Spring is in the air, and you get the opportunity to visit friends in the Caribbean paradise of Montserrat.

Whilst there you discover reasonably priced aircraft hire at the airport and decide with your mate to fly to some of the other islands close by and do some fishing. Only after you have made arrangements do you realise you have picked some of the most challenging airfields in the world!

1. Juancho E. Irausquin Airport TNCS - the shortest commercial runway in the world, only 400 metres (1,312 ft) long, flanked on one side by high hills, with cliffs that drop into the sea at both ends.
2. Gustaf III Airport (Saint Barthelemy Airport) TFFJ - "Most Extreme Airports" rank it the third most dangerous airport in the world. The short airstrip is at the base of a gentle slope ending directly on the beach. The Canadian-built De Havilland Dash 7 is the largest aircraft ever allowed to operate at this airport.

Fly anytime in April 2024, depart from TRPG John A. Osborne Airport in Montserrat

The route is straightforward passing some beautiful scenery, landings are a challenge!

To get the most out of the event, make sure you land on runway 10 at TFFJ. If you want to know what to expect, watch some landings on YouTube. Very challenging.

Any General Aviation aircraft can be flown in this event provided it is within the EASA "Light" category (see Club Rules for details). You might like to try the Britten-Norman BN-2 Islander operated by Air Monserrat.

Before starting, check the weather. In accordance with VATSIM rules the wind direction should be the same as real-world. This event is strictly VFR, so all other aspects of the weather should be adjusted to avoid the disappointment of being rained or fogged in.

Remember to ANC (Aviate, Navigate, Communicate.) This event should be fun for all, both pilots and controllers. Bear in mind that other (non CIX VFR CLUB) traffic may also use the same airspace/airfields but everyone has equal priority (VFR).

Should your enjoyment become impaired due to "unsportsmanlike" ATC, let someone know so that senior club members can pass on your concerns.

Similarly, If you get something wrong, such as entering controlled airspace without authority, learn from the experience and follow instructions - even if requested to 'Disconnect'.

However, if you have a problem, ask ATC for help, a lot easier than flying on regardless causing confusion and mayhem! And don't forget your first call for help is other club members, that is how we all learnt to do it.

No ATC is expected so make good use of Unicom.

Take care not to let our TeamSpeak Chat cut across ATC. Stop any conversation immediately the R/T comes alive, and then continue if "he wasn't talking to us". This is difficult because when talking on TeamSpeak you cannot hear the R/T. So be aware that ATC might be trying to contact a member. If anyone hears R/T which appears to be ignored and it is a club member being called, on TS, say "ATC is calling XXXX/one of us". Then everyone stop talking until ATC calls again and makes contact. Remember that if ATC tells you "stand bye" It means "Wait, don't call me, I will come back to you as soon as I can."

File two PIREPs for the event:

1. TRPG to TNCS - half a star
2. TNCS to TFFJ - half a star

Real-world documentation:
TRPG - behind a sign-in wall so we will have to rely upon LittleNavMap or PlanG
TNCS - AD2.1TNCS.pdf
TFFJ - https://www.sia.aviation-civile.gouv.fr/

Event Idea: Dan Cooper | Event Planning: Dan Cooper | Event Briefing: Colin Parker