Private airfield in France
As a British pilot living in France I have some experience of applying for a private airfield.
As previously noted there is no such thing as the 28 day rule here and pilots who try to use their own land to operate an aircraft run the risk of being arrested.
However the rules for ULM's (Microlights) are different and you can operate an airstrip for one on an almost self certifying basis as lone as it is only for your own use. If you want others to use the strip then you require formal consent which is still pretty straightforward to obtain.
I am also a rotorwing pilot and I have obtained permission from the prefecture de police in Paris to operate a helicopter anywhere I wish with the landowners consent. This permit is valid for ten years and is very easy to obtain. If I want to land in a village then the rule is that if the village is denoted by a yellow spot on the 1/4 or 1/2 mil chart then you need the permission of the mayor before landing, if the village is denoted purely by a clear circle then you do not.
For a fixed wing aircraft you need to send in seven copies of your application to your local prefecture (council) I can't remember the entire list but one copy goes to the, council, local mayor, army, police, airforce, customs, etc. for approval.
There is no fee for the planning application unlike in the UK and you probably wouldn't need a planning advisor unless you are looking to build an airpark. You will need of course to send in a plan of the proposed site. When dealing with the prefecture I have always found them to be helpful and in fact quite positive towards any proposed project. The usual rules about pylons and wires will apply also approach and departure profiles over built up areas.
It is possible to visit the actual planning authority concerned who will be dealing with the application and get their feelings regrding the project before submitting the application to avoid having an initial application returned for lack of of information.
As previously mentioned it is really a question of building up a rapport with the locals, the Mayor is usually very helpful as well, they want to see their villages expand and be vibrant places to live. Getting the neighbours onside is also desirable but not essential, a polite and informed approach is what is required.
Aviation here is not looked on as a rich mans sport and is widely available at a much lower cost via the local aero clubs who are backed by their town council and government support. The cost of hiring a club aircraft here is much less than in the UK as these clubs are run on a non profit basis. Instructors are also subsidised by the national association.
Off message but in response to "XXPLOD" and to echo Whopity regarding the cost of living generally. I also find it less expensive to live here rather than the UK. My combined council tax, bins etc AND my TV licence (Taxe Fonciere, habitation and TV redevision) for a three bedroomed house with over an acre of land comes to 407 euros which is about £335. This is probably less than a quarter of what it would cost in the UK. The house itself of course costing a fifth of a similar sized property in the UK countryside. Mortgage rate is about 4.25% Some items of food are cheaper in the UK but with judicious shopping it is still possible to find good food at reasonable prices. The quality of the meat for example is, so my other half says far superior than that found in most UK butchers.
The new "Auto Entrepeneur" tax system allows self certifying tax returns without the need for formal accounts up to an annual income of I think 88K euros. The tax is either 13% or 23% depending on the type of work involved. This has resulted in over 380,000 people in from the "Black" economy in the last year who did not want to pay the previously high national insurance on a new business.
My hangar fees at a private not a subsidised airfield are £50 a month and there are no landing fees. If there are landing fees they are generally between 3 and 7 euros for most airfields.
No yellow jackets either !!
Last edited by gyrotyro; 20th August 2010 at 08:46.