LKPR Ruzyne
Type
F172N
MTOW
1000-1199kg
Date of visit
30 Mar 2024
Parked for
6.5 hrs
Runway condition
hard/good
Taxiway condition
hard/good
Ramp condition
hard/good
Camping
no
Landing fee
1343.10 CZK
Parking fee
229.10 CZK
Handling fee
2395.80 CZK
Ramp check
no
Handling company
Czech Airlines Handling, a.s.
Payment method for above
Visa
Handling mandatory
yes
Fuel type
100LL
Fuel price
79.03 CZK
VAT
included
Payment method
Visa
Immigration
Customs
AIP accurate?
yes
Transport used
taxi - Uber etc.
Transport to
Old Town
Cost
Duration
25 mins
Comments
Prague requires a slot through some archaic text format called GCR. I followed their instructions https://www.slot-czech.cz/slot-coordination to request a slot over email. I also replied several times to update our slot because our departure airport/ETA/ETDs changed. The slot coordinator requested that we include our handling agent's
name in the SI field like "SI HANDLING AGENT IN PRG IS CZECH AIRLINES
HANDLING." In the CZ AIP, it mentions that GA flights have a 120 minute window in which their slot remains valid. We arrived 1h40m late and departed 1h15m late without issue.
I emailed Menzies Aviation as well as Czech Airlines Handling. Menzies quoted us
2,481.88 CZK for airport charges and 3,321.45 CZK for handling charges. Czech Airlines Handling quoted 192.76 EUR total. About 36 EUR less than Menzies. Both quoted roughly 3.12 EUR/liter for 100LL with VAT included.
Total bill on my US credit card was 210.43 USD from Czech Airlines Handling and 176.09 USD for 52 liters of 100LL (VAT incl.) from the fuel provider.
Multiple BS sounding charges like "PRM charge" and "slot coord fee." I coordinated my own slot. But they were only ~1 EUR so I didn't fight it.
A "follow me car" met us on the taxi way and took us to our parking spot at terminal 3. They handlers were very friendly. They explained that it would be cheaper if I pay the fuel provider directly instead of going through them but that I'd need to wait 15-20m for the truck. I ended up leaving my credit card with them so they could run it while I was away.
On the way out, we had to go through airport security and had a small issue where the security agent kept asking to see my "crew ID badge." I offered him my passport/pilot license but he didn't care. After a 5 min conversation in Czech between him and our handler we were on our way.
Praha Radar was not helpful in the morning. We arrived VFR and it was super hazy. They would not offer an ILS or clear us into controlled airspace. We came from the north. Parha Radar told us to fly direct to VRP NOVEMBER. Staying below their TMA puts you in the path of two ATZs. Praha Radar requested that we contact each of them. Then a hold over VRP BRAVO. Then finally cleared into the CTR.
Departure was more straight forward. Called up Praha Ground for clearance. We were cleared via the same VRPs we used during our arrival. Praha Radar was much more helpful this time – asked what altitude we'd like and cleared us to FL070.
