LHUD Szeged customs and AVGAS stop

We will be leaving Jakabszállás – Hungary and the Schengen area early in the morning on August 6. There will be no customs available at LHJK, meaning we need to insert a customs stop at LHUD Szeged, which is on our way.

LHUD Szeged



We’ve contacted them and asked customs to be present. There’s also AVGAS available.

echnical info
ICAO code LHUD
AFIS Signal Szeged Info
Frequency 122,800 MHz
AFTN: LHUDZTZX LHUDZTZX
ARP co-ordinates (16 runway threshold) 4615 02,87N  02005 20,62E
Altitude above sea level 80 m (262 ft)
Location 5 km to the west from Szeged city center
Runway (asphalt) 16R / 34L ; 1185 m x 30 m
Runway (grassy) 16L / 34R ; 1177 m x 50 m (grass)
Traffic area 6000 m2 (grass)
Fuel AVGAS 100LL, JET-A1 Kerosene

airports with AVGAS and facilities in Turkey


Our rally organization team member Turgut keeps amazing me.

He just drafted a full list of Turkish Airports with customs facilities and airports which sell Avgas. Interesting to know when you are flying out of Georgia on your way back to Western Europe

Reentry to Turkey could be made from Ordu_Giresun of from Samsun airports.

For refueling you can use Engiz or Sivrihisar airfields.


Marked in yellow : airports on black sea coast
Marked in blue: general aviation airports

If the yellow and blue markings are not visible hereunder, please visit this site 
CITY ICAO AVGAS A/P Name Coordinates
Airports with Customs
Adana LTAF YES Şakirpaşa Havalimanı 36°58′55″K 35°16′49″D
Ankara LTAC YES Ankara Esenboğa Havalimanı 40°07′41″K 32°59′42″D
Antakya LTAK Hatay Havalimanı 36°21′46″K 36°16′56″D
Antalya LTAI YES Antalya Havalimanı 36°54′01″K 30°47′34″D
Milas LTFE Milas-Bodrum Havalimanı 37°15′02″K 27°39′51″D
Bursa LTBR YES Bursa Yenişehir Havalimanı 40°15′18″K 29°33′45″D
Dalaman LTBS YES Dalaman Havalimanı 36°42′53″K 28°47′34″D
Diyarbakır LTCC Diyarbakır Havalimanı 37°53′38″K 40°12′03″D
Erzurum LTCE Erzurum Havalimanı 39°57′19″K 41°10′09″D
Eskişehir LTBY Eskişehir Anadolu Havalimanı 39°48′36″K 30°31′10″D
OrduGiresun LTCB Ordu-Giresun Havalimanı 40°58′05″K 38°04′35″D
Gaziantep LTAJ Gaziantep Havalimanı 36°56′52″K 37°28′44″D
İstanbul LTBA YES Atatürk Havalimanı 40°58′34″K 28°48′51″D
İstanbul LTFJ Sabiha Gökçen Havalimanı 40°53′54″K 29°18′33″D
İzmir LTBJ YES Adnan Menderes Havalimanı 38°17′21″K 27°09′18″D
Kayseri LTAU Erkilet Havalimanı 38°46′13″K 35°29′43″D
Konya LTAN Konya Havalimanı 37°58′44″K 32°33′42″D
Kütahya LTBZ Zafer Havalimanı 39°06′41″K 30°07′47″D
Malatya LTAT Erhaç Havalimanı 38°26′07″K 38°05′27″D
Nevşehir LTAZ Kapadokya Havalimanı 38°46′08″K 34°31′35″D
Samsun LTFH Samsun Çarşamba Havalimanı 41°15′56″K 36°32′55″D
Engiz Samsun ZZZZ YES Samsun  19Mayis Univ.  41°30’38.40″K  36° 7’10.89″D
Trabzon LTCG Trabzon Havalimanı 40.9951°K 39.7897°D
Airports Without Customs
Adıyaman LTCP Adıyaman Havalimanı 37°43′54″K 38°28′08″D
S.U.S.H.M Sivrihisar ZZZZ YES Sivrihisar Gen Aviation AP  39°18’K  31°30’D
Ağrı LTCO Ağrı Ahmed-i Hani Havalimanı 39°39′16″K 43°01′38″D
Amasya LTAP Amasya Merzifon Havalimanı 40°49′45″K 35°31′19″D
Antalya ZZZZ Antalya Karain THK Airport 37°05’45″K 30°38’50″D
Balıkesir LTBF Balıkesir Merkez Havalimanı 39°37′09″K 27°55′33″D
Balıkesir LTFD YES Koca Seyit Havalimanı 39°33′16″K 27°00′49″D
Batman LTCJ Batman Havalimanı 37°55′56″K 41°06′59″D
Bingöl LTCU Bingöl Havalimanı 38°51′36″K 40°35′38″D
Çanakkale LTBH Çanakkale Havalimanı 40°08′15″K 26°25′36″D
Denizli LTAY Denizli Çardak Havalimanı 37°47′08″K 29°42′04″D
Elâzığ LTCA Elazığ Havalimanı 38°36′24″K 39°17′29″D
Erzincan LTCD Erzincan Havalimanı 39°42′36″K 39°31′37″D
Gökçeada LTFK Gökçeada Havalimanı 40°12`04″N, 025°52`56″E
Hakkâri LTCW Hakkâri Havalimanı 37°33′6″K 44°14′01″D
Iğdır LTCT Iğdır Havalimanı 39°58′59″K 43°51′59″D
Isparta LTFC YES Süleyman Demirel Havalimanı 37°51′54″K 30°22′55″D
İstanbul   STOL AP LTBW İstanbul Hezarfen Havalimanı 41°06′16″K 28°33′00″D
Kahramanmaraş LTCN Kahramanmaraş Havalimanı 37°32′20″K 36°57′12″D
Kars LTCF Kars Harakani Havalimanı 40°33′44″K 43°06′54″D
Kastamonu LTAL Kastamonu Havalimanı 41.3138°K 33.7949°D
Kocaeli LTBQ Cengiz Topel Havalimanı 40°44′06″K 30°05′00″D
Mardin LTCR Mardin Havalimanı 37°13′58″K 40°38′26″D
Muş LTCK Muş Havalimanı 38°44′41″K 41°39′14″D
Siirt LTCL Siirt Havalimanı 37°58′00″K 41°50′00″D
Sinop LTCM Sinop Havalimanı 42°00′57″K 35°03′59″D
Sivas LTAR Nuri Demirağ Havalimanı 39°46′00″K 37°01′00″D
Şırnak LTCV Şerafettin Elçi Havalimanı 37°21′48″K 42°03′35″D
Tekirdağ LTBU YES Tekirdağ Çorlu Havalimanı 41°08′18″K 27°55′09″D
Tokat LTAW Tokat Havalimanı 40°18′42″K 36°22′25″D
Uşak LTBO Uşak Havalimanı 38.6796°K 29.4816°D
Van LTCI Ferit Melen Havalimanı 38°28′06″K 43°19′56″D
Zonguldak LTAS Zonguldak Havalimanı 41.5064°K 32.0886°D
GA Airports
Airports on BlackSea coast

Turkish generosity

There’s some great news from Turkey ! Dr. Uner Bekoz of the Elba Aviation Institute expressly invites you, aviator participating at the Memorial Hans Gutmann Tourist rally to Georgia 2016 to come to Antalya and join the organized Fly In at the Antalya Karain Airfield. after you fly out of Georgia.

Here’s the facebook page https://www.facebook.com/elbahavacilik .

Antalya is the most peaceful and touristic site of Turkey, Antalya where you will taste the nature of history besides resting in utmost comfort.


Generous invitation to visit Antalya

Given the political situation in Turkey, you may ask yourself whether it is safe. That’s why I discussed today with Dr Uner Bekoz. He reassured me that the situation in Antalya is very safe. They are 500 km away from Ankara and there’s absolutely nothing to worry about.

You are expected to arrive on August 14th or 15th and a tourist program is organized accordingly by his organisation.

The following is offered to you entirely free of charge:

  •  Accommodation in a five star resort (2 persons per aircraft will receive a 3 day hotel stay breakfast included free of charge)
  • All airfield service of parking, mashalling, health service etc 
  • A trip to historical site of Antalya (Perge, Aspendos and Side) and the Antalya Museum will also be free of charge , including shuttle buses including guides.

On the day of your arrival or the following day (according to our prearrangement) there is a “fly In night” at the airfield to make some fun. They have arranged live music !

And , especially interesting for you, they will serve Avgas and Jet A1, Oil and tires at normal fees.

We further learned they have a full group 3 mechanics to help with possible technical problems at your plane.

Important to know is further that the overall airfield as well as ALL aircrafts and the overall activity will be secured by professional personnel. There’s absolutely nothing to worry about.

This is a great and very generous offer from Elba Aviation Institute

If you are accepting this rally extension to Antalya, here’s what you need to do in the next couple of days

1. Please send an email to Dr. Uner Bekoz at Elba Havacılık elbahavacilik@gmail.com and copy us (info@georgia2016.eu) that you are accepting/refusing their offer

2. Indicate your call sign and the names of the pilots and passengers aboard.

3. Inform them when you likely expect to arrive.

As there is some logistical work involved for the team of Dr Uner Bekoz, we would like to invite you to send your answer (be it positive or negative) as soon as possible

From a practical point of view, when you fly out of Natakhari in Georgia, it is recommended to fly to Ordug Giresun airport for customs.After refueling at Engiz airport fly from there straight to Antalya, where some more AVGAS is waiting for you

news from the organisation team

The organisation team met twice last week in Luxembourg, here are the minutes and open action points

Nr
Airport
Item
deadline
Assigned to
1
Luxembourg
Guido to contact Aviabel insurance by email to obtain Georgia insurance certificate for LX-AIX and LX-AIE
Asap
Guido
2
LHJK
As we have a large group of pilots, some 14 planes, Peter to inform Jakabszállás in Hungary about our AVGAS requirements based upon the input of our participating pilots so that they can ensure to have enough AVGAS available
asap
Peter
3
LHJK
Romain informed us that the Aerohotel team in Hungary informed him that customs on demand is not available at LHJK. It is advised to pilots to land at LHUD (Szeged) after leaving LHJK. There’s AVGAS at 700 forint, whereas in Bulgaria this will be way more expensive (3.5€/l?)
Every individual pilot assisting at the rally
4
LHJK
No landing fees are due in LHJK
5
LHJK
Mike and Artem are to distribute in LHJK a  MTX sim card and toolbox, allowing to participating pilotys to have WIFI and 3G on board of their planes whilst flying to Georgia. There’s a good packet free of charge. They will have a sticker available to put on the planes willing to benefit from this as this is entirely sponsored by MTX Connect
Asap
Artem/Mike
6
LBSF
Sofia needs to ask for group handling for all planes except Turkish ones. Turgut to introduce his Bulgarian contact Rosen to Peter for this purpose
Asap
Peter Turgut
7
LBSF
Several planes will skip fuel stop in LBSF, they will fly directly to Turkey
8
LBSF
Sofia airport: in order to avoid important handling costs, it is recommended to insert “technical handling-fuel stop” in your flight plan (part 18). It seems that handling costs can be waived. Turgut will try to get confirmation of his Bulgarian contact Rosen.
Also to check on Avgas in Sofia
asap
Turgut
9
LBSF
Bulgarian authorities may sometimes be harsh, Peter to contact Rosen in Bulgaria in order to check what is needed for smooth handling
asap
Peter
10
LBSF
If problems should arise with Avgas in Sofia, pilots can always land in LTBU – Corlu in Turkey. Avgas and customs are possible, but handling could be expensive – please insert “technical handling-fuel stop” in your flight plan (part 18). It seems that handling costs can be lowered or waived
info
All pilots
11
Turkey
Turgut to prepare sample flight plans for flights to, within and from Turkey, which will be distributed amongst the participants
o   Sofia – Bursa
o   Bursa- Engiz airfield
o   Engiz – Batumi
asap
Turgut
12
Turkey
Fuel in Turkey is to be paid in cash in Euros or Turkish currency. Small amounts of cash needed (no 200€ or 500€ bills)
No credit cards accepted. To communicate to all pilots.
July 25
Every individual pilot assisting at the rally
13
Turkey
Every plane needs to bring along at least one AOPA membership card in order to benefit from lowered handling fees in both Bursa Yenesehir and Engiz airport. This is compulsary
August 3
Every individual pilot assisting at the rally
14
Turkey
A flight plan is required for every flight within Turkey
15
Turkey
Turgut to provide some input with regards to weather briefing in Turkey
Asap
Turgut
16
Turkey
At LTBR there’s some technical support available, at Engiz airport all technical support is available.
17
LTBR
Bursa-Yenisehir: It is possible we get a dinner offered by the municipality of Bursa whilst our landing on August 6 (unconfirmed at this stage)
Turgut
18
LTBR
Bursa-Yenisehir: as the two hotels we suggested in the Bursa-Yenisehir area are quite far from each other (40 min drive) and given that we might have an evening dinner offered by the municipality, it is suggested to all participants to only make reservations in the Montania Special Class Hotel***** at Mudanya, Bursa. It is set in a 165-year-old train station on the seafront of Mudanya, Montania Special Class Hotel and awarded as the The Middle East’s Best Classic Boutique Hotel by World Boutique Hotel Awards, combines modern amenities with a historical atmosphere. The places is somewhat special as it is the train station where the World war 1 peace treaty was signed. So, here’s the booking link http://goo.gl/ZMRn4p . If still possible, please cancel your reservation at Hotel Zeytin Bahcesi*** (Olive garden) at Iznik, Bursa.
asap
Every individual pilot assisting at the rally
19
LTBR
Turgut will join crew of LX-AVS at LTBR
August 6
20
LTBR
AVGAS in Turkey: the general rule is that AVGAS is available in Western Turkey and MOGAS in Eastern Turkey. Team member Turgut will draft a list which we will publish on our blog which Turkish airfield having AVGAS available, where we could eventually land
asap
Turgut
21
LTBR
A demand was received from Hilmi of Istanbul flying club, in order to take along some spare parts. To be forwarded individually
Asap
Peter
22
LTBR
Piper Saratoga D-ENRG Peter Antony to follow different timing/routing to Georgia.
·       August 7th.
o   LOAV dep 12.00 loc, arr. Belgrade LYBE 14.00 loc for fuel stop
o   LYBE dep 15.00 loc 4 h fligt + 1 h time difference arr. LTBR 20.00 h loc time
Peter S. arranged with Hilmi Incircioglu of Istanbul aviation club that their tanker will stay one day longer in order to serve 300 liter of AVGAS to D-ENRG of Peter Antony
asap
Peter
23
ZZZZ
Engiz airfield: standard circuit. Details of this airfield including aerial views and frequencies have been posted earlier on the blog
24
ZZZZ
Draft list with indicated fuel demands at Engiz airport, so that Turgut can ensure there’s enough AVGAS available
Asap
Peter/Turgut
25
ZZZZ
Engiz airfield: flight plan needs to be closed by calling to Samsun airport, this is compulsory
26
ZZZZ
Engiz airfield: this airfield is not on listed on the Skydemon map for Turkey. Guido to contact Skydemon owner to fix this
Asap
Guido
27
LTCB
Landing at Ordu Giresun is necessary for customs. This is a sea airport –spectacular views to be expected. There is no AVGAS at Ordu Giresun.
28
Georgia
Mike Kornev in contact with Levan Karanadze of Georgian civil aviation authority in order to check whether a simplified paper filing is possible
18 July
Mike
29
Georgia
Mike Kornev to send out whitepaper to participating pilots with the papers which need to be submitted to Georgian authorities prior to July 25th (soft deadline).
Passing the Georgian border and customs in Batumi Int’l Airports without any special procedures but all pilots need to send the documents hereunder in an individual email directly to Central Dispatching Service of Georgia cds@gcaa.ge  before July 25th (to have some time in case of questions). This is a requirement of Central Dispatching Service to clear border crossing and flights inside Georgia.
The following documents needs to be bundled in a PDF and sent together with a cover letter to
1.    Certificate of registration of civil aircraft
2.    Certificate of airworthiness
3.    Appendix of certificate of airworthiness N1
4.    Insurance policy for:
a.    The crew
b.    Passengers
c.    Luggage
d.    Third persons
5.    Pilot(s) licenses
6.    Pilot(s) medical certificates
The insurance for airplane must specifically mention that it is valid in Georgia.
19 July
Mike
30
Georgia
A flight plan is required for every flight within Georgia
31
Georgia
Plan B Artem informs that there’s an additional 5 tons of expired fuel available in Georgia in case of emergency. This comes from civil military services.
32
Georgia
Three Belgian planes are expected to join us in Batumi (Karel Vranken group) which the end destination of their own fly-out
August 7
33
Georgia
removed
34
Georgia
Mike will continue to update the navigation part of the georgia2016.eu website. He’ll add the approach charts which are to be delivered by Vanilla Sky for Natkahari and Batumi. He’ll try to be as complete as possible.
Asap
Mike
35
Georgia
Pilots are recommended to purchase a road map of Georgia as backup
Asap
Every individual pilot assisting at the rally
36
Georgia
All fuel in Georgia is delivered in barrels, a manual fuel pomp is required in both Batumi and Natakhari. It has to be arranged that Vanilla Sky ensures to have a manual fuel pomp at both locations
Asap
Artem
37
Georgia
There’s a total of 4400 liter AVGAS available for our pilots in Georgia of which 3560 liter is prepaid by our pilots. As subscriptions are closed, fuel requirements of prepaid AVGAS in both Natakhari (2620l AVGAS) and Batumi (940l AVGAS) per plane are now firmly known. We’ll reconfirm in a proper writing the ordered AVGAS per plane at both Batumi and Natkahari locations to Vanilla Sky / Serviceair  so they arrange their distribution management.
Asap
Peter
38
Georgia
There is some 840 liters of AVGAS left for pilots willing to fly within Georgia. This is distributed on a first come, first served basis and needs to be paid to Vanilla Sky/Service Air. We’ll communicate this policy in a letter to Vanilla Sky management
Asap
Peter
39
Georgia
We learned that Georgia requires that the insurance papers of the plane specifically mention that Georgia is covered. This can be a showstopper for pilots who fail to deliver this.
Every individual pilot assisting at the rally
40
Georgia
The tourist program of Georgia is accepted as such. A subscription form needs to be drafted and send out to all pilots. Order intake and management needs to be ensured by Vanilla Sky
Asap
Artem/Guido
41
Georgia
Pilots shall receive receipts for the fuel they buy in Georgia from Vanilla Sky. Artem to discuss how this will work out related to the final bill every pilot will receive from Vanilla Sky
Artem
42
UGSB
Both our suggested hotels in Batumi are not too far from each other. Arrange for dinner location at sea shore in Batumi.
30 July
Vanilla Sky
43
UGSB
To arrange with Vanilla Sky in order to ensure a set of barrels for the late arrival of some planes is scheduled in Batumi together with a hand help pump
Asap
Artem
44
UGSB
Artem agreed with Vanilla Sky that individual handling fees in Batumi are invoiced by Batumi airport to Vanilla Sky, who will re-invoice it at their turn to the individual plane owners. Artem to clarify with Vanilla Sky what the scheduled handling fees are in Batumi.
Asap
Artem
45
UGSB
Piper Saratoga D-ENRG Peter Antony to follow different timing/routing to Georgia.
·       August 8th
o   LTBR dep 10.00 loc 4,5 h flight + 1 h time difference arr Batumi UGSB 15.30 loc
o   Planning to arrive in UGSA Natakhari on late afternoon
Peter to arrange with Vanilla Sky that 60 liter AVGAS in cherry cans is left behind at Batumi airfield for D-ENRG
Asap
Peter
46
UGSA
A welcome party is organized at Natakhari on August 8 in the evening as part of the tourist program which Vanilla Sky has been putting together
Every individual pilot assisting at the rally
47
UGSA
A car needs to be rented for the organization team in Natakhari to ensure additional flexibility
Asap
Mike Kornev
48
Antalya
A  generous offer has been received by the municipality of Antalya, offering our pilots on their way back to Western Europe 3 nights stayover in a 5 star resort plus a tourist program.
A proper invitation should be send out to our participating pilots
Asap
Peter
49
Antalya
A  generous offer has been received by the municipality of Antalya, offering our pilots on their way back to Western Europe 3 nights stayover in a 5 star resort plus a tourist program.
The website needs to be adjusted in order to show this as a tour extension
Asap
Mike
50
Antalya
A  generous offer has been received by the municipality of Antalya, offering our pilots on their way back to Western Europe 3 nights stayover in a 5 star resort plus a tourist program.
Participating pilots should confirm to Turgut by email whether they will participate to this tourist program
Asap
Every individual pilot assisting at the rally
51
general
Flight plans can be submitted 5 days in advance only, several pilots will use DFS
52
General
Oil reserve: pilots are recommended to take extra oil with them throughout the rally as it might not be obvious to find appropriate oil on our road to Georgia
Rally departure
All pilots

Avgas in LTBR (Bursa Yenisehir, Turkey)

We have been in touch with Hilmi Incircioglu of the Instanbul Aviation club and he confirmed the availability of AVGAS @LTBR. This is an important stop for our 14 planes on their way to Georgia.

He is planning to have their tanker ready with some 2500 lt of AVGAS both for our 13 planes arriving on August 6 as a contingency and also to refuel the aircraft of Peter Antony (D-ENRG) arriving on August 7th with 300 additional lt of AVGAS.

The price of Avgas will be 2.65 EUR per liter.

The handling costs are 35 eur per aircraft, provided at least one of the occupants of the aircraft presents a valid AOPA card. Othervise the handling cost will be 70eur per aircraft.

Only cash is accepted as payment, either in Turkish Liras or Euros.

We can either refuel on the 6th August in the afternoon when we arrive or on the 7th in the morning.

They suggest however to refuel all aircrafts on 6th in the afternoon as there will be some spare time while we will be waiting for all the aircraft to arrive before we head to Bursa to our hotels. By doing so no time will be lost before the departure on 7th morning.

So it has also been formally confirmed that Peter Anthony (D-ENRG) will also be able to get 300 lt of AVGAS either at the time of his arrival 7th August evening or the following morning before he departs. They will keep the tanker @Yenişehir for him one more day, before it heads back to their Sabiha Gokcen base.


In other words, end good all good.

Bursa Yenisehir airport LTBR
 

Fully booked

Yesterday, we met with the organisation team and analysed the subscriptions and payments received..

We have now 14 planes participating at the rally to Georgia with some 36 people aboard. We further have 7 persons coming over with regular airlines. In total, a group of 43 persons

With having only a limited availability of AVGAS, we decided to close the subscriptions for this year’s edition. We’re so sorry, but we’re fully booked.


Georgia pictures

With our rally to Georgia being very close now, here are some great new pictures about our destination (courtesy of the friendly Georgian national tourist office) in case you’re planning to extend you stay. It looks gorgeous in every way.

Black sea

European Caucasus

Abanoebi

Ananoeri

Bambis Rigi

Batumi late night view

Batumi

Borjomi water, a taste I never will forget

Davit Gareja

ganaxlebuli kutaisis center

Gelati

Gergeti

Gori

Gudauri

in the spring of 2017, lets go for ski in Gudauri

Ikalto, Kakheti

Telavi

Kazbegi

different Kazbegi view

Lamaria, svaneti

Mtskheta

Mtskheta 1

Mtskheta 2

Mtskheta 3

Mtskheta 4

Mtskheta 5

mxeta da sveticxoveli

Narikala

Opera

PIACA_BATUMI

sataplia caves

sighnaghi 

more sighnaghi

Svaneti

svetitskhoveli shignidan

Capital city Tbilisi

tsinandali

ushba, svaneti

Update from the organisation team

We have been processing the subscriptions received for the upcoming Memorial Hans Gutmann Rally 2016. We have now 13 planes participating with the rally, which is a big success as we’re now fully booked. Besides, we have some pilots participating in the rally who’s spouses and children are coming over by regular airline to Georgia. All together, we have as per today 33 pilots and passengers and 7 additional persons, totaling 40. Quite a big group. There’s a group of three other planes (from Belgium), who have planned to meet us in Batumi for the evening dinner. What makes this group so interesting is that it consists of pilots coming from various European countries. We have Italians, English, German, Lithuanian, Austrian and Luxembourg based pilots in our planes.


scenic views of the southern Caucasus in Georgia, a new general aviation destination


Our Mike Kornev has created a social media page on Facebook page for the Hans Gutmann rally and the event, It will be feeded and please feel free to send your own pictures to them.


There is some more news. A press conference is organized on Tuesday July 12th in Luxembourg by our President Jean Birgen, whereby the details of the rally are disclosed. We’ll have a member of the Luxembourg government present to formally wave the Luxembourg based pilots goodbye with the red lion flag of Luxembourg.

In Georgia, our participating pilots shall be received on August 9th by the Georgian government, by either the State Minister Bakradze, First vice prime Minister and Economy Minister Dimitry Kumsishvili or by the Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili. 

Georgia has it all to become a new prime destination for general aviation. This country is even building new airfields such as the Mestia one, high in the Caucasus mountains. The main issue so far was the absence of AVGAS. Several of our participating planes fly on MOGAS, widely available in Georgia, but AVGAS was quite a challenge. We’ve made an agreement with Serviceair (same owners as Vanilla Sky in Georgia) and they’ve now ordered a tank with 4000 liters of AVGAS for our pilots. They’ll deliver AVGAS in both Batumi and Natakhari to our pilots. 

Our team members Mike Kornev is collecting all information a-our pilots might need for their navigational preparation as most of us are flying VFR. You’ll find it on our website under the flight planning tab. Mike keeps on feeding the website as he collects more information.   

But there’s more news: Our Turkish organization team member Turgut sent me some excellent news this evening which I like to share with you: the Turkish Antalya city municipality called Turgut and they are inviting our Hans Guitmann memorial rally group to Antalya after the Georgia visit.

They are offering the following free of charge :
– 3 Nights stay at 5 star hotels,
– Free entry to Antalya museums,
– Free entry to Side and Aspendos antique cities,
– All airport services free of charge.

Turgut contact mentioned there will be party with live music, animations, and dinner on August 15th. Antalya is a touristic city, 350 NM south of Samsun, on the Mediterranean coast.