Capt's Blog:

RCTP/TPE Taiwan Taoyuan International airport is largest and busiest airport and one of the four  the international entry point into Taiwan. Has amply long parallel runways with ILS and RNAV however only one is open presently and 05L is undergoing maintenance. Expect slight delay due to this and it was gusty afternoon with wind shear reported at about 300 feet on finals 05R the day we arrived. Had a follow me vehicle lead us to our stand at the other end of cargo apron which took almost 10 minute. We were not lead to the FBO apparently because we did not request for it, it seems VIP treatment does not mean FBO! Anyway handlers were there to meet and greet pax and escort them with  a mini coach through the terminal and CIQ. Lavatory, water and refueling were completed in under and hour and we were on our way to the terminal and cleared CIQ without any problem. Same way on departure, tower offers whether you want a follow me vehicle and it will lead right till line up. Even for a single runway there were no delays for us and departed RCTP smoothly. Overall it was a smooth and good airport to fly into but takes 45 minutes to teach the city. Next time we may try Taipeh Songshan airport which is right in the city. Only difference is that you will need a sponsor letter for the 1st time to operate into that airport and normal 2-3 days for permit.

Established 05R

One of the tower

Follow me

Our parking stand

RPLL

Capt's Blog: RPLL/MNL Manila International Airport is also known as Ninoy Aquino International Airport NAIA. It is the main international gateway into the Philippines. It has intersecting runways and the shorter one caters for domestic traffic. The longer runway has ILS and RNAV and can be busy because of bigger international airline traffic. We were radar vectored for the approcah instead of  doing the STAR. Pretty standard stuff, landed at night in the rain and was directed to park at the cargo apron which is just next to the international terminal. If this is your first time flying a private jet into Philippines, during the application for permit, you will need sent aoc certs, licences and even medical certs of crews. However once landed, there's no ramp checks to verify. Our handlers will meet and greet pax with cars right at apron. Refueling, lav and potable water services are all available. Catering is also provided so no issues there. English is the main mode of communication. Once your are ready to leave jet, the handlers would have cleared crew passports and ready to transport you to hotel of your choice. Makati or surrounding Metro Manila is 45-60 mins away. Then cold san miguel beers would be waiting for you at the nearest bar!

Parking bay at cargo apron next to international terminal (background)

ZUCK

Capt's Blog: ZUCK/CKG Chongqing Jiabei International airport is the 10 busiest airport in China. Offers two long parallel runways with ILS. Modern terminals but unfortunately no dedicated FBO. Our handlers was waiting at the stand and leaving the terminal was smooth. That cannot be said for departure, because it was through the passengers terminal, security check was long and tedious even for the VIPS. Somehow the authority still cannot differentiate between private jet and airline. Lavatory services, catering and refueling can all be done without much problem. However as anywhere else in China, any changes within 24 hours is next to impossible, even departing an hour earlier! It takes about 40 minutes to the city and  that there are hundreds of bridges and mountains surrounding the city. A beautiful city with great nightlife.

Parking stand 410

Mighty Yangtze

OTBD

Capt's Blog: OTBD/ DOH Doha International Airport is the only commercial airport presently in Qatar. It is also one of the longest at 15000 ft, soon to be replaced with another one with parallel runways in 2012.  For our arrival, we were radar vectored for the ILS RWY16 and at FAF 2200 feet brings you right on top of the spectacular city high rise! After landing we were directed to the GA/VIP stand A6. Handlers and VIP limos were from Qatar air services that will whisked your pax and their bags to the VIP lounge.  Because we were night stopping we did the toilet services there before repositioning to the opposite side GA apron at E23. The ground handlers will tell you which stand and have a follow me vehicle on standby after you have crossed the active. Before departure, the handlers will meet you at one of the international departure counters then lead you through to a shuttle bus. We repositioned at A4 for departure and refueling were no fuss at all.
The city is about 45 mins away and we stayed somewhere in between at the Wyndham grand regency. Gave great rates for crews but unfortunately it's a dry hotel. We were there for only 24 hours and hope to explore more the next time around.

Coasting in from the Indian ocean.

Vip Stand A4 before departure.

Doha City!

Hotel Lobby.

VRMM

Capt's Blog: VRMM/MLE Male International airport is the main international gateway into Maldives. Always wanted to come here and in a short span of 30 hours landed here twice but unfortunately only tech stops.VRMM  is a long runway with ILS on RWY36 but since there's no taxiway, coming in during some peak hours you can expect some delays. Even for a single runway it offers a lot of STARs and SID. First arrival was a DME arc to hold for our EAT of +12 mins even after slowing down. Coming back at night for RWY 16 from the north we requested for RNAV arrival and approach which was smooth and fast. It was raining on our first arrival, marshaler and handler was waiting for us although we have to wait for a few minutes for our bowser. It was interesting to see float planes  coming in next to the runway doing steep approaches.
Except for fuel receipts no other paperwork were required and we were on our way under an hour. It was faster at night.  Hope to comeback someday for with night stops.

Wet wet morning! Final RWY 36

Outlying atolls as we departed.

What happened to sunny paradise?

YPPH

Capt's Blog: YPPH PER Perth Airport is the 4th busiest airport in Australia. For a change we had the chance to fly south of the Equator to Australia! It is also one of the easiest airport to fly into and out. From STAR we were vectored to  almost  finals without speed restrictions for our descend for the ILS. With almost a cloudless blue sky and miles of visibility, it was a great day to arrive in YPPH.

Final RWY 03

Since we were international arrival we taxied to the international side and had our handlers from Perth Flight Center waiting for us. We were given stand 414 although it does not show in the charts for this is a fairly new apron. With coordination from the helpful ground controllers and the safety car, we were led to the stand. There are FBOs but they cater mainly for domestic operations and do not have in house CIQ. Nevertheless the handlers will fast track your VIPs and crew through CIQ at the international terminal. All the servicing and refueling can be done pretty quickly.

Swan River

It will take about 30-40 mins to go to Perth CBD. Bring lots  of cash, it's an expensive city.

ZSSS

Capt's Blog: ZSSS SHA Shanghai Hongqiao is one of the 2 international airports in Shanghai and the 4th busiest in China. It is the preferred airport for GA because it is nearer to the city and the only other airport besides ZBAA in China that has a dedicated FBO.  When available, parking stands are in front of the FBO. Even so, a van will shuttle pax and crew to the very modern FBO which has in house CIQ service for international arrivals or departures. Refueling and lavatory services can be completed within the hour. Our handlers are either TAHL or FASCO. Nice international hotels are within 15 mins and another 40 minutes will bring you to the famous Bund.

Final 18L

Shanghai Hongqiao FBO

The Bund