Flying IFR into Schiphol

Amsterdam, Netherlands

I’ve been to Amsterdam several times, and it’s certainly my most visited city outside of the United Kingdom, but the appeal of landing at Schiphol was strong. It is by far the largest airport in Europe that is not cost-prohibitive for general aviation, as opposed to Berlin, Frankfurt, and London Gatwick, where you will most certainly spend the better part of a thousand pounds.

The plan was now for January 2024, which may also be at risk due to icing, but fortunately, above-average temperatures were predicted, making an airways IFR flight possible despite the cold conditions. Ryan, who had never travelled to Amsterdam but had travelled to Spain in 2022, was my passenger on this journey.

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IFR to Ibiza

Ibiza, Balearic Islands

I visited this amazing island in 2015 and wanted to return, but this time in a light aircraft. Ibiza, one of the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean Sea, is well-known for its lively nightlife. Planning for such a journey began in late February 2020, just before the COVID-19 outbreak shook the world profoundly.

In aviation, everything is costly. Finding something inexpensive is practically impossible, or so I thought. Spanish legislation states that if you contact one of the main Commercial Aviation Agents and request Servicio De Accompaniento (more on this coming soon), you will be charged the minimum amount for the minibus between the aircraft and terminal each way.

This is one of the biggest and most complex trips I’ve ever completed.

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