At approximately one hour flight of Eelde (the Netherlands - icao: EHGG) the German island of Heligoland is situated. Heligoland is an island situated far out in the Northsea in the German Bight. The size of the island is only 1 square kilometer and the size of the neighbouring island Düne, upon which the airfield is situated, is only 0.7 square kilometer. A ferry is available for transport to the main island. In summer months the ferry sails every 30 minutes from 8.00 AM till 6.30 PM and every hour from 7.00 PM till 11.00 PM. Heligoland is a red sand-stone rock island which has a unique flora and fauna by its remote position in the Northsea. In the past Helgoland was always an important military base. To avoid this in the future the British tried to wipe the island off the map after the second worldwar by bombardments but obviously they did not succeed. In 1952 the inhabitants could return to their island. The craters are still to be seen on the island.

Heligoland is a part of Germany and therefore the EU but is no part of the customs-, VAT and excise territory. This implies that Heligoland, concerning the quantity of goods that can be imported without paying taxes, is regarded by the customs as a country outside the EU. Hence, the tax-free quantities are less. Apart from a quantity of liquor, tobacco and perfume, other goods can be purchased tax-free until a value of EUR 175,-. The exemption is only for persons of at least 17 years of age.
If you buy something of for instance EUR 200,- then the amount of this purchase cannot be divided in two if you are with two people. Stick to the quantities because the Helgoland customs-office checks almost every departing general aviation aircraft. Although for EUR 175,- a beautiful digital camera could be found which at least is normally twice as expensive. In this way you can compensate for the cost of the flight and as a bonus, can enjoy a beautiful day!

More extensive information about tax-free buying is to be found here.

Here some price indications on the island are to be found.

Flying to Heligoland

The VOR beacon DHE on the island Düne.

The recently extended runway 15-33 of airport Heligoland/Düne. The length now is 480 metres.

The German Waddensea island Baltrum is en route. If you think Heligoland has a short runway of only 480 metres, try Baltrum: 360 metres.

Also look at the travel report to Heligoland on the page success stories

The distance over sea can be shortened a bit by flying via the German Wadden Sea island Wangerooge. Then the distance over sea is 23 NM.
At a ground speed of appx. 100 knots this lasts about 15 minutes. The total distance to be flown will be a bit longer: 83 NM. Navigation has to be no problem; even if you are not GPS equipped the island can easily be found because there is a VOR beacon on the island.

Airport Heligoland

The airfield of Heligoland is located on the island of Düne next to the main island. Click on the link for a photo of Heligoland. On Düne is also the beach where seals are familiarized with humans to such an extent that they lie sun-bathing almost next to bathers. A ferry-boat plies between Düne and Heligoland.

Because of the size of Düne the runways of the airfield are very short: runway 15-33 is the most generous: 400 metres. Recently this runway is extended to 480 metres. Runway 03-21 is 371 metres and runway 06-24 is 258 metres.
Before commencing the trip to Heligoland it is recommendable for pilots to refresh their shortfield landing and take-off techniques. And now hope for a north-west- or south-east wind at the day of flight...

Some explanation for the passengers:

Shortfield take-off
At departure the pilot gives full throttle meanwhile applying brakes. When reaching the maximum revolutions per minute the brake is released.This results in a faster accelaration of the aircraft. The flapsetting is 25° (this may vary per aircraft type) so that the wing generates lift sooner. These measures will make the aircraft lift-off earlier.

Shortfield landing
The aircraft arrives at a slower speed in a somewhat flat landing and full wing flaps. In this way the aircraft hangs on the throttle, so to speak. The intention of the pilot is when closing the throttle the aircraft sits down on the runway and will not hover long. And as soon as the aircraft rolls on the runway apply full brakes.
There has to be not too much cross-wind otherwise no full flaps can be applied. (Cross-wind means that the current wind is not in the direction of the runway in use).

Despite the remote position of Heligoland you see that the island can be reached quickly with a small aircraft. Because of the tax free status of the island you can earn back the flight costs so to speak and you can experience a unique day trip!

You can make this day trip by subscribing as a passenger with MeetAPilot:

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