Kristiansand (Kjevik)   ENCN

Date of Visit = July 1998

Pilot: = Chris Belton

e-mail = chris@yarboo.freeserve.co.uk

Field Report =Not to be confused with Kristiansund (with a "u"). We came in from Bergen, using an outdated ICAO chart. The latest chart available in 1997 was the 1990 edition, so there wasn't much choice. The American TPC chart might have been a bit more recent, but of course it doesn't show any airspace except the Danger Areas. At the time of writing, Jeppesens VFR charts still do not cover this area. We checked the airspace as best we could on an IFR chart, and used the Bottlang Airfield Manual to identify the CTRs and VRPs.

The landing was interesting. The wind was from the SE, allegedly about 12-15 kts, so on runway 04 we had a crosswind from the right, though we weren't expecting too much of a problem. However, with the aircraft practically stood on its right wingtip, we were still travelling left across the runway. I think it was the effect of the hills on the right. Later we saw much bigger aircraft in a similar predicament.

We had planned to fly on to Sweden, but a front was moving in across the Kattegat, so, after making discreet enquiries, we pitched camp on the beach, next to the water taxi landing point on the edge of the fjord. We were told this was the place least likely to meet with the disapproval of the security guard. The bad weather hung on for three days, and the security guard winged but turned a blind eye. Since we had an aircraft we would leave eventually, so we couldn't (quite) be classified as vagrants. His tolerant, good-humoured attitude was typical of everyone we met there and who quietly supported us in our hour of need! In the meantime, the magic passwords ("I wanna go to my aircraft", in Norwegian) allowed us direct access through the security gate to the parking area. This followed a mad gallop in the rain, with a few moments spent cowering in the eerie, dark recesses of the weeping elm tree to catch our breath.

From the tents we had panoramic views across the fjord, and happily sat watching the aircraft coming in to land over the approach lights which stuck out into the water. We woke up one morning to see an island which we didn't recognise. Was it the result of an overnight volcanic eruption? Was it an alien invasion under cover of a giant thatched roof? No, it was an enormous pile of logs sailing away to a new life as paper bags!

In the meantime the rain soaked everything, and we kept a fire going just to dry things out. We used the litter (I think the local kids used the beach for parties) to light the fire, and all the driftwood to keep it going. The beach was immaculate when we left. Fortunately it wasn't cold, and we waded around in the fjord until late at night, kicking up clouds of phosphorescent plankton, like glitter, in the water. Unfortunately, when we did go to bed, the peaceful idyll was shattered by the roar of thousands of Harley Davisons crossing the bridge across the fjord on their way into Kristiansand: the HOG Rally! We got our revenge the next day by cadging a lift with Bill Harley Jr., who was collecting bike-less participants from the airport in a minibus. He took us to the stadium where the rally was based, but instead of staying to admire the bikes, we took a bus into town. It was cheaper than going from the airport, and we had hardly any money because the bank machine there wasn't working. We had been told that the airport was only a couple of miles from town, but the map told a different story: they turned out to be Norwegian miles - ten kilometres each!

Photos: John Hardy

I changed some money in this quaint, wooden town, and we found a cheap cafe which seemed to be used by the local drop-outs, and had the first proper meal since leaving Bergen. There was a ship in the harbour, the "Sørlandet" which John had seen in Grimsby years ago. Then we took a bus back to the airport. It was raining again, and we noticed a row of what we decided must be courtesy umbrellas lined up in the doorway of the terminal. Huddled under the "Spare Bank" umbrella (or was it the Bank's Spare Umbrella?) we retreated to the tents to count the money.

The next day the novelty of our lake-side paradise was beginning to wear thin, as were our food reserves. Eventually we succumbed to a big plateful of reindeer meat-cakes, with an extra dollop of mauve-coloured gravy, from the airport restaurant. I think it was the best meal we had in Norway! The next day the weather improved. It didn't look too bad outside, southern Sweden was in brilliant sunshine, and there were no CB's around, so we went for it.

With reference to the weekly season ticket for landing and navigation charges, we didn't buy one in the end: We were in Norway for 10 days, so we'd have needed two cards, and it worked out marginally cheaper just to pay for the two landings (Bergen and Kristiansand) and a few nights parking. By contrast, in Sweden, one landing, navigation charges and two nights' parking at the little airport of Visby worked out dearer than a week's season ticket. Note also that the seaon tickets are not valid at the private and club airfields. Website: Kristiansand Airport