GA in Italy

[jai6638]

Hello there,

I will be in Florence from December 26th to December 31st and was curious, is there a lot of general aviation in Italy? I am a 200 hour FAA PPL holder with an instrument rating and would like to fly over the Italian Alps if possible. I visited the Aero Club Florence website but couldnt find much info about renting after having translated it using google translator. How much is the hourly cost and which flight clubs could I contact? What is the procedure like?

Thanks much
Jai

[IO540]

The general level of GA in Italy, and in fact most southern Europe, is of the order of 1% of what it is in the UK.

If you go to the bigger GA airfields e.g. Padova you do see a few GA planes parked there but otherwise, when airborne, the activity appears to be zero. I believe there is a strong microlight scene there, with about 300 ML airfields around Italy.

[172driver]

Actually, there is quite a bit of flying going on in Italy. As in most other parts of the continent, the majority of GA activity is club-based. You typically need to be a club member to be able to access an a/c. Main reason for that is the insurance situation. For short term visitors, the easiest way to fly is to go up with a local safety pilot. Find a club in the general area you'd like to visit and make contact, usually no problem at all to go flying !

While I don't know about this specific situation, wet cost per hour in continental Europe typically is around EUR 140-180 for a PA28 or C172 or similar. In many club setups this is calculated chocks off to chocks on, sometimes it is the airborne time. Ask. Enjoy the flying !

[LH2]

What the above says. There is actually a fair bit of GA activity in the Italian Alps (compared to the rest of Italy, or so it appears to me anyway).

Another option, Firenze is not a million miles from France. Getting hold of an aircraft there might be more straightforward and almost certainly cheaper. If you intend to fly in the Alps, get a mountain instructor to come along with you, for your own safety.

I just noticed your dates. It's going to be busy. Incidentally, try to find a ski-equipped aircraft. Great fun

[Deeday]

is there a lot of general aviation in Italy?

Just so that you are prepared, in Italy aircraft - light aircraft in particular - are regarded by most people as the work of devil, and authorities at all levels are not immune to this sort of mentality. Don't be surprised if you sometimes (often?) feel treated as if you were a nuisance, potential hazard or security threat, just because you dare exercise your freedom of movement on a private aeroplane, instead of a normal car.
Having said that, yes, GA in Italy is still alive and the scenery is spectacular, so I wish you have a great time.

Deeday

[vanHorck]

Deeday, do you know if there is an italian AOPA or similar organisation that could help this man?

[172driver]

Google is your friend: AOPA Italia

[tuscan]

I spent some time around Firenze this summer and there were loads of planes buzzing around. Try the Pprune Italian forum and ask them on there, they helped me get good contacts for Como.

[Zapzarap]

@Deeday
The scenery can be spectacular indeed!


The Dolomiti from FL150






BTW I didn't have any problem with ATC so far.
Flying to LIMC frequently.

[Mark 1]

The weather in the Padona (Po valley) is often pretty murky that time of year limitting the VMC possibilities. However this is often low lying and it is clear as you get higher into the mountains.

There was/is a flying club at Aosta near the French/Swiss border and gliding in the nearby Paradiso mountains. I understand that they had a protracted airfield closure, so you may need to check the current status.

[Deeday]

The weather in the Padona (Po valley)

I guess you mean Padana. I thought you were talking about the town of Padova (Padua), in the Po Valley too.

Deeday

P.S. beautiful picture, Zap