Flight Operations to Glasgow: The British Open 2016

Robert Brady | - 06/30/2016

Flight Operations to Glasgow: The British Open 2016- Travelling to the British Open this summer? Need the latest operational info and NOTAMs?

The 145^th British Open takes place at Royal Troon from July 10-17. One of the greatest links courses in the UK, the Royal Troon Golf Club is located in South Ayrshire, southwest of Glasgow. Here’s what you need to know to plan your flight operation to Glasgow’s International Airport or Glasgow Prestwick Airport.

Glasgow International Airport

ICAO: EGPF
IATA: GLA
Latitude/ Longitude: N55-52.3 / E004-26.0
Elevation: 26 ft
Time zone: GMT+1

Operational information

Glasgow International Airport (EGPF) is located 10 miles (16km) west of Glasgow city. Custom and Immigration facilities are available H24.

Parking is available but as a result of increased activity for sports and trade events parking slots can be limited in availability.

Jet A1 fuel is available at this airport and also AVGAS 100LL upon request.

There are FBO passenger facilities at the airport as well as all other essential travel amenities i.e. good quality hotels, restaurants, transportation, medical facilities, etc.

EGPF is located approximately 45 minutes drive time from the famous golf club Royal Troon.

It has regular scheduled and non-scheduled operations and is well equipped to deal with an increase in traffic.

Ground Service Equipment including tow bars is in abundant supply, and there are two FBO’s onsite that specialize in looking after General Aviation operations.

Private: No landing permit or airport slot is required
Non-scheduled: A landing permit is required, airport slot is not required

Arrival Procedure

Glasgow International Airport EGPF has its peak times each morning, early afternoon and evening mainly due to the regular scheduled operations to/from this airport.
Ground services are high in quality and FBO facilities are also modern and well positioned.
Aircraft parking is generally available, and nearby alternatives for longer term aircraft parking are Glasgow Prestwick EGPK and Edinburgh EGPH.
Licensed flight crew members listed on the General Declaration are usually permitted to enter the UK for 7 days without a visa. However, it is advisable to verify this before operating as this can vary based on citizenship.
It is also important to note that Immigration authorities do not automatically allow supernumerary crew and passengers listed on the GD with the same privileges as pilots and cabin crew – this includes aircraft engineers, loadmasters, members of staff, etc.
Immigration and Customs procedures are mandatory for international operations, and baggage security screening should be expected for both crew and passengers.

Departure Procedure

The Pilot in Command should present a signed Gen. Dec. for the departure sector to streamline immigration processes as best as possible.
Aircraft are generally parked close to the FBO building but for longer term parking (2 days or more) expect that the aircraft will need to be towed from a remote stand to the main apron area in preparation for departure.
The airport has good catering companies onsite and with prior coordination, catering can also be brought in from local restaurants.
Security screening of all catering items, crew, and passenger baggage should be expected.
Fuel is usually delivered via tanker, but a limited number of hydrant fuel stands are also available.
Filed flight plans should be Eurocontrol route compliant and the Pilot in Command can expect related CTOT and take off slot message details from the ATC tower.
Towbars for many aircraft types are available for general aviation aircraft it is recommended to check and confirm in advance or negotiate nose out parking.

Glasgow Prestwick Airport

ICAO: EGPK
IATA: PIK
Latitude / longitude: N55-30.6 / E004-35.7
Elevation: 65 ft
Time zone: GMT+1

NOTAM

J0460/16 NOTAMN
Q) EGPX/QRTCA/IV/BO/AW/000/020/
A) EGPK B) 1607100430 C) 1607182130
D) 0430-2130
E) RESTRICTED AREA (TEMPORARY) FOR OPEN GOLF CHAMPIONSHIPS AT ROYAL
TROON, AYRSHIRE. AIC M058/2016, WHICH INCLUDES A CHART, WILL REFER.
RESTRICTION OF FLYING REGULATIONS MADE UNDER ARTICLE 161 OF AIR
NAVIGATION ORDER 2009. NO AIRCRAFT IS TO FLY WITHIN THE AREA BOUNDED
BY A CIRCLE OF 2 NAUTICAL MILES WHOSE CENTRE IS AT 553130N 0043800W
EXCEPT FOR AIRCRAFT OPERATED BY THE SCOTTISH AIR AMBULANCE SERVICE
OPERATED BY POLICE SCOTLAND MAKING AN APPROACH TO, OR DEPARTING FROM
PRESTWICK AIRPORT WHILST UNDER THE CONTROL OF THE AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL
UNIT AT PRESTWICK AIRPORT OR FLYING IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PERMISSION
OF THE POLICE SCOTLAND AIR INCIDENTS ADVISOR OR THE POLICE SCOTLAND
SILVER COMMANDER WHO MAY BE CONTACTED ON THE TELEPHONE NUMBERS LISTED
IN THE AIC. THESE RESTRICTIONS OF FLYING ALSO RELATE TO THE
OPERATION OF ALL UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS. 16-07-0061/AS6
F) SFC
G) 2000FT AMSL

Operational Information

Glasgow Prestwick International Airport EGPK is located 34 miles south west of Glasgow city.

Custom and Immigration facilities are available H24.

Parking is available but as a result of increased activity for sports and trade events parking slots can be limited in availability.

Jet A1 fuel is available at this airport and also AVGAS 100LL upon request.

Cargo handling facilities are also available however equipment for wide-body aircraft is limited in availability at peak times.

There are FBO passenger facilities at the airport as well as all other essential travel amenities i.e. good quality hotels, restaurants, transportation, medical facilities, etc.

EGPK is located very close to the famous golf club Royal Troon and is the most convenient choice as the drive time from the airport to the club house is just 10 minutes.

It is also a popular technical stop airport for transatlantic operation and is regularly selected in ETOPS flight planning as a suitable en route alternate.

Private flights: Landing permit and airport slot are not required.
Non-scheduled: Landing permit is required, airport slot not required.

Arrival Procedure

Glasgow Prestwick International Airport EGPK is a quiet airport and its peak times are primarily in the evening hours local time when cargo flight activity increases.
Ground services are high in quality and FBO facilities can be described as suitable but basic.
Aircraft parking is usually available and nearby alternatives for longer term aircraft parking are Glasgow International EGPF and Edinburgh EGPH.
Licensed flight crew members listed on a General Declaration are generally permitted to enter the UK for 07 days without a visa. However, it is advisable to verify this before operating as this can vary based on citizenship.
It is also important to note that Immigration authorities do not automatically allow supernumerary crew and passengers listed on the GD with the same privileges as pilots and cabin crew – this includes aircraft engineers, loadmasters, members of staff, etc.
Immigration and Customs procedures are mandatory for international operations, and baggage security screening should be expected for both crew and passengers.

Departure Procedure

The Pilot in Command should present a signed Gen. Dec. for the departure sector to streamline immigration processes as best as possible.
Aircraft are usually parked close to the FBO building but for longer term parking of 02 days or more expect that the aircraft will need to be towed from a remote stand to the main apron area in preparation for departure.
The airport has good catering companies on site and with prior coordination, catering can also be brought in from local restaurants.
Security screening of all catering items, crew, and passenger baggage should be expected.
Fuel is usually delivered via a tanker, but a limited number of hydrant fuel stands are also available.
Filed flight plans should be Eurocontrol route compliant and the Pilot in Command can expect related CTOT and take off slot message details from the ATC tower.
Towbars for many aircraft types are available for general aviation aircraft it is recommended to check and confirm in advance or negotiate nose out parking.

Immigration

Non-EU passengers: A visa is required and should be obtained in advance
EU passengers: Routine passport check at local immigration authority discretion
Non-EU crew: Entry via general declaration possible for 7 days for most nationalities
EU crew: Routine passport check at local immigration authority discretion

Customs

There are limitations on the import of duty-free purchases and cash.
For more information, see https://www.gov.uk/duty-free-goods/overview

London Heathrow Airport is governed by UK regulations and has a useful website that details allowances for all international destinations. Please see:
http://www.heathrow.com/shops-and-restaurants/customs-allowances