Bogota

[Duderino]

I am going to Bogota and beside from being nervous about staying there over the weekend, I am trying to find out some of the local flight procedures and what to expect when coming into the approach area from Miami. I understand the airport is a CAT II, and I know there is some terrain, but I am just trying to put it all together. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
I will be arriving tommorrow after 6 legs and into the 8th hour of the day.
Duder

 

[hawkerjet]

Just get the plates out and preview them with your FO. terrain is not a huge factor but you will be surrounded by green. make sure your adf's work as a back up. i recall the missed procedures as a ndb to another ndb for terrain clearance. the approach is a no brainer. the departure is a little aggressive.

Make sure you have a handler that provides security for the aircraft and have a driver assigned to you. the hotels are nice and food is excellent, not to mention the women are pretty hot too. elevation keeps the temps moderate all year.
do not, repeat do not stray away from the city at night... talk with your handlers..

 

[capt601]

make sure Columbia is WGS-84. You don;t want to go around shooting an approach at an airport with terrain with your FMS, if the waypoints have not been plotted using the same system as your FMS. If they are not WGS-84, waypoints may be many miles off from your FMS position and you will have to resort to the NDB approach. You can find out if they are on the Jeppesen page by searching a bit. It has been many years since i flew into Columbia and i can't remember if they are WGS-84. Even Mexico was not WGS-84 until last year.

 

[Rick1128]

Watch your second segment climb requirements. There are a couple of departures that require 6%. So be careful.

 

[hawkerjet]

Good point 601

 

[LongBoarder]

WGS84 countries

Columbia is a WGS84 Country... Below is a link to all of the countries that are. I did not know that mexcio had finally stepped up to the plate.

http://www.jeppesen.com/wlcs/index.jsp?section=resources&content=publications_wgs84.html%20

LB

 

[Pelican 10]

Don't sweat it Duderino , Colombia is WGS-84...If coming from MIA expect either TEVIS 1 ARR. or ALEGRE 3 ARR., both begin at ZIP VOR and lead you to the ILS for both 13R & 13L...expect to be cleared for whatever approach about 50 nm out on the arrival by BOG app., controllers at SKBO speak good english but always verify descent clearences If uncertain.

Terrain won't be much of an issue on landing unless you have to circle to rwys 31L & 31R at night...(don't recommend it but it is very do-able If you are on the ball !!)
The only catch are the taxi lights at night !!!(..you can't see them)....be very carefull as tower controllers don't take mistakes very lightly.

There are some really good hotels within' 10 min drive from the airport...DO NOT TAKE A CAB AT NIGHT, have someone arrange all that for you with the hotel. If you guys are staying I highly suggest going to "parque de la 93"....(bars & restaurants....& women !!!) and "zona Rosa" (clubs & bars ...& MORE WOMEN)
If you are interested in buying stuff the Colombian clothes are considered some of the best in the world and the cheapest...for that go to UNICENTRO....by the way, 1 US Dollar = 2,300.00 pesos, try not to take anything bigger than a 20.00, currency exchange houses dont like it.

Make sure you review the dep's., If going back to MIA expect (99.9%) Guaymaral 5 dep., 6.0 % climb out of all rwys If I'm not mistaken and also make sure your ADF's are working unless you want to rely on your FMS 100% ( I wouldn't !!)

Let me know If you need more info.