Priorities

• We are a gliding airfield. Accordingly, gliding always takes priority over other types of flying.  As a glider performance centre, we do have a lot of basic training, but also a lot of cross-country pilots - and of course there are times when everyone wants to get in the air at the same time.
• Our instructors are aware of this, and that's why - because every day has slightly different thermal conditions - we decide together at the morning briefing when to take a break from training, so that the XC pilots have the full tow capacity at their disposal.
• With a bit of co-ordination, it usually works very well. There is enough towing capacity. Since the summer of 2023 we have three new tow planes (Bristell B23) which can tow anything up to heavy two-seaters.

Briefing

• The daily briefing takes place at 9am. 
All pilots wishing to fly after 9am are expected to attend the briefing. There will be a weather forecast, DABS, NOTAM and safety briefing as well as the latest news and - as mentioned above - the weather dependent arrangements for training or cross country take-off windows.

• If someone arrives at the aerodrome late for "good reasons", it is their own responsibility to obtain the necessary information from the day instructor or the C-office. During the week, the flight operations manager, the day flight instructor or a pilot nominated by the group of pilots present is responsible.

Noise protection

• Overflights of residential areas - in particular the villages of Bilten and Schänis and the residential area on the slope to the northwest of Runway 16 - must be avoided during all engine operations (see charts).
• We also ask all "early morning pilots" (balloonists, model aircraft, etc.) to take care when approaching the airfield not to cause unnecessary noise for the residents of the campsite.

Circuit geography and separation

• Due to the different user groups and their individual flight paths and altitudes, it is important that the respective circuits are followed as accurately as possible. The circuit map shows how the airspaces and circuits at Schänis are interlinked.

Radio communication

• For the reasons mentioned above, radio communication is mandatory. Approaches, departures and ground movements of powered aircraft must be announced by radio.
• The crossing of the runways (including the pushing of gliders to the take-off area) is also only permitted with the radio switched on.
• Gliders and motorised hang-gliders must report when entering the circling area and when starting the downwind leg.
• Pilots of powered aircraft must report Reichenburg or Ziegelbrücke and then "Sector Whiskey" (see approach chart).

Fees and payment methods

• Landing fees are payable in accordance with the current price list. Receipts cannot be issued.
• Please put the amount in an envelope (with all the necessary details according to the relevant template) in the letter box at the C-Office, 1st floor. 
• It is also possible to pay independently with TWINT. The TWINT QR code is displayed on the window in the C-Office. In order for us to know who made the payment, you must enter your personal details directly into the app.
• You can also pay by credit card, but only when the C-Office is staffed.
• If you purchase other services from us (e.g. camping), you can pay for these in the same way.

In case of problems

• Always contact the C-Office (+41 55 250 50 00) or the responsible flight director/day flight instructor. A flight operations folder with all the necessary information is available at the C-Office.

Safety first!

There is always a lot of traffic on and around Schänis airfield. This requires constant vigilance and caution from all involved, both on the ground and in the air. Mutual respect also ensures smooth operations.

The infrastructure at Schänis means that the runway has to be crossed from the hangar apron to take-off (and back again). It is essential to visually check both approach sectors - runway ends 34 and 16 - before crossing the runway. It is quite difficult to hear and see gliders and powered aircraft on approach!

We can all learn from incidents and events of an aeronautical, technical or operational nature. For this reason, a confidential internal reporting system is available to everyone involved in flight operations at Schänis Airport.

Only the Safety Officer, the Chief Flight Instructor and the Aerodrome Manager have access to these reports. The main purpose of the reporting system is to identify problem areas so that appropriate action can be taken.

This internal reporting system does not replace the official EASA / FOCA Aviation Safety Reporting (ECCAIRS).