To and From the Airport - Flying in Thailand

●Royal Flights and other navigation warnings and NOTAMs from flight briefing office at Bangkok or Chiangmai International Airports.
●For airfield information and rules of the air refer to Thai AIP
●Thai Information Service available en-route from Thai military 120.6 (North) (callsign Fantasia) can supply information on a wide range of subjects in flight.
●All flights require a Flight Plan. From non-ATC airfields this can be done by telephone to the nearest control centre – normally 1 hours notice required.
●Customs & Excise. Flights from Thailand to foreign destinations must clear customs at designated airfields.
●PPR. Many Thai airfields are Prior Permission Required and should be telephoned prior to take-off to ensure availability on arrival. It is advisable at some large airfields (Eg Bangkok International) that a handling agent be arranged in advance.
●Restricted/Prohibited areas include all Royal Palaces, designated military areas and some border control areas.

VMC Minima [back].[top]

●Only available in CONTROL ZONES.
●Clearance must be obtained and followed
●The pilot must remain clear of cloud and in sight of the surface and with a minimum flight visibility of 10km (3km with IMC rating). Will not be issued when visibility is less than 1500m or ceiling less than 600'.
●Pilot absolved from remaining 1500' above the highest fixed obstacle within 600m, but must still be able to glide clear following an engine failure.

Night Flying
Flight at night must be in accordance with IFR (or special VFR if in a control zone).

Note: Thailand’s Rules of the Air and operating procedures are (with a few exceptions) based upon ICAO FAA regulations. ATC is in English with (usually) very helpful controllers.

●Not closer than 500' to any person, vehicle, vessel or structure, except for T/O and landing
●Over built-up or congested areas: not lower than 1500' above the highest fixed object within 600m (except under SVFR) OR at a height from which a landing can be made without danger to people or property on the surface if an engine fails. Whichever is higher.
●Not over or closer than 1000m to an assembly of more than 1000 persons in the open air.

For flight outside controlled airspace above 3000' and below FL245 it is recommended that the following quadrantal cruising levels be adopted:

For IFR flight within controlled airspace, semicircular levels will be assigned.

Altimeter Setting
●The usual transition altitude is 10,000' although in some areas, it may differ.
●Regional QNH may be used en-route. Available from many ATC centres.
●Most light aircraft in Thailand use QNH. QFE is rarely available.

Transponders [back].[top]
Conspicuity code (normal VFR operations) is A7000 - It is usual for each flying club aircraft to be allocated a specific transponder setting.

Recency

Full & part time training for Thai PPL is available at Chiangmai Flying Club and Thai Flying Club. Courses tailored to suit individual student requirements and are ideal for those who wish to complete the Private Pilot's Course in the minimum time. Thai Department of Aviation PPL examinations are held every three months. more

As a licensed pilot with a converted Thai licence you can rent a plane from the club, with or without a safety pilot by your side or join our regular pilot training courses and learn to fly yourself. Flight instruction is available and undertaken by our experienced instructors. CMFC undertakes private pilot's licence training courses, under the authority of the Thai Department of Aviation; this includes both ground school technical and flying training from its airfield at Lamphun and its school premises in Chiangmai. To convert your licence to fly Thai registered aircraft - click here

Lamphun Airfield, operated by Chiangmai Flying Club is just 12.5nm south on the extended centreline of runway 36 at Chiangmai International Airport. Runway 01/19 is level, well-graded laterite surface and useable even during the wet season. The approach from both directions is straightforward but be aware of high voltage electricity pylons less than 1km south of runway 19 and several aerial masts 1345' amsl to the 2kms NE of airfield. There are houses and trees close to threshold of runway 01 reducing the available landing distance on this runway.

Location identifier: VTCO Location: Lat18º 32’50”N; Long 99º00’57”E
Communication: Chiangmai approach 129.6 Mhz, Lamphun Tower 122.9 Mhz (w’end only)
R/W 01/19 – dimensions 1100 x 23 metres (3600 x 75’); elevation: 974.5’ amsl;
Circuit pattern to the east of the r/w (ie left pattern r/w 19, right pattern r/w 01)

Both clubs are keen to promote general aviation in Thailand and some of our aircraft are available for hire, either with or without a pilot. Trial flights and check rides can be arranged to suit your requirements – we operate 7 days a week – on demand. Pilots requiring self-hire must have current Thai PPL licence and have passed the CMFC check flight

However most of our club activity takes place at the weekend. Advance notice is necessary if you wish to reserve an aircraft. If you already have a foreign licence then we can arrange with the DOA to convert this to Thai, which, subject to a suitable check ride with one of our instructors, will allow you to fly within Thailand. Details click here.

Our airfield at Lamphun is within the Chiangmai TMA but our instructors will brief you on rules and ATC procedures – air traffic controllers are very willing and helpful which makes flying here a pleasure. Our instructors are all highly experienced and have a very high concern for flight safety.

There are very few times in the year when VFR flying is curtailed due to weather - yes we do get big Cb’s, which are usually isolated and can be avoided - we do get days, especially in the hot season (March/April) when visibility is reduced, and there are times when some of the mountain/valley airfields (ie Mai Hong Son) cannot be accessed due to low cloud. Generally, however flying conditions are very good.

Aircraft available for hire: CMFC own three C150/2; five C172 and an Arrow are privately owned by club members, some of these may be available for hire subject to availability, depending on the owner’s requirements and their maintenance schedules. C150/152 3,000 baht/hour C172 5,200 baht/hour Arrow 5,900 baht/hour. Click here for more details.

Thailand is situated in the heart of the South-east Asian mainland, covering an area of 513,115 sq.km, from North 5°30" to 21° and from East 97°30" to 105°30". The altitude varies between see level and 2600m (Doi Inthanon in the north of Thailand). The country is divided into four natural regions:

1. The North is a mountainous region comprising natural forests, ridges and deep, narrow, alluvial valleys. The leading city of this region is Chiang Mai.

2. Central Thailand, the basin of the Chao Phraya River, is a lush, fertile valley. It is the richest and most extensive rice producing area in the country and has often been called the "Rice Bowl of Asia". Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, is located in this region.

3. The North-eastern region, or the Korat Plateau, is an arid region characterized by a rolling surface and undulating hills. Harsh climatic conditions often result in this region being subjected to floods and droughts.

4. The Southern region is hilly to mountainous, with thick virgin forests and rich deposits of minerals and ores. This region is the centre for the production of rubber and the cultivation of other tropical crops.

Thailand has a moist, tropical climate, influenced chiefly by monsoon winds that vary in direction according to the season. Due to the monsoon there are three well defined seasons:

1. Hot season (March through May) During the hot season the visibility is often very low due to dust particles in the air (3 to 5 km) and temperature can get very high. Prevailing wind from the south-east.

2. Rainy season (June through October) The rainy season is characterized by high temperature and high humidity. Good visibility with clouds building up in the afternoon and possible thunderstorms in the evening. Prevailing wind from the south-west.

3. Cool season (November through February) In the cool season, the north can get " cold " especially in the mountains. The visibility is very good and the weather is stable. Fog can be a problem in the morning especially in mountain valleys. Prevailing wind from the north-east.

1. For visiting small aircraft in Thailand, the club has TFC Flying Regulations that will help you to fly safely in Thailand. 2. If you want to land in Bang Phra, you will need a TFC "invitation letter" for foreign aircraft to land in Bang Phra, along with your: 3. FLIGHT CLEARANCE REQUEST that you fax to the Thai DCA for flight clearance into Thailand (send this fax two weeks in advance). 4. DCA flight clearance contact: Fax: 66+2+2873139 // Tel: 2868258 // 24 hr Tel: 2861503 // Questions Email: atreg@aviation.go.th (Kannikar Kemavuthanon - Director, Air Transport Regulatory Bureau) or thaiairtrans@yahoo.com. 5. Please be aware that although Thailand is far ahead of the rest of Southeast Asia, the concept of General Aviation is still relatively new here and there are many old restrictions that still apply. The Thai Flying Club is the IAOPA representative in Thailand to assist with the safe development of General Aviation in Thailand. Aviation in Thailand follows ICAO standards and you can view the development of the Thai Department of Aviation webpage for more information as well as the Airports Authority of Thailand webpage. If you want to import your aircraft into Thailand, you MUST have an "Export Certificate of Airworthiness" from the country where the aircraft is registered. You can email Khun Kriangsak in the DCA Airworthiness Division for any further questions. Shipping and Ferrying of Aircraft (with Export documentation). Procedure to Import Ultralight Aircraft to Thailand.

Helicopter Training School (New Zealand)	Aviation Ground Schools in Thailand
Helicopter Charter in Thailand (Si-Chang)	Thai General Aviation Statistics 2003
Building your own Airstrip in Thailand	Skydiving in Thailand
Thaicessna - Cessna aircraft dealer	Flying Tip: Determining "Abort Point" on Take-Off
Paragliding in Pattaya	Advanced Flight Procedures and Principles
Building a small aircraft hangar in Thailand	Photo of Thailand's General Aviation Enthusiasts
Fly to Teelorsu Waterfall in Umphang	Mosquito Hammock "underwing camping"
Air Ambulance for Southeast Asia	How To Become An Old Pilot
Charter Super Kingair in Thailand	Round-The-World Flights
Charter Cessna Caravan in Thailand	Thai Airboats
Horse Riding - Horseshoe Point (Pattaya)	Are you Left or Right-brain oriented?
Charter Helicopter in Thailand (BK117)	Horse Polo in Thailand
European JAA PPL License in USA (one month)	King's Cup Elephant Polo in Hua Hin
FAA Private Pilot License in USA (one month)	Wings Over Asia (aviation webpage)
Latest FAA Airworthiness Directives	Miss Siam Flight to China
International Flight Information Manual	Checklist for PLZ-104 "Wilga"
Thai Aviation History Webpage	Checklist for ZENAIR CH-701
PANA Aircraft Insurance (Singapore)	Checklist for KITFOX "Tak Air"
Many Aviation Links Webpage	Checklist for O-1 "BirdDog"
Ultralight Flying in Pattaya	Be Here Now!
Park Hotel in Pattaya (600 Baht/night)	Design your own flag
Haircut in Bang Phra (50 Baht)	World Flight coming to Thailand
Hire an elephant in Bang Phra	Another World Flight
IAOPA NEWS - Malaysia IAOPA active again!	TFC member starting flying club in Afghanistan
FUG BIN FREE - 2546 (Kasetsart Bang Phra)	Hot Air Balloons
"OSHTAK" - TFC Winter Tour 2003	Pan & David Restaurant (On Island of Ko Sichang)
Cambodia Flying Adventure - January 2004	Microleve Corsario - Amphibious Ultralight now in Thailand
Learn To Fly - an Introduction	Shipping and Ferrying Aircraft (from USA)

The following information is provided for guidance only, and should not be taken as an authority on aviation procedures. Check with local AIP for full details.
Flying in Other Countries	Compiled by Tony Smallwood and published bySteve Pells. e-mail to	Last Update 15Jun06

Location	Airspace Class	Flight Visibility	Distance from Cloud
AT & ABOVE FL100	B,D,E,F,G	8km	1500m Horizontally & 1000' vertically
BELOW FL100	D,E,F,G	5km	1500m Horizontally & 1000' vertically
AT OR BELOW 3000’	F,G	As above or:

at speeds greater than 140kts		5km	Clear of cloud and in sight of the surface
at speeds 140kts or less		1500m	Clear of cloud and in sight of the surface

Mag Trk 000-089 deg:	Odds	FL30, FL50 etc
Mag Trk 090-189 deg:	Odds +500'	FL35, FL55 etc
Mag Trk 180-269 deg:	Evens	FL40, FL60 etc
Mag Trk 270-359 deg:	Evens +500'	FL45, FL65 etc

How General Aviation can Help Thailand	Foreign Aircraft Experiences flying in Thailand
Thailand Air Navigation Regulations	IAOPA welcome letter to Thai Flying Club
Aerial Photography Policy	IAOPA advice on development of General Aviation
Email DOA Licensing (Saengchai)	IAOPA " Crew Card" available at Thai Flying Club
Email DOA Airworthiness Inspector (Sumpun)	DOA documents to Import aircraft into Thailand
Email DOA Flight Ops Inspector (Ithipol)	Restricted Flying Areas - Please Do Not Enter!
Email DOA Control Division (Flight Clearances)	DOA General Aviation Statistics 2002

Pre-Flight

VMC Minima [back].[top]

Recency