dubai to male

[baobab72]

hello folks, first time that i fly in the corner of the world, any advice?
i guess i will have to contact mumbai to receive the entry clearance 15 minutes prior to entry the indian adiz, frequency based on airway, do i need a clearance to enter muscat airspace from dubai, and how far can i expect vhf radio coverage?

Sorry but at this time i have no access to the jeppesen enroute manual and i am trying to get as many info as i possibly can.

Also can i expect to be able to find a parking spot in male or should we anticipate a repositioning flite somewhere - consider we will spend there about 8 days

many thanks

baobab

[Jetblu]

We flew into Male at Xmas (Emirates) for Atol Kandooma and can confirm that plenty of parking was available at Male Airport. Quite a few G550 and Hawkers there.

Sorry I cannot help with your other questions.

[challyrider]

Interesting few posts here.......will be flying to this area on a charter shortly, what is the reality of long range cruise and island reserves fuel planning? Thanks for the advice in advance......it's a 605 by the way!

[flybypilot]

All quite simple but dont expect frequent responses from the Indians on HF and pick your enroute diversions carefully. Other than that remember to take a tow bar head otherwise you cannot park for more than a few hours. Hotac is good but best not to stay on Male, head somewhere like Bandos where the handlers have good rates.

FBP

[FLEXJET]

Mumbai, Mumbai...

Once we weren't able to get any reply from Mumbai on this route... Luckily cruising at FL430, and we just contacted Male Approach by ourselves...

Muscat ACC is easy, as the transfer from UAE ACC. Read the Jeppesen enroute charts, no big deal.
Take some extra fuel (single runway, can be busy). I had to hold once.

Advice: At first contact with Male, ask if any delay to be expected, than reduce speed if necessary.

Enjoy!

[CaptainProp]

I think you should be careful and plan properly for parking to make sure parking is available as this has been a problem for us on several occasions.

Flying back towards Dubai / Europe I have been held down at FL330-ish, all the way to checking in with Muscat, by Indian ATC quite a few times and we have barely made it to destination as a result.

I believe we have used VOTV as alternate for Male.

There are lots of hotels but again this needs to be planned ahead if you are there around high season or you will end up in some crap place.

Good luck!

CP

[FlyTCI]

If (more like when) you can't get hold of Mumbai on HF for your initial position report try calling this number: 00912226828088. They will relay your position report to the controlling sector and you won't have to fight to get heard over HF. Used it once myself, and to my surprise it actually worked.

The "being held low" thing is something you really need to plan for if you are already tight on fuel in the flightplanning stage.

[INNflight]

Contact your GND handler there as early as possible once you know you are supposed to go. Make sure he gives you a parking CFM and suggessts you a good hotel (if you have no preference already).

2nd the tow bar - bring one.