Foreign Nationals flying GA in Greece
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Foreign Nationals flying GA in Greece
After living and flying a Piper Warrior in Greece for 6 years as part of an aeroclub I have now been refused permission to fly by the Hellenic CAA because I am NOT a Greek National. Apparently further security checks are needed - I am a UK citizen. 5 years ago I underwent security screening to be allowed on the ramp - no problem. The day I was refused permission to fly there were 10 GA - (SEP) planes on the ramp as part of a tour. None were Greek and none were flown by Greek Nationals. They were all cleared to fly. BUT all the foreign students and instructors at this Greek airport have also been refused permission to fly pending new security checks. However, if you say you are a private passenger and pay 12 euros then you can enter the ramp (ostensibly as a passenger) - and then take your flying lesson or whatever - presumably illegally and presumably uninsured.
Anybody know if this is just Greek bureaucracy? Is it a way to get more money? Or is there some new security regulation applicable to the EU that I don't know about? It doesn't seem to have been thought through at all or make any sense. Do foreign nationals bringing their own or club planes to Greece this summer know about this? Will they be allowed to land and then not be allowed to leave? Do English Citizens in France, Germany or Spain face the same problems?
Anyway, it won't encourage General Aviation Pilots or students to come to Greece and bring their money, which is sad since the weather is great and the people at the airports are helpful, generous and friendly. And I wonder how long I will wait for the new security clearance?
Anybody know if this is just Greek bureaucracy? Is it a way to get more money? Or is there some new security regulation applicable to the EU that I don't know about? It doesn't seem to have been thought through at all or make any sense. Do foreign nationals bringing their own or club planes to Greece this summer know about this? Will they be allowed to land and then not be allowed to leave? Do English Citizens in France, Germany or Spain face the same problems?
Anyway, it won't encourage General Aviation Pilots or students to come to Greece and bring their money, which is sad since the weather is great and the people at the airports are helpful, generous and friendly. And I wonder how long I will wait for the new security clearance?
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Greece was good
I have just taken my Cessna 172 to Greece. Inbound and outbound for fuel and customs was via Kerkyra (Corfu). Both times an efficient and easy stop with good service. No problems.
I then went on to land at the Athens GA airfield--Megara. A military field but with loads and loads of GA aircraft there. PPR required but quick and easy and no problem.
No security problems at all. A delightful airport where I parked for 4 days whilst on holiday.
On return all smiles and when I asked about landing and parking fees was told. There is nothing at all to pay..!! Have a nice flight back home..
So I would encourage fellow GA aviators to make the trip.
I then went on to land at the Athens GA airfield--Megara. A military field but with loads and loads of GA aircraft there. PPR required but quick and easy and no problem.
No security problems at all. A delightful airport where I parked for 4 days whilst on holiday.
On return all smiles and when I asked about landing and parking fees was told. There is nothing at all to pay..!! Have a nice flight back home..
So I would encourage fellow GA aviators to make the trip.
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I have now been refused permission to fly by the Hellenic CAA because I am NOT a Greek National.
Or is there some new security regulation applicable to the EU that I don't know about?
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End of Story
END OF STORY.
While I was making these postings I also filed an official Incident Report with the airport manager and a separate one with The Hellenic CAA requesting to know what regulations had changed, what the new regulation was and specifically what I needed to do to be able to fly again as soon as possible. I didn't actually get a reply to either Incident Report but 4 days later I received a phone call from the Head of Security apologising for a "misunderstanding on his part that had caused confusion" and confirming that I was indeed allowed to fly and already had all the necessary clearances and licences.
While I was making these postings I also filed an official Incident Report with the airport manager and a separate one with The Hellenic CAA requesting to know what regulations had changed, what the new regulation was and specifically what I needed to do to be able to fly again as soon as possible. I didn't actually get a reply to either Incident Report but 4 days later I received a phone call from the Head of Security apologising for a "misunderstanding on his part that had caused confusion" and confirming that I was indeed allowed to fly and already had all the necessary clearances and licences.
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Love it........in Saloniki, you had to get a permit, but the door from the terminal had been closed, due to the possibility that someone could run through the office and out onto the ramp.
So the only door open was the airside door.
The standard procedure was then to stand at the guard house until someone with a pass came by, ask him to escort you to the security office door (this with no security check whatsoever--standard piggy-backing) and then apply for your pass to be where you had just come from.
It was funny, sad and so Greek, all at the same time. At another Greek airport, I had a pass for the car and drove to the light aircraft parking with the passenger baggage. Did preflight, loaded the baggage, then had to go back, park near the terminal and take a 80 passenger bus back to the aircraft (not permitted to ride in the handling company´s car) following the handler. When asked why, because the bus-drivers would strike if we took the transport from them and let the crew drive in the handling agents car(!)
Of course, this bus cost 80 euros...
So the only door open was the airside door.
The standard procedure was then to stand at the guard house until someone with a pass came by, ask him to escort you to the security office door (this with no security check whatsoever--standard piggy-backing) and then apply for your pass to be where you had just come from.
It was funny, sad and so Greek, all at the same time. At another Greek airport, I had a pass for the car and drove to the light aircraft parking with the passenger baggage. Did preflight, loaded the baggage, then had to go back, park near the terminal and take a 80 passenger bus back to the aircraft (not permitted to ride in the handling company´s car) following the handler. When asked why, because the bus-drivers would strike if we took the transport from them and let the crew drive in the handling agents car(!)
Of course, this bus cost 80 euros...
