Our Guide
Looking to embark on a long journey into unknown but not sure where to start? Need help planning your next flight? Let us guide you to Russia, Belarus, Middle Asia & Mongolia
Useful hints to make your trip smooth and enjoyable
Itinerary
Set up your schedule with dates and times
Choose an airport of entry. All international airports in Russia (currently 78) are airports of entry. Passport and customs control will be there upon arrival
Choose your destination or multiple destinations in Russia, Belarus, Middle Asia (Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan) or Mongolia. While many controlled domestic airports provide English ATS and foreign aircraft are permitted to land there, few others do not have English speaking controllers and foreign aircraft are not allowed there
Landing is allowed at any uncontrolled airfield. And there are lots of them across Russia
Contrary to popular belief VFR is allowed on any safe altitude (some restrictions apply)
Plan your routing between airports. Some airways are not open for international traffic, try avoiding them
Local flights are possible in vicinity of any airfield
Choose airport of exit on your way from Russia. Farewell passport and customs control are usually fast and simple
Permits
CAA will grant a permit upon presenting your itinerary and aircraft documents
PPRs are not mandatory, but it is a good practice to have them to assure you are being waited for
Slots are mandatory only in slot-coordinated airports UUEE, UUWW, ULLI, and URSS. You will hardly opt to land there
Flight Plans
They are compulsory for every flight you make to, inside and out of Russia
Same is true for Belarus, Kazakhstan and Mongolia
If correctly filed they are usually accepted by authorities within an hour
Many apps you use for flight planning are capable to file FPLs
Language
You are not required to speak Russian, English will do
If you speak Russian, we encourage you to do so, controllers will be happy
Entry Formalities
Simple tourist visa is needed for crew and passengers
Exception: one or two tech stops not leaving airside (eg. fuel stop)
E-visas valid for 16 days for the whole territory of Russia are available starting from February 4th, 2021 for citizens of 52 countries. Currently suspended due to pandemic situation
Belarus
Much of the above applies to Belarus except that:
There are 7 international airports, only few are H24
Minsk UMMS is H24 and provides PPRs for GA aircraft on a case-by-case basis
Avgas is available at other 6 airports
If you fly to Russia through Belarus, separate Belarus overflight or landing permit is required
Crew members are exempt from visa requirement for up to 14 days stay
Kazakhstan
Much of the above applies to Kazakhstan except that:
Foreign aircraft may land at domestic airports
Avgas is available at select airports
If you fly to Russia through Kazakhstan, separate Kazakhstan landing permit is required. Overflight permits are not required
Crew members are exempt from visa requirements. Crew ID must be presented and GenDec completed
Mongolia
Much of the above applies to Mongolia except that:
Foreign aircraft may land at domestic airports
Avgas is available in the capital only
If you fly to Russia through Mongolia, a separate overflight or landing permit is required
Crew members are not exempt from visa requirements