¶ Skiathos Airport
The information in this document is not intended for real aviation. It is only intended for computer-based flight simulation.
Skiathos Airport (LGSK/JSI) is one of the most well-known island airports in Greece in the aviation community, mainly due to its short runway (1628 m) and the fact that arriving aircraft fly just a few dozen metres above the beach. It is thus often called the European Saint Martin. The airport comes alive especially in the summer months, with numerous tourist flights arriving.
This document summarizes essential information you should know for a realistic flight simulator experience.
For more information, please refer to the real-life Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP):
https://aisgr.hasp.gov.gr/
¶ Scenery
Recommended LGSK scenery for MSFS:
ORBX - payware
whitezleopard - freeware
Recommended LGSK scenery for X-Plane:
Mango Studios - payware
SimCrewProductions - freeware
Recommended LGSK scenery for P3D:
29Palms - payware
AVSIM Library - freeware
¶ Arrival
Due to the prevailing winds, runway 01 is in use in most cases. This is the direction that provides a unique experience of passing the city and then flying over the beach at a very low altitude.
There is no ILS system installed at the airport. LCTR (Locator) approach is available for both landing directions - a non-precision approach using an NDB beacon. Similar to other airports in Greece, switching to a visual approach is common when visual contact is made with the runway, if weather permits.
Considering the runway length (1628 m), we strongly recommend planning the landing with the highest possible flap setting (e.g. B737: 40° flaps).
The slope of the runway can lead to an illusion in the position of the aircraft on the descent plane. Runway 01 has a significant up-slope (going ‘uphill’), so the pilot may feel that they are too high, and then descend dangerously low. Runway 19 is the opposite case, with a down-slope (going ‘downhill’), which may lead to the aircraft feeling too low.
The threshold of runway 19 is displaced by about 120 meters.
Landing aircraft must always use the runway turn pad according to local rules. If landing on runway 19, the turn at the turn pad on the threshold of runway 01 shall be made clockwise only.
Taxiing must be carried out using only the minimum possible thrust and at low speed, especially in the turns.
Aircraft taxiing on TWY H (near the terminal building) violate the runway strip by their wings. Therefore, it is not possible for one aircraft to taxi on TWY H and another aircraft to land or take off on RWY 01/19 at the same time.
¶ Departure
The runway length (1628 m) is very limiting. We strongly recommend planning your take-off with higher flap settings (e.g. B737: 15° or 25°).
Taxiing must be carried out using only the minimum possible thrust and at low speed, especially when turning.
If departing from runway 01, the turn at the turn pad point on the threshold of runway 01 shall be made clockwise only.
If departing from runway 19, the crew shall bring the aircraft to a complete stop on the threshold of runway 19 after completing the turn, and only then commencing take-off. The area beyond the runway 19 displaced threshold is for turning only, acceleration for take-off is only permitted after crossing the runway 19 threshold.