Private Pilot Expedition
to Georgia
Departing Luxembourg — 29 August to 12 September 2026
4,000+ NM across Europe — a pilot-led expedition to the edge of the Caucasus
This expedition coincides with the opening of the Ambassadori Aviation Villagein Georgia's Kakheti region — a new hub for private aviation at Europe's eastern frontier.
For experienced private pilots flying ULM and GA aircraft across Europe
“Apply to join the expedition”
Limited number of crews — selection applies
A community-driven initiative,
facilitated via PrivatePilot.lu
At a glance
- Organised through PrivatePilot.lu
- Initiated and coordinated by Peter Sodermans
- Private, non-commercial initiative
- Built to facilitate coordination between participating crews and authorities
About Peter
Peter Sodermans is a Luxembourg-based private pilot and was President of AOPA Luxembourg from 2018–2026. He is nowadays also Honorary Consul of Georgia in Luxembourg and actively promotes aviation links between Europe and Georgia.
Lead aircraft — Blackwing F-JKYS
Peter Sodermans flies a 2024-built Swedish Blackwing 600 — a high-performance carbon-fibre ULM equipped with full glass cockpit avionics, autopilot, and a ballistic recovery system.
Registered as 08QY and operating under the call sign F-JKYS, the aircraft is designed for fast, long-range touring across Europe. Max cruise sits at 157 knots, dropping to around 138 knots in economy mode. With a fuel capacity of approximately 140 litres, its practical range is around 1,200 nautical miles depending on conditions.
The expedition brings together a wide variety of aircraft, with different speeds, ranges and performance characteristics. SkyDemon is a key navigation partner for the route, with their maps being continuously updated and extended to support each leg. Pete personally flies VFR; some participating pilots may operate IFR depending on their aircraft and qualifications.
The expedition is open to General Aviation and ULM aircraft of similar performance and equipment level — pilots flying across multiple countries with on-board navigation tools and experience operating into both controlled airspace and grass strips.
A 15-day pilot-led expedition
across Europe and the Caucasus
A community-driven, facilitated expedition combining coordinated logistics with full crew autonomy. Each crew remains fully responsible for its aircraft, routing, and operational decisions. Rather than a guided tour, this is a shared journey — pilots navigate independently while benefiting from collective preparation, local support, and a structured framework that enables access to regions and infrastructure rarely experienced in general aviation.
Across Europe
29 Aug – 12 Sep 2026
From Central Europe to the Caucasus — returning via the Mediterranean
Ambassadori Aviation Village — Europe's eastern frontier
4,000+ NM across Europe
in 15 days
A structured, pilot-led expedition with full crew autonomy. Pilots navigate independently while benefiting from shared planning, fuel and customs coordination, local support and realistic VFR buffer days.
Scenic routing across Europe's most diverse landscapes — from Central Europe to the Black Sea, the Caucasus and the Mediterranean.
Indicative route only — exact routing, stops and timing may vary depending on crew, aircraft and weather conditions.
The kind of expedition you will still remember decades from now.
Great friends. Great adventures.
Day by day
from Luxembourg to Kakheti and back
- 28 Aug
Farewell dinner in Luxembourg
Pilots departing from Luxembourg gather for a farewell dinner on the eve of the journey.
- 29–30 Aug
Positioning phase — Luxembourg to Hungary
The expedition begins at Luxembourg Airport with a symbolic departure. Crews position toward Hungary at their own rhythm. All crews regroup at Jakabszállás (LHJK) where accommodation is arranged at the airfield.
- 31 Aug
Hungary to Istanbul
The first major transition. Pilots are free to select their routing, typically crossing Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria with a range of fuel and exit options. Entry into Turkey is organised via Çorlu, followed by a short leg to Istanbul Atatürk — a rare opportunity for light aircraft to operate into a major international hub.
- 1 Sep
Istanbul buffer day
Intentionally built as a weather buffer and consolidation phase. Participants may explore Istanbul, a city where Europe and Asia meet. Pilots exchange experiences, refine fuel strategies, and align expectations for the Black Sea crossing.
- 2 Sep
Istanbul to Batumi
The true start of the expedition phase. The recommended routing follows the northern shores of Turkey along the Black Sea. A key highlight is the Engiz (LTFI) fuel stop, where on-site AVGAS and MOGAS delivery is arranged — a rare example of expedition-style logistics in European general aviation. Arrival in Batumi marks entry into Georgia.
- 3 Sep
Batumi to Kakheti
The day begins with a visit to the Ambassadori Island project, illustrating Batumi's ambition to become a major Black Sea destination. In the afternoon, crews depart for the Eastern Frontier Flight, landing at Ambassadori Aviation Village — the easternmost point of the expedition.
- 4 Sep
Official Opening Ceremony — Ambassadori Aviation Village
Participants attend the official opening of the Ambassadori Aviation Village in the presence of Georgian authorities. This moment reflects the broader ambition behind the project: integrating general aviation into tourism, infrastructure, and regional development.
- 5–7 Sep
Georgia — exploration & optional flying
The expedition becomes fully flexible and participant-driven. Based in Kakheti, crews may explore the wine region, visit Tbilisi, or travel to remote areas such as Tusheti or Vashlovani National Park. For pilots wishing to continue flying, Georgia offers exceptional opportunities within short distances — Mestia in the High Caucasus, Ambrolauri in the Racha region, Kutaisi or Batumi.
- 8 Sep
Return — Georgia to Samsun
The return phase begins. Crews depart Kakheti and reposition via Batumi (UGSB) for Georgia exit formalities, then re-enter Turkey at Rize-Artvin (LTFO) for customs, before continuing along the Black Sea coast to Samsun Çarşamba (LTFH) for the night. Group dinner on arrival.
- 9 Sep
Samsun to Izmir-Selçuk / Efes
Morning departure from Samsun, with a fuel stop at Uşak Airpark (LTFI) crossing Anatolia inland — drier air, wide valleys, and a continental landscape. Crews continue to Izmir-Selçuk / Efes (LTFB) for the night, near Ephesus, one of the most significant cities of the Roman world.
- 10 Sep
Turkey to Italy via Greece
Morning short hop from LTFB to Izmir / Adnan Menderes (LTBJ) for Turkey exit customs. Same day, crews re-enter Schengen at Ioannina (LGIO) in Greece for entry customs and refuelling, then continue to Southern Italy and SibariFly (LINV). Accommodation at Relais Capo Spulico, directly on the coast.
- 11 Sep
Mediterranean rest day
A full day without flying serves both as a weather buffer and an opportunity to enjoy the Mediterranean setting.
- 12 Sep
Calabria to Fayence — final group day
Crews depart for Fayence (LFMF) in southern France. A farewell dinner marks the closing moment of the expedition.
- 13 Sep
Return home (post-expedition)
The final leg back to Luxembourg — or onward to each participant's home base. A simple, low-key dispersal: no formal ceremony, just the quiet satisfaction of having completed a unique journey.
Programme draft — subject to refinement. Activities in Georgia are organised in coordination with the Civil Aviation Agency of Georgia and the Ambassadori Aviation Village team.
Ambassadori Aviation Village
Kakheti, Georgia — Europe's eastern frontier
Arrival at the Ambassadori Aviation Village marks the easternmost point of the expedition — a symbolic and geographical milestone for European general aviation.
The Village is set within the structured vineyards and rolling terrain of Kakheti, Georgia's wine region. From here, crews use the Ambassadori Aviation Village as their base for three free days to explore Georgia — on the ground or in the air, with optional flights to Mestia, Ambrolauri, or Kutaisi.
On 4 September, participants attend the official opening ceremony of the Ambassadori Aviation Village in the presence of Georgian authorities — reflecting the broader ambition of integrating general aviation into tourism, infrastructure and regional development.
Documents & Requirements
Requirements vary by aircraft category (General Aviation vs ULM) and country. The platform adapts to show only what applies to your crew.
Turkey
Via AOPA Türkiye registration
- Insurance certificate (Turkish format)
- Aircraft registration certificate
- Airworthiness certificate (+ ARC if applicable)
- Noise certificate
- Power of Attorney — AOPA Türkiye
- Power of Attorney — ACM
- Declaration of non-commercial operation
- AOPA membership (any valid European AOPA card accepted)
Georgia
Coordinated with CAA Georgia
- Aircraft registration certificate
- Airworthiness certificate
- Insurance valid for Georgia
- Noise certificate (if applicable)
- Pilot licence (PPL / LAPL / EASA Class 2 / Other)
- Medical certificate (if required by licence)
- Radio operator licence (if applicable)
Flexible system: Document requirements adapt to your aircraft category. You upload once; the admin team tracks completion and flags anything missing.
A facilitation tool, not a tour operator
This platform is a facilitation tool for participating pilots. Each crew remains fully responsible for:
- ✓Flight planning
- ✓Safety decisions
- ✓Regulatory compliance
Nothing on this site constitutes flight operation guidance, authorisation, or commercial service. The expedition is a community-driven, non-commercial initiative — participation is at each crew's own discretion and responsibility.
Apply to join the expedition
Registration takes ~10 minutes. You'll get a personal access link to complete documents, route planning, and payment at your own pace.
Limited number of crews — selection applies