This section will focus on the administration of a domestic flight in India. If you are not interested in flight preparations you can skip this part but I just have to explain how it works… =)

So, a short helping guide if you plan to make a private domestic flight from Mumbai to Kolkata:

First you come to the airport to get inside the AIS building. The guards won’t let you in unless you have someone with you. In our case we got splendid help from Cpt Mihir Bhagvati, without him this would have been tough!

Then you need to go to the MET office and request a MET briefing some 4-6 hours in advance of your flight.

Then go to the AIS counter and fill out some forms to pay navigational charges (of course you need to pay in dollars and you need the exact amount, there will not have any change).

Now you also fill out the flightplan (must be in paper format). Here you also have to supply the flightpermit that you must have applied for in advance from the Indian Civil Aviation Authorities some weeks ahead of your flight.

Then go to the Communication desk and let them give you some HF radio frequencies. They will have to sign the flightplan.

Go to the MET office and get the weather briefing. They need to sign the flightplan.

Go to the airforce defence counter and let them approve the flightplan. They have to sign the flightplan.

Now go back to the AIS counter and get a final approvment of the flightplan, they will sign the flightplan as well.

Now go to the apron manager and pay your parking fees, in Mumbai this was on the opposite side of the airport.

Go to your aircraft and get your startup clearance, not unusual that you get number 20-25 in sequence.

Now you’re ready for your domestic flight…!

Do the flight (that’s the easy part, be prepared to relay when on route, there is no VHF coverage 100 NM away from the airports at FL110)

After landing, meet up with customs and write a general declaration and a declaration that you don’t bring narcotics and other illegal items.

Go to immigration and fill out another declaration about non illegal activities.

Then talk to customs and declare your value of good and valuables

That’s it you’re done! =)

Mihir took good care of us, here we got a ride to the aircraft with a tractor for refuelling!

Written by Henrik

Posted by: Capt. Mihir D. bhagvati
Hey Guys, That was one experience we will not forget, it was a Nightmare to clear the flight from Mumbai to kolkota.
But it was fun too. Getting arround in tractors etc. Please put more pictures which we had taken that night since it will be fun to watch for people on the net.