First trip in French Airspace - Help Please
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First trip in French Airspace - Help Please
Although I learnt to fly in (West) Germany, I've never flown in France before. We're going direct from Fairoaks to Caen in a fortnight. What do I need to watch out for when flying over there? We've got passports, life-jackets and French Francs. We are also prepared to shout at the locals until they understand English. Anything else...?
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If you intend comming back 
you must inform customs (I think) 4 hours before you return, normally by fax, unless you return to a 24h customs field.
You must file a flight plan and you should plan on crossing the coast at a "recognisable" point. I think that means not putting "about half way between Brighton and Eastbourne" on the flight plan. Other than that,activate the plan, tune to london information on 124.6, and sit back and enjoy the rough sound that the engine suddenly starts making as you get over the channel.
I normally go onto instruments as soon as I get over water (unless there is extreemly good vis you usually lose the horizon). Obvious things like getting as high as you can, watching the Ts & Ps, WEARING your life jackets, briefing passengers on ditching (I'm out first), keeping a good lookout (I know I said I go on instruments but I get my passengers looking out for me).
You seem to have the basics right, shouting at the french till they understand you sometimes works. I find the other way around is the case, they seem to understand me then reply in Albanian. The best bet is to think what they COULD have said and try repeating that to them. If this is done after the third "say again" it usually works.
"Lille information, say again"
"Lille information, say again"
"Lille information, say again"
"Lille information, understand remain at 3500' QNH 1001, report Cap-griz-nez in sight"
You usually end up with a sigh followed by "Squalk 3344"
Have a great time and enjoy.
you must inform customs (I think) 4 hours before you return, normally by fax, unless you return to a 24h customs field.You must file a flight plan and you should plan on crossing the coast at a "recognisable" point. I think that means not putting "about half way between Brighton and Eastbourne" on the flight plan. Other than that,activate the plan, tune to london information on 124.6, and sit back and enjoy the rough sound that the engine suddenly starts making as you get over the channel.
I normally go onto instruments as soon as I get over water (unless there is extreemly good vis you usually lose the horizon). Obvious things like getting as high as you can, watching the Ts & Ps, WEARING your life jackets, briefing passengers on ditching (I'm out first), keeping a good lookout (I know I said I go on instruments but I get my passengers looking out for me).
You seem to have the basics right, shouting at the french till they understand you sometimes works. I find the other way around is the case, they seem to understand me then reply in Albanian. The best bet is to think what they COULD have said and try repeating that to them. If this is done after the third "say again" it usually works.
"Lille information, say again"
"Lille information, say again"
"Lille information, say again"
"Lille information, understand remain at 3500' QNH 1001, report Cap-griz-nez in sight"
You usually end up with a sigh followed by "Squalk 3344"
Have a great time and enjoy.
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Go for it - flying in France is great fun - friendly people / airfields, cheap landing & parking lots of places to see / wine to drink / food to eat.
Flight plan - remember to put estimated time en route to crossing the FIR boundary in the "remarks" area of the plan. Always talk to London Information for the channel crossing to the boundary - they can get very busy so be prepared to give the info. they need in the correct order - Reg / type / from / to / altitude / route including point at which you cross the coast and ALWAYS estimate for the coast and estimate for the FIR boundary. Good practice to work these out before your initial call to them.
Also make sure you have all required aircraft documents with you and pilots licence. There is very little Class A in France - mainly around Paris so X countrys are easy - you will find Class D & E around some airfields but transit is not normally a problem once you give them a call. If going inland get the French half mils from Transair or somewhere. Watch out for danger / restricted areas as always - active mainly during weekdays and crossing service normally available.
Finally if doing a lot of French touring get hold of the Bottlang guide which gives you VFR plates for all of the fields - a must have as far as I am concerned.
I'm off to La Baule in Brittany tomorrow in my Arrow via Deauville wx permitting - looks like I may be storm dodging or sitting them out! We have got a group of 5 aircraft going from Blackbushe / Rochester / Panshanger with about 16 people so should be a good B Hol weekend!
Enjoy,
arrow 2
[This message has been edited by arrow2 (edited 25 August 2000).]
Flight plan - remember to put estimated time en route to crossing the FIR boundary in the "remarks" area of the plan. Always talk to London Information for the channel crossing to the boundary - they can get very busy so be prepared to give the info. they need in the correct order - Reg / type / from / to / altitude / route including point at which you cross the coast and ALWAYS estimate for the coast and estimate for the FIR boundary. Good practice to work these out before your initial call to them.
Also make sure you have all required aircraft documents with you and pilots licence. There is very little Class A in France - mainly around Paris so X countrys are easy - you will find Class D & E around some airfields but transit is not normally a problem once you give them a call. If going inland get the French half mils from Transair or somewhere. Watch out for danger / restricted areas as always - active mainly during weekdays and crossing service normally available.
Finally if doing a lot of French touring get hold of the Bottlang guide which gives you VFR plates for all of the fields - a must have as far as I am concerned.
I'm off to La Baule in Brittany tomorrow in my Arrow via Deauville wx permitting - looks like I may be storm dodging or sitting them out! We have got a group of 5 aircraft going from Blackbushe / Rochester / Panshanger with about 16 people so should be a good B Hol weekend!
Enjoy,
arrow 2
[This message has been edited by arrow2 (edited 25 August 2000).]
