First big int'l trip. Russia, France, etc. Any help?

[Bleeds On]

Now we're looking at Kiev when we leave Iceland. Oslo would be a perfect tech stop from BIRK and from what I see there's VHF coverage BIRK to ENGM. Anything I should be concerned with here besides more cold water?

 

[AA717driver]

ENGM is the better airport, IMO. (Admittedly, it's been 20 some years since I've been...) Fornabu (sp?) is "downtown" and has less runway.

Kiev is a nice airport with a big ramp near the airline terminal so it's a short ride for the pax. Very good ATC.

If you want the pax to clear customs through the VIP lounge (as opposed to standing in line with the Babushkas) make it clear to your handler (I think you said Universal?) and make it clear repeatedly.

We "assumed" and Mr. Big had to spend some quality time with the Proletariats. I heard about that one... :erm:

Anyway, the local handlers will gladly run them through the VIP lounge and it will make their lives (and yours) much better.

We stayed in the Radisson SAS which was nice. It was only for one night and rainy so I cannot comment on the city. Our mechanic was chomping at the bit to get to a "Night Flite-like club" so you may have a better time than we did.

TC

 

[2000Easyguy]

ENGM is the better airport, IMO. (Admittedly, it's been 20 some years since I've been...) Fornabu (sp?) is "downtown" and has less runway.

Kiev is a nice airport with a big ramp near the airline terminal so it's a short ride for the pax. Very good ATC.

If you want the pax to clear customs through the VIP lounge (as opposed to standing in line with the Babushkas) make it clear to your handler (I think you said Universal?) and make it clear repeatedly.

We "assumed" and Mr. Big had to spend some quality time with the Proletariats. I heard about that one... :erm:

Anyway, the local handlers will gladly run them through the VIP lounge and it will make their lives (and yours) much better.

We stayed in the Radisson SAS which was nice. It was only for one night and rainy so I cannot comment on the city. Our mechanic was chomping at the bit to get to a "Night Flite-like club" so you may have a better time than we did.

TC

Kiev (UKBB) is great. expect holding point 16 (Shut dwn engines) then tug to stand. Point 16 is app top of 18R. Then tug to stand. Fairly great handlers.
The city is about an hour. But, there's a very nice hotel/B&B close by. I recommend. No worries, all is fairly straightforward.

Edit: Moscow in plan? UUWW is only NDB Rnwy 01/19 2030 meters(6600)ft.
just a heads up.

 

[gear_guy]

EHRD is great. KLM Jet Center can do all your handling if you call them direct. Customs closes at 10pm if its your first stop in Europe. I have been there probably 15 times and only 1 visit from customs. You could probably be in/out in 20 mins. easy.

If you are NBAA member you should check out the slides from the recent Intl Ops conf. It had some good info on Russia.

I would get the SAFA checklist and review it before dept.

 

[Bleeds On]

OK, looking at approaches in Russia. The chart lists QNH and QFE in feet, but meters is just in a little conversion box on the side. We have the ability to switch to meters on the PFD and I'd planned on doing that til I saw the charts. I would assume that while enroute you're getting altitudes in meters so I'd like to leave it in meters. So my question is this...what SOP do you guys use? I'd rather not continually do conversions or switch the PFD back and forth. Maybe pencil the meters equivalent at each fix?

 

[landlover]

OK, looking at approaches in Russia. The chart lists QNH and QFE in feet, but meters is just in a little conversion box on the side. We have the ability to switch to meters on the PFD and I'd planned on doing that til I saw the charts. I would assume that while enroute you're getting altitudes in meters so I'd like to leave it in meters. So my question is this...what SOP do you guys use? I'd rather not continually do conversions or switch the PFD back and forth. Maybe pencil the meters equivalent at each fix?

is there a conversion feature in the FMS on your airplane? Most of the altitudes in russia that are assigned are odd, (11,600m = 38000ft) but are very close or equal to even altitudes in feet. we can only display both (meters and feet) on the pfd and use the FMS to convert. I think moscow and st.pete are the only two that allow you to get a visa on arrival so be sure to take care of that before departure.

 

[Bleeds On]

is there a conversion feature in the FMS on your airplane? Most of the altitudes in russia that are assigned are odd, (11,600m = 38000ft) but are very close or equal to even altitudes in feet. we can only display both (meters and feet) on the pfd and use the FMS to convert. I think moscow and st.pete are the only two that allow you to get a visa on arrival so be sure to take care of that before departure.

We have a UNS-1esp, but I'm not sure if it does the conversions. Probably does but I'll have to look into it. When you enter yours on the FMS for conversion, does it set your altitude select? We can switch our tape from displaying feet to showing meters instead, which I'd prefer if that's what I'll be assigned. Unless the Russians really are as robotic as everyone says and you'll never get any altitudes other than what's listed.
The visas are already in for processing. Thanks for the heads up though.

 

[Bleeds On]

OK I'm wrong, feet isn't replaced by meters on the PFD, it just adds a meters box above feet.

 

[landlover]

Bleeds, our airplane does the same with adding a meters box. this is why we use the converter in the fms, we still have to select altitudes in feet for the autopilot. Also note, i believe that you have to enter and exit russia over the very same way point according to the flight plan routing sent in with the visa application, so sending in a dummy route may not be a good idea.

 

[Bleeds On]

How about VAT in the EU? We will be 91 only, carry no EU nationals, and make one stop in France to meet with a client. In terms of "importing the aircraft", does it even apply to us? A 20% VAT on aircraft value will obviously scrub the trip, but I don't think we should have to deal with any VATs other than on fuel, etc.