Airport Briefing Colombo, Sri Lanka

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Here's some useful info for those of you coming out this way during the Winter months.

Airport Briefing Colombo VCBI/CMB

General Info


• In the Jeppesen the airport is listed as Katunayake.

• Two weather patterns – NE and SW Monsoon. NE Monsoon from November – March (winds from NE) and SW Monsoon April – October (winds from SW). During the transition periods expect frequent thunderstorms with heavy rain.

• New terminal with airbridges just opened.

• Aprons and parking positions shown on Jeppesen are not correct. Aprons have been renamed A/B/C ( from NE to SW ). Parking positions have all been re–numbered. NOTAM has been issued – but it’s still confusing even for local pilots.

• ATIS on test 127.2 – may not be up to date.

• Ground frequency not used – all ground operations on tower frequency 118.7

Arrivals

• You can call “Colombo Airways” 124.9 from 240 NM out to request latest weather and runway in use.

• Expect to be transferred to “Colombo Airways” 124.9 approaching the FIR boundary ( BASUR,BIKOK,DEMON etc. ). At approximately 60 NM KAT VOR expect to be transferred to “Colombo Director” 132.4 for vectoring.

• Self positioning approaches may be requested and approved depending on traffic. Opposite runway may also be requested with approval depending on traffic.

• Set QNH when passing transition level ( FL130 ) not before ( Sri Lankan CAA regulation ).

• Depending on traffic you may be cleared to KAT VOR via a specific radial.

• Call “Marshaller in sight” on tower frequency to advise you are now following his Instructions. Tower may request aircraft registration.

Departures

• Weather and runway in use can be obtained from “Colombo Tower” 118.7

• When requesting start up advise tower of total number of passengers and total number of crew on board ( each has to be given separately ).

• Opposite runway can be requested for departure – approval depends on inbound traffic.

• Published SID’s not used. On departure turn left/right to intercept airway. When you contact “Colombo Director” 132.4 expect direct to the FIR Boundary ( BASUR, BIKOK, DEMON etc. )

• Transition Altitude 11000’

• Passing FL 150 expect to be transferred to “Colombo Airways” 124.9

• Initial cleared level FL 260 Westbound FL 270 Eastbound.

Special items

• Runway is fairly rough by European standards.

• Surface winds may be reported as calm but up to 15 knot tailwind can exist down to 300’ AGL depending on prevailing winds.

• Showers can be very heavy giving red return on weather radar with no thunderstorms present.

• Showers can be so heavy that a landing becomes impossible due to reduced visibility. These showers move through very quickly.

• Weather can change very rapidly.

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ALWAYS be sure to fly a stable approach-it's the only stability you will find in this business.
 
Thanks for sharing this information, don't think my boss will send me there but it's always good to share this information on this forum were we have a lot of collegues who fly around the globe!
 
Dank je 19,

Best een leuk veld, dat Bandaranaike.
Goed verhaal, al mis ik een vermelding van 'the cricketer's arms' in het Airport Garden hotel ;-)

Erik.
 
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