Where Asia meets Europe

By Gergely Kosa / EHM0001

 
The silhouette of the EuroHarmony Britten-Norman VC-10 stands out majestically among the many Turkish 737s. It's 20th of April, the date of the Greek-Turkish online event on IVAO, which consists of flights between LTAI and LGTS. I happily accepted the invitation as I know well the guys from both divisions (especially IVAO-GR; I participate in all of their events), so now I'm at Antalaya airport, my destination being Thessaloniki.
 
Normally it would be an one-hour flight for the VC-10, but now traffic is high and there are about 8 planes at LTAI waiting for departure - so I should expect delays.
 


At the gate, Antalaya airport (LTAI)
 
After a thorough ground inspection of my private VC-10 (after all, it's a 40-year old plane, even if it has been totally refitted and refurbished in 1999) I climb into the cockpit and ask for clearance. There's a problem with my flight plan, so I correct it, report it being fixed, and re-request the route clearance. No planes cleared yet for taxi, so I could be the first to depart and experience no delay.
 
However, the ATC tells me to stand by, so I wait patiently. 20 minutes pass; no clearance received; occasional Turkish conversations on the radio, other planes instructed to taxi to 36R. Finally, I receive clearance.
 


Still waiting for clearance, other planes being cleared to taxi
 
"Echo Hotel Mike One Heavy, you are cleared to destination via BRONZ1M then as filed, initial altitude FL170, squawk 3510".
 
I read back; startup and taxi is approved, but now all planes are ahead of me on the taxiway and I have to wait until they depart. What's more, I have map only for BRONZ1T, but I think it will do.
 


Finally taxiing to 36R, number 5


A Turkish plane departing


TR777 lining up
 
A 777 and four 737s are ahead of me. A plane holding short has problems and can't take off; we have to pass it which isn't an easy maneuver with the VC-10. I'm handed over to the tower and contact him.
 
"Harmony One Heavy, with you, holding short 36R, ready for departure"
"Harmony One Heavy, roger, there's traffic on final, advise if ready for immediate departure"
"Affirm, Harmony One Heavy"
 
I receive clearance for immediate take-off. I line up the runway, engage the afterburners and depart from 36R. The intense acceleration and high VSI after the takeoff pushes me back against the seat. I simply love the power of this airplane! No wonder, I chose it as my private aircraft (together with the Beech 60) as it's the only large plane that can operate from the airport of my hometown.
 


BRONZ1M departure
 
I report being airborne and the plane on final is cleared to land. Luckily the tower gives me vectors for BRONZ1M so I don't have to worry about not having the right map. Then I'm handed over to the approach.
 


Climbing to FL300
 
When I'm at flight level 170, I have to contact Center. The center controller first clears me to FL280 (due to other traffic), later I'm recleared to flight level 300. I'm in a 30-minute delay, so I keep the afterburners engaged and cruise at Mach 0.96, although I know the Management doesn't like me burning too much fuel (the VC-10 is 3 times smaller than the 747, but burns more fuel than it when I cruise at high speeds).
 


Moderate traffic between LTAI and LGTS
 
Traffic was moderate between the two airports; there were about 6 planes in my vicinity, on the same airway (of course at different altitudes). I spotted several other EuroHarmony callsigns too. Soon I'm handed over to Makedonia center.
 


In Greek airspace
 
"Harmony One Heavy, with you, flight level 300, type VC-10, 100 nm inbound PEREN"
"Harmony One Heavy, hello, radar contact, report ready for descent".
 
I report ready for descent when I'm 40 miles inbound PEREN and I'm cleared for flight level 180.
 


Beginning descent


Descent
 
I disengage afterburners and begin the descent. There's other inbound traffic at LGTS, so I'm instructed to reduce speed to 350 KIAS. I contact Approach and continue to flight level 140, after that to FL80 with 200 KIAS. Runway in use is 16 and I'm coming from southeast so I can't make a long final.
  


Approaching to LGTS, a plane landing and another one departing


On downwind, OAL832 on final


On final, HAF-21 departing
 
Traffic wasn't high at all at Thessaloniki at that time, I was number 3 for the approach. I made a right downwind for runway 16, meanwhile I saw two planes arriving and another one departing from the airport. I continued descent to 2000 by Q1022.

"Harmony One Heavy, localizer alive."
"Harmony One Heavy, roger, continue; number 2"
 
I turned to right base then I was cleared to intercept the glideslope and handed over to the Tower. The Greek Boeing landing before me has already vacated the runway.
 
"Harmony One Heavy, with you, full establish, descending with the glideslope"
"Harmony One Heavy, winds from 112 at 5 kts, cleared to land runway 16, number 1"
"Cleared to land runway 16, Harmony One Heavy"
 
I vacate the runway to the left and contact ground. He instructs me to taxi to gate 5.
 


At the gates
 
"Harmony One Heavy, at gate 5, ready for shutdown and request flight plan close"
"Harmony One Heavy, shutdown approved, flight plan closed at 52, have a nice evening in Thessaloniki"
"Good night and thanks for the ATC, Harmony One Heavy"
 
I shut down the engines, make the last screenshot and disconnect from the network. It has been a nice event, congratulations to the organizing divisions (especially to my favorite division IVAO-GR! You're the best!) and thanks for the professional ATC!

 

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