Private flight UK to Ireland

[OneManBand]

Can anyone save me some pain and tell me what's involved in a private flight from the UK to Ireland.

- Private site to private site (is this possible)
- Single engine helicopter
- Day VFR

Only looking at customs / declarations / special branch / ATC etc.

Already aware of survival, lift rafts, ELB, suits etc.

OMB

[headsethair]

You haven't said if your destination is NI or the Republic. There are slightly different rules for each. If you are flying to NI then you also need to notify the PSNI. If you have a Pooleys, look at the entry for Newtownards airfield for the phone number.

Despote the peace process, all the Anti Terrorism laws still apply and for the Republic you still need Customs clearance in and out.

The info you need is all online in the AIP package "GEN 1.2 and 1.3" - seriously recommend you print off and read. It's available at http://www.ais.org.uk/aes/pubs/aip/pdf/gen/10102.PDF

You need to submit a GA Declaration form (which is in the AIP package) and lodge this 24 hrs ahead of flight if you are not going through a designated airfield. Do not try to be clever and dodge around any of the legislation - particularly if you are going via Caernarfon. Special Branch there is very hot.

Private site to private site (is this possible) : NO due to Customs for Republic. Might be possible for NI.

- Single engine helicopter YES for private. No for Public Transport.

- Day VFR : Usual rules apply

Hope this doesn't put you off - once you get used to it there's no stress. Don't forget your aircraft docs.

[tu154]

Private site to private site: YES. Customs in Ireland don't care when you're coming from the UK. No requirement whatsoever. The Gardai do not care either.
In NI, customs not required as it's still the UK, but yes definitely special branch.
All the paperwork etc. is for the UK side.
Things to watch out for in Ireland - flight plans are required for transiting all controlled airspace (and crossing he FIR boundary). This used to mean nothing unless you were transiting one of the regional airports, but recently the Dublin zone has expanded to include Weston, so now this is required for all flights into and out of there.
The Dublin area is quite busy, but other than that Ireland is wide open, uncluttered by airspace restricitons, and easygoing.
Flightplans are easily filed over the phone min 1 hour in advance, or 10 minutes before an airspace boundary.

[OneManBand]

Thanks for the advice.

Destination is Eire not NI.

Thanks
OMB

[nouseforaname]

ya i will also confirm that you can go private site UK to private site Eire. I do it nearly every weekend.

Just do you Special Branch (GA report) to your local special police branch. Depends where you are going for who to contact in Ireland customs wise but if you just ring the customs in Shannon or Dublin, or give Weston airfield ops a call they will point you in the right direction.

Usually the best thing to do is keep a proof that you did fax or whatever some customs in Ireland. If they want to meet you they will, you just need to prove that you did try and contact someone over there. Have a good trip.


....and remember that thing about the flightplan to cross controlled airspace. It will break your heart otherwise!