Comments on: Amsterdam Schiphol (EHAM)

By: Matthew Stibbe (Bad Language blog)

Matthew Stibbe (Bad Language blog) — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 08:49:07 +0000

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By: Matthew Stibbe

Matthew Stibbe — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 07:46:58 +0000

I thought I read somewhere that the requirement to switch of Mode-S will come to an end soon now that Amsterdam controllers have a filter to screen out low-flying Mode-S aircraft?

I’d love to go to EHMZ but it’s a grass runway, isn’t it? Our group doesn’t like people landing the Cirrus on grass.

Dank u wel voor het schrijven – ik hoop dat u zal meer lezen bij Golf Hotel Whiskey!

By: Rudy

Rudy — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 23:30:03 +0000

About Mode-s in The Netherlands. I have one in my Cessna, but in the SRZ you have to switch the Mode-S off (and remain below Alfa airspace of course). If you do not have de Mode-S you have to stay below 1200ft. If you have Mode-C you are not allowed in The Netherlands to put it on. EHMZ is also nice, cheap and easy and plenty of Avgas (also Mogas b.t.w.).

By: Matthew Stibbe

Matthew Stibbe — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 14:08:21 +0000

I agree. They really don’t want little planes at Schiphol. It’s still a great experience – the biggest airport in Europe where you can land in a light aircraft. But I go to Rotterdam (still expensive but less so) if I want IFR and Lelystad for VFR (IFR at night). I was in Maastricht recently and that was great. The FBO there is really nice and friendly and they have full IFR facilities for a reasonable price.

By: Peter mahoney

Peter mahoney — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 09:58:23 +0000

Hi matthew,
great article thank you. I flew to Eham in sept 09 vfr from Cannes, s France. I have flown to many places 550 hrs vfr and must say it was 2nd most expensive landing I have had after Cairo @1200 usd. Sadly I sense they try to discourage Ga, I was the last aircraft to obtain avgas, they were to start demolishing the pump the next day to expand the klm jet centre, I sense helystad is the ideal field for visiting Amsterdam!

Happy flying,
peter

By: Matthew Stibbe

Matthew Stibbe — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 11:01:07 +0000

I’ve been trying to follow the Dutch guidelines on Mode S. I think (*think*) that you have to have Mode S to fly VFR in the Netherlands but you have to switch it off inside the Amsterdam CTR. The Cirrus I fly has Mode S and I fly around Europe IFR whenever possible to keep things simple so it’s not a major issue for me. However, some pilots from my local airfield wanted to go to the Netherlands VFR last year and had lots of problems getting exemptions for Mode C. Good luck and let me know how you get on.

By: Kim Christiansen

Kim Christiansen — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 09:49:07 +0000

Hi Matthew
I have to agree with Gabriele, it’s a great article.
It sounds like you know a lot about the EHAM airport.
I hope to go to EHAM, in my TMG next summer. It’s a Grob 109 Bt. I want to fly from a small airfield near EKRK in Denmark. I have been looking in the AIP and it looks to me, that it’s not possible to enter the CTR around EHAM or land without the Mode- S transponder. I only have the Mode-C in the plane, so do you think that it’s even possible for me to go there? I have also read that they have suspended the rule, due to radar problems.
Br. Kim

By: Matthew Stibbe

Matthew Stibbe — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 16:05:40 +0000

Thanks for the comment. I have flown into Schiphol four or five times and I have never had to land on 18R. Lucky really because it’s a very, very long taxi from there to the GA terminal. I think you had bad luck. I’m not sure I’ll fly back there though – the fees have risen from about 160 Euro on my first visit to well over 400 now. It’s just getting a bit silly.

By: Gabriele Cripezzi

Gabriele Cripezzi — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 15:38:48 +0000

Gee Metthew! I’ve been reading this article as if it was the greatest novel on earth.

I fly sim looking farward to get my PPL next year in the US.
+
I’ve been living in Holland (Zandvoort) for 4 years (a lot better then 8 year in NYC)
+
yesterday I flew from London to Schipol (they made me land on 18R which is not GA! grrr)

So reading your article was real fun and exciting.

Hey if it will ever happen you will decide to fly to Peretola (LIRQ) give me a buzz

Ciao. Enjoy you Cirrus (grrrrr!!!)
Gabriele

By: Matthew Stibbe

Matthew Stibbe — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 18:10:41 +0000

Matijn Moret wrote a comment on this post when it appeared on PlasticPilot.net and it seemed so helpful that I thought I would cross post it here.

Great article Matthew. For those wanting to fly VFR into EHAM, please beware that the dutch government just (april 4, 2009) have restricted airspace for VFR traffic crossing the CTR (so not for traffic with destination EHAM). This is due to “clutter” on the radar screen since Mode-S became mandatory. Hopefully it will change in the coming months after they find a solution.

If you are looking for a cheaper alternative than EHAM, look at landing in Hilversum, EHHV grass only, and not a really good public transport connection in Amsterdam. Lelystad, EHLE, but takes an 1.5 hour train ride. Rotterdam, EHRD, is better connected, though the handling cost for visiting aircraft are about 160 EUR.