Krackow - anyone been ?
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Krakow, Poland (EPKK)
from EPKK ATC
Hello there!
First of all, the airports is closed for all ultralight aircraft due to shortage of parking places. So I hope you're flying something else
If you're going to fly VFR, you will be asked to contact some of the Flight Information sectors as soon as you cross Polish border (filing a flight plan is required if you cross the border during the flight). They will assist you during the flight.
As you come closer to EPKK, you will be handed-off to Krakow FIS sector. Probably you will be asked to descend to be below Krakow TMA (initially to about 5000ft altitude, then below 3500ft). Shortly before entering EPKK CTR you will be asked to descend to 1800ft and contact Krakow TWR (freq.123,25).
Of course, you can always request higher altitude and enter TMA. If you do so, you will be handed-off to Krakow APP (freq. 121,975). The same will be done in some emergency situations like entering IMC and some other problems. The thing is that APP can give you vectors for approach or to guide you to some safe place and FIS cannot.
Entering the CTR (which limits are at 1800ft. alt) can be done via three entry points: Sierra (frome the south), India (north-west) or Oscar (north-east). All of them are published on the maps in AIP Poland (see link below). As soon as you get clearance to enter CTR, you will be instructed to proceed to points Zulu (if you're coming from the north) or Kilo (if you're coming from the south). If there's some traffic, you will be asked to hold visually over one of those points. There's no published holding procedure but the important thing is to keep clear of those points (so you keep to the north of Zulu and to the south of Kilo).
Then you will be clear for approach, usually runway 25 is in use. After landing - if you fly general aviation - you will taxi via B, G to stand number 18 (general aviation) and follow-me car will be mandatory for you.
Departure procedure is similar - it takes you via K/Z and S/I/O out of the CTR. As a VFR flight you can get your clearance for flight on both TWR (123,25) and Delivery (118,1) frequency.
If it comes to handling, fees and refueling. Fees can be found on airport website. If your MTOW is below 2000kg. fee for landing will be 81,15 PLN. Parking is free for first 30minutes, then it's 12,20PLN for each commenced tonne of MTOW and every commenced 24hours.
Departing passenger charge: 48,90PLN per passenger (excluding the crew!)
Plus navigational charges for aerodrome control. If your MTOW is below 2000kg it will be 50PLN.
Handling is made by "KRK Airport Services" and refuelling by "PetroLOT". You can ask an agent you assist you in anything you need. The agent will come to you by bus or van - you cannot walk through the apron on your own (see AIP)
Links:
airport webpage: http://www.lotnisko-balice.pl/eng
airport fees: http://www.lotnisko-balice.pl/eng/oplaty_lotniskowe.asp
nav fees: http://www.pata.pl/oplaty/EP_GEN_4.2..pdf
e-AIP Poland (free register!) http://ais.pata.pl/aip
Good luck! And have great time in Krakow!
Radian.
First of all, the airports is closed for all ultralight aircraft due to shortage of parking places. So I hope you're flying something else
If you're going to fly VFR, you will be asked to contact some of the Flight Information sectors as soon as you cross Polish border (filing a flight plan is required if you cross the border during the flight). They will assist you during the flight.
As you come closer to EPKK, you will be handed-off to Krakow FIS sector. Probably you will be asked to descend to be below Krakow TMA (initially to about 5000ft altitude, then below 3500ft). Shortly before entering EPKK CTR you will be asked to descend to 1800ft and contact Krakow TWR (freq.123,25).
Of course, you can always request higher altitude and enter TMA. If you do so, you will be handed-off to Krakow APP (freq. 121,975). The same will be done in some emergency situations like entering IMC and some other problems. The thing is that APP can give you vectors for approach or to guide you to some safe place and FIS cannot.
Entering the CTR (which limits are at 1800ft. alt) can be done via three entry points: Sierra (frome the south), India (north-west) or Oscar (north-east). All of them are published on the maps in AIP Poland (see link below). As soon as you get clearance to enter CTR, you will be instructed to proceed to points Zulu (if you're coming from the north) or Kilo (if you're coming from the south). If there's some traffic, you will be asked to hold visually over one of those points. There's no published holding procedure but the important thing is to keep clear of those points (so you keep to the north of Zulu and to the south of Kilo).
Then you will be clear for approach, usually runway 25 is in use. After landing - if you fly general aviation - you will taxi via B, G to stand number 18 (general aviation) and follow-me car will be mandatory for you.
Departure procedure is similar - it takes you via K/Z and S/I/O out of the CTR. As a VFR flight you can get your clearance for flight on both TWR (123,25) and Delivery (118,1) frequency.
If it comes to handling, fees and refueling. Fees can be found on airport website. If your MTOW is below 2000kg. fee for landing will be 81,15 PLN. Parking is free for first 30minutes, then it's 12,20PLN for each commenced tonne of MTOW and every commenced 24hours.
Departing passenger charge: 48,90PLN per passenger (excluding the crew!)
Plus navigational charges for aerodrome control. If your MTOW is below 2000kg it will be 50PLN.
Handling is made by "KRK Airport Services" and refuelling by "PetroLOT". You can ask an agent you assist you in anything you need. The agent will come to you by bus or van - you cannot walk through the apron on your own (see AIP)
Links:
airport webpage: http://www.lotnisko-balice.pl/eng
airport fees: http://www.lotnisko-balice.pl/eng/oplaty_lotniskowe.asp
nav fees: http://www.pata.pl/oplaty/EP_GEN_4.2..pdf
e-AIP Poland (free register!) http://ais.pata.pl/aip
Good luck! And have great time in Krakow!
Radian.
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 664
Likes: 0
From: Yorkshire
Radian - an excellent, comprehensive and really useful reply to my question - thank you very much, perhaps we'll get to meet in a couple of weeks !!
Everyone else - thanks for your various inputs, but I'm planning to fly there myself .... and Pianorak, I'd already searched, those threads you refer to tell me a lot about Jet2, EasyJet, Ryanair etc, but don't help me, which is why I posted ...
FF
Everyone else - thanks for your various inputs, but I'm planning to fly there myself .... and Pianorak, I'd already searched, those threads you refer to tell me a lot about Jet2, EasyJet, Ryanair etc, but don't help me, which is why I posted ...
FF
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 124
Likes: 0
I flew into Krakow last year, just to get fuel as the smaller airfields tend not to have fuel for sale. My recollection is that I thought it was very expensive by the standards of Polish airfields 
, maybe you can work this out from Radian's details. No problems otherwise, friendly enough by the standards of commercial-traffic airports.
, maybe you can work this out from Radian's details. No problems otherwise, friendly enough by the standards of commercial-traffic airports.
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 375
Likes: 0
From: london uk
I just checked the current rate and its one Zlotty for 17p, its a long time since i looked at that currency, i am sure it used to be about 50 or 60 to the pound? Still that makes 204:45 PLN £35.52. Not cheap not dear
Still the beer is cheap when you get there 
and the general cost of everything really!
Radian, how much is avgas per litre? please.
Still the beer is cheap when you get there and the general cost of everything really!Radian, how much is avgas per litre? please.
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Krakow, Poland (EPKK)
Fuel
Aviation fuel in Poland is a great problem indeed. Due some stupid government regulations the only company that can sell fuel is Petrolot! It's hard to find many places for refuelling; some pilots fly with extra fuel carried in containers aboard a plane!
According to Petrolot, current price for Avgas 100LL is 6,52PLN + 22%VAT. There's a remark that VAT is not added if a flight is an international flight (how do they check that!?). Above price is valid until 31st. October.
http://www.petrolot.pl/cenypaliwiuslug.html (prices table, in Polish)
According to Petrolot, current price for Avgas 100LL is 6,52PLN + 22%VAT. There's a remark that VAT is not added if a flight is an international flight (how do they check that!?
). Above price is valid until 31st. October.http://www.petrolot.pl/cenypaliwiuslug.html (prices table, in Polish)
Professional Student
Joined: Mar 2005
Aviation Qualifications: CPL
Posts: 678
Likes: 25
From: My Secret Island Lair
Thanks for the info radian - I've visited Krakow before, and have contacts down there. Considering a flying trip out there next summer - your info should certainly come in handy.
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 315
Likes: 0
From: EHBK
FF
Very little to add (radian's pretty much said it all). I visited Krakow in May 2004 as part of a trip around Eastern Europe. We flew into Krakow from Tallin (at FL095 if memory serves me correctly). Rerouted due to military activity in NE Poland and cleared direct destination once clear of the activity. Departed a couple of days later to Budapest. Probably the most straight forward, supportive and coherent ATC service I've ever experienced.
The city itself was great, a very enjoyable visit. Getting there, and out again, was a piece of cake.
Very little to add (radian's pretty much said it all). I visited Krakow in May 2004 as part of a trip around Eastern Europe. We flew into Krakow from Tallin (at FL095 if memory serves me correctly). Rerouted due to military activity in NE Poland and cleared direct destination once clear of the activity. Departed a couple of days later to Budapest. Probably the most straight forward, supportive and coherent ATC service I've ever experienced.
The city itself was great, a very enjoyable visit. Getting there, and out again, was a piece of cake.
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Krakow, Poland (EPKK)
And I will appreciate any other comments regarding ATC in Poland, especially in Krakow (approach and tower).
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
From: london
Radian; You are a star and I expect it was you that looked after us all in our 'formation' of Moths, Dragons,Yaks, Cessnas and Barons that stayed a few days in Krakow last month.
perfect ATC and service. Alas Petrolot wre very slow (2 hours queuing for fuel and then poor paperwork and payment problems).
Wonderful city.
Must visit the Salt Mines , and if you have the stomach for it a visit to Auchwitz is a life-changing experience.
perfect ATC and service. Alas Petrolot wre very slow (2 hours queuing for fuel and then poor paperwork and payment problems).
Wonderful city.
Must visit the Salt Mines , and if you have the stomach for it a visit to Auchwitz is a life-changing experience.
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Krakow, Poland (EPKK)
In fact, I was on a hill near the airport watching your arrival with some spotters 
But I was working during your afternoon departure (I'm not sure but I suppose it was done in groups). I have to admit it was a mess because military apron doesn't have stand numbers and we didn't know 'who's who' 
So.. sorry for questions like "what colour are you?" In Krakow itself, there are many places worth visit. Wawel Royal Castle, Old Jewish Town (Kazimierz). And if you want to learn how people lived here during communism (and you want to have great time laughing!) - take a Crazy Guide - see here for details: http://www.crazyguides.com/
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Krakow, Poland (EPKK)
Come to Poland! :)
Everybody! Come to Krakow, you won't regret it!
Exchange rate (average, published by Polish National Bank) is published here (updated daily): http://www.nbp.pl/Kursy/RatesA.html
Today it's: 1 GBP = 5,7716 PLN
Average prices in Krakow are:
- beer (0.5l.) = ranging from 5PLN to 12PLN
- dinner in not-expensive restaurant = about 35PLN per person
- petrol (1l.) = about 4PLN
- taxis (in city limits, during night; airport taxis have different prices and - sometimes - they try to cheat!) = about 30 to 50 PLN
There are many websites regarding accomodation in Krakow, just google! (e.g. http://www.cracowonline.com/)
And if you're going to travel by private plane - let me know earlier; we will be prepared to serve you well
Exchange rate (average, published by Polish National Bank) is published here (updated daily): http://www.nbp.pl/Kursy/RatesA.html
Today it's: 1 GBP = 5,7716 PLN
Average prices in Krakow are:
- beer (0.5l.) = ranging from 5PLN to 12PLN
- dinner in not-expensive restaurant = about 35PLN per person
- petrol (1l.) = about 4PLN
- taxis (in city limits, during night; airport taxis have different prices and - sometimes - they try to cheat!) = about 30 to 50 PLN
There are many websites regarding accomodation in Krakow, just google!
(e.g. http://www.cracowonline.com/)And if you're going to travel by private plane - let me know earlier; we will be prepared to serve you well
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Bicester
Dear Radian
Back in 2006 you gave a very detailed answer to someone flying to Kracow airport. I am planning on flying to this region of Poland in June and would like to know if anything has changed since your excellent advice? In particular, as I want to visit Auschwitz, is it possible to fly to Katowice airport, as it appears to be closer than Kracow to Auschwitz? I also have some business in Limonowa and thought the airfield Nowy Sacz (EPNL) would be closest. Is it possible to land there? If so, can you tell me if they have Avgas there? Is it still difficult to buy Avgas in Poland - or is Kracow the only place I can buy it in the region?
Dean Overton
Back in 2006 you gave a very detailed answer to someone flying to Kracow airport. I am planning on flying to this region of Poland in June and would like to know if anything has changed since your excellent advice? In particular, as I want to visit Auschwitz, is it possible to fly to Katowice airport, as it appears to be closer than Kracow to Auschwitz? I also have some business in Limonowa and thought the airfield Nowy Sacz (EPNL) would be closest. Is it possible to land there? If so, can you tell me if they have Avgas there? Is it still difficult to buy Avgas in Poland - or is Kracow the only place I can buy it in the region?
Dean Overton