Flight Planning - flight to la Rochelle

[Stapleford 2007]

I am planning a flight to La Rochelle in the first week of July and would appreciate some guidance and hints over routing and flight planning.
I am planning to cross the channel from Dover to Cap Gris Ne and then route south along the coast past Le Touquet and then over to Dieppe VOR (DPE) and then to DVL VOR before landing in Deauville (LFRG) for a break. Thereafter onto La Rochelle. Can you help verify the routing to DPE and DVL is ok and also suggest a routing to La Rochelle?
I also want to return by La Rochelle to Toussus le Noble (LFPN) landing there for a break and then returning to the UK via Cap Gris Ne to Dover.

Apart from flight plans, should I be wary of non-english speaking controllers (sorry but my French is awful)?

Also, is there any truth in some rumours that in early July there are a lot of thunder storms in France with embeded CBs?

Thanks

[aviaplan]

If you wish, I can help you with that flight.

I hold a FAA flight dispatcher licence and I do some "flight operations" for private pilot.
:ok:

[ATC Watcher]

Seen your questions, I might suggest that you build a little flying experience before going to fly outside your traffic pattern ?

Apart from flight plans, should I be wary of non-english speaking controllers

All french Controllers speak English when adressed in English.. If you stick to Controlled airfileds and Flight info frequencies , you will have no problems. If you venture into Airfilelds with A/A outside ATS hours and FR only airfileds ( look at the VACs ) there you might/will get into trouble.

Also, is there any truth in some rumours that in early July there are a lot of thunder storms in France with embeded CBs

Yes, the same rumors goes as saying that when you have low very dark clouds in late November , it normally rains as well.

[Stapleford 2007]

ATC - Many thanks for your very condescending response. Perhaps you'll do well to remember the whole point of this network (clue on there if you missed it) which is to share experiences and gain information fom others who might know better.

My flight experience, which you seem to comment on without the slightest knowledge over it, is not at issue having logged in excess of 150 hours PIC. The issue is over understanding any nuances of French airspace, ensuring that my awful French is not a hindrance to safe flight and assessing the risk if TS - these are all important elements in planning prior to taking to the air. From your comments, these points are obviously lost on you.

I trust you will confine your future comments to constructive informed comments or find yourself something better to occupy your time.

[ATC Watcher]

Common, what did you expect ? read again your questions , one is provocating and condecendent ( French controllers that do not speak english) and the second is plain stupid, of course you will have Thunsderstorms in July anywhere in Europe and a Thunderstorm IS a Cb.

Those kind of questions do show your inexperience .I would have guessed 100h, was not far off. Therefore my comment .No offence in that ,but for me , before starting such a trip, just gain a few more hours before or better take someone with you that know international traffic. The rest of Europe is not like the UK .
Good luck anyway .

[bordeaux]

Just do some thorough flight planing / preflight study and you will be fine. Read carefully the information posted in the SIA, reporting points, etc. Flying in France is not difficult at all. Make sure you have zone and airport frequencies handy and the controllers will help you navigate your way. It is a very friendly GA place. All controllers speak english, and -unlike the UK- have radar. As long as you have a transponder equipped airplane, you will be just fine. Transit through controlled airspace is a lot less of a big deal like it is in the UK. French only airports are a bit more challenging, but all you need is to know how to report your position approaching and in the circuit and in and out of the runway, not more than 15 minutes of studying.

You will normally find convective weather in the summer. Simple way to minimize it is to plan early starts and not wait until is too hot (afternoon).

Enjoy it, and don't feel discouraged by negative comments!