Kocaeli Cengiz Topel Airport
Kocaeli Cengiz Topel Airport (ICAO: LTBQ) serves Kocaeli (İzmit) and is located 15 km east of Kocaeli, between the İzmit Bay and Lake Sapanca. It is a joint civil/military aerodrome: the civil side (DHMİ) uses a small civil apron and terminal on the north side of the field, while the military aprons are at both ends of the runway. Per AD 2.20, the aerodrome is available to military and civil traffic and prior permission is not required (see AD 1.1-5).
The airport has a single runway, 09/27 (2,990 m × 30 m, concrete). Elevation is 188 ft and the transition altitude is 12,000 ft (transition level by ATC). The Topel CTR is a 5 NM circle around the airport from the surface up to 3,000 ft AMSL. ATS, fuel, handling and de-icing are only available during aerodrome working hours, published by NOTAM (fuel, handling and de-icing on prior request), and customs/immigration only during international flights.
The airport lies inside the Topel MTMA (military terminal area), immediately east of the busy İstanbul area. Several restricted/danger areas are charted nearby (LT-R25 SFC–5,000 ft MSL, LT-D1 SFC–3,000 ft AMSL, LT-D28 SFC–2,500 ft AMSL and LT-R39 SFC–10,000 ft AMSL), there is high terrain south of the field (spot height 5,453 ft charted south-west of the airport), and circling is not authorised south of the aerodrome.
Scenery
Payware
No current payware scenery for LTBQ was found.
Freeware
There are freeware options as well, but quality may vary significantly.
| Simulator | Developer | Publisher | Links |
|---|---|---|---|
| FSX | Community | FlyAway Simulation | FlyAway Simulation |
Preferential Runway System (PRS)
The AIP does not publish a Preferential Runway System for LTBQ. The runway in use is selected by Topel Tower according to the surface wind and traffic. Points to keep in mind when planning:
- RWY 27 is the only runway with a precision approach (ILS CAT I, GP 3.5°) and approach lighting (simple approach lighting 900 m).
- RWY 09 has only an RNP (LNAV) approach; all other procedures are circling approaches.
- Unless otherwise specified by ATC, circling shall be conducted north of the aerodrome (AD 2.20).
- There is no parallel taxiway: departures from RWY 09 and arrivals on RWY 27 backtrack on the runway (see Ground Operations), which affects runway occupancy.
Arrival Procedures
Cengiz Topel is inside the Topel MTMA. Approach control is provided by Topel Approach (120.300). Per AD 2.22, outside weekday working hours of 0530–1400 UTC and at weekends, a non-radar approach control service is provided for civil traffic on 119.050 and 120.300. All aerodrome services follow the working hours published by NOTAM.
The published STARs are RNAV (GNSS) arrivals (RNP 1, GNSS required), charted on military-produced charts (STAR-1 and STAR-2). There are no conventional STARs.
- Training flights are not permitted (landings and take-offs for training, including circling and instrument approach practice) due to intense military air traffic (AD 2.20).
- Unless otherwise specified by ATC, circling is conducted in the north; all approach charts state that circling is not authorised south of the aerodrome.
- All traffic landing on RWY 27 must backtrack on the runway and proceed to the Civil Apron via TWY A. Backtracking requires Tower clearance.
Low Visibility Procedure
The ILS RWY 27 is CAT I only; there is no CAT II/III. In low visibility conditions a Follow-me service is provided from the TWY A holding point to the parking area (AD 2.20). Stop bars and runway guard lights are not available.
Runways and ILS
| Runway | ILS (LLZ) | Frequency / DME | Category | GP / RDH | THR elevation | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27 | ICNG | 108.35 MHz / CH20Y | CAT I | 3.5° / 55 ft | 182 ft | Simple approach lighting 900 m (Calvert, LIH); PAPI 3.5° (MEHT 65 ft). ILS unusable outside 10° left of the LLZ centreline (90 Hz, sector II). TDZ elevation 186 ft. |
| 09 | – | – | – | – | 174 ft | No approach lighting; PAPI 3° (MEHT 50 ft). RNP approach only (LNAV). |
Both runway directions have TORA/TODA/ASDA/LDA of 2,990 m. Other navaids: CTP VOR/DME 117.4 MHz (CH121X) and CTP NDB 307 kHz (co-located at the west end of the field); ARF NDB 383.5 kHz and ARF TACAN CH86X (at the field). CTP VOR/DME and CTP NDB are unusable between R105–R240 (105°–240°) beyond 18 NM below 14,000 ft.
STARs
RNAV STARs start at YAA (Yalova VOR), TOKER and ERSEN. All three entry points have a minimum crossing altitude of 10,000 ft.
| Active Runway Configuration | Designator | Ends at (IAF) | Route and altitude restrictions |
|---|---|---|---|
| West (RWY 09) | YAA 1S | BARCI | YAA (10,000 ft+) – IPHEK (8,000 ft+) – BARCI (5,300 ft+) |
| TOKER 1S | BARCI | TOKER (10,000 ft+) – AKCET (10,000 ft+) – PIMAV (10,000 ft+) – IPHEK (8,000 ft+) – BARCI (5,300 ft+) | |
| ERSEN 1S | BARCI | ERSEN (10,000 ft+) – AKCET (10,000 ft+) – PIMAV (10,000 ft+) – IPHEK (8,000 ft+) – BARCI (5,300 ft+) | |
| East (RWY 27) | YAA 1U | YUZUT | YAA (10,000 ft+) – IPHEK (10,000 ft+) – PIMAV (10,000 ft+) – AKCET (10,000 ft+) – ZINHA (6,100 ft+) – YUZUT (4,500 ft+) |
| TOKER 1U | YUZUT | TOKER (10,000 ft+) – AKCET (10,000 ft+) – ZINHA (6,100 ft+) – YUZUT (4,500 ft+) | |
| ERSEN 1U | YUZUT | ERSEN (10,000 ft+) – YUZUT (4,500 ft+) (direct, track 229°) |
No speed restrictions are published on the STARs.
West Configuration (RWY 09)
All 1S arrivals end at BARCI (IAF, 5,300 ft or above), over the İzmit Bay west of the airport, which is the IAF of the RNP RWY 09 approach (BARCI – GOHEN – CAPAZ). Arrivals from the east (TOKER, ERSEN) fly south of the airport via AKCET and PIMAV and turn north at IPHEK.
Expect the RNP RWY 09 approach, or a circling approach. Check the ATIS for the approach in use.
East Configuration (RWY 27)
All 1U arrivals end at YUZUT (IAF, 4,500 ft or above) east of the airport; TOKER and YAA arrivals cross ZINHA (6,100 ft or above) on track 353° before YUZUT.
Expect the ILS RWY 27. Check the ATIS for the approach in use.
Instrument Approaches
| Runway | Approach | Chart | Initial approach | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27 | ILS CAT I or LOC | IAC-6 | CTP VOR at 7,000 ft, outbound R-092 to D14 CTP (4,500 ft), procedure turn (max IAS 210 KT) → IF D14 CTP / D12.8 ICNG | FAP D9 CTP / D7.8 ICNG at 3,050 ft, GP 3.5°; LOC MAPt D3.5 CTP / D2.3 ICNG. VOR/DME required. OCA CAT I 900 ft (718) with 2.5% missed approach or 500 ft (318) with 3.5%; LOC 990 ft (808) |
| 09 | RNP (LNAV) | IAC-7 / 7A | BARCI (IAF, 5,300 ft) → GOHEN (IF, 3,500 ft) → CAPAZ (FAF, 2,100 ft) | GNSS required; DME/DME RNP-0.3 not authorised. Vertical path 2.94°, TCH 56 ft. LNAV 740 ft (566). Missed approach minimum climb rate 5.27% to 7,000 ft |
| Circling only | NDB (CTP) A | IAC-1 | CTP NDB at 7,000 ft, outbound 090° (CAT A/B 4 min, CAT C/D 3 min) to 5,600 ft, procedure turn (max IAS 185 KT), inbound 270° | Straight-in not authorised. Circling OCA 1,800 ft (1,612) |
| NDB (CTP) B | IAC-2 | CTP NDB at 7,000 ft, outbound 096° to D13.1 (4,800 ft), procedure turn (max IAS 185 KT), inbound 276°, D5.6 1,800 ft, MAPt D3 | DME required. Straight-in not authorised. Circling OCA 1,300 ft (1,112) CAT A/B, 1,800 ft (1,612) CAT C/D | |
| NDB C | IAC-3 | ARF NDB at 6,600 ft, outbound 090° (3 min), procedure turn (max 250 KIAS), inbound 270° | Military chart. Circling minima only (CAT A/B 1,740 ft, CAT C 2,700 ft, CAT D 3,820 ft). Missed approach minimum climb rate 3.95% to 4,700 ft | |
| VOR A | IAC-4 | CTP VOR at 7,000 ft, outbound R-092 (CAT A/B 4 min, CAT C/D 3 min) to 5,600 ft, procedure turn (max IAS 185 KT), inbound 272° | Straight-in not authorised. Circling OCA 1,800 ft (1,612) | |
| VOR B | IAC-5 | CTP VOR at 7,000 ft, outbound R-092 to D12 (4,500 ft), procedure turn (max IAS 210 KT), inbound 272°, D5.5 1,800 ft, MAPt D1.5 | DME required. Straight-in not authorised. Circling OCA 1,300 ft (1,112) CAT A/B, 1,800 ft (1,612) CAT C/D |
Notes on all approach charts:
- Circling is not authorised south of the aerodrome (high terrain); per AD 2.20, circling is conducted in the north unless ATC specifies otherwise.
- Maximum missed approach speed is 185 KT on IAC-1, 2, 4, 5 and 6.
- The circling-only procedures are flown inbound on the westbound (27) course and end with a circling manoeuvre to the runway in use.
Minimum Sector Altitude (25 NM, CTP VOR/NDB): 6,500 ft in the northern half and 7,000 ft in the southern half (IAC-1/2/4/5/6, SID charts). The RNAV charts (STAR-1/2, IAC-7) show a single MSA of 7,000 ft (25 NM, RWY 09). Emergency safe altitude 100 NM: 9,400 ft (IAC-3, IAC-7).
Minimum Radar Vectoring Altitudes (MRVC, "RAPCON"): within 10 NM 3,200 ft north and 6,700 ft south of the R-090/R-260 line; up to 25 NM between 3,500 ft and 15,000 ft depending on sector (15,000 ft over the high terrain to the south); 8,000–12,000 ft further out.
Holdings
| Fix | Used for | Inbound track | Altitude | Max IAS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CTP VOR/NDB | Initial approach and missed approach of IAC-1, 2, 4, 5 and 6 | 092° (VOR) / 090° (NDB) | 7,000 ft | – |
| BARCI (IAF) | End of the RWY 09 STARs / RNP RWY 09 | 090° | 5,300–10,000 ft | – |
| UFZUN | Missed approach RNP RWY 09 | 012° | 7,000–10,000 ft | – |
| ARF NDB | NDB C (IAC-3) | 090° | 6,600–10,000 ft | 250 KT |
Missed Approach
| Approach | Missed approach procedure |
|---|---|
| ILS / LOC RWY 27 | Climb straight ahead until passing 2,350 ft, then turn right climbing to 7,000 ft to CTP VOR and hold. If unable to reach 7,000 ft, climb on CTP R-092 and after passing 5,600 ft turn left climbing to 7,000 ft to CTP VOR and hold. |
| RNP RWY 09 | Climb direct to BQ091 at or above 3,600 ft, then turn left on track 012° to UFZUN, climb in the holding up to 7,000 ft and contact Approach. |
| NDB (CTP) A | Climb to 2,600 ft on 270° of CTP NDB, then turn right to cross the NDB at 3,500 ft or above, intercept 090° of the NDB and after passing 5,300 ft turn left climbing to 7,000 ft, proceed to the NDB and hold. |
| NDB (CTP) B | Climb to 1,900 ft on 276° of the NDB, then turn right to cross the NDB at 2,900 ft or above, intercept 096° of the NDB and after passing 4,700 ft turn left climbing to 7,000 ft, proceed to the NDB and hold. |
| VOR A | Climb to 2,600 ft on R-272, then turn right to cross the VOR at 3,500 ft or above, intercept R-092 and after passing 5,300 ft turn left climbing to 7,000 ft, proceed to the VOR and hold. |
| VOR B | Climb to 2,200 ft on R-272, then turn right to cross the VOR at 3,100 ft or above, intercept R-092 and after passing 5,100 ft turn left climbing to 7,000 ft, proceed to the VOR and hold. |
| NDB C | Climb to 2,600 ft or above on 270° of ARF NDB, then turn right to cross ARF NDB at 4,700 ft or above, intercept 090° of the NDB and after passing 5,500 ft turn left climbing to 6,600 ft, proceed to the NDB and hold. |
Radio Failure
AD 2 LTBQ does not publish an aerodrome-specific radio failure procedure; the general procedures of the Türkiye AIP (ENR 1.3) apply.
Ground Operations
Ground Layout
LTBQ has a single runway, 09/27, with no parallel taxiway. The civil side is connected to the runway by TWY A (24 m wide), which joins the runway about 485 m from the RWY 27 threshold (intersection take-off from RWY 27 at TWY A: TORA 2,505 m). TWYs C and D (east end) and E, F and G (west end) serve the military aprons; TWY E is closed to traffic. An engine test area and the de-icing/anti-icing area are next to TWY A. Stop bars and runway guard lights are not available.
Open drainage channels run along both sides of the runway on the strip, 67–75 m from the runway centreline (AD 2.23).
Apron, Gates and Stands
The Civil Apron (concrete, PCN 70) is in front of the terminal on the north side of the airport (apron elevation 58 m).
- Stands 1–3 (in front of the terminal) are for aircraft up to the A321.
- Stands 4–23 (south-eastern part of the apron) are for light aircraft (C172 size).
- Taxiway guide lines and stand numbers are available on the apron; there is no visual docking guidance system.
- The military aprons at the east and west ends of the runway are not for civil use.
De-icing
De-icing is available during aerodrome working hours on prior request (AD 2.3/2.4). The de-icing/anti-icing area is on TWY A between the Civil Apron and the runway (ADC/PRKG).
Planning Taxi Time
Taxi distances are short, but runway occupancy is high because of the backtracking:
- RWY 27: taxi via TWY A, then either take off from the intersection (TORA 2,505 m) or backtrack about 485 m to the RWY 27 threshold.
- RWY 09: taxi via TWY A and backtrack on the runway almost its full length to the RWY 09 threshold.
ATIS
Topel Information is broadcast on 127.550 MHz (hours: HO). Always copy the ATIS before calling Tower.
Obtaining Clearance
There is no separate Delivery or Ground position in AD 2.18. Per AD 2.20, pilots must contact Topel Tower on 119.050 MHz / 122.100 MHz 10 minutes before start-up for their ATC clearance. In your initial call, include your callsign, stand, destination and the ATIS letter you have received.
Pushback and Engine Start
The AIP does not publish pushback procedures for the Civil Apron. Call Topel Tower with your callsign and stand number when you are fully ready for start-up.
Taxi Procedures
- Departures taxi via TWY A to the runway.
- Backtracking on the runway is only permitted with Tower clearance (AD 2.20). For RWY 09, and for a full-length departure from RWY 27, expect "line up and backtrack".
- Arrivals on RWY 27 backtrack on the runway and vacate via TWY A to the Civil Apron.
- In low visibility, follow the Follow-me vehicle from the TWY A holding point to the parking area.
| Runway | Intersection | TORA | TODA | ASDA | LDA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 09 | Full length | 2,990 m | 2,990 m | 2,990 m | 2,990 m |
| 27 | Full length | 2,990 m | 2,990 m | 2,990 m | 2,990 m |
| A | 2,505 m | 2,505 m | 2,505 m | – |
Phraseology to be Used for Taxi
Pilot: Topel Tower, THY7RV, stand 2, request taxi.
TWR: THY7RV, Topel Tower, taxi to holding point A, runway 09.
Pilot: Taxi to holding point A, runway 09, THY7RV.
(at the holding point)
TWR: THY7RV, runway 09, line up and backtrack.
Pilot: Runway 09, line up and backtrack, THY7RV.
Departure Procedures
RECAT - LTBQ
Turkish airspace uses wake turbulence re-categorisation (RECAT-EU). More information on SkyBrary.
| RECAT LTBQ | Follower | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Super Heavy (A) | Upper Heavy (B) | Lower Heavy (C) | Upper Medium (D) | Lower Medium (E) | Light (F) | ||
| Leader | A Super Heavy | 80s | 100s | 120s | 140s | 160s | 180s |
| B Upper Heavy | 80s | 80s | 80s | 100s | 120s | 140s | |
| C Lower Heavy | 80s | 80s | 80s | 80s | 100s | 120s | |
| D Upper Medium | 80s | 80s | 80s | 80s | 80s | 120s | |
| E Lower Medium | 80s | 80s | 80s | 80s | 80s | 100s | |
| F Light | 80s | 80s | 80s | 80s | 80s | 80s | |
Minimum Runway Occupancy Time for Departures
AD 2.20 for LTBQ does not publish runway occupancy / pilot reaction-time rules. Because there is no parallel taxiway and departures from RWY 09 backtrack on the runway, be fully ready for departure before requesting line-up and backtrack.
SIDs
LTBQ has only conventional SIDs, based on the CTP VOR/NDB (charts SID-1 and SID-2). The SIDs end at ERKAL and ASMAP (joining T/UT341) and PIMAV (joining T/UT342), which should be the first point of your route. The AIP charts give no initial climb altitude, speed restrictions or time restrictions for the SIDs.
| Runway | SID | Procedure | Minimum climb gradient |
|---|---|---|---|
| 09 | ERKAL 1B | Climb on CTP R-091 (091° of CTP NDB) until passing 2,000 ft, then turn left climbing to CTP VOR/NDB, cross CTP at 4,300 ft or above, then turn right and intercept CTP R-336 (336° of CTP NDB) to ERKAL | 5% (303.8 ft/NM) until passing CTP VOR |
| PIMAV 1B | As ERKAL 1B to CTP (4,300 ft or above), then turn left and intercept CTP R-193 (193° of CTP NDB) to PIMAV | 5% until passing CTP VOR | |
| ASMAP 1B | Climb on R-091 (091° of CTP NDB) until passing 5,000 ft, then turn right and intercept CTP R-097 (097° of CTP NDB) to ASMAP | 5% until passing 5,000 ft | |
| 27 | ERKAL 1A | Climb on CTP R-270 (270° of CTP NDB) until passing 2,000 ft, then turn right climbing to CTP VOR/NDB, cross CTP at 4,300 ft or above, then turn left and intercept CTP R-336 to ERKAL | 5% until passing CTP VOR |
| ASMAP 1A | As above to CTP (4,300 ft or above), then turn left and intercept CTP R-097 to ASMAP | 5% until passing CTP VOR | |
| PIMAV 1A | As above to CTP (4,300 ft or above), then turn right and intercept CTP R-193 to PIMAV | 5% until passing CTP VOR |
Noise Abatement Procedures
Aircraft certified to ICAO Annex 16 Vol. I Chapter 3 must apply NADP-2; Chapter 2 aircraft apply NADP-1 only. All other aircraft apply NADP-1 or NADP-2. Noise abatement procedures apply until passing 3,000 ft.
Airborne
Unless instructed otherwise, contact Topel Approach on 120.300 after departure. Comply with the SID and tell ATC if you cannot fly the assigned SID.
TWR: THY7RV, contact Topel Approach 120.300, goodbye.
Pilot: Topel Approach 120.300, THY7RV, goodbye.
Pilot: Topel Approach, THY7RV, ERKAL 1B, passing 2,500 ft.
APP: THY7RV, Topel Approach, radar contact.
After Departure
After ERKAL, ASMAP or PIMAV you will leave the Topel MTMA and be handed over to the adjacent İstanbul or Ankara unit, depending on your route.
Thank you for flying with TRvACC — hope to see you again in Kocaeli!
VFR Procedures
There are no published VFR routes or VFR chart for LTBQ, but AD 2.22 sets these rules:
- All VFR traffic, en-route or planning to use the aerodrome, must contact Topel Approach (or, if not possible, Topel Tower) before entering the MTMA.
- VFR traffic approaching or departing the aerodrome must keep north of the İzmit Bay and must not infringe LT-R25 Restricted Area or LT-D1 Danger Area.
- All en-route/local traffic operating within or through the MTMA must send their flight plan to LTBQZGZX.
- The Topel CTR is a 5 NM radius around the airport, SFC–3,000 ft AMSL.
Birds (AD 2.23 / BRD chart): the aerodrome is on a bird migration crossroads. Storks: 1 March–15 April (south to north) and 15 August–30 September (north to south), 2,500–3,000 ft when migrating, 50–1,000 ft when feeding. Gulls and terns use the runway for feeding 15 February–15 March; winter migration (15 December–15 February) between the İzmit Bay and Lake Sapanca at 1,000–1,500 ft AGL. Geese and ducks migrate at night around 7,000 ft; pelicans by day above 5,000 ft (1–30 May and 15 August–15 September).
Frequencies
| Station | Callsign | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| ATIS | Topel Information | 127.550 |
| Tower | Topel Tower | 119.050 (also 122.100; military UHF 257.800) |
| Approach | Topel Approach | 120.300 (civil; also 122.100; military UHF 362.300) |
Tower and Approach hours: NOTAM (aerodrome working hours). Emergency 121.500 / 243.000. Non-radar approach control service on 119.050 and 120.300 outside weekdays 0530–1400 UTC and at weekends (AD 2.22).
References
- Türkiye AIP, AD 2 LTBQ – Kocaeli/Cengiz Topel, text pages AD 2.1–2.24 (AIRAC 2610)
- AD 2 LTBQ ADC – Aerodrome Chart
- AD 2 LTBQ PRKG – Aircraft Parking/Docking Chart
- AD 2 LTBQ SID-1 (RWY 09), SID-2 (RWY 27) – Standard Instrument Departure Charts
- AD 2 LTBQ STAR-1/1A (RNAV (GNSS) RWY 09), STAR-2/2A (RNAV (GNSS) RWY 27)
- AD 2 LTBQ IAC-1 NDB (CTP) A, IAC-2 NDB (CTP) B, IAC-3 NDB C, IAC-4 VOR A, IAC-5 VOR B, IAC-6 ILS CAT I or LOC RWY 27, IAC-7/7A RNP RWY 09
- AD 2 LTBQ MRVC – Minimum Radar Vectoring Altitude Chart
- AD 2 LTBQ BRD – Bird Concentration and Movement Chart