Go Back  PPRuNe Forums > Non-Airline Forums > Private Flying
Reload this Page >

Solo Trip to France

Private Flying LAA/BMAA/BGA/BPA The sheer pleasure of flight.

Solo Trip to France

Old 23rd Jun 2005, 13:53
  #61 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Dublin
Posts: 2,547
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
CB,

A cross water PPrune flyin/out sounds great! How about heading west, instead of east?

dp
dublinpilot is offline  
Old 23rd Jun 2005, 13:57
  #62 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: North
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
The standard of ATC English varies a great deal.

A lot of it is barely intelligible, and I am pretty sure that a good 50% of non-UK ATCOs would be completely unable to hold a normal conversation; they know just the little snippets they need to know like "report localiser established".

I have found many times it's no good asking them stuff other than the standard aviation phrases.

Consequently, the ATIS is frequently partly unintelligible and one has to call up the approach to clarify it. Often so in France.

Flying around VFR isn't easy and one has to be prepared for hiccups along the way.
justsomepilot is offline  
Old 23rd Jun 2005, 15:35
  #63 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: UK
Posts: 198
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Could it be that this 2 Donkey is a boastful person about his appanage and Sue is more than an acquaintance or is he jealous about the high standard of Whirly's writing and enthralling story
compared to his mind dulling simple trip to the USA.
jammydonut is offline  
Old 23rd Jun 2005, 15:50
  #64 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Dublin
Posts: 2,547
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
People, 2d's made a comment, which may have been better made in private. Whirly, partly accepted his comments, and partly explained it as:

Other than that, I have tended to play up the problems...you see, I was a writer long before I was a pilot
Lets leave it at that.

Whirly's trip report has been very interestering, and entertaining to read. Lets not ruin such a good thread, with personal remarks. What has been said, has been said. Lets leave it at that.

dp

ps. I found 2d's trans-atlantic blog most entertaining, and also educational.
dublinpilot is offline  
Old 23rd Jun 2005, 19:00
  #65 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: England
Posts: 0
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Ok. I am to sensitive sometimes when I see someone having a hard time. I think 2D is now in his place. I did not see this Blog. Where can I read the account? Anyone know a web site adress
bpilatus is offline  
Old 23rd Jun 2005, 20:33
  #66 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Yorkshire
Posts: 664
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Does anyone know if any supplier makes any pre-recorded media which could help with the French language problems ? Sort of a "Linguaphone for pilots" ? If not, why doesn't someone make one ? Shouldn't be too hard for anyone who is fluent, or has access to a suitably-moustachioed French FISO ... how about it, 2D ?

"PPrune does Franglais" ? Sounds like a winner to me ... if it catches on, perhaps thay could even do one for use in Wales or Scotland .... I'll just get my coat ....

FF

PS : well done Whirly !
FullyFlapped is offline  
Old 23rd Jun 2005, 21:35
  #67 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Marlow UK
Posts: 137
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Well done Whirly,
just about to do my own first trip to France, but hopefully will have the good wife to help with nav etc.

I've got the TP articles stashed away for reference as well, very useful I think.

I also think 2D's comments were made with the best of intentions even if it didn't come across that way.
I noticed that the Notam that 2D included in his post was in French. A question therefore for anyone in the know. Are these notams available in English (Whilst in France) and if so where from if the Internet is not available?
EddieHeli is offline  
Old 24th Jun 2005, 06:32
  #68 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: EuroGA.org
Posts: 13,787
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
INTERNET is for everything nowadays: weather, notams, even filing flight plans is a lot simpler.

Mobile internet access is highly desirable if doing a trip away from home, like this one.
IO540 is offline  
Old 24th Jun 2005, 11:30
  #69 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: West Wales UK.
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Whirly the way you describe the feelings and emotions that we all experience when flying is just Great! Its the self discovery bit that is part of the deal, and one of the reasons for aviating.
Thanks so much.
Confession time: I flew at 1500 ft over a nuclear power station on the Breton coast while solo last year. Got away with it probably becus my French ATL has a French registration and it was lunch time.
Really useful thread. MG
MikeGodsell is offline  
Old 24th Jun 2005, 13:11
  #70 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: UK
Posts: 113
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
WB - Excellent story.

Had many of the same apprehensions myself. Also must confess to being defeated at some French fields re Notams, and agree what a silly machine at Deaville.

Felt as if I was reliving some of my own adventures, nice to know others have the same experience.

Very tempted to try the Limoges thing to try and improve French and understanding of customs and practice. Have to try and pursuade the wife (also PPL).

Thanks for the read hope you will post again.
Charlie32 is offline  
Old 24th Jun 2005, 14:45
  #71 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Gt. Yarmouth, Norfolk
Age: 68
Posts: 799
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Congratulations WB on an excellent piece. I hope you were not too offended by 2D's comments. They in themselves shed an interesting slant on the problems of flying in a foreign country with a different language. We can all over extend ourselves and I for one could not put hand on heart and say I would not make the same or even worse mistakes under the stresses of the journey. It takes considerable bottle to make a trip like that and it is far better to try imperfectly than not try at all - within the limits of safe flying, of course
Justiciar is offline  
Old 24th Jun 2005, 22:56
  #72 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: E Anglia
Posts: 1,102
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
bpilatus:

you can download 2Ds blog at http:/www/polestaraviation.com/Transatlantic.pdf

Its a big file but well worth the read and having read it, it it wil become abundantly clear to you just how well qualified he is to make the comments he does.

I don't want to get embroiled in arguments but he makes some telling comments.

I am proud to count 2Ds as a personal friend who is always willing to give up whole days of his free time to help , encourage and support those of us who can never aspire to the degree of skill that he exhibits.



Cusco
Cusco is offline  
Old 24th Jun 2005, 23:27
  #73 (permalink)  

Sub Judice Angel Lovegod
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: London
Posts: 2,456
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I'd love to know what bpilatus considers 2D's "place" is!

There are so many things to say about the services and kindnesses offered by 2D to the GA community at large and his friends in particular, that it is impossible to know where to start.

Maybe just one story. When my parents and I had our ditching in Scotland, before even the Press, my sister or wife knew where we were, 2D had found the hospital, found the ward and its extension number, and was on the phone, while I was still shaking from hypothermia, asking what time we wanted him in Dundee in his 421 the next day. That is typical of the man, and is only one example of many I could tell.

2D's knowledge of air law, procedures, airmanship and systems across continents and types is extraordinary. If he makes a comment about WB's self-inflicted workload and how it might be reduced for the sake of her own and others' safety there is only one answer...

"Thank you."

Not accusations of being a Poppus spoilsport, or whatever.

It is a long time since I last bothered to venture onto PPRuNe. I left because of an atmosphere of arrogance and p1ssing competitions, and only looked at this thread because my attention was drawn to it by a parallel thread on Flyer.

It serves neatly to remind me why I left.
Timothy is offline  
Old 25th Jun 2005, 01:11
  #74 (permalink)  
Moderator
 
PPRuNe Radar's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 1997
Location: Europe
Posts: 3,228
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
2D's knowledge of air law, procedures, airmanship and systems across continents and types is extraordinary.
I concur ... he knows so much he could almost be an ATCO
PPRuNe Radar is offline  
Old 25th Jun 2005, 08:38
  #75 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: England
Posts: 0
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Ok guys I maybe say a bit to much maybe Mr 2D is a good guy. Where does he work as ATCO!?! I maybe have a problem for transit. I ask my P2 to speak on the radio! I see what Tim says about MR 2D helping in Scotland. Ok I say sorry to Mr 2D but he has to say his words in a method that does not look pompous.
bpilatus is offline  
Old 25th Jun 2005, 11:50
  #76 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: England
Posts: 0
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Tim you make me feel very bad this morning. But I say sorry. I think you're problem in Scotland and the help you get from someone makes me feel not so good. Ok I hold my hands up and say I was wrong. Ok lets leave the conversation alone. My problem!?! I think the BLOG is very good a very profesional pilot.
bpilatus is offline  
Old 25th Jun 2005, 14:12
  #77 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Italy
Posts: 368
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Whirly, great write up.

Lots of useful information for the average ppl that occasionally venture further than their homefield.

The average ppl is not a professional pilot, he flies for fun, his knowledge of foreign airspace and operating procedures is sketchy, so all information is valuable, especially other peoples accounts of errors and problems.

2D is an extremly experienced and very current pilot, very close to private flying, so further comments from him can only improve furthermore the learning curve.

AE
AfricanEagle is offline  
Old 25th Jun 2005, 18:52
  #78 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Dublin
Posts: 2,547
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
EddieHeli,

I was wondering the same thing myself, about finding notams in English. The UK-AIS site will give you notams for France in English, but I've noticed from comments on the flyer forum, that not all French notams are distributed internationally. Hence it would seem that you would have to use the official French source.

All is not lost though. Here is the official French system, and it will produce notams in English, or French.

Now if I could only understand the French met site!

When are you planing on going & where Eddie? I am hoping to cover Northern & Western France in the last two weeks in August. If our route crossed, it might be nice to meet up for lunch.

dp
dublinpilot is offline  
Old 25th Jun 2005, 19:47
  #79 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: England
Posts: 0
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Mr African Eagle- yes flying (PPL) is just for fun but I remind you that Whirlybird is a profesional pilot. All the guys who reply are not profesional. Yes I think maybe 2D does have some good points to make. I like to read plenty of good write ups to give me knowlege. Some day I will travel to France. I will also write a report of my journey

Ciao
bpilatus is offline  
Old 26th Jun 2005, 06:24
  #80 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Who cares? ;-)
Age: 74
Posts: 676
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Snoop

hello Whirly!

sorry, just discovered your thread this morning! great going!

I flew to France some years ago with a friend in her PA28-150. We vowed afterwards.... NEVER AGAIN! We experienced much of the same problems you did.

In Germany we also have reporting points at ALL class D airspace, so that was nothing new for us. But communication with the Frenchies... forget it! Before leaving on our first trip, a Thursday, we received 20!! pages of NOTAM, and most of it even the guy at AIS couldn't figure out, so we flew to Luxemburg and Belgium instead on our way over to England and the North Weald airshow. We returned via France on the weekend and it went well, but we were VERY glad when we reached German airspace again! I don't like ATC not answering... it makes you worry whether you're doing things right or not and in flying there's enough to worry about!

I see no reason to have to learn French... we don't expect anyone to learn German when flying here! English is the language for aviation... period!

OK... sorry for my rant... but I'm with you... I'm glad it went well and yes, we all make mistakes and/or think we are well prepared then things get messed up... and you learn by it.

Westy
WestWind1950 is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.