Flying in Hungary

A short guide for microlight aviation pilots- by Helmut Stern

The Land of the Magyars offers pilots/aviators not only some very special visual highlights (for example the Danube/Duna, the Puszta, the Lake Balaton and the wine-growing region and world cultural heritage Tokaj) but also a whole range of entirely different airfields making a trip really worthwhile. Let alone the hospitality and coziness which is so specific to Hungary - particularly if you are a pilot/aviator. Order now the last edition of the up2sky pilot guide!

Hungary - where you can still rage around aeronautically (at least a little bit) and not disturb anybody; idyllic, far away places, located somewhere in the midst of the woods, between fields or wine-growing areas (for example Sárospatak), abandoned military facilities with concrete and/or grass runways stretching more than thousand meters in length (for example Kaposújlak‘ or Szentkirály-szabadja) as well as pretty adventurous places, demanding skillful pilots to approach them (for example Gyöngyös/Pipishegy - at 350 m above MSL one of the highest elevations in Hungary). In Jakabszállás you will find a best kept airfield in accordance with the proven American Fly-In-concept, complete with hangar, swimmingpool and restaurant in the hotel, offering additional relaxation and exquisite coziness (for about 60 Euros for two persons per day). A truly comprehensive recreation offer (riding stable, bowling alley, squash, billiard, mountain biking) with apartments (about 12 Euros per day per person) or most affordable accomodation in tiny, rustic, wooden houses (about 6 Euros per day per person), situated directly at the airfield, is provided by the relatively new destination Tokorcs -... in the western Hungarian thermal bath region. In immediate proximity to the 300 or so souls village Tokorcs there are a number of thermal baths:
 
Celldömölk (4 km), Mesteri (5 km), Sárvár (15 km), Borgáta (22 km), Pápa (30 km), Bük (41 km). Undeniably the most private and cozy sport airfield one can find is Balatonkeresztúr’ - - located at the southwestern tip of the Balaton Lake within a ten minute walk from the lakeshore. A truly idyllic and very well looked after facility (including hangars, clubhouse and campsite) being maintained  - since many years - with a lot of charm and hospitality by Mr. Jozsef Minorits and his daughter Rita.

The biggest crownland of the former imperial and royal monarchy (Austrian-Hungarian double monarchy: 1867-1918) is not only distinguished by its Theresian charme and lowcost (and fine) food but particularly by its favorable weather. There are almost a third more flyable days a year in comparison to the conditions in Germany or Austria. Additionally there are no big mountains which may cause treacherous dangers such as massive clouding and strong leeward winds and hamper VFR-flying excessively. The mountain ‘Kekes’ (1014 m above MSL), situated in the north close to the Slovakian border, is the highest elevation in Hungary.

Hungary is a very aviation-friendly country and there are still many areas of freedom. The Hungarian people  - apart from being otherwise exceptionally ready to help and hospitable - welcomes pilots in particular. Authorities do not tend to penalize minor violations of aviation rules in a draconic manner. The tolerance limit is (still) relatively high. But, in the event of a major incident (for example an aviation accident with damage to persons) things become awkward fast. UL-pilots must be prepared that the incident will be investigated and examined most thoroughly according to ICAO-Standards. In recent years foreign pilots were responsible for some of the hair-rising occurrences which were brought into the light of day (i.e. flights with no permission at all, without any aircraft-registration etc.). In order to keep the “Flying Paradise Hungary” hassle-free as long as possible responsible-minded pilots are needed who know how to handle the still available areas of freedom!

Latest info: Especially now Hungary is attractive for foreign guests: One Euro gets you approximately 10% more in Forint than ever before! Recently the exchange rate was around 240 Forint for one Euro on average but in 2009 it started to float in the area of 260-270 Forint. It is worth now not only a trip to the dentist or optician...

© copyright by stern-press / H. Stern