Iceland

The information on this page was contributed by Hordur Sverrisson and Eric Kinchin.

Introduction

I’ve been gathering some information concerning flying schools and clubs that rent out aircraft here in Iceland. However I may not have accurate rental cost information from all the schools and clubs. Additionally generally most of these schools and clubs provide discounts when block time is purchased. I’ve mainly rented from two of these mentioned here below.

Schools in Iceland generally charge block hours, not tacho hours, but that may vary. Exchange rates are approximately: 1 GBP = 120 IKr. or 1 USD = 72 IKr. Please add country code: +354.

Reykjavik

Cessna 185 (TF-VHH) at Vestur-Hopsholar. Photo: Bob Riley
Cessna 185 (TF-VHH) at Vestur-Hopsholar. Photo: Bob Riley
  1. Flugtak ehf.

Located by Reykjavik tower (by Hangar 1 in old tower) (tel. 552 8122, fax: 562 0779, e-mail: flugtak@centrum.is). This is the biggest flying school in the country and has various types of aircraft, some well equipped, others not so. They can be very busy, and it’s necessary to sign up one week in advance for renting.

Minimum requirement of three hours per day for whole day rental (but even then they get fussy). I trained with this school and I had an excellent instructor, but it’s very commercial and therefore the atmosphere may not be as relaxed as a private pilot might want. Their aircraft include: 5-6 Cessna 150/152s, rented at about 5,000 IKr per hour solo. 4 Cessna 172s, generally in fair condition, IFR equipped; cost 5,500-7,000 Ikr. per hour (may depend on block time purchase).

A Piper Seminole. A 1996 model Trinidad TB-20. Beautiful aircraft, almost new, in excellent condition; IFR equipped, seats 5; cost 12,000 per hour solo or 14,000 dual. All these aircraft are available for rental, but I’m not sure they’ll let anyone run wild on the King Air unless they have appropriate qualifications (and deep pockets). All approximate price quotes are wet i.e. all inclusive, including aviation fuel.

Hordur's Cessna 172 (TF-RLR) at Fagurholmsmyri, south Iceland.Photo: Jonas Bjarnason
Hordur's Cessna 172 (TF-RLR) at Fagurholmsmyri, south Iceland.Photo: Jonas Bjarnason

  1. Flugmennt Flying School

Located by Reykjavik tower (by Hangar 1 in old tower) (tel. 562 8062). A flying school as well, but more into flying tourists commercially in their Cessna 402B and Cessna T206, neither of which they will rent out solo. However, they do have other aircraft used for instructing and probably rent them out as well. Cessna 172s. Believe they’re in good condition, not sure exactly how much they cost – probably similar rates to Flugtak ehf. (above).

Cessna 150/152.

  1. Jórvik hf.

Hangar 31d, Fluggarar (other side of Reykjavik airport, by Domestic Icelandair’s passenger terminal) (tel: 562 5101, fax: 562 5101, mobile: 854 0369, e-mail: jorvik@centrum.is).

This organisation concentrates on providing commercial services with their Cessna 402B, but they do offer twin checkouts on the C402B at the high cost of 52,000 IKr per hour (no rental).

Other aircraft they offer for rental: Cessna 177RG (TF-FOX) Excellent aircraft, but rather costly to rent, 11,000 IKr. per hour (wet);IFR equipped but possibly not certified. Cessna 150. Basic equipment; I believe they’re renting it for whopping 6,000 IKr. per hour.

  1. Flugskóli Helga Jóssonar Flying School

At right end of runway 32 (tel: 551 0880). Been in business for a long time. I believe they provide competitive prices, but haven’t checked them out recently. They’re also an authorized Cessna Pilot Center. Cessna 172s – not sure if they’re IFR equipped, but they look in fair condition. Cessna 150/152’s.

Keflavik

Keflavik Airport. Photo: Bob Riley
Keflavik Airport. Photo: Bob Riley
  1. Sudurflug (South Air)

Keflavik International Airport (tel: 421 2020 Fax: 425-0501) e-mail Eric Kinchin.

Information from Sudurflug 11th June 1999: 2 x Cessna 172, one of which is IFR 1 x Cessna 152 1 x Piper Tomahawk Prices range from 5, 200 to 6,600 per hour depending on aircraft and number of hours purchased. Full computerized pilot weather/planning facilities. Discount accomodation in local hotels (up to 50% depending on time of year). Discounted car rental (Europcar). Friendly atmosphere, one big happy family.

Sudurflug's hangar Keflavik. Photo: Suduflug
Sudurflug's hangar Keflavik. Photo: Suduflug

Last but not least: for the last several months I’ve been renting from someone that I’ve been taking the written IFR course with. He has a clean 1976 Piper Arrow retractable, IFR certified, and has been renting it out for 7,000 IKr. per hour wet. Phone number on request.

Where to Fly

Vestmann Islands This is one of my favourite places to visit. It’s only about forty-five minute flight away from Reykjavik, and is a very scenic destination, both above and under water. In 1973 an eruption began in a volcano that was thought to be extinct. Fortunately for the five thousand or so occupants, weather had been bad the day before, and therefore all the fishing fleet was in port.

Vestmann Island. Photo: Hordur Sverrisson
Vestmann Island. Photo: Hordur Sverrisson

It has always been one of the major fishing ports in Iceland, bringing in around thirty percent of the total fish caught for export. For a while it was feared that the port would be closed due to lava flow that engulfed half the town, but through good fortune and human intervention, closure was avoided. Today the port is one of the best in the country.

The air terminal is a nice place to visit, with one of the oldest aircraft in Iceland hanging from the ceiling inside, a Klemm TF-SUX.

Gullfoss

Gullfoss is a fairly well known tourist attraction and is sometimes advertised as the ‘Golden Triangle’ by tourist agencies here in Iceland. One of the other in the ‘triangle’ being Geysir in Haukadalur, a geyser that isn’t (but there is another in Haukadalur called Strokkur and he lets go every ten minutes or so). Snaefellsnes Peninsula

Snaefellsnes. Photo: W.E. Richards
Snaefellsnes. Photo: W.E. Richards

Snaefellsnes Peninsula, West Iceland, from its base towards west. It doesn’t really show much of the peninsula itself, but is nevertheless a nice one. In particular it shows what happens when you have northerly winds, i.e. clouds 2-4000 feet high will form on the windward side.

Hordur Sverrisson, Software Test Engineer, 1 Feb 98

9 Replies to “Iceland”

  1. Hi Chris Thanks for this info. Trouble is, I can’t find any websites whatsoever, for any of the clubs mentioned, despite hammering Google to bits!

    Any idea of websites / email addresses for private hire – 172 probably best?

  2. Hi Scott,

    I’m afraid my information on Iceland is second-hand, and probably pretty out of date.

    I have visited Iceland but didn’t have a chance to go flying. If you have any luck please let me know and I’ll update the page.

  3. Wow……Came across this while looking for something entirely different. I was a CFI at SouthAir for 7 years…..SouthAir still exist but as a much larger ground service provider for Scheduled, Chartered, and private aviation services…….Happy Memories….Me now retired….. Contact Southair.is if you want any kind of aviation info in Iceland…They are a great company and will help you re any facit of Air Services in Iceland….Tell them Capt.Eric K. sent you.

  4. I am passing through Reykjavik Port with my Ship 17.7. – 20.7. (and maybee 2.7.-26.7.) and would like to fly for 1-2 hours with a Cessna 172 , Diamond , Robin or similar together with a instructor/co Pilot. I have German ICAO/Jar License (250 h) . Not much time and not very lexible due to work(ships Officer) Ia ppreciate any oppportunity whether private or commercial and pay whatever is necessary.. If anybody can help-appreciated – thanks ,Chris

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