Fortunately for us virtual pilots, there are small, exquisite flight destinations like the airport of the Greek island of Samos, known for its somewhat perilous visual approaches. It is no surprise that this small airfield has been recreated four times to date: first in July 2016 by 29Palms for FSX, FSX:SE, and Prepar3D (P3D) v3. This add-on is currently also compatible with P3D v4 and v5. In December 2020, Terrainy Studio followed up with a version for MSFS 2020 and in January, Skyline Simulations created one for X-Plane 11. At the end of June 2025, MM Simulations (www.mmsimulations.com) released their rendition for MSFS 2020 and 2024, which will be discussed below.
Reality
Samos is a Greek island about 480 km² in size, located in the eastern Aegean. Its southeastern tip is just over two kilometers from the coast of Turkey, separated by the Strait of Mycale.
Around 33,000 residents live on Samos, primarily relying on tourism along with some agriculture and winemaking. Approximately 150,000 holidaymakers arrive on the island annually. Most fly to and from the island airport, with considerably fewer reaching the island via ferries from the Greek mainland. According to recent research, cruise ships do not currently dock here; instead, the island administration emphasizes “sustainable tourism.”
Samos Airport
The airport (www.smi-airport.gr), coded SMI by IATA and LGSM by ICAO, is named “Aristarchos of Samos” in honor of the mathematician and astronomer born on Samos (circa 310 BC – circa 230 BC).
The airport opened in 1963 and is located in the southeast of the island, just a few meters from the Mediterranean coast. The port city of Pythagoreion is only two kilometers to the east. The airport has an asphalt runway 09/27, measuring a clear 2,044 by 45 meters, equipped on the left side with visual glide path indicators, known as Precision Approach Path Indicators (PAPI). Runway 09 has a short approach lighting system without “rabbits,” while runway 27 is fitted with two flashing lights, known as Runway End Identifier Lights (REIL). There’s a terminal and a ramp capable of accommodating 13 aircraft.
The existing terminal replaced a smaller predecessor after three years of construction in 2003, extending to 8,850 m². Following renovations and expansions from 2017 to 2021, the current usable area is 10,400 m². During this time, the fire station was also updated.
South of the runway, you’ll find the Doppler VOR/DME Samos at 111.60 MHz and the NDB Samos at 375 kHz. Until a few years ago, this was a rare “old-fashioned” transmitter consisting of two masts with two antenna wires strung between them. It has now been replaced with a structure resembling two broken barriers that lie on the ground on one side. Currently, this transmitter has no function for arrivals or departures; the VOR beacon serves as an Initial Approach Fix (IAF) and additionally as a waypoint for the lower air route H59.
The operator of the airport is Fraport (www.fraport.com). The company operates eight airports in five countries besides the Frankfurt/Main Airport: Fortaleza and Porto Alegre in Brazil, Burgas and Varna in Bulgaria, Lima in Peru, Ljubljana in Slovenia, and Antalya in Turkey. Since 2015, 14 more airports have been added in Greece, including Chania in Crete, Kavala, Kefalonia, Kerkyra in Corfu, Kos, Mytilini in Lesbos, Mykonos, Preveza (Aktion), Rhodes, Samos, Santorini, Skiathos, Thessaloniki, and Zakynthos.
2023 Statistics
- Passengers: 477,306
- Cargo tonnage: 162
- Flight movements: 5,687
Challenging Approaches
The approaches to Samos are unique and challenging because there is only one VOR/DME approach directly to the VOR beacon. Official instructions on how to reach runway 09 or 27 are not provided.
Currently, there are two “common” visual approaches for the typically used runway 09 that must be performed visually:
Runway 09
From the waypoint DELOX, proceed on a DME (D 14.0) arc on radial 357 outbound SAM (radial 177 inbound). At a distance of 2.5 to 2.7 nautical miles (NM) from the VOR beacon, a left turn leads to the village of Ireo, recognizable by the harbor mole. After flying over a barracks, turn right before the village of Myloi towards a conspicuous white-topped greenhouse, and finally land on runway 09.
From the waypoint ORMOS, fly on radial 177 inbound SMO. Upon entering the gap between the two mountains of Samos, known as Oros Kerkis (1,434 meters—the highest point on Samos) to the west and Oros Karvouni (1,153 meters) to the east, maintain course 180 degrees in visual flight. After crossing the coast, turn left toward the small island of Samiopoula, directly south of Samos. South of the island, continue with another left turn towards the previously mentioned radial, then again toward Ireo, flying over the barracks and south of Myloi to turn right towards the greenhouse and runway.
“Cockpitlyrics,” from whom the diagram is sourced (published here with permission), has posted a tutorial video for this approach on YouTube: YouTube Video.
Note: An older approach chart from Jeppesen indicated that at the end of a teardrop procedure from the VOR/DME SAM on radial 161 degrees outbound, a right turn was made at D 9.0 SAM onto radial 179 outbound/357 inbound. At D 4.0 SAM, the approach continued as follows:
Runway 09
A left turn is initiated on 325 degrees. Upon crossing radial 240 SAM outbound, a right turn leads via the greenhouse’s overflight to 400 feet towards runway 09.
Runway 27
This approach should be conducted cautiously as the border to Turkey is quite close… At D 4.0 SAM, a right turn is made on 040 degrees. Upon crossing radial 120 outbound from SAM, a left turn is executed towards the harbor of Pythagoreion at an altitude of 400 feet above ground, aligning with runway 27 for landing.
While these approaches are no longer valid, virtual pilots will not face negative sanctions for trying them out…
Controlled Flight into Terrain (CFIT)
Previously, it was possible to approach the airport over radial 296 SAM outbound/116 inbound (corresponding to lower air route H59) and finally make a left turn directly onto the runway. Until August 3, 1989: under instrument flight conditions (Instrument Flight Rules – IFR), the pilots of a Shorts 330-300 from Olympic Aviation, bearing the registration SX-BGE, flying from Thessaloniki, were conducting a visual flight (Visual Flight Rules – VFR). The aircraft collided with the cloud-covered Oros Kerkis. All 34 occupants perished. The investigation into the accident revealed a significant deviation from the specified radial 296 to the south. Shortly after, the Greek air traffic control prohibited this procedure.
Simulation
The scenery by MM Simulations is seamlessly integrated into the surroundings and is immersively lit. The detail-oriented, furnished terminal is impressive, as is the landside with parking spaces and the airside with the apron. There’s not much that corresponds to reality; what exists has been created with considerable care.
The parking positions align with current aerial photographs and charts; the signage and ground markings appear complete.
The terminal and tower were designed excellently and furnished in detail. To view the furniture, a drone camera tour is necessary, as it cannot be seen from parked aircraft cockpits.
While the release version lacked the VOR/DME and NDB as 3D models, MM Simulations incorporated them in the current version 1.0.1 after being notified. The NDB is particularly eye-catching as it resembles two broken barriers more than an undirected radio beacon.
Profile for GSX Pro
“Hinshee” has made a profile for MM Simulations available for GSX Pro at flightsim.to: GSX Profile Samos LGSM.
AI Traffic
FS Live Traffic Liveries (FSLTL) revealed airlines operating at the real airport during testing.
Note: If you own the airport from Terrainy Studios released in 2021 and fly to Samos only rarely, you don’t necessarily need to upgrade. The changes over recent years are minimal, and the older rendition is still contemporary, albeit not entirely flawless due to the REIL and runway lights on the approach lighting for runway 09, along with a differing NDB type.
Availability
MM Simulations Samos International Airport for MSFS 2024/2020
Conclusion
Well done, MM Simulations! Given the airport’s small size, there wasn’t much to construct, yet what has been created is worth acquiring for fans of virtual Greece and challenging approaches. Considering the small size of the airport, however, the price of €19 is somewhat “borderline.”
Samos is just a short “hop” away from Athens, Corfu, Rhodes, or Santorini and offers challenging approaches based on the VOR/DME SAM, for instance, with DME arc and visual flight components.
Kalí ptísi – good flight!
Bert Groner, July 2025
Flight Navigation Charts
Freeware
- AIS Greece > USER CHECK “I’m not a robot.” > Submit > AIS PUBLICATIONS – Aeronautical Information Publications (AIP) > (current) AIRAC AMDT XX/XX > Browse > AIP > Part 3 Aerodromes (AD) > AD 2 AERODROMES > Select Airport > Download Map(s)
Payware
- Navigraph (Subscription available with flight navigation data)
Videos
Reality
- Reality – Video 1
- Reality – Video 2
Simulation
