Tips for flying VFR in Switzerland
If you want to add a new destination to your logbook in 2008, why not Switzerland ? As a local, I can give you some tips to make your swiss operation seamless and enjoyable.
Customs
Important things first: Switzerland is not member of the European Union, so you’ll have to clear customs. Some airports and airfields offer permanent or on request customs service. This can range from shaking hands with a customs guy to fill-in a form, and it is mandatory.
This changed a bit since Switzerland joined the Schenggen area. Freedom of movement is in principle granted within the Schenggen area, but restrictions apply on goods. The situation is not always clear and easy to understand. The best way is to get in touch with your destination airport before starting the flight.
Airspace structure
Swiss airspace is split in two, along a south-west to north-east line. North of the line is the “Plateau” area. This has Class-G airspace up-to 2000 ft AGL (except in CTRs), then Class-E up to FL 100, and Class-C from FL 100.
South of the line is the “Alps” area. The Class-E is up to FL 130 in case of military activity and up to FL 150 if military are not active. Above that is Class-D airspace (mandatory clearance) up to FL195, and Class-C above.
All CTR’s are Class-D and TMA’s are Class-C. Flying within Geneva (LSGG) or Zurich (LSZH) TMA is normally not allowed. Crossing Bern (LSZB), Payerne (LSMP) or Emmen (LSME) is just matter of calling on the radio.
The country is split in two FIRs, Geneva and Zuerich, each with its Information frequency. The boundary runs along Bern (LSZB) TMA.
Routes on controlled airports
All controlled airports have mandatory VFR reporting points and routes for both arrivals and departures. You can’t just call “10 miles east for landing”. Most of these airports also have ATIS broadcasts that you’ll have to copy before callint TWR.
Sectors on non-controlled airports
Non-controlled airfields procedures are based on sectors through which you must arrive and depart. The AFIS service is generally very limited, and most of time you’ll have to do blind position reports (sector – overhead – downwind – base – final).
Operation times
Be careful with airfields operation times – many restrictions do exist. Some airports even close from 12:00 to 13:30, and violating such a rule could cost you up to 700 swiss francs (approx. 600 US dollars).
Flight Plan filling
You can get briefing and file flight plans using computer based system called “AMIE” or “self-briefing” which is available at all airports and airfields. You can create an account if you want, so as to be able to close your flight plan on arrival. This system is for free at airports, and if you prefer to use it on the internet you’ll have to pay a yearly fee.
Landing fees
Talking of thees, you’ll have to pay for landing fees in all swiss airports. The price will depend of the MTOW of your aircraft, but can also vary depending of the services you’ll use (parking, customs, …). Landing fees will vary from 10 to 80 Swiss francs.
PPR
Many airfields, but at some times also major airports require a prior permission for VFR flights. For mountainous airfields it is also important to get informed about runway status as snow cleaning is not always granted.
Mountain flying
If you want to fly over the mountains and are not used to, be extremely careful with weather and winds. I personally don’t fly in mountains if wind is over 20kts ! Envisage hiring a local instructor if you want an introduction.
Airport reviews
I wrote the following airport reviews for www.golfhotelwhiskey.com:
- Geneva (LSGG)
- Sion (LSGS)
- Saanen (LSGK)
- Samedan (LSZS)
- Zurich (LSZH)
- Gruyères (LSGT)
- Bern (LSZB)
- Les Eplatures (LSGC)
- Grenchen (LSZG)
Tailored service
If you want more details, or some help to plan your flight to LSxx, feel free to contact me directly. I’ll be happy to provide you some support, and may be to meet you.
15 Comments, Comment or Ping
stephen walker
Hi there,
I’m a private pilot based in the UK (EGLD) near London, hoping to fly to Bern via Troyes in France in two weeks time.
My aircraft is a C172. I will be flying VFR.
Can you tell me if I will require special handling at Bern airport? It is not quite clear from the AIP plate. Also, do you happen to know what the landing and parking fees are there? I will be staying for 2/3 days.
Many thanks in advance,
Stephen Walker
Apr 19th, 2008
PlasticPilot
Hi Stephen,
I answered your question per e-mail, but shortly said, all data about Bern airport can be found on http://www.alpar.ch
Don’t forget customs and mandatory flight plan as you will cross the border. Let us know how your swiss trip goes on…
Apr 19th, 2008
gatis_bsl
Hi,
We would like to fly from Milano to Slovakia with Dynamic WT9
Could you please give the best idea how to cross Alps.
Thank You.
Aug 1st, 2008
PlasticPilot
Hi Gatis,
I don’t know the Austrian part of the Alps very well, but I can propose you the following routing accross Switerland:
Milano – Verbania (In the corner of Laggo Maggiore) – Simplonpass from Domodossola to Brig (via Simplon) – Aletsch glacier to Interlaken.
This really a scenic route, and it offers several alternatives. Typically if the northern part if in bad weather, you can fly from Brig to Sion, and then to the eastern end of lake Geneva, and get back to the north of the Alps at rather low altitudes (from Sion to Bern is ok at 4′500ft AMSL).
I hope this answers your question, let me know if you need more help, and I’d really like to hear some news after your trip.
Aug 1st, 2008
gatis_bsl
Hi , Plastic pilot,
Thank you for this answer.
Can you give me more tips for flight planning in this area, how to make and submit flight plan?
Thank you.
Gatis
Aug 2nd, 2008
PlasticPilot
Gatis, on each swiss airfield you’ll find a terminal to access the http://www.homebriefing.com website, for free. You can create an account over the net before you come, but you’ll have to pay for each flight plan sent via Internet. The system is free only from the swiss airfields.
You can use that to submit your flight plans. If you don’t plan to stop in Switzerland, you won’t need that. Remember that you need a flight plan if you cross the border, even if you don’t stop in Switzerland. If you file it in Italy, they will transmit it to the Swiss ATC.
If you plan a stop in Switzerland, your first landing must be in an “Airport of entry”, where you can clear customs.
Let me know if you need more help.
Aug 3rd, 2008
Fredrik
Hi !
How would you cross the alps we are gona fly from Sweden to Canne, PA28 IFR would they let us over the alps on let´s say FL 120 ? Or do we need to cancel IFR and go VFR ?
Cheers
Jan 30th, 2009
PlasticPilot
@Ferdrik: The IFR routes over the Alps are well above what a PA28 can do. The A1 airway, as example, has an MEA at 18′000 feet over the Alps. I don’t know where from you’ll come, but what you can do is route from DJL to MTL via the A6 and then the A3 to LUC, which is one of the entry points for Cannes.
If weather is nice and you feel like, you can cancel and then fly over Grenoble Le Versoud then Gap.
Let me know when you’ll have done it.
Jan 30th, 2009
Greg
Hi,
I plan a VFR flight from France to Czech via Switzerland and Munich,
best route via Switzerland seems to be Montreux-FRI-WIL-KLO-St. Gallen, which is almost exactly following GAFOR 21-22-13,
would that be possible assuming it goes exactly through Bern and Zurich CTRs?
how high may I fly (preference: ca. FL100, but can go up to FL200),
or what alternate routes would you suggest?
thx,
Greg from EPBC
Jun 20th, 2009
Vincent
@Greg: flying through Bern CTR / TMA is not an issue. However VFR in Zurich CTR / TMA is usually not possible. You can ask, but be ready for an answer like “remain below airspace C of Zurich TMA”. Check a route via WIL – TRA – ZUE.
Jun 20th, 2009
Tomek
Hi PlasticPilot,
I’m going to perform ferry flight from Italy to Bern with Very Light Aircraft called AT-3
To be honest I will cross Alps first time and it will be very kind of you giving me some advices. Look at my planed route and tell me what do you think
LIDH – LIDT- LIPB- LOWI – EDMK – LOIH – LSPV – LSZO – LSZB
It’s little bit around but thanks that altitude is lower.
Thanks in advance
Tomek
Jul 21st, 2009
Vincent
@Tomek: two remarks: I don’t exactly know the current regulations regarding LSA’s in Switzerland. You can find more info from http://www.ecolight.ch/
Even if Switzerland is now part of the Schenggen area (movement freedom for persons) there are still customs constraints regarding where you enter / depart Switzerland. Bern has full customs service, but as far as I know, Wangen-Lachen has can only offer customs for departure, and on special request.
Hope this helps. Let me know when the trip will be completed.
Jul 22nd, 2009
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