facilities working.

runway is not grooved, markings had faded on the runway, taxiway and apron. Runway edge lights spaced at 95 metres, low intensity only.

No wifi at the airport.

I didn’t see a lit windsock, but I also didn’t specifically go looking either.

they didn’t have ground air, power, water, tugs (aircraft or baggage), baggage loading or toilet servicing equipment. Not sure how many sets of stairs but they had at least one to suit a 737 (Fiji airways flies through regularly; they might be able to provide you some information?), and the baggage trolleys are moved around by hand.

Ikari Lodge is nice enough. Basic but clean and tidy; it’s basically geared for fishing groups. A 45 mins drive to the airport.

The place names made me laugh. Poland, London, Banana, Tennessee.
lots of war history if you are interested in that too.

The tallest thing on the island is a 150ft tower about half a mile northwest of the airport.

see if you can find the RAAF ERSIE online, has some info too.

Once again that’s old info so things may have changed.

[Mydogflo]

All good info! Thank you!

[bloated goat]

Jeppesen / Air Traffic Control / KIRIBATI-1/ KIRIBATI-RULES AND PROCEDURES / SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS AND REGULATIONS says.....................

Facilities for night operations are not available in Kiribati. Pilots must plan their flights so as to land at their destination and to allow for sufficient time to divert to their selected alternate and to arrive there before the end of civil twilight.

However, as others have said, there are rwy lights spaced at 90m and a PAPI installed on rwy 08 only. Not PAL


Hope that helps..

[Car RAMROD]

How up to date and correct is that Jepp reference, goat?

I ask because Bonriki (Tarawa) has had NOTAMs for some time (over 2 years now) saying:

PAPI RWY 09 NEWLY INSTALLED AND OPERATIONAL WITH FIVE STAGE VRB INTST. 1710040421-PERM

AD AVBL NGT OPERATIONS UPON REQUEST ONLY. 72HR PN TO AIRPORT SERVICES OFFICE FOR NON-SCHEDULED NIGHT OPERATIONS. 1707260405-PERM

MOVEMENT AREA OPERATIONAL. PILOTS ARE ADZ OF NEWLY INSTALLED LIGHTS ON MOVEMENT AREA. LIGHTS ARE FOLLOWS: - REDL: OMNI DIRECTIONAL WHITE (3 STAGE INTENSITY) - THR LGT: UNI-DIRECTIONAL GREEN - RENL: UNI-DIRECTIONAL RED - TWY/APN EDGE LGT: BLUE - RWY ENTRANCE LGT: YELLOW GUARD - TURNING NODE RWY 27 EDGE LGT: BLUE - APN:FLOOD LGT 1707050450-PERM

[Kooka]

ATC will be KZAK (Oakland Centre) relaying via San Francisco HF (Arinc). Understand what a US “cruise clearance” means if you’re not from there. Basically it is a clearance to descend when ready/pilot discretion and carry out the instrument approach.

[LeadSled]

Understand what a US “cruise clearance” means if you’re not from there. Basically it is a clearance to descend when ready/pilot discretion and carry out the instrument approach.
Look up the FAA AIM, it means a quite a lot more than that, and it is significant.
Such a clearance will only be issued for IFR in FAA controlled airspace, E and up.
Tootle pip!!

PS: Back in the pre. jet days, apparently it was a great spot, chap I know used to be the QF resident LAME for almost two years.

[Mydogflo]

Just wanted to take a moment to thank everyone for the tips and info and provide an update.

After finally obtaining ppr, the trip went smoothly. The company had the permit request in for 10 weeks, before it was issued 12 hours prior to departure. No reason for the delay was given, or I suppose it could be that is normal for this location. The AFIS was manned and operating for our arrival, but there was no response for departure. Wasn't able to contact San Francisco radio on the ground, but was able to reach them via cell phone in order to obtain a clearance. I had a US AT&T phone that was the only one of the crew phones getting any service on the island. If your Sat. phone equipped, I would recommend confirming it will work on the ground before operating there, or renting a hand held. I wouldn't count on cell service. Fuel was provided as requested, but it did require careful coordination with the ground handler after arrival. I'm not certain it would have gone smoothly if we were attempting a quick turn, as the truck drives approximately 30 minute to get to the airport from the fuel terminal in town (London) on the other side of the island. The runway should be repainted by the time this is written, and lighting improvements are underway. The runway itself is in good condition. The terminal building appears to have been recently rehabilitated while small and basic, is in good condition. The flight attendant had packed a large cooler with catering and blocks of ice for the departure, which turned out to be a terrific idea as I don't think we would have been able to source any on the island. After a 5 night stay, it was still cold and usable.

If staying on the island, there are not many options, and I would recommend bringing at least a few days of bottled water, in order to give yourself time to source some locally. There aren't many options for accommodations. The Captain Cook hotel is about 15 minutes from the airport, but is relatively isolated. There are about a dozen guest bungalows, but no more than 8 of them are habitable. They are rundown, but clean. Another guest told me that there was no running water in his bungalow, but all the crew rooms had running water, and adequate air conditioning.

With a little planning, CXI doesn't pose any insurmountable operational issues.

[Ascend Charlie]

Will things be better once the Chinese take over the islands? According to 60 Mince, they are throwing lots of money at the place, including at politicians, to get the rights to ports. But getting a clearance to enter the area might require knowledge of Mandarin.