LTAF - ADA - Adana

Climate & Weather
Adana has a typical Mediterranean climate. Winters are mild and wet and summers are hot and dry. The highest recorded temperature was on 8 July 1978 with 44.0 °C (111.2 °F). The lowest recorded temperature was −6.4 °C (20.5 °F). Winds tend to be north-easterly but can turn southerly especially during wintertime. Expect low smog especially in at night time during winter - this often reduces visibility to 5000m.

ApproachAdaAPP.jpg

 * Incirlik radar seems to be limited by the high terrain which allows them to identify you only at 50-40NM from ADA which might keep you high on the descent path.
 * Also, sometimes Ankara may issue a heading to avoid outbound traffic just before handover, in this case Incirlik usually assumes you are still on the airway!
 * The high terrain north of the airport (the Taurus Mountains) raise the MEA considerably, confirm that the FMS contains the altitude restrictions and crosscheck with the ADA DME. In windy conditions expect mountain waves and turbulence.
 * Expect radar vectors latest 10 NM before ADA.ADAGP.png
 * Aircraft routinely overlook the holding point at runway 05 which is abeam the glide path antenna - thus waiting traffic can considerably degrade the glide path and cause large fluctuations.
 * Circling for runway 23 presents no special problems except that numerous high buildings in the city centre penetrate the 1.2% obstacle clearance surface.

Taxi

 * Holding point runway 05 is placed quite far away from the intersection of the runway and taxiway 400m up "D" taxiway on the parallel segment to the runway. Be prepared as this holding point can sneak up on someone who is unfamiliar with the airport quite quickly.
 * Familiriase yourself with the taxi line marking where the taxiway "D" joins the apron. Upon entering the apron the taxi line takes a 45 degree turn to the right.
 * Taxing from the apron towards taxiway "D" the taxi line makes you turn onto "D" in an unusual 90 degree angle.

Departure

 * You will get your ATC clearance if you ask for it in a timely manner before push back (>10'), you may also request your prefered RWY for departure if traffic allows.


 * Usually the rather complex SID for both runways will be replaced by the clearance:" [...] after take-off maintain runway HDG [...]". Incirlik will thereafter clear you "[...] passing 3000ft turn left(RWY05)/right(RWY23) to MANAZ [...]" Nevertheless having the conventional departure set up and shortly briefed has shown to be a good operational procedure.
 * Departing towards MANAZ Ankara might not be able to receive your transmission until passing approximately FL200.