Ostend EBOS

Date of Visit = 08/99

Pilot: = John Webb

e-mail = jwebb@i-o.com

Field Report = Landing fee (inc. T/O!!) for the Bolkow (630kg MTOW) was 460 Bfr (about £7-60) which is weight related.

They take credit cards for fees and the lady behind the desk is charming and very helpful.

Although we stayed "airside" you cannot exit through the tower but must go about 150m further east, through the customs hall and into the terminal area. On my last visit I was able to change some money at a little kiosk in the terminal even quite late (after dark) and can confirm that the bus is the best way into town. Out the main door and to your left, but make sure you go the right way as I seem to remember that they are through buses that loop into the airport and back out again. If you get on the one from town it will go out and turn left!

Met is upstairs, very good and helpful but gave me a slight chance of a shower in the Dover Straits (It chucked it down and I had to re route) and there was a heavy shower before Koksijde which he could have seen if he had looked out of the window as opposed to looking at the radar! Ho hum!

The loos in the tower are something else and are unisex at point of entry. After that the lads mustn't be shy!!

The "new" GA parking area is down by the old flying club which used to be thriving but which now looks almost derelict. Beware it is quite rough and stony with puddles of standing water after rain. The parallel taxi track which you must use for access is also rough with diagonal drainage channels which must be negotiated with some care. An aircraft with small wheels (Falco, Pulsar etc. could have difficulty at anything over walking pace.

If you land on 260, land long (like over half way down) as you will exit at "D", and that is a long taxi. On 08 land on the numbers and you can easily turn off at "D1" or "D2"

Avoid the centre line lights! They are quite raised and may not be a problem for an Antonov or 707 but the Bolkow (500x5) didn't even like taxing over one slowly. Half the runway width is twice as much as one normally gets!

Fuel is available from 2 sources, BP with a bowser which doesn't move (so you taxi to it!!) and a static pump (which you also taxi to!) The BP bowser is much closer to the GA parking while the other outfit (I think it was called "Merlin" or some such) are closer to the tower at the western end of the main apron.

BP charged me Bfr 49,38/litre (c£0.81/litre) They will take most credit cards and carnets BUT NOT VISA! No idea about Merlin. The refuellers will attend if you ask the lady in the tower or by radio on Twr freq. You need taxi clearance from parking to bowser even though it is only 150m or so.

There is a call out fee for fuel after 8pm local time which increases the cost considerably!

The shuttle bus is sub contracted and Bfr40 a trip (not per person) We still walked and I passed a comment to the lady in the tower. She said that everybody seemed upset by the new system! She organised the "Follow Me" car to take us back!!

My overall impression was that Ostende airport is getting rather "run down" and tired although I would not fault ATC either approach (landing or transiting) or tower.

Internet Site = http://www.ostendairport.be

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Date of Visit = August 1998 and March 1999

Pilot: = Howard Gold

e-mail = pilot-h@higher.flyer.co.uk

Field Report = Ostend is an easy destination from south east England. Just head out towards Manston, and coast out at North Foreland NDB (NF 311) then straight towards EBOS on the GPS or ONO NDB 399

Fly as high as weather and controlled airspace allow, and you are soon in range of Ostend's Excellent Radar service.

Customs are usually very relaxed - and the airport is open 24H

Once on the ground taxi's are available into town. At the port are superb fish restaurants - try " Le Grillon" - your taxi driver will know it - superb food and friendly staff - right by the fish market.

If you are staying over then the Holiday Inn Garden Court is a good inexpensive overnight stay.

If you do stay overnight, then once you have done Ostend's shops you may want to venture further afield.

Take the coast tram which runs the entire length of the Belgian Coastline, there are tram stops in the centre of Ostend - we stayed on all the way to De Panne, past defunct WW2 fortifications and sand dunes - The Coast Tram passes throught the centre of each town along the way. De Panne has an enormous beach, it is a favorite with families. One of the best fish restaurants I have ever been to (I love fish restaurants!) is in De Panne. Called "Fish and Tricks" It is really woth a visit. Ask any local for directions.

Another Highly Recommended excursion - or you can stay over there as well - is Bruges. This is only about a 25 minute taxi ride from Ostend Airport but what a wonderful destination - a belgian Venice!

If you stay over in Bruges - the Holiday Inn is a good choice, but for a special occasion Die Swaene (The Swan) Hotel is rather unique. It is a beautiful old building by the canal and each of the bedrooms is decorated to a different style. Breakfast is taken in a charming dining room with mozart playing quietly in the background, and the occasional clip-clop of a passing horse-carriage. You will think you are in a different century. Even if you don't stay at Die Swaene you should pop in, just to admire the magnificent public rooms.

Bruges is well worth a visit, but you should avoid weekends in July and August - unless you love crowds!

Booking out at Ostend is very straightforward - either you can use the computer terminal to file your flight plan, or you can fill in a paper form and use the fax.

There are always impressive transport aircraft coming and going. As well as ancient Boeing 707 freighters there are Huge Antonov's. If you are lucky you will see one land (Best seen from the ground rather than as No 2 in the Circuit!)

Once airborne just route direct to NF or Manston. The sea crossing, although a little longer than the usual Dover-Calais route to France, does parallel the french coast, and if you are in a single and stay high you should not be out of gliding range of a coast for much of the distance.

Landing fees for a Cessna 310 - including 3 passengers was 35.2 Euros (Last visit in March 99)

Higher Flyer Tip: declare both front seat occupants as Pilots. This will avoid one passenger charge!

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Date of Visit =July 1999

Pilot: = George D. Ritchie - BT Flying Club

e-mail = George.D.Ritchie

Field Report = To update the existing report.

In recent months there has been a change of procedures (possibly owners?).

Parking for GA at Ostend is no longer on the main apron, which is occupied by Antonov freighters, and clapped out 707s. Instead, GA aircraft are parked on the old apron near the 08 runway threshold. There is a shuttle bus to the terminal (BF40 - about 60p - per person) or use Shank's pony, about 10 minute walk.

Having cleared customs, don't bother with a taxi into town. If you go out of the terminal, and walk to the left, you will find the bus stop for no 5 and 6 buses. The buses are very frequent, even on a Sunday, and go straight to the port, down exactly the same route as the taxi. Cost is only BF40 single, or BF25 per head if you are in a group of 4 or more.

Get out at the railway station, and you are right in the centre for the restaurants, port, beach etc. If you want to go to Bruges, the station is right there in front of you.

Enjoy.