Channel Islands & Cherbourg Trip

[Gav28]

Hello,

I am planning an overnighter that would take me to one (or two) of the Channel Islands and then maybe onto Cherbourg.
I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations for a trip like this, in terms of best islands to visit/stay the night at, the order in which to do the trip or any other advice.

I'll be flying from Wycombe and was provisionally planning to go straight down over IoW and use the recommended VFR route. I guess ideally if I was to stop off at Cherbourg I'd do it last so I can stock up on vino just prior to coming home.

I’ve flown cross channel a couple of times before but both to Le Touquet, i've also got an IMCr.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks

[Johnm]

It depends what you want, Alderney is the first one you come to and has a good range of B&B and at least one smart hotel and plenty of pubs and restaurants. It's also an ideal place to walk and see a bit of wildlife, otherwise there's not a lot there!

Guernsey has a bigger town, a wider range of hotels, restaurants and shops and Jersey still more, plus a lively and helpful aeroclub.

To go direct CI you'll need a GAR filed 12 hours in advance and a SVFR clearnce into Jersey zone, they'll let you go with 3KM viz and your IMC will allow you to accept that, you'll also need to stay clear of the low level airway R41, otherwise nothing to it.

Going from CI to Cherbourg, you need to avoid the nuclear installations at Cap de La Hague and Cap Flamanville, also the military installations at Cherbourg, but that's not hard either.

[rgsaero]

I do this quite often - relatives in Guernsey - and the best routing for me is via Catherines Point IOW then direct to BOLRO and then Guernsey. This keeps you out of the airway and DA so you can fly high (which gives you longer to talk to people if it all goes quite at the front), Landing and parking are cheap in Guernsey and the aero club has some good hotel deals (and there are many B&Bs), Plus fuel is cheap so don't leave UK with too much, before filling up, and then dct to Cherbourg. (If you are an AOPA member you get an additional discount off the fuel too).

The only way back from Cherbourg is up the VFR route but of you do that at the w/e and the DA is not operational that's useful.

[OA32]

Like Johnm says, Alderney's worth a visit so I would suggest deciding between Guernsey and Jersey for staying the night as they have a bit more going on. Also Guernsey and Alderney offer reduced landing rate if you are taking on fuel. There are recommended routes for going to Cherbourg from the Islands, Alderney via Heauville, Guernsey via Pointe de Rozel and Jersey via Cap de Carteret. Most of the time Jersey will let you know if you are getting close to the restricted areas at Cap de la Hague and Flamanville, Cherbourg is a great place to visit, Luc and Edith who run the bar/wine shop are very helpful. Just remember to check the notams as if there is no air traffic you have to make the calls in French, (Jersey Aero Club have copies of a french crib sheet for this purpose).

PS. Cherbourg has a 2440m runway so if RWY 28 is in use don't try and land on the piano keys or you'll have to taxi for 1/2 a mile to the turn off.

[rwlepage]

Guernsey Aero Club

The Guernsey Aero Club is very helpful indeed as its interests are to further interests in aviation. Seeweb site www.guernseyaerocbub.com and/or email [email protected] for assistance.

Routing between Guernsey and the French Coast is straight forward, use the VFR routing from Guernsey's North East Corner direct to Rozel (which is south of Cap Flamanville and keeps you clear of that area). This routing also takes you north of the Sark restricted area (Sark being one of the Channel Islands which you have to stear clear of.

I hope this helps.

Rob Le Page
Chairman Guernsey Aero Club