Le Touquet, Sunday

[pembroke]

Last Sunday, 11/3 , late morning Le touquet was busy, and that is an understatement. The ATIS clearly asked for cross channel incoming traffic to hold over Boulonge. I held for 30 min and was in a position to monitor some of the worst radio calls I've heard for some time. It is probably pointless to scream at ATC and ask " is your radio switched on". Then of course there is the "estuary" voice in N.... ( why is always N reg !), ignoring any sort of safe flying convention, let alone the ATIS instruction, and calls on 4 mile final to R14. Just because you are in a Mooney or SR22 doesn't put you at the front of the queue. Yes, LFAT is difficult, but we all could help and not be so selfish, and yes, dangerous. It would also help if we learnt enough French to understand the traffic pattern. And while I'm on subject, how come everyone in one of the 4 seat aircraft there that day had a glass of wine with their meal?

[S-Works]

Well I am glad I came in from the airways, avoided all that holding.............

[IO540]

Evidently, arriving 1030Z was a good idea ;) Hardly another plane in sight.

[DubTrub]

I find it amazing that all these Brit pilots seem to congregate at Le Touquet...it's a nice place, alright, but there are much nicer places in France to go (and not much further), considering the forecast (and actual) weather over the weekend and most of them only require H24 customs.

Good forecast + good weather = LeTouquet will be packed. The only winners are Le Touquet aerodrome authority who can charge what they like and all us numptys pay it. C'est la vie, n'est-ce-pas?

And I certainly wouldn't go there when the Airways King is around.

[S-Works]

Does Le Touq appear on that photo copied map of pre ice age Europe you use for navigation Rob?

[DubTrub]

Not pre-ice age, Steve...neolithic may be :} And it does!

[Fuji Abound]

I feel like being a bit of an L2K supporter and hopefully not a Numpty.

Actually it has a lot going for it, and I suppose that is part of the reason they are so popular. It is a bit like everyone complaining about Tescos (or whoever it might be) but the car parket is usually full for a reason.

In my view L2K has these things going for it:

1. Customs

2. Bikes

3. Supermarket in walking distance

4. Trolleys for your wines and cheeses

5. Easy to file a flight plan

6. ATIS in English

7. Good golf course, good food and pleasant town

All little things but still add up to a good day out -

and not too far into "scary" France for the Numties!

I am not condoning poor airmanship but just accept that it is usually peoples first outing to France so if you know what you are doing forgive all the numties just a little and keep your eyes very wide open. :eek:

[IO540]

8. Very courteous and helpful airport staff

[AC-DC]

"I find it amazing that all these Brit pilots seem to congregate at Le Touquet...it's a nice place, alright, but there are much nicer places in France to go (and not much further),
Please name some?

[denhamflyer]

I too got caught in the mayhem and held for some 20+ minutes. What I found most embarassing was the number of British pilots who ignored specific ATC directions to join early downwind and flew straight into the base and were then instructed to turn right and re-join early downwind - only to call downwind within 2 mins. I was slowing to 120kts and was just joining downwind when two of them were redirected - yet they both arrived downwind before me - amazing! - I must get me one of them timeshift TARDIS thingys would save me a lot of hassle :ugh:

I have every sympathy for first time visitors anywhere (as I am often one :} ) I dont think it was down to new visitors just the arrogant english!

I love the place and for a short break it has a lot going for it. Including the excellent and tolerant ATC (although I did hear a small amount of frustration during the stampede to leave) - its a great tool that ATC have "I cant seem to find your flight plan...."

PS. I have been there a number of time never on a Sunday and never that mad - is this normal for a Sunday? If so what the next best place?

[vancouv]

When it's busy it is a nightmare - and a lot of pilots do deliberately lie to get themselves in the queue - I've heard airfield in sight calls from planes that I reckon are only just coasting out. It's frustrating to be told you're behind such and such only to discover when you get to the circuit that he's nowhere to be seen as he still has 20 miles to run.

Last time I was there ATC were very patient but had lost track of what was going on - they were saying 'whoever that is on short final you're cleared to land'

[trafficcontrol]

"It's France for goodness sake... They are used to be being occupied! "

LOL
Everyone goes to France, why not try Belgium or Amsterdam, not that far! Get a good weekend out of it too!

Not that i have been myself, although its planned for the Summer! I hear its good though :O

[DubTrub]

Please name some?
Arras
Caen
Dieppe
Deauville
Dinard
for starters, and Oostende (Belgium) is nice too.

[The Hat]

What always amazes me is that everyone seems to forget LFAC - Calais!
A very friendly bunch / good cafe and perfect for training (ILS / NDB)....

So I'll leave everyone to get all hot under the collar abt LFAT and I'll enjoy the empty airspace at LFAC:ok:

[S-Works]

Calais...... Hmmm let me see. Oh I know! nothing there except a smokey cafe and a hypermarket. You are quite right though they are extremely friendly.

[flyingphil1]

It would also help if we learnt enough French to understand the traffic pattern. And while I'm on subject, how come everyone in one of the 4 seat aircraft there that day had a glass of wine with their meal?

Very few, I sugest, drink and fly, as for learning Fench .. Mon Dieu! please its hard enough to understand the English...Mais j'aime voler!

[scooter boy]

"Calais...... Hmmm let me see. Oh I know! nothing there except a smokey cafe and a hypermarket. You are quite right though they are extremely friendly."

Bose, don't forget the charming Songat interment camp. It looks so nice and tranquil from the air.

I quite agree, L2K is a far nicer destination than many others along the Northern coast.

Apparently ATC are specially chosen for their ability to wilfully ignore radio calls when they feel like it and nonchalantly let the traffic pattern sort itself out. This specialist training takes many years due to the 3 hour compulsory lunchbreaks, obligatory visit to the mistress and consumption of entire contents of large bottle of vin rouge imposed on all staff under European law.:E (only joking - they are tres charmant and very patient with non French-linguists).

Vive la France!

SB