Flying to Deauville from White Waltham

[nick ritter]

I am hoping to fly to Deauville this coming weekend from White Waltham and wanted to ask if anyone had some good advice on routes and restaurants that they have found particularly enjoyable from past experiences?

I am new to flying (only 73hrs in total) and would appreciate any advice that you may have to offer

I have been twice to Le Touquet over the past two months but wanted to try somewhere new in France that is still a sensible distance from WW

As my wife will be coming a decent place for lunch is a must

Thanks in advance - Nick

[IO540]

It's basically the same flight as to LTQ. Same procedures.

The taxi drivers are a ripoff though and there is no public transport option.

The town is quite nice; a little run down but OK to eat.

[Duchess_Driver]

Taxi or bike it to Honfleur....much more picture sque.

Concur about the taxis!

[Georgeablelovehowindia]

I too would vote for picturesque Honfleur, rather than the 'faded grandeur' of Deauville.
Unfortunately, I can't remember the names of some harbour-front restaurants. Why not try Google Earth and take your pick?

This Sunday is Assumption, which marks the end of the peak of Les Vacances, so it's going to be busy, busy. Definitely book to avoid disappointing 'The Senior Management!'

:ok:

[BEagle]

Ensure that you have all relevant paperwork both for yourself and the aeroplane. It is said that the French can be rather zealous with 'ramp checks', but if you've been to France before, you probably know that. I haven't been to Deauville for some years now, but it was always a friendly airport.

Don't forget the time zone change!

We found the French 'Miniterms' rather a sod to use, so always filed the return flight plan in advance from the UK when visiting Deauville.

But as for more important matters, either Honfleur or Trouville-sur-Mer had some nice eateries which didn't break the bank (we are talking about France, after all!). Either are about 15 min by taxi from the airport; one chum of mine used to have a 'tame' taxi driver who would be waiting as he landed and wouldn't rip him off.

I once had a calvados sorbet of industrial strength at the Restaurant La Marine in Trouville, but I think that Honfleur is nicer. And there are 100 restaurants in Honfleur; it is sometimes described as the prettiest town along the Calvados Coast:

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a341/nw969/Honfleurharbour.jpg

Assuming the Navy weren't splashing about in the Channel Danger Areas (you must check before you go!), I used to route from Goodwood direct to the FIR boundary at N5000W00015 to Deauville - creating a GPS user waypoint at N5000W00015 will make it much easier to pass boundary ETA times to the FIS agencies. But it's about 90 nm of water from Bognor to the French coast....so make sure that your wife realises that there are no loos in light aircraft!

Rules have changed since I last flew to France, so make sure you've checked up on the latest requirements for ELTs etc. Dinghy and life preservers?

Have fun and enjoy!!

[Francis Frogbound]

I do this run regularly in helicopters, last week it was from Blackbush. I usually route MID-SITET-LHO-DCT. If you go via the reporting point at SITET ATC on both sides know where you are (roughly) should the horses all escape from your motor, Deauville ATC are first class and the airfield is certainly very pleasant, as someone else said, file your return flight plan before you leave the UK. The ramp checks appear to be aimed more at N reg aircraft these days, certainly I've visited Deauville at least once a month for the last 5 years and never been stopped once.

FF

[gasax]

My preference would be Honfleur or Trouville. The former is very pretty with a huge selection of places to eat. The latter more 'workaday' (and hence sensibly priced). Deauville itself is pretty pricey but good restaurants take some finding.

Two weeks ago there was no Avgas at Deauville - it was 'broken' but not notammed - so if you are set on Deauville I would suggest phoning them. The nearest fuel was at Le Havre which is only a short hop - but you then need to fax a flight plan from there - so add another hour on.

If you choose Honfleur then Le Havre is pretty much the same distance in a taxi but over the bridge. Deauville control the class D and then turn you over to Le Havre.

[nick ritter]

Thanks very much to all those above for the advice on this trip. I made it to Deauville on Saturday, taking my brother and his mate for lunch in Honfleur

The trip couldn’t have been better or easier (once we actually got airborne). For one the weather was fantastic, a great relief considering the horrendous conditions earlier in the week

In the end we routed from WW to Shoreham and then along to St Catherine’s point before crossing the channel and then we just followed the coast along to Le Harve and around to Deauville. On the way back we headed along the beaches towards Cherbourg and then crossing the channel direct towards Goodwood

The only issue I had (when actually flying) was in remembering what time I had indicated on the customs form that we planned to return. Fearing that I was 30mins too early I took a detour around the isle of white once before heading back

For one I certainly preferred the overall experience of Deauville to Le Touquet. The cab on the way in was 35 EUR (which was ordered for us) and on the way back it was 30 EUR. Seemed high for what it was but it was definitely worth it

For new PPL’s like me, I would certainly recommend making the trip. I don’t think you will be disappointed. Not too far to bore to death a wife and certainly loads going on in the town to keep everyone happy. The food was also great

If anyone can recommend another suitable destination across the channel but not too far from WW I would greatly appreciate it. I was thinking next of trying to make it to Belgium, or Holland. Anywhere where it is relatively near to WW, not too difficult with all the airspace and most importantly where the food is good

Nick

[bookworm]

If anyone can recommend another suitable destination across the channel but not too far from WW I would greatly appreciate it. I was thinking next of trying to make it to Belgium, or Holland. Anywhere where it is relatively near to WW, not too difficult with all the airspace and most importantly where the food is good

Ostend (and maybe lunch in Bruges) or Antwerp are easy enough. Also consider Lille, Rouen and Caen if you're happy to stick with France.

[007helicopter]

Dieppe, excellent choice of restaurants....

[Zulu Alpha]

Dieppe is nice with lots of seafood restaurants around the harbour.

Very friendly GA airfield and if you call them they will arrange customs and taxi for you.

The Channel Islands are also worth a visit. Alderney and Jersey are my favourites. Cheap fuel, low price car rental and nice places to eat. They aren't in Euroland so prices are not affected by the poor exchange rate

ZA

[werewolf]

May I suggest you "La Cerisaie " ( the cherry orchard) at Honfleur ?
La Cerisaie, Honfleur (http://www.honfleur-sejours.com/contacts.htm)
Some comments : La Cerisaie (Honfleur, France) - Avis Pension de famille - TripAdvisor (http://www.tripadvisor.fr/Hotel_Review-g187189-d1372915-Reviews-La_Cerisaie-Honfleur_Basse_Normandie_Normandy.html)

Interesting : the land lady, Mrs Véronique Duval, by pre-arrangement, give you a free lift with her car at Deauville airport, saving a taxi fare (and return).
At arrival at Deauville, phone on her mobile 06 64 88 86 76 (classic phone 02 31 89 59 89).
Lunch and dinner in Honfleur town centre (2km from the B&B). Info from landlady.
Booking very essential in Summer and on weekends.
BTW, unfortunatly, all 4 rooms sold out next Saturnay night 4th September, vacancy next night on Sunday.

[peregrineh]

I was in Bruges only last Sunday - it is one of the most beautiful towns I have ever been in. Maybe a trip to Ostend and spend the night in Bruges - I would recommend the Heritage Hotel. the food in this town is amazing - the Cardinalhaus (spelling) in incredible and I hear there is a 3* michelin restaurant in town if you are a reall foodie - enjoy