The next step after Le Touquet...

[Vone Rotate]

Hi people...

I went to Le Touquet last weekend and yesterday too (got the bug for going over the water now)!!

I was wondering where people recommend to go next time once over the channel?

I like to stretch myself slowly, not the kind of person who could just go anywhere and make it up as you go along. I was thinking of Ostend next time maybe.

I suppose what I'm asking is what other airfields in reach of a return trip from the UK in a day are as UK friendly as Le Touquet.....

Many thanks

[DavidHoul52]

Do you mean Ostend?

[vanHorck]

after my start as a PPL i did a weekend tour Norwich-Rotterdam-Brussels-Dahlemer Binz-Luxemburg-Charlesvile- Brussels- Rotterdam-Norwich. Full immersion as a way to loosen up on international flight.

The one which stood out was Dahlemer Binz, a german airfield with a good tarmac runway just east of the Belgian Ardennes in fab countryside (also en route).
Not sure if they have customs there, remember Europe is now mainly Schengen, so you may have to land at Oostende on your way down there

(Closer by you could go to Midden Zeeland or Texel, both grass strips in good condition)

[LH2]

Pretty much anywhere in France within a comfortable range from your home airfield (or beyond, you could always overnight somewhere on this side of the channel).

One suggestion would be to get hold of the France trip kit from Jeppesen and corresponding VFR charts (or even the DGAC's VFR guide, which comes with two one-mils covering all of France metropolitaine). What I do is read the aerodrome information on the Bottlang, and whichever looks nice, that's where I fly, simple as that :)

France is quite possibly the most GA friendly country in Europe, and if you can do your radio in French (giving you access to the really small places) then you could just cut off your engine(s) pretty much anywhere in the country and glide yourself into an airfield, there is that many of them :}

[gasax]

even cheaper - have a look at nav2000.com. Got really good information on french airfields and will do a PLOg and a whole lot more. Very useful for planning.

[BackPacker]

Why limit yourself to a day trip? Take a weekend and visit Berlin Tempelhof while you can. It closes, definitely, really soon now - from memory the date is Oct 31st. After that there won't be any chance anymore to visit this epic airfield in full operation.

[Zulu Alpha]

Try the Channel Islands, Get your drawback, low priced fuel and rent hire car for £18/day
in order of preference
1 Alderney (check whether fuel is available)
2 Guernsey
3 Jersey

Dieppe is also nice

ZA

[Ken Wells]

St Omer , just abit further great flying club good cheap hotels, day trip or overnight!

[S-Works]

Try the Channel Islands, Get your drawback, low priced fuel and rent hire car for £18/day
in order of preference
1 Alderney (check whether fuel is available)
2 Guernsey
3 Jersey

Dieppe is also nice

ZA

I would agree on the CI, would avoid Alderney unless you are the sort of person that likes to watch paint dry...... :p

[PompeyPaul]

Have opted for the Netherlands. There's a thread here (http://www.pprune.org/private-flying/343187-vfr-flight-fairoaks-middelburg-midden-zeeland.html). That describes the in's and out's of it.

[Guern]

Alderney might not be the best place to try if you haven't tried a runway that has a cliff at one end and is reasonably short!

[Vone Rotate]

Thanks people.

I've had some really good info offered up:ok:

[ChampChump]

Another vote for St Omer, but Abbeville is also really useful and popular as you can fly in direct (vis a vis flight plan) and St Omer can only arrange customs on their special fly-in days.

Abbeville also has a motel and good restaurant on site and it's comforting to be able to see your aeroplane from the bedroom window.

[Leezyjet]

Ostend is pretty good. Proper full on Airport with full ATC and mixing with the big freight haulers. Very GA friendly when I went with a friend before I had my PPL a few years ago. The marsheller drove us to and from the terminal and was happy to go back when I realised I had left something in the a/c that was parked at the very far end of the apron.

There is a bus from the airport to town that takes about 10 mins. Lots of nice cafe's and shops to look around and a nice beach and marina to keep one occupied too.

:)

[500 above]

Hi

Try Antwerp/EBAW. A very good evening out can be had there.

[London Flyer]

I will second BackPacker's suggestion of Tempelhof. A wonderful approach to 27R, and enthusiastic ground staff more than happy to talk to you about the airport's history.

This was part of a 5-day VFR trip in July Blackpool - Cologne - Tempelhof - (unexpected, but enjoyable, wx diversion to Rügen) - Malmö - Charleroi - Blackpool with only 120 or so hours to my name and having held my licence for eight months.

It was a wonderful way to familiarise myself with the formalities for international flight, play with the Garmin 430s and autopilot and spend an afternoon in charming cities (Blackpool excepted...).

Researching and planning this trip did take a little time due to inexperience, but there's plenty of help available on here and subsequent jaunts to continental Europe are now planned in a jiffy.

PM if you need any charts or Jeppesen trip kits.

[Zulu Alpha]

I would agree on the CI, would avoid Alderney unless you are the sort of person that likes to watch paint dry......

Wouldn't want to spend two weeks there as it is quite small, but a day or two is interesting. Looking at the forts and the wonderful beaches.
It is a bit like going back in time. People don't lock their cars. We rented a car. The lady left us a phone message to say it wold be in space 1 at the airport with the key in it. We drove off without seeing anyone, no paperwork, no showing our licences. After half a day of locking it we gave up and just left the keys in the ignition (saves them getting lost on the beach). When we left we called the lady and she said " just leave it in the car park with the keys in". Took a while to relax and get into their way of life.

I would say its worth a visit.

DJ

ps the runway is 880 mtrs so not that short!! and they have another in case there is a crosswind. Do check on the fuel availability as sometimes you have to nip over to Jersey or Guernsey for fuel, (there is a special rate for aircraft visiting for fuel)

[Pianorak]

Just returned from my first solo trip to Bielefeld (EDLI) which was no more difficult than Le Touquet. Route: DVR - KOK - COA - HMM.
However, flying solo I was glad to have the A/P to help keep wings level when changing squawks “every five minutes” (or so it seemed ;)).

Beware the undulating runway at Alderney! :rolleyes:

[Fright Level]

Another vote for Alderney! Not many places you can park up and walk the perimeter of the whole country in a couple of hours.

Beware the undulating runway at Alderney!

Have you been to St Mary's??? Makes EGJA look like Heathrow!

Don't forget the added bonus of cheap fuel at Alderney (£1.07 last time I bought some) as well as the drawback ex UK.

PS The duty paid, therefore, drawback rate was due to increase 2p on 1st October from 30.03p p/litre but this has been postponed by Mr Darling, so drawback remains 30.03p for the time being.

[wsmempson]

Cherbourg is a good field to visit; runway 10/28 is 2,400m with an ILS and NDB and Luc and Edith do really quite nice food - and they speak impeccable English....:ok:

[LH2]

Beware the undulating runway

Define "undulating" :}

http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/photos/medium/6890353.jpg (http://www.panoramio.com/photo/6890353)
LFHU - Alpe d'Huez, 6102ft

[Pianorak]

Quote LH2 <<Define "undulating">>

Having visited recently the rwy is indeed undulating but everything is relative . . .

For definition of undulating refer Alderney or dictionary. ;)


From AGJA AD 2.12 - Runway physical characteristics

The surface of Runway 03/21 immediately north of Runway 08/26 is undulating and pilots should exercise caution.

[julian_storey]

Alderney might not be the best place to try if you haven't tried a runway that has a cliff at one end and is reasonably short!

Alderney is a wonderful place. Friendly people, beautiful scenery and you can walk into town from the airport. The runway isn't THAT short! :)

St Valery is another lovely place. Land at Dieppe, clear customs then a ten minute flight. Grass field, no landing fees, friendly people. Nice hotel in the town by the harbour. Can't remember what it's called though.

[140KIAS]

I'd second Berlin Templehof if you can get there before it closes.

Visited earlier this year. On the way back had an unplanned stop at Lelystad. There's quite a large air museum and also a flying Catalina.

Not sure what the surroundings are like.

[PH-SCP]

Hi

Try Antwerp/EBAW. A very good evening out can be had there.

I would try to avoid Antwerp. The last time I visited EBAW, I had to leave EUR 40 on their counter for landing and ATC charges. Strips such as Midden-Zeeland, Texel and Zoersel and much better alternatives. Texel is extremely aviation friendly. If you intend to fly along the Dutch coast be aware of the new Schiphol Special Rules Zones !

[PH-SCP]

I'd second Berlin Templehof if you can get there before it closes.

Visited earlier this year. On the way back had an unplanned stop at Lelystad. There's quite a large air museum and also a flying Catalina.

Not sure what the surroundings are like.

Tempelhof sure is great. It's high on my wish-list too....not sure if I will be able to make it in time.
Lelystad is great for their museum (Aviodrome) but the airfield itself is located in the middle of nowhere, at least 40 minutes by taxi/bus/train to Amsterdam. Also try the Martinair Flying School restaurant. Very good quality-to-price-ratio

[AC-DC]

VONEROTATE

I understand that you are a low time pilot, you are correct in doing things the way they suit you.

Oostende and Antwerpen are good places as well as Midden Zeeland but the question is what do you fly? I flew once (with a friend) to Midden Zeeland in a C152, the flight was (I think) about 2h. each way, the same should be when it comes to Antwerpen. If you fly something that is faster go to 'Troyes' in France, this is not a one day trip, the reason is that you would love to stay the night, great place. Also Lile is a good destination but only on Saturdays when the market and shops are open, on Sunday the place is half dead.

[Vone Rotate]

AC-DC,

I fly a PA28 Warrior at the moment (100kt cruise).....

I'm leaning to wards ostend I think. A bit more controlled airspace practice etc. Saying that I like the idea of the channel islands and Lille.

It might sound funny but one of my biggest reservation's is taxing while on the ground!

I sometimes look at the aerodrome charts and get put off through fear of looking a t*$t and getting lost on airfield!!

Its all good fun though....

[Fly Stimulator]

Hi Vone,

I wrote up my personal impressions of a few French airfields for Today's Pilot a while ago. You can find them here (http://arthurandarthur.co.uk/flying/French_airfields.htm).

FS

[On the Spot]

Wonderful run down the Cherbourg peninsula and superb scenery as you approach. St Malo great town for a day visit and relatively cheap landing fee and no parking charges at dnr

[Tall_guy_in_a_152]

Just returned from my first solo trip to Bielefeld (EDLI)
I was at Bielefeld on Saturday. A week ago I hadn't even heard of it! Same route as you, but we also stopped for a cup of coffee and cake (and customs) at Midden Zeeland. Bielefeld is perfectly placed as a stop-off for a trip to Tempelhof. Very friendly and good facilities. Coming back on Monday morning the weather at Bielefeld was not good so we diverted to Munster Telgte instead. Also very friendly.

Tempelhof well worth a visit, but perhaps a little ambitious for the original poster. Not impossible or particularly difficult, just a long way.

[Ken Wells]

how are you?

[Pianorak]

Tall guy in a 152 Snap! I arrived on Friday and left on Sunday. Bielefeld do Customs/Grenzpolizei so was able to do WW-EDLI non-stop. Listening to the exchanges between Langen Info and their German customers was a bit of an eye opener! ;)

[Vlad the Imbiber]

Vone Rotate -

In addtion to those already mentioned you could consider Deauville, Rouen, or Kortrijk.

[echobeach]

I would suggest Lille as a realtively straightforward next step. They were very GA friendly and I phoned the tower in the morning before going and the ATC could not have been more helpful with advice.
I know what you mean about taxiing but when I was there they had a ground frequency and they were very helpful directing you around the field, but it was not complex.
The nav is easy from DVR and a relaxing flight without worrying about complex airspace.
Still I cannot get tired of LFAt and it remains at least once or twice a month as a firm favorite. 1 hour from London, great views cross channel, nice town, friendly people in LFAT and in less than an hour sitting outside with warmer french sun on the face in a cafe is unbeatable.
Even Mrs Echobeach can be persuaded to join in the flying for LFAT.

[Mike Parsons]

Antwerp,

Fantastic! I have flown there twice now from LCY for work (with KLM) and I have stayed there now for around 4 weeks in total, what a lovely picturesque old city. Love it, plus it would have to be for a few nights as the beer is well worth sampling...


From "500 Above"
Hi


Try Antwerp/EBAW. A very good evening out can be had there.