Monte Carlo

[Tango Oscar]

When I first started taking flying lessons (2001), my dream was to fly to Monaco. Four years later, I have my licence, a few hours under my belt, and a 1/3 share in a Europa.

Wx permitting, I going to attempt this trip the weekend after the first May bank holiday.

Does anyone know the nearest GA friendly airport to Monaco ? Monaco itself seems only to have a heliport, and Nice doesn't seem very setup for GA.

Any other info, like where to stay the night that won't require taking out another mortgage would be gratefully received.

Any help appreciated.:ok:

T. O.

[Legalapproach]

Cannes is the nearest airfield. Nice GA airfield with all the facilities.

[Capt. Vilo]

Flew into Cannes a couple of years ago in an Arrow, very GA friendly cheap to land and park.Well worth a visit .....Enjoy your trip.

[helicopter-redeye]

Go to Cannes.

Opps, everybody else said that as well I now see. Well it must be right.

Watch out for the large danger areas on the way down France ...

h-r

[Tango Oscar]

Thanks for the input Cannes it obviosuly is.

Anyone know where I can find any info on flying a PFA type in Monte Carlo? I have searched the PFA site, but can't find any details. Also, is a flight plan required to cross the border, even though I will be taking off, and landing from the same airfield in France?

As always, any help appreciated.:ok:

T.O.

[helicopter-redeye]

I think (technically) Monarco is 'France' even through it is a separate soverign state under the rule of Prince Albert (there is another such state in mid France that few people know about as well).

You'd probably have to file a flight plan anyway using Minitel (that horrible terminal system) so where the flight goes is not so much the issue.

[2Donkeys]

Monte Carlo (the City), is in the Principality of Monaco. Whilst it is a sovereign state, it is a protectorate of France.

There are no airports there, just a couple of heliports. No flight plan is required to cross into Monaco because it lies within French airspace. A flight plan is required if you intend to fly any distance out to sea though, under French flight-plan rules for VFR flights.

From the air, the view is OK, but brief, the place is tiny and centred around a single Bay overlooking the sea.

Overflight of the city is not encouraged.

Cannes to Monaco is around an hour's drive on the Autoroute. Nice is a much closer airport than Cannes, but it costs an arm and a leg for GA to land there.

There are nicer places in that neck of the woods than Monaco IMHO

2D

[Tango Oscar]

Thanks guys. Really helpful info :ok:

[2Donkeys]

Get yourself a half-mil map of South-Eastern France before you go Tango Oscar. It is worth being familiar with the mandatory VFR routings that adorn the coast between Cannes and Monaco. These are explained in greater detail in places like Bottlang and Delage. You can also download them free from the French AIS Website.

2D

[Tall_guy_in_a_152]

Also note that there is a restricted area from surface to 3300ft all around Monaco. I do not know what the restriction is, but you can assume that fixed wing tourists are not welcome.

I have heard (not done it myself) that getting a clearance for the VFR routes (all in class D) is a bit hit and miss. There is one that goes well out over the water and the other is inland over some rather inhospitable terrain. You may be offered one or the other or neither :(

Monaco itself is a great place to visit. It is possible to do it on the cheap, but much more fun to spend a few bucks. The cheap option involves eating nothing except ham baguettes for the duration and drinking only water. Accomodation in the Beausoleil (sp?) area (technically in France, but feels like Monaco) is better value. Cheap hotels in Monaco itself can be a bit grim.

Best option is to stay in Nice or Menton. Both nice towns and 15 minutes into Monte Carlo by train.

"Stars and Bars" is a good sports bar / club / restaurant by the harbour. Not at all Monagasque (except the prices) but a good place to bump into celebs especially F1 drivers.

A visit to the casino is part of the Monte Carlo experience. A jacket and passport are required. We have made a small profit on all three visits - but I am not suggesting this is the norm!

Have fun.

[rednine]

No, but Cannes is close by and they are extremely helpful if you email them - forgotton the address but it is on the website and I suspect that they will help!

[Rupert S]

IMHO Monaco isn't worth the money they'll strip from your pockets. Stay in France or go into Italy. It's a beautiful area, St Jean-cap-Ferrat is lovely (and you can see monaco on a clear day from the bay) and it's quick to go across the border to Italy. There's a great market at Ventimillia near the border. I wouldn't waste the time or money with Monaco.

[BoeingMEL]

I'm amazed that no-one has mentioned Albenga. It's just over the border in Italy but has a longish runway - usavle one-way only because of surrounding high ground. Definitely VFR/VMC ONLY! Good train service (cheap and picturesque) from the town direct -along the coast - to Monte Carlo. Suggest you give Nice a miss... expensive and they often refuse take-off clearances if VMC is patchy in their zone. Good luck. bm

[dublinpilot]

There are nicer places in that neck of the woods than Monaco IMHO

I'm with 2d's. There are much nicer places around. Having been to Monaco last summer, I have to say I was disappointed with it. It wasn't what I was expecting at all.

dp