Pilot Comments by Euro Aviators

Idyllically located in the Simmental, the former Réduit airfield of Zweisimmen is today used only for civil operations by powered and glider clubs, as well as by REGA as a helicopter base. Straightforward PPR request via V-Tower on Vereinsflieger; approval came quickly. A briefing is not mandatory but is recommended if you are not yet fully proficient in mountain flying. Approach and departure are quite demanding; the runway at 587 m is not overly long either. Saanen is easier by comparison.

Fees (25 CHF for 1100 MTOW) can be paid in cash, via TWINT, or by bank transfer. You self-report the actual takeoff and landing times online via V-Tower, where you also submitted the PPR request. Friendly, welcoming reception on site from the powered and glider pilots. Daytime parking is free. Customs is unfortunately not available, so the aerodrome can be used only for domestic flights. In the winter months it is also closed to visiting aircraft.

Directly next to the aerodrome are both Zweisimmen railway station and the valley station of the Rinderbergbahn. An ideal starting point for various mountain leisure activities. There are also several restaurants in town.

Like my predecessor, I also had a very quick and efficient fuel stop in Bastia. As per the AIP, PPR must be requested in advance for all GA traffic, but it was quickly approved online via touchngo.fr by SATAB.

Very friendly and cooperative ATC, both Approach and Tower. A handling agent was already waiting for us at the fuel station. The friendly gentleman assisted with refueling and processed the landing fees of 26,10€, comprising 14,10€ landing charges (Rockwell Commander 114B) and a 12,00€ PPR fee.

Avgas 100LL currently 2,83€ per liter, paid with an AirBP card. After exactly 32 min on the ground we were airborne again and Tower even let us choose the takeoff direction. Excellent—would gladly return!

Overall an excellent airport, with good and expeditious handling by Eccelsa at reasonable prices. You should register online with Eccelsa FBO in advance. Approach was a bit chaotic at Tower because it was quite busy, but we were quickly sequenced between two large jets for landing.

Due to the many private jets we were assigned a parking stand on Apron 3. No Follow-Me; taxi under own guidance. Tower said they would send someone to pick us up, but after 15 min no one had arrived, so we called the handling agent ourselves by phone and a van showed up promptly.

The private terminal is, as widely reported, impressive, with its own duty-free shops, lounges, and a bar with restaurant. Staff very helpful, but a bit stiff, and the ladies particularly over-the-top with makeup. You can tell private jets are the main target group; however, with "SEP" you are treated just as correctly and quickly—very commendable!

Despite arriving from Switzerland, there were no customs questions or other entry formalities. A Sixt desk is located directly in the private terminal and coordinates key handover. (Important when booking the car: select "Privatterminal" instead of Olbia Airport!) Baggage is brought to the car and, before departure, taken out of the car again and, unprompted, brought to the aircraft.

After paying the fees at the Operations Desk, a quick security check, then by van back to the aircraft. The required clearance from handling on a separate frequency was very swift. Then taxi and departure clearance from the friendly Tower and VFR out via Olbia Nord.

Total costs for a Rockwell Commander 114B: 105,40€, of which 14,76€ landing fees, 11,76€ for 3 days parking, 32,62€ handling, 44,26€ for my passenger, and 2,00€ "Duty Stamp", whatever that may mean. With multiple passengers this has a big impact on the total bill.

For fuel, 100LL and JET A1 are available. JET A1 comes to the aircraft by fuel truck; for 100LL you have to taxi to the fuel station on Apron 1 and wait there up to 90 min for an attendant. At 3,54€ per liter we instead refueled on the return in Bastia for 2,83€.

Very nicely located airport. Excellent ATC and friendly ground staff. Good on-field restaurant, and there are numerous additional dining options in the immediate vicinity. Only a 10 min walk to the lake and to Agno railway station.

However, only two stars because of the totally excessive charges. The basic landing fee for a Rockwell Commander (1474 kg MTOW) of 32,00 CHF plus the Skyguide fee (ATC) of 17,85 CHF are still fair, but then: 20 CHF noise surcharge, 10 CHF winter surcharge (even though mid-April with over 20°C—Lugano isn’t Samedan), 1,35 CHF emissions surcharge, and no less than 20 CHF surcharge per departing passenger! With 3 PAX and 17.50 CHF parking fees for a 5-hour stay (3,50 CHF per hour), and 8,1% VAT, the final bill came to 171,50 CHF. Absolutely outrageous for such a provincial airport. Since there is no security screening, the airport has zero passenger-handling effort, yet they still make sure to cash in. Extremely unfortunate for this beautiful destination. Tip: Fly to Locarno for a fraction of the cost and, if needed, take public transport from there into Lugano.

Nice airfield with busy traffic near the Swiss border. While AVGAS 100LL is available self-service with the TOTAL-Card, JET A1, even with the TOTAL-Card, requires on-site staff. After a short wait we were very courteously assisted by an airfield employee, who had to manually put the fuel pump into operation.

At the C-Büro, landing and takeoff must be self-logged on the iPad. Afterwards, someone at the office collects the landing fees. For a DR401 we had to pay 33,43€, which is clearly far too high for an uncontrolled airfield in France. It likely also includes some kind of 'customs fee' for our arrival from Switzerland, but this was not indicated anywhere.

Otherwise, everything as reported by Philipp. The chalet-style airfield building is really cozy, the staff and aeroclub members on site are all very friendly, but communication is only possible in French.

Everything still as Philipp described. The C office was also closed during our visit, so we paid the landing fees for a DR401—9.23€—via Aerops. For refuelling with JET A1, staff must be on site. The restaurant "Piper Cub" is very good and it’s worth reserving a lunch table in advance. Even on the first weekend in March the outdoor terrace was already quite full, but there was little air traffic. You can walk all the way around the aerodrome on a nice hike; otherwise, apart from a go‑kart track on the field, there isn’t much to do. There is no public transport nearby either, so you’ll definitely need a taxi for excursions in the area. Right next to the airfield is an "Aire de grand passage" (AGP), where between 1 April and 30 September up to 100 caravans of travellers can be accommodated.

Restaurant: 5 stars; the aerodrome itself is a bit run‑down, and above 1.2 t the landing fees get expensive at over 40€ (for whatever reason), so unfortunately the overall result is only 3 stars.