During the summer season, RocketRoute sees an increase in flight traffic from North America to Europe via Greenland and Iceland. This article provides members with useful information when visiting these countries.
Greenland is Danish territory, same rules apply including new requirements for minimum third-party insurance cover whilst in Danish/Greenland's airspace. Private/Corporate operators should notify, and check the weather at, their intended destination and alternate. Aircraft flying within the Sondre Stromfjord FIR are required to carry appropriate emergency/survival gear. Normally, you are allowed to overfly and land in Greenland without permission, but this is conditional on your flight landing no more than twice in Greenland.
Since RVSM implementation, many more older corporate aircraft may need to contemplate a landing in Greenland. Do not underestimate the weather and the speed with which it forms here. Alternates are a long way off and most are short with gravel strips. Know which HF frequencies to use before getting airborne. Respect the airport hours of operation or be ready to pay a numbering fee (over $1500). Mind that it is the pilot's responsibility to have the correct frequencies to hand.
Narsarsuaq Airport (BGBW) is perhaps the most common stopover in Greenland for North Atlantic ferry flights. There are NDB approaches with the lowest minimums down to 1,500 feet. Narsarsuaq can be fairly challenging with winds and weather. The runway is surrounded by rising terrain and there can be strong turbulence in the fjord, especially with high winds. Study the approach carefully. A pilot is required, in effect, to fly a base turn around a mountain. Delays due to traffic and coordinator between ATC's are possible. Be prepared to hold.
Airport data:
ATC Tel: +299 665 215 Fax: +299 665 205
Runway: 1830m / 6005ft (Hard)
Time: UTC-3
Hours of operation: Winter: 1100 - 2000 Mon-Sat excl Hols, Summer: 1000 - 1900 Mon-Sat excl Hols
Customs 12hr PNR; Tel: +299 661 222;
Fuel availability: Jet/Avgas
Handlers:
Air Greenland
Tel.: +299 665288, fax: +299 665299
Website: http://www.airgreenland.com/
Greenland Airports
Tel.: +299 665430, fax: +299 665205
Website: http://www.mit.gl/uk
Hotels:
Narsarsuq Hotel can be reached by the number: +299 665253, offers 93 rooms at the range of $145-225 and it is also a caterer. Website: http://www.hotelnarsarsuaq.gl/?layout=1
The Leif Eriksson Hostel, offers 10 rooms, price range 120-375 DKK (about $22-67). Web-site: http://www.qassiarsuk.com/v_vi/2/the-leif-eriksson-hostel/
Narsarsuaq Vandrehjem Hotel, price range 140-240 DKK (about $26-44). Website: http://www.blueice.gl/dansk/Narsarsuaq_accommodation_dk.html
Private/Corporate aircraft, registered in an ICAO state, do not require permission to overfly/land in Iceland. All initial arrivals and final departures from Iceland must use a customs authority. Visas are not required.
Of the three runways, currently, two are active all year round - the shortest runway, 06/24, is usually used only in winter. Takeoffs from 24 and landings on 24 and 06 are allowed, but takeoffs from 06 are forbidden because of safety and noise.
ATC Tel: Tel: +354 552 1611; Fax: +354 552 9221
Runways: 1567 m x 45 m; 1230 m x 45 m; 960 m x 30 m.
Time: UTC +0
Hours of operation: Weekdays: 07:00 - 23:00 Weekends and public holidays: 08:00 - 23:00.
Airport Opening hours: For arrivals, 24 hours ATC/Radar, for take-off’s on: 07:00 - 23:30 weekdays, 08:00 - 23:30 weekends & public holidays.
Fuel availability: Jet/Avgas
BIRK flight services
Tel: +354 552 1611, fax: +354 552 9221.
Website: http://www.birk.is/
Air Iceland
Tel.: +354 570 3000.
Website: http://www.airiceland.is/
Here is the overview of the Reykjavik Airport runways:
Runway 01 - 19
Length: 1567 meters
Width: 45 meters
PCN: 35
Approach to Runway 01 - Visual approach
Approach to Runway 19 - ILS CAT I/NDB-DME
Lights: LIH Wedge, G.THR, R.END, B.SWY
PAPI 3,5°
Runway 13 - 31
Length: 1230 meters
Width: 45 meters
PCN: 25
Approach to Runway 13 LLZ-DME/NDB-DME
Approach to Runway 31 Visual approach
Lights: LIH Wedge, G.THR, R.END, B.SWY
PAPI 3,0° RWY 13
PAPI 3,7° RWY 31
Runway 06 - 24
Length: 960 meters
Width: 30 meters
PCN: 15
Approach: See AIP
Lights: See AIP
Hilton Nordica, Sudurlandsbraut 2, Reykjavik 108. Price range: $110-325. Tel.: +354 444 5000
Radisson Blu Saga. Hagatorg, Reykjavik 107. Price range: $150-330. Tel.:+354 525 9900
Reykjavik Natura. Nauthólsvegur, Reykjavik Airport. Price range: $180+. Tel.: +354 444 4000
Here is the overview of the Keflavik Airport runways:
ATC Tel: +354 425 6062; ATC Fax: +354 425 2920
Time: UTC+0
Hours of operation: 24hrs;
Runway: 3065 m / 10055 ft (Hard)
Customs: 24hrs; Tel: +354 420 1750
Fuel availability: Jet/Avgas
Airport Associates
Web-site: http://www.airportassociates.com/
Tel.: +354 420 0700.
IGS Ground Services
Website: http://www.igs.is/
Tel.: +354 4250 200
SouthAir Iceland
Website: www.southair.is
Tel.: +354 425 5520, fax: +354 425 5521
Hotel Keflavik, price range: $230+, tel.: +354 420 7000
Website: http://www.hotelkeflavik.is/
Icelandair Hotel in Keflavik, Hafnargata 57, 230 Keflavik
price range: $250+
Booking phone: +354 444 4000
Hotel phone: +354 421 5222
Fax: +354 444 4001
http://www.icelandairhotels.com/en/hotels/keflavik
For pilots regularly flying this route, please be aware of some recent changes to waypoints in the area.
http://www.navcanada.ca/EN/products-and-services/Documents/AIP/Current/part_5_aic/5aic_eng.pdf
The following Waypoints were deleted in the last AIRAC cycle:
URTAK, BANCS, RONPO, COLOR, NOVEP, VIXUN, LOGSU, KOBEV, CYMON, DENDU, DOTTY, CRONO,
HECKK, REDBY, CARPE, STEAM, OYSTR, VALIE, SCROD, and LOACH.
The following Waypoints were added:
BIPNI, DANIV, IPVOT, LOKBI, NIFTY, ROTVO, TOXIT, VESMI, BOKTO, ENNSO, IRLOK, KODIK, MAPIR,
PELTU, SAXAN, VINSA, BUDAR, IBERG, MUSAK, OMSAT, RELIC, and TABOX.
See AIC 20/14 from Navcanada.