Elba – Salerno

On this trip there are two routes which have been designed to take in coastal scenery.  This leg from Elba to Salerno and the leg from Dubrovnik to Vienna. Both of them should have beautiful views. This leg along the West (Tuscan) coast of Italy is 258 miles over the Tyrrhenian Sea.  After departure from Elba it’s SE on magnetic heading 126°; the flight passes the airport of Grosseto to the East shortly before flying overhead the island of Isola del Giglio, one of seven islands making up the Tuscan Archipelago and then, very shortly after, overhead Isola Giannutri.  This looks like it would a great little island to visit if you were in the area; one beach/bay and roman villa (see below).

The leg then continues SE for 115 miles tracking the PNZ VOR passing Rome on the East halfway along its length. PNZ VOR is located on the island of Ponza.  This is beautiful little island with great history and archeological features (save that some have been destroyed).  If you’re interested, below is a a slide show of only a very few pictures (to exit, click ‘x’ in top LEFT corner).

From Ponza, a slight turn to the SE on magnetic 107° passing overhead the volcanic island, Ventotene, after approximately 15 miles:

This is another island with a great history and fascinating facts for which you should read the Wikipedia Article.   From what I have seen and read on the web I love this quaint little island and I’m looking forward to seeing it from the air (click ‘x’ in top LEFT corner to exit slideshow).

As the track progresses closer to Naples, to the east of the track lies the imposing Isola d’Ischia:

and the continues until overhead the island of Capri.  There should be some great views of vesuvius volcano during this part. When I was last in Sorrento I took a boat trip to Capri and that day stands out in my memory of that holiday.  I recall diving off the boat into the sea, the sun glistening on its surface.  And, Capri was great too!  Found a lovely pizzeria tucked away with a lovely garden dining area.  Capri is a stunning place. Then a further turn, onto magnetic 080° heading direct for Salerno:

Took off from Elba Island on 13th August at 0640z (0840 local time) and arrived at Salerno at 0920z (1120 local).  Dodged thunderstorms and did some flybys along the Amalfi Coast.  Reception of air traffic transmissions from Rome (and to and extent, Naples) was difficult.  I don’t know if it is like that all the time or whether it was something to do with atmospherics.  However, we got there and on time.

Below is the flight from Elba to Salerno:

 

SALERNO AIRPORT: MY OPINION

Salerno airport is large and base for a mass of fire-fighting helicopters.  There is a skydiving facility and a small aviation school. The staff were VERY helpful.  They helped push our plane into its parking position; unloaded our bags and ferried us back and forth (several times) in their cars to the terminal.  Inside the terminal at the office again staff were very helpful.  We had to collect a hire car on the outskirts of Salerno and the gentleman at the airport kindly telephoned Hertz and asked them to wait for us (there was a cut-off time for collecting the car) and explained we were on our way.  He also telephoned and arranged for a taxi to collect us and take us to collect the hire car.  I cannot speak highly enough of all their help and assistance. Although Hertz appear to have a unit at the airport they do not.  There are no hire car facilities there.

Prices:

We parked three nights.  The charges were very very reasonable for each ‘element’ but taken together as a total are probably normalish.   Landing fee was a mere €1.92, take-off fee was the same.  Parking was €9.80 and handling was €10.00 making a total of €22.68. If it stopped there it would be fabulous.  But, there is a firefighting fee of €20.000 so the total was €42.68.  Well, you can’t park your car for €3.30 per night nor can you get the sort of service we received for €10,00.  In my opinion this airport is very good value.

Fuel was provided a private little company called ‘Aerial Banners’.  The fuel price including taxes was outrageous at  €3.07 per Litre including taxes. What’s more, I think the man’s gauge was faulty or fixed to run quicker than it should.  I was burning between 28 litres per hour (lowest) to 34 litres per hour (highest) on all my legs.  Not on this one!  On this one according to the amount of fuel pumped into the plane I had burnt 39 litres per hour.  I simply don’t believe it.