Flight Log: Split LDSP -- Heraklion LGIR 02.11.2010

Distance: 695 NM
scheduled Flying time: 6h 30min
Filed Route: ORAKA CRAYE BRD KRK TRL SUD BAVES
ATIS Split: 800 rwy 05 wind vrb03kts vis 10km clds few 020 sc 060 temp
Clearance: ORAKA3C than as filed
Take Off Time: 08:15 (UTC)
ATIS Heraklion : 1350 rwy 27 wind 040/5kts vis CAVOK temp. 19/14 : QNH1017
Landing Time: 14:35 (UTC)
02.11.2010 Split/Heraklion: Our drive to the airport in the rush hour takes longer than planned. On the other hand, passport and baggage control is very quick. Once we reach »Marie«, we start checking everything carefully to make sure it is OK for the upcoming flight.

We take off and see immediately that the cloud base is relatively high and we will not be expecting any particular weather problems. However, our stormscope indicates that a thunderstorm has passed by. Some major storm fronts lie over the Italian Adriatic coast - and therefore on our route. To start with, we ascend to a cruising altitude of 9,000 feet or 3,000 metres and are guided by the radar controllers. Martin and I quickly agree that we will fly round the thunderstorm on the Italian side by taking a more easterly course. We want to ask for permission to change our course because of the weather. However, when we approach the thunderstorm, we notice that the air traffic controller has already changed the course to the left, without us having to say anything.

Then Martin suddenly notices that we took off from Split with the cap on the oil gauge open. And of course we can't close it during the flight.

We're sure that we'll be flying into good weather. But first we have to fly over Italy's peak: Brindisi.

As we can see on the stormscope, there are still thunderstorms in Brindisi. After 30 minutes, we discover that they are not that severe and the lightning has disappeared. The air traffic controller diverts us directly towards Greece and Crete.

We fly over the Peloponnese and see very attractive clouds, hills and lots of mountain villages. And then Crete comes into view at a distance of approx. 175 miles, or almost 250 km. It's hard to believe that an island is even visible from this distance. Currently, this view reminds us slightly of Helgoland in the North Sea.

From now on we only have good weather and the headwind abates. Eventually we reach Heraklion. Shortly before we land, a jet leaves the airfield and flies northwards some 1,000 feet below us.

We land with the sun shining at us and the handling agent is already there. She takes us to the refuelling station. We refuel and fill in our general declaration. We leave the airfield for the taxi.