{"id":26220,"date":"2017-02-15T06:30:53","date_gmt":"2017-02-15T12:30:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.universalweather.com\/blog\/?p=26220"},"modified":"2023-08-21T13:50:04","modified_gmt":"2023-08-21T18:50:04","slug":"tips-for-selecting-a-business-aviation-tech-stop-part-1-key-considerations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.universalweather.com\/blog\/tips-for-selecting-a-business-aviation-tech-stop-part-1-key-considerations\/","title":{"rendered":"Tips for Selecting a Business Aviation Tech Stop \u2013 Part 1: Key Considerations"},"content":{"rendered":"

This is part one of a two-article series on great tech stops and items to consider for travel to those airports. <\/em> <\/p>\n

Choosing the best tech stops for your long-haul international trip is always an important planning item. Considerations include route of flight, time of operation, runway information, airport and handling infrastructure, and fuel availability. Choices may also be impacted by your type of operation, size of aircraft and requirements for ancillary services, such as in-flight catering or airline connections for crew swaps. <\/p>\n

The following is an overview of some great tech stops and what you need to know: <\/p>\n

1. Tech stop basics <\/h2>\n

Is the particular tech stop on the great circle routing of your planned flight? What are the airport operating hours, and are there any curfews? Will weather be an issue, and is there adequate runway and support infrastructure? If the location is not a 24 hour airport of entry (AOE), is overtime available for the airport, customs, immigration, and quarantine (CIQ), and fuel provider? These are just some of the questions operators have when planning a tech stop. Ideally you’ll want at least adequate service and ground support equipment (GSE) availability along with capable ground handling, fire coverage, fuel, lav\/water service, ground power unit (GPU), CIQ service, and in-flight catering. Other basic planning considerations include airport slot, permit and lead time requirements along with, in some cases, availability of maintenance support and commercial airline services for crew swaps. Don’t forget to factor in crew\/passenger visa requirements as well as hotel availability in the case an overnight stop is needed. <\/p>\n

2. Popular international tech stops <\/h2>\n

There are many good tech stop options throughout all regions of the world, and the ones in this article are just some examples. Some of the more common tech stops include Shannon (EINN)<\/a>, Bangor (KBGR)<\/a>, Gander (CYQX)<\/a>, Anchorage (PANC)<\/a>, Honolulu (PHNL)<\/a>, Al Maktoum Intl (OMDW)<\/a>, Singapore Seletar (WSSL)<\/a>, Novosibirsk (UNNT)<\/a>, Petropavlovsk (UHPP)<\/a>, Athens (LGAV)<\/a>, Santa Maria (LPAZ)<\/a> and Male (VRMM)<\/a>. All of these are AOEs and all but LPAZ are 24 hour airports. LPAZ, however, has airport overtime available with advance arrangement. Full aircraft support services and credit are available at all these locations, with prior arrangement, and each offers airline connection choices for crew swaps and nearby hotel accommodations. <\/p>\n

3. Tech stop alternatives <\/h2>\n

If a preferred tech stop choice is not practical due to weather or other considerations, there are alternatives to consider: <\/p>\n