Anyone been to Avignon recently?

[Contacttower]

Hoping to visit soon (flying into the main airport)...has anyone been recently who might be able share any useful info...?

Looks pretty straightforward...no PPR or anything as far as I can see...

[gasax]

I was there 2 years ago. Straight forward. Coming in from the east the field is obscured by low hill. The light aircraft parking is on the grass before tyou get to the apron.

Like many regional airports the Loco flights get a very high level of service - which usually means you have to wait. A bit of a walk from the terminal to the light aircraft park but otherwise no real issues. Even sensible security - once the chap realised I was the pilot and so might need my multi-tool!

Refuelling from a mobile bowser which comes to the aircraft. During the summer the winds do seem to be pretty brisk. On the way in or out detour via the Pont du Gard - a spectacular sight.

[werewolf]

Fees (in Euro) : Bienvenue à l'Aéroport d'Avignon :: Tarifs (http://www.avignon.aeroport.fr/1-21778-Tarifs.php)
Under 2 metric tons :
Stay under 2 hours : 7.86 + VAT
Stay above 2 hours (par day, till midnight) : 15,72 + VAT (VAT 19.6%)
Fees include : landing, runway lighting, if needs be, parking charges.
Hope that helps.

[Daysleeper]

I've been there recently but only in "large" aircraft , but some of this might help.

The local wind is quite interesting, if you are coming in IFR (in classic french style) the ILS is from the north (via Orange) and is conducted with a huge tailwind to then fly a "prescribed track" circle to land (break right for lefthand pattern) onto the other end. Great view of the town on the way past at about 600ft. If you are not going down to circling minima then tell ATC as they assume you are and allow other traffic through the overhead, so if you circle at circuit height you could collect a transiting aircraft.


Quick caution about the array of airfields 10nm or so the north, easy enough to get visual, but with the wrong field.

[Contacttower]

Interesting - particularly the last post since I probably will be coming in IFR...

Thanks guys. :ok:

[Baldegret]

Fantastic restaurant at the flying club there. Under an awning overlooking the runway and apron. Excellent food and service and some very interesting patrons - last time we were there we fell into conversation with a French WWII Spitfire pilot! Do try to give yourself time for a long lunch if you can.

[cldbstr]

We landed there yesterday for a refuel and a quick lunch at the flying club on our way to Sardinia. We flew the ILS17 with a break to the right for the circle to land RW35. Wind was headon, just a bit turbulence from the heat.

The approach was interesting due to a fighter jet doing circuits on the airfield nearby.

Food at the Mamma Mia restaurant was good, a bit noisy due to the aircraft parked closeby doing a lenghty runup, over 20 minutes.

I find it a relaxed airport, just a couple of aircraft moving about. You can enter the FBO to pay for the landing via the terminal.

Have fun!!
Martin

[Contacttower]

We flew the ILS17 with a break to the right for the circle to land RW35. Wind was headon, just a bit turbulence from the heat.

Is it procedural or vectored usually?

[cldbstr]

The break to the right is standard procedure at Avignon, if you come in IFR. There is even a seperate approach plate. I do not have it with me now, it's in the aircraft. So I can not give you any particulars right now.

The path that you need to follow is clearly marked.

Have fun,
Martin

[cldbstr]

Sorry, forgot to tell you:

I always came in from the north, so it was always pretty much a straight in for the ILS 17. On several occasions APP asked me the distance to the field.

Once established TWR asked me to report when we were breaking off to the right.

So, I never received any vectors.

[Contacttower]

Oh well I worked it out...was initially given the ILS 17 + circle to land but the controller decided to give me right hand downwind visual approach instead because of outbound traffic on 35.

Lovely place...might post some pictures soon.

[Contacttower]

Well had a nice few days there; Avignon is a great place especially if you like history or wine! Very much worth a visit.

Only point for future users worth mentioning is that they didn't have a mobile Avgas bowser. I know gasax you mentioned that they did and I had read that in an article in Flyer a while ago as well, perhaps it was temporarily unavailable. Meant a somewhat time consuming taxi to the fuel pumps as a consequence. All the airport staff though were unfailingly helpful, especially when I managed to bash a light on the fence next to the fuel pumps and needed a push out of the way. An engineer came very quickly along with the airfield manager to have a look and pronounced the damage to both the wing and fence as minor and we proceeded on our way.

Some pictures:

http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd195/edbellamy/IMG_0065.jpg

http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd195/edbellamy/IMG_9962.jpg

http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd195/edbellamy/IMG_9960.jpg

http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd195/edbellamy/IMG_0082.jpg

http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd195/edbellamy/IMG_0051.jpg