Flying the Northern Europe coastline

[anti-talk]

I will be shortly flying the whole coastline of Northern Europe for a project and was wondering if there are any countries / areas that are not heli friendly.
Specifically I am looking at Scandiavia and additionally can I buy airport directories (and where from) similar to FBO Guides/ AFD's in the US or fuel locations.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated - its going to be an awesome trip and I really dont want to upset anyone on the way.

Thanks

[anti-talk]

Thanks for that - I will have to fly the aircraft from France up the coastline - have heard (from another thread ) that the Dutch are possibly not helpful - anyone shed any light on this?

[Jonp]

Hi

My experience is little, and I have only done the northern coast a couple of times. France excellent, but unless you are on Information services (lille etc) don't expect much english, except for the popular fields such as Le Touquet and Calais.

The Belgians are good and have always given me an excellent service, and the dutch are very friendly too. Dutch Mil have always been very good and helpful with a RIS. My only landings in Holland have been Schipol, who were very good, even though as a Heli, you feel a little insignificant.

Germans very precise, need to follow the rules - as you'd expect, but very helpful.

My only other experience (Not northern Europe) are the Swiss, and they were fantastic. They even arranged a taxi to be waiting at Neuchatel, without us asking, which was parked on the airfield right next to the heli parking, so they could give us a hand with bags.

The only surprise is the lack of customs most places, no one seems to care at looking at passports, especially the french.
The french seem to allow fight plans to be filed less than 30 mins ahead of dep[arture. Most others, an hour.

Hope that helps

Jonp

One more thing - flying up the french coastline, there is a nuclear powerstation just NE of Calais - make sure you avoid it by at least 3km

[ThomasTheTankEngine]

If you need to refuel close to the Belgium / France border go to the heliport at Diksmuide (In the east of the Koksijde CTR) http://www.helipromotions.be/# the websites in Dutch but if you click on Locatie you'll get the name, address, phone number co-ordinates etc. All the countries you mentioned a very helpfull and friendy to fly through. If you pass close to Antwerp PM me.

[Spunk]

Let me know if, when and how you want to cross Germany, I might send you the required information. Otherwise you will have to pay for most of the publications (if not for all of them). :yuk:

As far as Denmark is concerned... it's all for free:

AIP Denmark (http://www.slv.dk/english/index.php?Itemid=1)

... and for Sweden

AIP Sweden (http://www.lfv.se/templates/LFV_InfoSida_70_30____2555.aspx)

Have to correct myself. At least the german military provides some information for free:

MIL AIP (http://www.mil-aip.de/index.html)

[helicopter-redeye]

The perhaps obvious, but as yet un-asked question, why? (apart from darn good fun)

h-r:)

[delta3]

Certainly dont forget Texel in the north west of Holland,

It is a nice Island, Heli friendly. Good for bike trip in relatively unspoiled nature (bird sanctuary).

Northern France (Brittany/Normandy/North), watch for all those Nuclear power stations that have ZRT's since 9/11, which is a real pain in the A.. if you want to do a coastal.

D3