22 Jun 2016 · Europe · Baltics
Baltics Part2 - Palanga
- EPGD — Gdańsk Lech Wałęsa Airport, Gdańsk PL
- EYPA — Palanga International Airport, Palanga LT
An easy IFR run into Lithuania, well clear of the Kaliningrad FIR.
On the second day we continued our trip from Gdansk to Palanga (EYPA), Lithuania, with warm, sunny weather all along the route. In case of a VFR routing we would have had to fly far north-west over the Baltic Sea avoiding Kaliningrad FIR we opted for the easier IFR routing which led us straight through Kaliningrad FIR to Palanga. In order not to have to obtain a special permission from Russia we stayed 30NM away from the coastline during the crossing - meaning overhead international waters. Concerning costs, we received a bill stating 13 USD approximately 60 days afterward per mail from Russia. Arriving in Palanga we executed a VOR Approach along the coastline and were greeted by the friendly staff of Palanga Airport who provided excellent handling service. Palanga itself is a small town situated directly at the beach offering holiday feeling with long sandy beaches. However, for dinner, we visited the slightly bigger town of Klaipeda south of Palanga which provides a far better range of restaurants.