Sondrestrom / BGSF ETOPS ERA
 

Hi all,
Just looking for some info on Sondrestrom / BGSF. Have heard on the grapevine that BGSF is available as an ETOPS ERA outside of its published opening hours (MON-SAT 1100-2000z)... any truth in this (closed aerodrome as alt?)... figured it would be handy to use during hours of darkness with ETOP 120.

I understand that opening hours can be extended at BGSF (9hr PPR) but am unsure if there is acharge for this service...?

Anyone?

yes you can extend working hours and there is a charge for that, you should send your invoice adress etc. then they will send confirmation

we used during volcanic eruption

I confirm that the extension of the aerodrome is possible, and there are charges!!
you might want to consider a different option if you plan to use this airport often! the charges of extension of ops are very expensive!
Plus the minimum extension time is (if I remember right) is 3hrs so even if your etops window is just for 15 mins you still have to pay for the whole time!
rgrds
JD

I bring an old thread to life, sorry about that.

BGSF/Sondrestrom is available as an ETOPS, in both summertime and wintertime. But you do have to request the airport "open" for it outside normal operating hours.

The normal operating hours are 1100-2000 (1000-1900) monday to saturday, sunday is closed. Outside operating hours PPR is minimum 9 hours.

It's Air Traffic Control with radar service for usually localizer/DME approaches to runway 09.

Fire and rescue is CAT5, but CAT8 is available with 4 hours prior notification within opening hours. Outside opening hours it's 9 hours PPR for both as well.

Using Sondrestrom as an ETOPS within opening hours is free of charge, do remember the CAT8 notification though.

It is possible to get it with less than 4/9 hours, but it may get more expensive due overtime charge for the people involved (and there's always the risk it can't be done). But contact Sondrestrom for information.

Outside operating hours, it's a minimum opening of 3 hours, but you get a sweept runway, fire and rescue and ATC with radarservice for that cost guaranteed in need of diversion.

But the cost, which is steep, is calculated from how many actually use Sondrestrom as ETOPS, and the more that do so, the cheaper it can become. And in these times of saving, and cheap tickets, very few tend to do so. Unfortuantely that also means if you, non-ETOPS, end up with an emergency in the night, during wintertime over Greenland, and noone has requested Sondrestrom as an ETOPS, you may get stuck with a slippery runway, and the fire and rescue that Sondrestrom may be able to scrape together.

The cheapest would be if every airline that flew near Sondrestrom, said it's a good emergency alternate to have in the middle of the atlantic, and wanted to pay for it. That would cut the cost considerably for everyone. But that doesn't happen anytime soon, cause you don't plan on emergencies ;)