Stage 03 • Anatolian Soda Lake & Volcanic Caldera

Van (LTCI) to Muş (LTCK) via Lake Van & Mt Nemrut

Turquoise saline-alkaline water (5,400 ft MSL), Akdamar Island, and the 9,600 ft Nemrut Volcano Caldera

Distance 118.0 NM
Est. Time (150kts) 00h 47m
Target Alt 8,500–11,500 ft
Touch & Gos 2 Airfields

Departure: LTCI (Van Ferit Melen)

  • Elevation: 5,479 ft MSL
  • Runway: 03/21 (2,750m Asphalt)
  • Fuel: Avgas 100LL / Jet A-1
  • Comms: Tower 118.100 | VAN VOR 117.70

Arrival: LTCK (Muş Airport)

  • Elevation: 4,158 ft MSL
  • Runway: 11/29 (3,550m Asphalt)
  • Fuel: Avgas 100LL available
  • Comms: Tower 118.500 | MUS VOR 113.60

Visual Route Map & Navaids (Eastern Anatolian Plateau)

MT NEMRUT (9,678 FT) MT SÜPHAN (13,314 FT) N E S W VAR 6°E (Mag °M) LAKE VAN (VAN GÖLÜ) MUŞ VALLEY VAN 117.70 MUS 113.60 250°M 295°M 260°M LTCI Van Ferit Melen Akdamar Island VP Nemrut Caldera (T&G / Overfly) LTCK Muş Airport

Navigation & Waypoint Breakdown

Ident Type Track (°M) Nav Aid / Frequency Dist ETE Landmarks & Flying Notes
LTCI Departure -- VAN VOR 117.70 0.0 NM 00:00 Depart Van Ferit Melen (5,479 ft MSL); track WSW along the southern shoreline of Lake Van.
AKDAMAR Waypoint 250° VAN VOR R-250 26.0 NM 00:10 Visual overflight of historic Akdamar Island and its 10th-century Holy Cross Cathedral.
NEMRUT Volcanic Crater 295° Visual Caldera 48.0 NM 00:29 Climb to 10,500 ft to circle the dramatic 9,678 ft Mount Nemrut crater rim & twin caldera lakes.
LTCK Arrival 260° MUS VOR 113.60 44.0 NM 00:47 Descend west into the fertile Muş Valley basin for a smooth landing at Muş Airport (4,158 ft MSL).

Anatolian Soda Lake & Volcano Tips

  • Turquoise Soda Waters: Lake Van is the world's largest sodium carbonate lake. In MSFS, the turquoise hue creates incredible visual contrast against the surrounding arid, volcanic mountains.
  • Caldera Rim Clearance: Mount Nemrut's crater rim stands at 9,678 ft MSL with steep walls. Plan your climb out from Akdamar early to ensure at least 1,000 ft clearance over the caldera edge.
  • High Altitude Operations: Both departure (Van, 5,479 ft) and arrival (Muş, 4,158 ft) sit on high plateaus. Manage engine leaning for optimal power during cruise and climbs.

Digital Asset Pack

EFB / SkyDemon Route String

LTCI AKDAMAR NEMRUT LTCK

Garmin TDS GTNXi Format (.gfp)

FPN/RI:LTCI:AKDAMAR:NEMRUT:LTCK

Save as LakeTour_Stage03.gfp or paste into TDS catalog.

MSFS .pln File

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<SimBase.Document>
    <FlightPlan.FlightPlan>
        <Title>LTCI to LTCK Stage 3 Landlocked Lakes Tour</Title>
        <FPType>VFR</FPType>
        <RouteType>Direct</RouteType>
        <CruisingAlt>10500</CruisingAlt>
        <DepartureID>LTCI</DepartureID>
        <DepartureLLA>N38° 28' 06.00",E43° 19' 47.00",+005479.00</DepartureLLA>
        <DestinationID>LTCK</DestinationID>
        <DestinationLLA>N38° 44 me' 41.00",E41° 39 me' 13.00",+004158.00</DestinationLLA>
        <ATCWaypoint id="LTCI">
            <ATCWaypointType>Airport</ATCWaypointType>
            <WorldPosition>N38° 28' 06.00",E43° 19' 47.00",+005479.00</WorldPosition>
            <ICAO><ICAORegion>LT</ICAORegion><ICAOIdent>LTCI</ICAOIdent></ATCWaypoint>
        </ATCWaypoint>
        <ATCWaypoint id="LTCK">
            <ATCWaypointType>Airport</ATCWaypointType>
            <WorldPosition>N38° 44' 41.00",E41° 39' 13.00",+004158.00</WorldPosition>
            <ICAO><ICAORegion>LT</ICAORegion><ICAOIdent>LTCK</ICAOIdent></ATCWaypoint>
        </ATCWaypoint>
    </FlightPlan.FlightPlan>
</SimBase.Document>