Czechia and Slovakia, a central European VFR tour
This plan explores Czechia and Slovakia after the 1993 split, with a Czech first part that is mostly hilly and a much more mountainous Slovak section.
The recommended Avia 156 gives a strong historical color, but requires real finesse. A Cessna 172 remains a very healthy alternative for enjoying the route.
Short airfields, towns, valleys and mountains.
Observe terrain and manage short approaches.
Historical or more accessible depending on your level.
Dense route, ideal over several sessions.
Understanding the flight
The route shows two very different characters. Czechia can be flown as a network of airfields and towns; Slovakia imposes terrain more strongly.
The real challenge is not distance, but the repetition of clean approaches into fields that may be short, urban or boxed in.
Before departure
- Train with the Avia 156 in fair weather before launching the full campaign.
- Prepare long and stable approaches, especially for short runways.
- Split the plan into two days: Czechia then Slovakia.
- Keep clear weather in the Tatras and Slovak valleys.
Suggested route
Northern Bohemia and Prague
Liberec, Most, Karlovy Vary, Prague, Mladá Boleslav and Hradec Králové establish the first Czech loop.
LKLB → LKMO → LKKV → LKPR → LKMB → LKHK
Bohemia and Moravia
Kolín, Příbram, Plzeň, České Budějovice, Tábor, Havlíčkův Brod, Prostějov and Šumperk make the network denser.
LKHK → LKKO → LKPM → LKLN → LKCS → LKTA → LKHB → LKPJ → LKSU
Eastern Czechia and Slovak entry
Ostrava, Přerov, Brno, Jindřichův Hradec, Znojmo and Břeclav prepare the entry into Slovakia.
LKSU → LKMT → LKPO → LKTB → LKJH → LKZN → LKBA
Slovakia and Tatras
Trenčín, Žilina, Poprad-Tatry, Prešov, Spišská Nová Ves, Sliač, Nitra and Bratislava finish with the most mountainous section.
LKBA → LZTN → LZZI → LZTT → LZPW → LZSV → LZSL → LZNI → LZIB
Experience tips
Repetition is useful: every field is a chance to stabilize the approach better.
In Slovakia, accept a slower pace. The terrain deserves a more careful reading.
Copyright Michel Lagneau 2012