Originally Posted by
Papa_Lazarou
Good morning. I have a US Licence, ASEL/IFR. I am looking at flagon an N Registered plane in UK, then over to France, Bavaria Poland, Holland and back in Jun this year.
Searching the web brings me here, and I was interested in any specific issues I may face.
Im assuming that my IFR is valid and I can feel and fly IFR flight plans throughout, and that I can file them through Foreflight with an EU map subscription.
Yes on all points. Check, particularly in France that you don't get stung for some ridiculous attempt to get you to pay import duty on the aeroplane. Check the rules about maximum stay, and what documentation you may need to have.
Im also assuming that all ATC is English.
No, France will speak to a lot of its domestic traffic in French, and it's not that unusual to hear local languages spoken at smaller airfields. Also be aware that US-RT uses a lot of non-ICAO terminology, so make sure you are up to date on correct aviation English, which you may not have been taught. However in airways and at larger airports, yes, English will be fine. IFR flight is generally easier than VFR, where the rules can vary somewhat from country to country, and also the USA is very non-standard so make sure you've downloaded and understood SERA - Standard European Rules of the Air, easily found online. The UK, which isn't in the EU or EASA has its own variations upon SERA, but actually those differences are relatively small - but big enough to catch you out, especially with VFR RT.
I am comfortable with the airframe and flights are pleasure and not commercial.
Im looking into custom clearance for EU, assuming its specific and first landing with some electronic pre-filing.
Shengen treaty countries are a single unit for this purpose, and it'll be your first port of entry into the Shengen treaty countries which then gives you free movement through them. Outside Shengen, assume you need to go through immigration for each country you land at. Ditto emmigration from Shengen, or individual non-Shengen countries.
Im pretty sure I've over simplified it, and missed a lot, so any and all criticism is appreciated.
I have UK and US passport incase that has any impacts.
The important thing is that your address is American, so you are an FAA pilot, with and FAA licence and N-reg aeroplane. Stick with all of that and things should go smoothly. EASA has issues with anybody with an EU address flying in Europe on an American licence and registration. Similarly the UK will have issues if you have a UK address, but again a US address will be fine.
Also returning to UK airspace, make sure that you have completed the GAR form, which is a UK legal requirement for GA aircraft entering the UK FIR.
Have a great trip.
G