As promised this is the comprehensive version to my PM.
Where are you flying from, as Nantes is on the west so a western route would be best? Unless you are hour building, flying via Dover is a bit of a long way round.
BHD to Skery is a bit of a problem if the VIS falls below 10km for the Class A airspace penetration and to the left is a French Danger area all the way from 50N to the coast, as IO540 said, it may not be in operation.
I agree with OBK, take the SAM – MP route. This is a common way for most people to fly.
Contact Plymouth Mil by phone the day before to see if the danger area is active, the British chart gives instructions for aerial contact, contact Plymouth Mil (124.15) ASAP, but south of 51°10N. You should be talking to Solent (120.225), so there would be no major problems.
Once you have reached the Magic 50°N you will then either be transferred to Brest Info (134.2) or to Deauville (119.35) that controls the Cherbourg area.
You could then fly down Normandy, overhead Avranches (LFRW) and straight to Nantes. Do not fly within 3km of Le Mont St. Michel, they got peed off with noisy little, low-level GA aeroplanes disturbing the peaceful monastic rock about 4 years ago so it is a no fly area, just like Sark.
You would be clear of ATC, apart from Brest info, from Valognes to 15NM away from Rennes. After that you will speak to Rennes Approach (124.8) and then Nantes Approach (129.87), culminating in the Tower (118.65). In the summer the Ground will most likely be active, it wasn’t in January on arrival but became active for departure (121.87).
If you wished to use nav aids, you can go MP (373) to RNE (112.8), then to NTS VOR/DME (115.5). The NDB at Granville, GV (321) has been turned off for 2 years, more than on, locals don’t use it.
The ATIS for both Rennes (126.12) and Nantes (126.92) can be clearly heard up to 40 miles away.
Seeing as NTS is a VOR/DME it is relatively easy to find the reporting points, coming from the North I reported at NW and W, careful of the no-fly areas near the airport, especially on a RWY03 approach. Local navigation is very easy due to the Loire, bodies of water, towers, power station and power lines. VFR aircraft less than 5.7t on RWY03 are not to land or take off before taxiway B.
FM is right the French ATC are very nice & obliging.
Nantes is a customs airport (08.00 - 20.00) the GA entry area is at a small white hut behind Apron ‘K’ (Pointe Pilote), with a couple of Gendarmes in it, you may have to ring the bell to get attention. I parked at Apron ‘I’ due to the resurfacing of ‘Nantes Aero’ and ‘K’.
Don't forget all your documents including VAT receipt for the aeroplane if Nreg, the French Customs can occasionally get very fussy over correct documentation. Now they are asking to see your Pilots Licence before letting you through to the plane in some airports, Dinard for one, in January the Gendarme just looked at my passport.
Landing fees must be paid in the main terminal at the info desk, avec les tres belle et petites filles.
If you fancied a stop I would suggest a stop in Jersey up & down, that way you can refuel at VAT free fuel rates & update your info/met at the club (where you park), with links to the airport Met Office & ATC, you can walk, to talk face to face with them in 10 minutes. The landing fees are £3 per 1/2 ton, so your plane would only cost £9, including 7 days parking.
The club flying members & instructors always fly around France & up to the UK Mainland, so are full of useful local knowledge.
If you fly to Jersey the ATC will let you fly SVFR in vis as low as 3km, in the Class A Airspace, so then BHD to SKERY would be a good option, although more directly, flying from Bournemouth BIA (339) we fly almost due South, 50 mins in an Archer.
Always call the CI zone (125.2) before 50N, usually Ortac, going South. Then approach (120.3) and twr (119.45). The Jersey VOR, JSY (112.2) is on the North East of the Island and the NDB, JW (329) is at the western end of RWY27, about 8 miles apart.
Flying from Jersey to Nantes I would fly DIN (114.3) – RNE (112.8) – NTS (115.5), dct. Talking to Jersey Approach, then Dinard Approach (120.15), Rennes Approach and finally Nantes, controlled all the way. Only 1.5 hours max.
As I said in my earlier posting, you must eat at Le Cigale with traditional French turn of the last century decor, an excellent restaurant, close to the city centre.
NAV2000 is a French GA info site, very useful.
Nav2000 Nantes link here:
http://www.nav2000.com/pf/detail.asp...7097&oaci=LFRS
There is also a good link for aviation French provided by the Aeroclub d’Andaines, based at Bagnoles de l’Orne (Couterne), link follows:
http://www.webvivant.com/aero-andaines/vocab.html
http://www.webvivant.com/aero-andaines/vocab-radio.html
Enjoy the planning and the trip.
FB
