Šoštanj Airport
Šoštanj Airport (ICAO: LJSO) (Slovene: Letališče Šoštanj) is a small sport airfield located in the settlement of Topolšica. It lies 2.2 kilometers (1.4 mi) north of the center of Šoštanj and 6.2 kilometers (3.9 mi) northwest of the center of Velenje. Given its short runway, the airport serves only small aircraft, up to 5,700 kilograms (12,600 lb).[2] It is maintained by Šaleški Aeroklub.[3]
Šoštanj Airport Letališče Šoštanj | |||||||||||
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| Summary | |||||||||||
| Airport type | Public | ||||||||||
| Operator | Šaleški Aeroklub | ||||||||||
| Serves | Šoštanj Velenje | ||||||||||
| Location | Topolšica | ||||||||||
| Elevation AMSL | 378 m / 1,240 ft | ||||||||||
| Coordinates | 46°23′53″N 015°02′42″E | ||||||||||
| Website | http://www.saleskiaeroklub.si/ | ||||||||||
| Runways | |||||||||||
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History
Interest in aviation in the Šalek Valley was catalyzed by the first flight into the valley, the landing of an Italian aircraft in 1927.[2] Through the 1930s, aviation enthusiasts Maks Medved and Valter Muhovec attempted to circumvent the lack of tools and equipment and assembled a home-built glider; however, the aircraft was completely destroyed during a test run in 1937. The pair then enlisted the expertise of the flying club in Maribor, and created their own flying club.[3]
The aspirations of these early aviators were cut short by the outbreak of World War II. Following the war, a flying club was officially established on 24 November 1971. The airport's runway was constructed between 1972 and 1973, and the first operation was carried out by Jože Ocepek on 24 March 1974. The flying club took possession of the hangar on 14 December 1974, and of the runway in October 1980. Today, the Šalek flying club is the sole owner and operator of the airport.[3]
Facilities
The airport has one asphalt runway with dimensions 714 by 18 meters (2,343 ft × 59 ft). It lies on a northeast-southwest axis with true heading 149.19° (329.19°). Significantly, surrounding terrain and wind patterns mean that the runway is usable only in one direction: runway 15 is for takeoffs only, while runway 33 may only be used for landings.[1] An area of hardened grass stretches approximately 150 meters (490 ft) beyond the threshold of runway 33, and may be used for aircraft maneuvering in appropriate weather.[3]
The runway is connected to small ramp and hangar by a single paved taxiway designated Y, necessitating either a backtrack along the runway or taxiing on the grass following landing and preceding takeoff. Several areas of grass between the runway and hangar are also sufficiently hardened to be used by light aircraft during appropriate weather.[3]
The airport is also equipped with a fuel pump, light maintenance equipment, and a guest house.[3] The airport has no control tower, and is open to VFR flights only; pilots communicate with each other on the frequency 128.30 MHz.[1]
