Knut Helge at ENGM, joining me on a myth busting operation on a great day for flying.I have to admit being one of the people wining about the lack of airports to visit and hence low variation of landing practice for pilots operating from ENKJ. Today, after flying ENKJ-ENGM-ENEG-ENKJ (3x15 minutes), I admit being wrong.
MYTH 1. Flying to ENGM is a complex operation. Wrong! Filing ordinary flight plans to and from Oslo's main airport is everything that is needed. The NOTAM Office takes care of the slot time, and will call you back if you need to change the planned arrival. You arrive and depart like any other airport, and the traffic is rather low.
MYTH 3. There are no short field airports in the Oslo area we are welcome to visit. Wrong! Sending an PPR on SMS was everything needed to be welcome at Eggemoen. Airfield Manager Gunnestad does not bite, as long as you call before landing, and the landing fee of NOK 150 is less than most other places. Actually, I have never been denied PPR at any of the short fields in the area (but then I never tried at Ski!).
Conclusion: PPR and landing fees might represent mental obstacles, however it is quite possible to secure varied experience and meet nice people at other airports without flying far from home.