DURING the summer vacation, you may wish to take a trip to Corsica.The classical « Continent – Corsica »sea crossing as exciting as it can be, contains nevertheless a certain number of difficulties. It is better tobe aware of the potential difficulties regarding the airspaces crossed on the continent, the sea crossing

itself or the arrival on Corsican airfields.The purpose is not to discourage you, but to point out the difficulties thatyou may encounter… It is better to be well prepared !

D54A

D54C

LONSU

SW

KC

GURPA

LERMAOMARD

MERLUDC

DAMB

AJO114.8

BTA114.15

WCW

IRCalvi

PROPRIANO

AJACCIO

GHISONACCIA

SOLENZARA

CORTE

CALVI

NW

FIGARI

Bastia

BASTIA

AjaccioNW

STP116.5

NIZ112.4

CNM111.4LUC

113.0

CANNES

NICE

MONACO

LA MOLE

UERS21

23

49

43

921

20

25

21

46

29280°

306°

332°

152°

126°

25

DGN

ND DG

P 63

MUS

CONTINENT–CORSICA SEA CROSSING

Cross Now !

Airspace

For Safety

Be aware of the complexity!

The Mediterranean region is dense in airports with alltypes of civil and military airspace and it is better to befamiliar with the situation in order to avoid any unexpec-ted intrusions. To help you in the management of yourflight and to obtain information on activity in this zone, itis recommended to contact the "consultative" frequencyof Marseille-info on 120.550 Mhz when flying in class Gairspace.

Canjuers : If you come from the north or from the nor-thwest, you will first cross over R138 which is associa-ted with the military firing range on the Canjuers pla-teau. It is easy to spot from the air due to its characteris-tic "flatness” in a region with marked relief and becauseof its outer wall. When this zone is in active use it mustbe carefully bypassed, preferably by the west. Ask forinformation from Marseille-info or Nice-info.

Le Luc : If you fly below FL65, you will have to contactthe Le Luc military control on 122.2 MHz to cross overR95 (helicopter flight training and intense parachuteactivity). Be aware that VFR routes may be proposed.Anticipate by passing by the west of the airfield.

Nice TMA : It is class C and D airspace: radio contactand ATC clearance are compulsory before penetrating.ATC could possibly ask you to wait, to keep a heading orto fly at an IFR flight level to avoid conflict with IFR traf-fic (dense incoming IFR traffic for Nice).

La Môle : In the Saint-Tropez sector remain alert becau-se of dense IFR and VFR traffic in this touristic region .Aircraft in the La Môle area are mainly private jets.

First of all, note that during the crossing you must followdefined routes.

" STP - LERMA - OMARD - MERLU "" STP - DC - KC " for Calvi *" STP - DA - LONSU " for Ajaccio*

*These two routes are available on authorization of NiceATC according to activity in the D54 zone.

You will have to contact Nice FIS (Flight InformationService) on 122.925 MHz and maintain radio contactthroughout the transit.Then over the sea you will follow the D54 zone: Marinetraining and firing range zone where penetration is for-bidden if in active use despite its status of a dangerouszone.You will have to report your position when crossing theFIS (Flight Information Sector) limit.

It is important to keep in mind that thiscrossing is long and it is not possible toimprovise. First of all, you must file a flightplan in order to have alert services.

Life jackets are compulsory on board.Then, the particular piloting conditions overthe sea, the absence of landmarks and thepossible presence of sea mist can lead to aloss of horizon reference comparable to a

flight with no visibility.You would have to use the controlsand for this situation, a preliminary "flight with no visibility”training with an instructor is strongly advised.

Finally, even if you are equipped with a GPS, you mustprepare a « backup » navigation based on VOR (STP,NIZ, CNM, AJO, BTA) that will show your position withregard to the specific reporting points.

For Safety (continued)

Do not forget that VOR is not precise at low altitude andthat the significant distances between them will obligeyou to estimate your position and heading.

In case of difficulties or a doubt on your estimated posi-tion, do not hesitate to ask for assistance from the FIS(Flight Information Service), that’s their job !! They willbe able to help you or to give you headings to get backon your route.

In case of Engine Failure

Arrival in Corsica

Corsica is beautiful but mountainous, so pay close attention to the terrain.Do not relax after the sea crossing believing that your problems are overbecause being tired, you can still encounter real difficulties.

Flying over the sea is always a delicate flight phase,especially in a single-engine aircraft. It is necessary toimagine the consequences of a potential engine failure.During the maritime transit, note the position of boats:these could be useful for you in case of a forced sea lan-ding. Take a high enough flight level (between FL50 andFL80). In case of possible engine problem, you will havetime to prepare your plane and envisage the best strate-gy: u-turn, rerouting, sea landing. Then before departu-re, find the L/D ratio of your plane in your flight manualin case you need to glide to get as close as possible tothe coastline.

CALVI

It’s a region well known for its high mountains and difficult wind conditions. Enclosed between mountains, the situa-tion can be delicate when landing on RWY36 or for a go-around on RWY18. Furthermore, weather conditions areoften worse on arrival than during the crossing because of the sea mist.

Remain alert !

Being a touristic airfield means a lot of traffic. First of all, keep in mind that there is no VOR on the airfield. The axisof the W – Calvi arrival faces the axis of departure trajectories (some commercial flights). These crossings are made"visually" in class E airspace, between 2000ft and FL 95, so remain alert !

RWY 36 can seem distorted visually for pilots unfamiliar with theairfield (there is a 2% runway slope and a displaced threshold).The absence of taxiways and the proximity of the parking apron tothe runway, could lead to numerous runway incursions. Watch outfor what the other aircraft are doing.

Finally, expect a possible holding delay (particularly the weekend)if the traffic is dense.

BASTIA

Generally you will find the same kind of problems inBastia as in Calvi.The holding position is usually at pointNW where the wind conditions can be tricky (turbulence)or in downwind. Add to this a frequency change andthere may be difficulty to integrate into the circuit.

AJACCIO

In Ajaccio, the proximity of the IFR arrival and departu-re trajectories, as well as the absence of radar coveragein the bay of the nearby valleys, obliges one to strictlymaintain the trajectory and transit routes plus the asso-ciated altitudes.Overflying NW point must be at 2000ft AMSL max.Consequently, ask Ajaccio control for clearance if youwish to continue your flight at a higher altitude.

● File a flight plan.

● Fly below FL145 (for a higher level contact LFMMACC who may refuse).

● Make radio contact with concerned FIS (FlightInformation Sector) Nice, Bastia or Ajaccio.

● Make reporting messages over specific points

● Make positioning reporting message at FIS boundary.

● A life jacket for all passengers must be on board.

● The follow-up of routes is compulsory. However adirect track can be accepted by the ATC under radarsurveillance.

● In daytime VFR, transponder is not compulsory (but iscompulsory in night time VFR).

Flight information sectors

Calvi (continued)

Rerouting?For all these reasons, plan enough fuel for a possible rerouting for Bastia, Ajaccioor even Figari.You must carefully calculate your arrival time as night landings are forbidden atCalvi.To avoid the problems inherent with the possibility of holding delays or rerou-ting and also with sunset times, plan to arrive at Calvi before sunset - 30 mn.

To Summarize

SIV BASTIA SFC - FL 145 BASTIA Info 124.725

SIV AJACCIO SFC - FL 145 AJACCIO Info 119.825 121.050(S)

Ready, Set, Go !

All these details should not dissuade you from taking a trip to Corsica.Thebeauty of the landscape and the omnipresence of the sea and the moun-tains will leave with you an unforgettable souvenir.If you can refrain from improvising, the fact to have overcome these diffi-culties will render your experience more interesting and enjoyable.