Flight Simulator Flights at VOVZ Vishakhapatnam

Visakhapatnam Airport (VOVZ) serves the major port city of Visakhapatnam on India's Bay of Bengal coast in Andhra Pradesh. It offers two substantial hard-surfaced runways, including one equipped with an ILS, making it a capable destination for simulator pilots flying into this historic eastern seaboard city.

Overview

Visakhapatnam Airport lies at the coastal city of Visakhapatnam (also known as Vizag), the largest and most populous city in Andhra Pradesh state. The city sits between the Eastern Ghats and the Bay of Bengal, and is a major economic and shipping centre on India's east coast, giving the airfield a striking setting for arriving or departing pilots with hills to one side and open sea to the other.

Airspace & Location

The airfield serves Visakhapatnam, which lies on a small embayment of the Bay of Bengal, with the Eastern Ghats rising to the west and the city drained by numerous rivers further inland. The city is the headquarters of Visakhapatnam district and hosts the Eastern Naval Command, reflecting the strategic character of the surrounding coastal area.

Runways

The airfield has two physical runways. The main runway, 10/28, is a hard, lit surface measuring 9001 ft in the 10 direction and 9983 ft in the 28 direction, with the 28 threshold served by an ILS. The secondary runway, 05/23, is also hard-surfaced and lit, at 5965 ft in length in both directions. Field elevation is 13 ft.

Radio & Navigation

An ILS is provided for runway 28, supporting instrument approaches to the main runway.

Visual Reference Points

The city's coastal position on the Bay of Bengal, with the Eastern Ghats inland to the west, provides a strong general visual reference for pilots approaching Visakhapatnam.

History

Visakhapatnam itself has a long history as a port, with origins tracing back to the 6th century BCE and past rule by the Andhra Satavahanas, the Eastern Ganga dynasty and the Gajapati dynasty, among others. It was an ancient trading port with links to the Middle East and Rome, later coming under French influence before passing to British colonial control in 1804, remaining so until Indian independence in 1947. The city's long-standing role as a natural harbour and trading centre underlies its present-day importance as an aviation gateway on India's east coast.