Anybody Tech Stop in Irkutsk, Russia?

[Chocks]

I'm looking at using Irkutsk, Russia as a tech stop. Anybody been through there? What did you use for an alternate?

.

 

[AA717driver]

Chocks--I know a guy who used to stop in a 604 but I think he used Novosibirsk usually. I'll PM you the info when he gets back to me.TC

 

[NGT]

Have you tried the NBAA website? Under international ops they have an international airport database where users can post experiences! I may be stating the obvious but it has worked pretty well for me!

 

[Chocks]

Yeah,
Novo is gonna be a little on the edge (the alternate anyway) of range...That's why we're looking at Irkutsk.

 

[AA717driver]

Chocks--This is all he told me:

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I never used Irkutsk, but I have used Novosibirsk several times, and I have done overnights in St. Petersburg and Moscow. I have never had a problem in Russia. Good handling is probably the key to a good fuel stop. I hope your friend is using a professional handler! Russia is booming, so they love western airplanes and the business they bring.

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Watch the freq change between China and Russia. I got a bum freq. and the Russians got all nervous. Good luck.TC

 

[Chocks]

Thanks...I appreciate you asking your buddy. I know Novo is a good turn, it might be a bit far though. (G300 - GIV with only 26900 max fuel) We're using Air Routing so good handling..

 

[AerroMatt]

Another suggestion would be to memorize the following line, "Isvenitye pazhalsta, vy gavarite pa angleski?" Hopefully they will have someone who speaks English there.

 

[PMVULB AvMgr]

Thanks...I appreciate you asking your buddy. I know Novo is a good turn, it might be a bit far though. (G300 - GIV with only 26900 max fuel) We're using Air Routing so good handling..

Please keep in mind that Air Routing is NOT a handler, they only obtain handling services from different vendors for you. There are a couple of cities worldwide where they actually have their own employees, however they are only there to oversee the actual handlers who are doing all the work and have the equipment, hangars, dispatch offices etc. Universal (Uvair) on the other hand DOES have their own handlers worldwide.

As far as I'm concerned, Air Routing is not the way to go if you're going to Russia, Universal is MUCH more experienced in that part of the world.

For the actual handling I would sugest you use FERAS in Russia - they are widely known and have been in Russia forever. The outfit is run by Chris Cartwright, who if memory serves me right started in the business by being Universal's agent in Russia, then fielded his own company (FERAS). I know him personally, he's one of the most knowledgable individuals when it comes to operating in Russia and the other former Iron Curtain countries.

Here's their website: http://www.feras-cis.com/page.php

Good luck.

 

[AA717driver]

FERAS was the handler arranged by Universal when we went to Kiev last month. They were supposed to have arranged the VIP lounge for us inbound but did not.

On the outbound, they bent over backwards to help and made sure everything went well. Overall, a good experience.TC

 

[Chocks]

[
quote=PMVULB AvMgr]Please keep in mind that Air Routing is NOT a handler, they only obtain handling services from different vendors for you. There are a couple of cities worldwide where they actually have their own employees, however they are only there to oversee the actual handlers who are doing all the work and have the equipment, hangars, dispatch offices etc. Universal (Uvair) on the other hand DOES have their own handlers worldwide.
[/quote]

Thanks for your input. I've used Universal before, and found them to be a competent organization. Our company uses Air Routing, and I have found them to be exemplary as well. Incidentally, our handlers at the majority of our international destinations ARE Air Routing employees. In the rare occasion that an Air Routing handler is not able to meet us directly, they have always done a bang up job of ensuring local contractors service us appropriately.

This isn’t my first international trip.

 

[AA717driver]

This isn’t my first international trip.

Yeah but we get so much enjoyment out of showing everyone just how experienced and savvy WE are. Besides, we have to show off here, they're tired of hearing about our exploits down at the barber shop... TC

 

[PMVULB AvMgr]

[
Incidentally, our handlers at the majority of our international destinations ARE Air Routing employees. In the rare occasion that an Air Routing handler is not able to meet us directly, they have always done a bang up job of ensuring local contractors service us appropriately.

This isn’t my first international trip.

I've used both Air Routing and Universal for our international trips. While it is true that Air Routing does have their own employees at some locations, they as far as I know do not have any of the equipment or facilities necessary to handle an aircraft anywhere. The Air Routing employees are at the airports to "facilitate" your handling. A good example is Le Bourget, where their "handler" actually works with all the local handlers (those with actual brick & mortar facilities) to assure your successful stop.

My problem with this is that many places they have these facilitators at already have excellent handling services. There is simply no need for this duplicated service, for which I may add you pay a very pretty penny.

Air Routing has tried to tell me that their guys will be able to do things we couldn't do ourselves with the locals. To this I say "BS". I don't need a guy from Air Routing working for me at Frankfurt, where there are (now) 2 local handlers doing an excellent job. Give me someone in Italy, there I can use someone with inside knowledge and knowing who to grease, certainly not at FRA or LBG.

I've been working international for 30+ years, so I think I do have a very good understanding of what it is that's needed to make an international trip successful. Another invoice for unnecessary assistance is not one of them - deal directly with the handler, you'll do just fine.

Think about it - all you're doing by using the facilitator is pissing the handler off by basically saying they can't do anything without these folks.

Guess who is going to get service first when two aircraft are on the ramp at the same time needing assistance - the aircraft being handled directly by the handler, or the one using a facilitator?

 

[Chocks]

Guess who is going to get service first when two aircraft are on the ramp at the same time needing assistance - the aircraft being handled directly by the handler, or the one using a facilitator?

Probably the one buying 5000 gallons of Jet A..

 

[PMVULB AvMgr]

Probably the one buying 5000 gallons of Jet A..

Nope, fuel is not sold by the Handlers outside the US as it is here. Handlers in 99% of the world OUTSIDE North America don't make a penny on the Jet/A that's pumped into your tanks.

 

[Chocks]

Nope, fuel is not sold by the Handlers outside the US as it is here. Handlers in 99% of the world OUTSIDE North America don't make a penny on the Jet/A that's pumped into your tanks.

I'll bet you're a LOAD of fun to go on the road with..

 

[PMVULB AvMgr]

I'll bet you're a LOAD of fun to go on the road with..

See, I don't go on the road, I tell 'em where to go when they're on the road. And what's the matter, a little knowledge a threat to you? I'm just trying to point out facts, you on the other hand are mocking me.

 

[Chocks]

See, I don't go on the road, I tell 'em where to go when they're on the road. And what's the matter, a little knowledge a threat to you? I'm just trying to point out facts, you on the other hand are mocking me.

So you're a dispatcher?

 

[PMVULB AvMgr]

So you're a dispatcher?

Certainly was one, many years ago. That's how I started in the business. Read my profile for what I do now (and have done for the past 6 years!).