Chinnook in France
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Odiham
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French ATC
I find them very useful. We speak to them in English. More often than not they have no problems in being flexible in their airspace. Even if under a FIS they will give traffic using radar to prevent any potential incidents. TBH we could learn a few things of them in this country.
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Well, Lincolnshire
Age: 69
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French ATC. Coo, that brings back memories.
In the '70's, the French Air Traffickers were much prone to go on strike (I spit on your aircraft etc) (for those in the know).
Returning to UK, ex Gib, in a Dominie (that's still flying!! I see) we came under control of Medan Radar, whose civilian complement were on strike. So, the French military ATC controllers were 'helping out'.
So, after much farcical Franglais between ourselves and our 'military controller', we were cleared to FL210 at 'xyz beacon' at such a time. (I forget the details exactly).
Being 'the pond life new boy', I was down the back on a headset listening, in awe, to all the exchanges when up pops on frequency a Spantax jet heading south. Who promptly adopted the French language whilst chatting to Medan.
Now, I did then and still now, have schoolboy French (le plume de ma tante etc) but my (very sparse) translation skills rapidly twigged that both we, the Dominie, and the Spantax were to arrive overhead the 'xyz' beacon at the same level and at the same time. Hmm, thinks I, not a good plan.
Being an LAC u/t Opsy at the time, and having no idea how the aircraft intercom worked, I plucked at the sleeve of my boss, the staff nav. After 'Sir,Sir I think the French controller has just.....etc', A degree of consternation arose from the Pilot and his Pilots Assistant resulting in much "confirm" and "Say again" transmissions being broadcast to/from Medan.
We eventually got home safe and sound after avoiding a possibly sad flying statistic.
The outcome. I was bought beer. I was ill. OK, I was young.
As an aside, I believe Medan Radar was given a different name shortly afterwards. As the initial call 'Medan', in Franglais and other accents, sounded very much like 'Mayday'.
In the '70's, the French Air Traffickers were much prone to go on strike (I spit on your aircraft etc) (for those in the know).
Returning to UK, ex Gib, in a Dominie (that's still flying!! I see) we came under control of Medan Radar, whose civilian complement were on strike. So, the French military ATC controllers were 'helping out'.
So, after much farcical Franglais between ourselves and our 'military controller', we were cleared to FL210 at 'xyz beacon' at such a time. (I forget the details exactly).
Being 'the pond life new boy', I was down the back on a headset listening, in awe, to all the exchanges when up pops on frequency a Spantax jet heading south. Who promptly adopted the French language whilst chatting to Medan.
Now, I did then and still now, have schoolboy French (le plume de ma tante etc) but my (very sparse) translation skills rapidly twigged that both we, the Dominie, and the Spantax were to arrive overhead the 'xyz' beacon at the same level and at the same time. Hmm, thinks I, not a good plan.
Being an LAC u/t Opsy at the time, and having no idea how the aircraft intercom worked, I plucked at the sleeve of my boss, the staff nav. After 'Sir,Sir I think the French controller has just.....etc', A degree of consternation arose from the Pilot and his Pilots Assistant resulting in much "confirm" and "Say again" transmissions being broadcast to/from Medan.
We eventually got home safe and sound after avoiding a possibly sad flying statistic.
The outcome. I was bought beer. I was ill. OK, I was young.
As an aside, I believe Medan Radar was given a different name shortly afterwards. As the initial call 'Medan', in Franglais and other accents, sounded very much like 'Mayday'.
The civilian ATCOs in France are excellent - I would say best trained, most helpful controllers in Europe (except when on strike!), and amongst the best in Europe for their command of ICAO English R/T.
The military controllers are just as cooperative, though their English is not necessarily to the same standard as their civilian counterparts.
The military controllers are just as cooperative, though their English is not necessarily to the same standard as their civilian counterparts.
Wokawoka - been watching this thread whilst in France for the last two weeks. Back tonight and watching your chaps on NF exercises tonight prompted me to register. We are on your NF route just south of Frensham Pond (opposite the campsite on Symondstone Lane) and my boys (7 & 9) love to see you passing by. They have been great Chinook fans since you visited their school (St. Ed's) a few years back and we all just wanted to pass on our regards.
Great low pass at approx 20-10 tonight - very impressive
Keep up the great work and keep safe.
p.s. - tea and cakes if you can get in the paddock
Great low pass at approx 20-10 tonight - very impressive
Keep up the great work and keep safe.
p.s. - tea and cakes if you can get in the paddock
WW - check your PM's 
