Here's some useful info for those of you coming out this way during the Winter months.

Airport Briefing Colombo VCBI/CMB

General Info

• In the Jeppesen the airport is listed as Katunayake.

• Two weather patterns – NE and SW Monsoon. NE Monsoon from November – March (winds from NE) and SW Monsoon April – October (winds from SW). During the transition periods expect frequent thunderstorms with heavy rain.

• New terminal with airbridges just opened.

• Aprons and parking positions shown on Jeppesen are not correct. Aprons have been renamed A/B/C ( from NE to SW ). Parking positions have all been re–numbered. NOTAM has been issued – but it’s still confusing even for local pilots.

• ATIS on test 127.2 – may not be up to date.

• Ground frequency not used – all ground operations on tower frequency 118.7

Arrivals

• You can call “Colombo Airways” 124.9 from 240 NM out to request latest weather and runway in use.

• Expect to be transferred to “Colombo Airways” 124.9 approaching the FIR boundary ( BASUR,BIKOK,DEMON etc. ). At approximately 60 NM KAT VOR expect to be transferred to “Colombo Director” 132.4 for vectoring.

• Self positioning approaches may be requested and approved depending on traffic. Opposite runway may also be requested with approval depending on traffic.

• Set QNH when passing transition level ( FL130 ) not before ( Sri Lankan CAA regulation ).

• Depending on traffic you may be cleared to KAT VOR via a specific radial.

• Call “Marshaller in sight” on tower frequency to advise you are now following his Instructions. Tower may request aircraft registration.

Departures

• Weather and runway in use can be obtained from “Colombo Tower” 118.7

• When requesting start up advise tower of total number of passengers and total number of crew on board ( each has to be given separately ).

• Opposite runway can be requested for departure – approval depends on inbound traffic.

• Published SID’s not used. On departure turn left/right to intercept airway. When you contact “Colombo Director” 132.4 expect direct to the FIR Boundary ( BASUR, BIKOK, DEMON etc. )

• Transition Altitude 11000’

• Passing FL 150 expect to be transferred to “Colombo Airways” 124.9

• Initial cleared level FL 260 Westbound FL 270 Eastbound.

Special items

• Runway is fairly rough by European standards.

• Surface winds may be reported as calm but up to 15 knot tailwind can exist down to 300’ AGL depending on prevailing winds.

• Showers can be very heavy giving red return on weather radar with no thunderstorms present.

• Showers can be so heavy that a landing becomes impossible due to reduced visibility. These showers move through very quickly.

• Weather can change very rapidly.

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ALWAYS be sure to fly a stable approach-it's the only stability you will find in this business.