Free Circulation Certificate
Jason,
If you write to
John Valbonesi,
Officer,
HM Customs & Excise
Custom House
Heathrow Airport
Hounslow
Middx
TW6 2LA
and tell him your predicament and copies of your certificate of registration etc. he will send you by return a 'Certificate of Free Circulation' for your aircraft.
Some people I know have then paid the French Embassy in London for a 'official' translation of this document to carry with their paperwork. I just carry the Customs' certificate.
Irrespective of whether or not it is really required the French Customs and Police have been known to stop pilots for many hours and even to impound aircraft. Carrying this certificate may well nip this in the bud.
What would you rather do? Sit fuming in an airport terminal or be on your way because you had slightly more paperwork than you 'officially' needed?
Hope this helps,
Lom,
Ps. By the way, remember to say a big thank you to John for doing it.