Author: CA

Imagination is the Limit Travel Report: Ferry Flight from Aalen-Elchingen to Cyprus

On Sunday at 2:00 PM, I returned the rental car in Heidenheim and boarded a taxi with a mountain of luggage and gear, heading for Aalen-Elchingen Airport.
Andreas Kaufmann was already waiting for me – and there it stood, the gyrocopter in which I would spend the next several days on a ferry flight from Germany to Cyprus.
Nearly 3,000 km ahead, including over 1,300 km over water and 6 stops.

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Leg 1 Imagination is the Limit: EDPA (Aalen-Elchingen) to LOLT (Seitenstetten, Austria)

The weather forecast wasn’t encouraging – thunderstorms and widespread rainfall along the entire route. After a call with the DWD flight weather service, it was decided: best to wait one more hour and try to slip between the cells to reach Seitenstetten (LOLT).

Shortly after takeoff, it became clear: despite thermal clothing and a suit, it was cold and uncomfortable. Thunderstorm cells and wind gusts up to 50 km/h throughout the route.
But – the forecast was right. Just 15 minutes before I landed, there had been thunderstorms, heavy rain, and even hail in Seitenstetten – but on arrival: bright sunshine.

At the airfield, I met Willi and Eva. Willi had developed a long-range tank for his gyrocopter flights, which holds over 60 liters of extra fuel, and he lent it to me for the ferry flight.
After installation, we fueled the gyro for the next morning and went out for dinner – a really lovely evening with delicious pizza and great conversation.
Imagination is the Limit

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Leg 2 Imagination is the Limit: LOLT (Seitenstetten) to LDSS (Sinj, Croatia)

Early in the morning, we set off. Heavy rainfall was forecast for Croatia later in the day.
With outside temperatures at times down to 3°C, we flew across the Alps in crisp, clear post-frontal air – but still with strong turbulence and gusts up to 60 km/h.
Passing Präbichl, Zeltweg, Graz, through Slovenia and into Croatian airspace – guided by radar due to numerous military exercises.

Upon landing in Sinj, the airfield manager was already waiting on the apron with 100 liters of fuel – amazing service!
I would have liked to continue straight away, but my PPR clearance for the planned Greek stop wasn’t valid until the next day.
My handling agent tried to arrange a last-minute clearance, but it didn’t work out.

As predicted, about 2 hours later, heavy rain set in and lasted all evening. While preparing for the next day, I noticed a very small dew point spread in the forecast, combined with the rain – I was already expecting fog the next morning.
Imagination is the Limit

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Leg 3 Imagination is the Limit: LDSS (Sinj, Croatia) to LGIO (Ioannina, Greece)

Planned departure: 7:00 AM local time. Ioannina Airport only handles two daily airliners and has very limited opening hours – landings possible only from 9–12 or 7–9 PM.
Due to heavy ground fog, takeoff was delayed by about an hour. I managed to climb through a small hole in the fog.
Conditions on the runway were rough – long grass and yesterday’s rain meant full throttle was needed just to taxi.

Arrival at Ioannina would have been very tight before closing. If I had made it, I would have had to wait until 7 PM to continue. So, mid-flight, I sent a quick message to my Greek handler: I was airborne but unlikely to make it in time, and requested diversion to Corfu.

Corfu Airport is open 24/7 – continuing from there would be flexible. Had I asked for diversion from the ground, I would have waited ages for approval. But since I was already airborne, clearance was granted within 10 minutes.

After only 10 minutes, I reached the coastline and headed out over the sea.
320 km over water, at first with small islands, later with nothing but open sea until reaching Albania, then through stunning mountains and into Greek airspace.

As usual in Greek airspace, professional and smooth coordination with radar controllers over waypoints. Hardly any waiting time – then “Cleared to land Runway 34.”

Followed the Follow-Me vehicle past parked EasyJet and Eurowings planes.
We wanted to move on quickly – but hit our first major snag:

The fuel company refused to refuel AVGAS, because MOGAS is typically used, and the corporate policy forbids mixed fueling. Even after lengthy discussion and showing the manual (which allows AVGAS), refueling was denied.
The handlers did a great job: they drove with me out of the airport to a gas station. Getting the fresh fuel back inside the airport took a lot of time due to required approval from Fraport AG.

Police came to check my passport (entry into Greece), and about 3 hours later, I was ready to go.

From Corfu, I continued to Messolonghi, a small but historically significant town on the Greek mainland. The beautiful private airfield is operated by Georges, a 78-year-old former jet pilot who is passionately keeping private flying alive in Greece.

Upon landing, I was welcomed with water and delicious ice cream. Georges then drove me to get more fuel, arranged a hotel, gave me a guided city tour, and dropped me off.
It’s amazing how strong and supportive the aviation community is.
Imagination is the Limit

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Leg 4 Imagination is the Limit: Messolonghi to LGRP (Rhodes, Greece)

The next morning, Georges picked me up at the hotel, took me to the bakery, and then back to the airfield.
Prepped the gyro, and lifted off exactly on time per the flight plan.
Flew past the Corinth Canal (where many freighters waited), past Athens, Paros, Naxos, and Mykonos.

At 650 km (mostly over water), this was the second-longest leg.
About 200 km before reaching Rhodes, the oil pressure warning light came on – initially briefly, then permanently.
Oil pressure on the gauge was normal, engine values were fine – after checking with maintenance and the manufacturer, we assumed a faulty sensor or loose connector.
Still – with only 60 km to the next uninhabited rocky island – it was an unnerving moment.

Once again, ATC support was excellent – handled professionally by Rhodes approach and tower. After only 10 minutes holding: “Cleared to land Runway 24.”

Strong gusty crosswinds – perfect conditions for a gyrocopter!
Parked at stand K3, just meters from major airline jets.

Same issue as before – AVGAS refueling refused.
100L of MOGAS brought in from outside again, authorized by Fraport AG after about 2 hours.
But this time, only the airport fire department was allowed to handle fueling – they arrived with a big truck and four firefighters to operate my shaker hose.
Afterward, thorough preflight for the final leg, then bus to the terminal and straight to the hotel.

Weather briefing, final route planning, flight plan submitted – then off to bed.
Imagination is the Limit

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Leg 5 Imagination is the Limit: LGRP (Rhodes) to LCLK (Larnaca, Cyprus)

Alarm set for 5:30 AM. Departure scheduled for 8:00.
Settled the airport fees and cleared customs.
€31 for landing, €1.08 for overnight parking – a real bargain.
€108 total for handling: arrival slot, Follow-Me, bus, etc.
Through security, to Gate 6 – the bus was already waiting.

At 7:45, I received startup clearance, and at 8:03, I lifted off from Runway 24 towards Cyprus.
Quickly over the island, then over open sea – faint sight of the Turkish coast to the left, then after an hour: just water in every direction.

Flight was by airways with fixed reporting points. Due to regular GPS spoofing in this area, I had a cheat sheet in hand with headings and timings in case GPS failed.
Radio coverage is also patchy here.

Planned to fly at 6,000 ft for early contact with Nicosia Radar. Later I intended to descend to 3,500 ft for better wind conditions.
But due to unannounced military exercises below, I had to stay at 6,000 ft for the whole leg.
My route was modified – I was cleared direct from the edge of Cypriot airspace to Larnaca International Airport – no intermediate waypoints.

This VFR route is only flown once every few years – ATC wanted to make it as smooth as possible.
So I flew 3 straight hours, no course changes, at 6,000 ft.

After 2.5 hours with no land in sight – faint mountains emerged. A beautiful moment – though still 80 km from shore.
Half an hour later, I reached the coast and crossed the country – gorgeous views of the northern coast and 6,000 ft+ mountains in the south.
Due to midday thermals and wind, very bumpy.

Another 45 minutes, and the large salt lake next to Larnaca Airport came into view. A few holding orbits due to inbound traffic – then: “Cleared to land Runway 22.”

As always, the gyrocopter was a showstopper – amazed and curious onlookers, many taking pictures.
Then quickly through immigration and back again to depart to a small private airstrip (230m) in the countryside.

No fuel needed – I had 30L remaining, and the route was only 14 minutes.
Startup clearance, taxi to holding point Bravo Runway 22 – waited 20+ minutes due to heavy airline traffic.
Just before takeoff, a Lufthansa flight from Munich landed – I wonder what the pilots thought hearing “D-M.. holding short bravo Runway 22” and spotting a tiny, open gyrocopter waiting…

Once Lufthansa vacated the runway – off I went.
After roughly 23 hours of total flight time, I arrived safely and smoothly at my destination.
Imagination is the Limit

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Special thanks to everyone who followed and supported this adventure:
Eva Maria Kunz & Willi for the extra tank and warm hospitality,
Ivan at Sinj Airfield for the warm welcome,
Goldair Handling for excellent support in Corfu & Rhodes,
Georges in Messolonghi for the hotel, fuel, and amazing city tour,
Airmotive Aviation in Larnaca,
and Pavel Březina for planning advice and recommendations.

Imagination is the Limit