I know a bit about flying and airports. So here's what I know:
Toncontin airport requires special training for pilots to land here. Doesn't mean it's ihnerently dangerous, it just requires special procedures to land and takeoff that are not used in most airports. I think San Diego and some other famous airports around the world (there was one in Hong Kong) require special training for pilots before they attempt their first landing or takeoff on their own.
Toncontin doesn't have as many navigational aids as some of the larger airports in the world (O'hare, Atlanta, JFK). So the planes automatic systems can take it up to a certain point of reference, from there on to the landing the pilot has to fly the aircraft with aid only of whatever automated systems he can use that don't depend on those nav aids. Most airports in the world have just as many nav aids as Toncontin, some international airports have even less.
Having said that, most airline procedures establish that pilots fly the plane themselves after the aircraft has descended under a certain altitude above the destination. Pilots also like to fly the plane themselves most of the time to keep their proficiency. They do have to be more alert in Tegus due to the proximity of mountains around it, just like in Reno, Nevada but without all the snow around it.
At toncontin some times they land "straight-in" sometimes they follow a pattern that includes a wide left turn before landing, it depends mostly on the winds and the direction the plane is comming from.
Toncontin's terminal is being renovated to world-class standards, so follow instructions since things are changing at the terminal constantly during it's renovation. I was there 2 days ago and it is a bit different than 2 months ago.
Now here is what I think:
Landing in tegus is much less boring than other airports, but i've been know to sleep all the way thru to parking in the gate, LOL. Like Robert said, the approach usually gives a great view of the city. About being nerve-wrecking
I don't know about immigration stuff cause i'm Honduran. as for Customs in Honduras, like most countries you only have to declare stuff that you plan to leave here or stuff that is important for customs to know that you are bringing in..like food, live animals, biological agents, soil samples, ivory, large amounts of money, etc.
You can get transportation at the airport at the usual high price of any other airport in the world, or since Toncontin is within city limits (unlike other airports in the world that are 45 minutes away from the world) you can walk out of the airport and negociate a ride fee with a street taxi. Follow safety recommendations that you would follow in visiting other large-city.
Megan, I hope you enjoy your stay in Honduras, specially Tegus.
----- Original Message -----
From: keylimey69
To: travel-to-honduras.....com
Sent: Thursday, November 30, 2006 5:01 PM
Subject: [travel-to-honduras] Re: Question about Toncontin Airport
hi Robert,
I don't mean to sound nit-picky but I hafta ask you.
What makes you say the pilots hand fly any more or less there than
any other airport?
I'm also wondering, can you get a visa issued once you arrive in the
country, or are you just talking about an entry stamp for 90 days for
a person that doesn't require a visa to enter for purposes of
tourism???
and, if Im not mistaken, you don't need to declare ANY items you are
bringing with you as a tourist if they are personal items and not for
resale. Maybe I msunderstood you, and apologise if that's the case,
but I ad to ask.
Thanks, and HTH, David.
--- In travel-to-honduras.....com, Robert Myers
wrote:
>
> Hello Megan,
>
> Having flown in and out of Toncontin many times I can give you some
> advice. You can take some solace in the fact that the pilots are
> probably more alert than in many other landings because they
actually
> have to fly the plane and not rely on the computer. Expect a wide
> arching turn to avoid the mountains on approach and I suggest
sitting
> next to the window to see a city like no other.
>
> On the plane you will be given two documents to fill out. Keep your
> passport number and expiration date handy as well as your flight
> number. On the customs form you will list on the back in general
some
> of the items of value you are bringing with you ie camera, Ipod,
etc.
> They are never very particular about this list if it looks
reasonably
> honest. Total the value of the items and put the total on the front
of
> the form.
>
> Upon arriving you will walk down a long hallway to an escalator to
the
> lower level immigration or passport check. The airport is modern in
> appearance and newly remodeled. Go to the second line from the
right,
> it is quickest, unless there is a large contingent of diplomats. If
you
> are staying for longer than a month be sure to ask for a Visa for
more
> time up to 90 days.
>
> After immigration you will need to pick up your checked
luggage at the
> carrousel (there are the usual airport carts available for use in
> customs) then proceed to customs or (Aduana), (you will need to
five
> your bag checks to an official who confirms they are your bags.
You
> will then pass all of your bags through the x-ray machine and then
you
> will present your customs form to an official - they sometimes do
a
> cursory check of you luggage by hand.
>
> After you are cleared customs you will pass through doors to
main
> salon and into the crowd of hondurans waiting. If someone is
waiting
> for you with a sign, great. If not its best to pass out of the
airport
> to the right to a taxi. If you use the services of a porter, they
will
> be happy with a dollar tip they tend to rush through the crowd so
say
> wait or espera or mas despacio por favor. . Remember that unzipped
bags
> and things hanging off are an invitation to theft. Keep an good eye
on
> your things after entering the main salon. In Customs and
Immigration
> English is spoken. In the main salon, Spanish is the norm. Taxi is
> taxi and no is no in both languages. A taxi is about 4-5 dollars
> (80-100 Lempiras) to anywhere in Tegus. Act confident and look
like
> you know what you are doing. If you are not met at the airport, it
is
> best to share the taxi whith a KNOWN person. or use transport to a
> major hotel,
>
> Hope you enjoy your visit.
>
> Rob Myers
> Tegucigalpa, Honduras
> Central America
> On Nov 29, 2006, at 5:18 PM, Megan wrote:
>
> > Hi everyone! I absolutely love this group and reading what
everyone
> > writes. It is SO interesting and I am learning SO much so far!
> >
> > Anyways, I have a question about arriving at the Toncontin
Airport.
> > I've already heard the landing stories lol but it seems like it
will
> > be VERY exciting and nerve-wracking all at the same time when
> > landing! But I have some concerns about where to go after
stepping
> > off the plane? It is probably just like a regular airport, but I
> > have never really flew alone before.
> >
> > Could anyone give me advice on where to go? I also heard from a
> > friend that when you arrive they give you a paper and you have to
> > list the items that are in your suitcase and the value of them.
If
> > this is still true, since it was a while ago when my friend went
> > there,
> > couldn't I just write out my list here in the states and then
> > transfer it to the paper they give me to save time? I'm just
> > thinking of the easiest and smoothest way to get through the
airport
> > situation because I know that they probably don't speak much
English
> > there...or do they?...and I know that it can probably get QUITE
> > complicated!
> >
> > Thanks! Sorry this is SO long!
> >
> > ~Megan
> >
> >
> >
>
>
>
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