Trips abroad!
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Trips abroad!
Hi all
I was wondering if anyone would like to share any of their experiances of trips/routes to different countries that you may have flown which might make a good day out or weekend away.
I think this is a good place to exchange ideas!
Thanks in advance folks!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
I was wondering if anyone would like to share any of their experiances of trips/routes to different countries that you may have flown which might make a good day out or weekend away.
- How was the ATC?
- Oh and how do you feel about flying over the sea haha
- Would you recommend it
- etc.....
I think this is a good place to exchange ideas!
Thanks in advance folks!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
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Where to start.
There are so many places; I think you will need to be more specific.
The all time favourite is Le Touquet (L2K). Hundreds of Brits fly their each year - it is always a good day out and the French are use to us so every one muddles by. There are a few matters to consider but there are also loads of past threads on trips to L2K.
Every where in France, the low countries, Germany and Eire is fine. You will hesitate at first to go further afield, and there are a few gotchas, but with a little planning and a few questions on PPRuNe all are within your grasp.
You should therefore decide what country you want to go to and what places you would like to visit - then ask the forum.
As to the inevitable sea crossing that has also been done to death. To summarise:
1. The sea is bl**D* cold all year, and the visibility over the sea can often be much worse than over the land,
2. You need to think about how risk averse you are. If you are not risk averse at all just pray the engine doesnt quit and all will be well, if you are risk adverse think about your survival strategy should the worse happen.
3. So far as viz goes maybe go with another pilot the first time just to see what it can be like over the sea when there is no obvious horizom.
It is all there waiting to be explored but you need to be a little more specific beyond the points I have covered.
There are so many places; I think you will need to be more specific.
The all time favourite is Le Touquet (L2K). Hundreds of Brits fly their each year - it is always a good day out and the French are use to us so every one muddles by. There are a few matters to consider but there are also loads of past threads on trips to L2K.
Every where in France, the low countries, Germany and Eire is fine. You will hesitate at first to go further afield, and there are a few gotchas, but with a little planning and a few questions on PPRuNe all are within your grasp.
You should therefore decide what country you want to go to and what places you would like to visit - then ask the forum.
As to the inevitable sea crossing that has also been done to death. To summarise:
1. The sea is bl**D* cold all year, and the visibility over the sea can often be much worse than over the land,
2. You need to think about how risk averse you are. If you are not risk averse at all just pray the engine doesnt quit and all will be well, if you are risk adverse think about your survival strategy should the worse happen.
3. So far as viz goes maybe go with another pilot the first time just to see what it can be like over the sea when there is no obvious horizom.
It is all there waiting to be explored but you need to be a little more specific beyond the points I have covered.
Allow me to recommend my own Belgian country:
-) everybody speaks English to a certain degree; most very good. Indeed all R/T is done in English, except a few rural a/d's in the South.
-) eating & drinking at least as fine as in France, unless you are a wine-drinker. But our beers are vastly superior to anything you'll get in France (if they didn't get it here, of course, as they do more and more). For particularly good cooking, consider the "Biggles" at EBKT (but you'll need to book your table at least a couple of hours in advance) or "De Kei" at EBKH.
-) several nice and easy airfields in each category.
The main disadvantage is the congested airspace - we are a small and densely inhabited country - but ATC are very able and very helpful. Also you will need to enter via a customs aerodrome. LFAC and EBOS are obvious options, I seem to remember EBKT can also offer customs service with prior notice.
Feel free to ask more precise info!
-) everybody speaks English to a certain degree; most very good. Indeed all R/T is done in English, except a few rural a/d's in the South.
-) eating & drinking at least as fine as in France, unless you are a wine-drinker. But our beers are vastly superior to anything you'll get in France (if they didn't get it here, of course, as they do more and more). For particularly good cooking, consider the "Biggles" at EBKT (but you'll need to book your table at least a couple of hours in advance) or "De Kei" at EBKH.
-) several nice and easy airfields in each category.
The main disadvantage is the congested airspace - we are a small and densely inhabited country - but ATC are very able and very helpful. Also you will need to enter via a customs aerodrome. LFAC and EBOS are obvious options, I seem to remember EBKT can also offer customs service with prior notice.
Feel free to ask more precise info!
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:)
Ive heard about flying over to le tourquet, it sounds a good day out, ive actually been there on a Trip from my old school..very long bus journey!!
I think this is the top of my list for places to fly to when ive completed my licence
Id never considered belgium! which also sounds quite good, ive never been to belgium! theres a first for everything!
Cheers guys!
I think this is the top of my list for places to fly to when ive completed my licence
Id never considered belgium! which also sounds quite good, ive never been to belgium! theres a first for everything!
Cheers guys!
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I'd second Jan's suggestion of going to Belgium. L2K is great, and a nice easy introduction to "going foreign", it's also good for a short day trip. However, as I'm always starting at least a couple of hours from the channel, that tends to make overnight stays a more attractive option.
Personally, I like Ostend or perhaps I should really say Oostende (I've never understood why we think it's okay to change the name of other people's cities or countries). I've been there three times over the last few years, there's nothing much at the airport, you need to get a taxi into town, which is really nice. We tend to coast out round the Thames estuary or East Anglia, depending on where we've stopped for coffee/toilet/crew change. The offshore danger areas seem rarely to be active, but you could go Dover-Calais if you don't like over-water, it doesn't particularly bother me, just carry the right equipment and be as high as possible. ATC have always been spot on and pretty much everyone on frequency seemed to be using English. The airport fees are moderately pricey as I recall, but there's no need for a handling agent, as the Op's guys give you a lift between parking and terminal.
Or if you want to head the other way, there's the Isle of Man, not very exotic, but just about foreign (technically) and Ireland. No language or ATC issues for either of them, so maybe a good place to start.
Personally, I like Ostend or perhaps I should really say Oostende (I've never understood why we think it's okay to change the name of other people's cities or countries). I've been there three times over the last few years, there's nothing much at the airport, you need to get a taxi into town, which is really nice. We tend to coast out round the Thames estuary or East Anglia, depending on where we've stopped for coffee/toilet/crew change. The offshore danger areas seem rarely to be active, but you could go Dover-Calais if you don't like over-water, it doesn't particularly bother me, just carry the right equipment and be as high as possible. ATC have always been spot on and pretty much everyone on frequency seemed to be using English. The airport fees are moderately pricey as I recall, but there's no need for a handling agent
, as the Op's guys give you a lift between parking and terminal.Or if you want to head the other way, there's the Isle of Man, not very exotic, but just about foreign (technically) and Ireland. No language or ATC issues for either of them, so maybe a good place to start.
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Personally, I like Ostend or perhaps I should really say Oostende (I've never understood why we think it's okay to change the name of other people's cities or countries).
[[ Off-topic ! ]] The French and English traditions are rather alike, in this respect: very many places in the Dutch-speaking North were given a separate name in French (i.e. Temse => Tamise, Mechelen => Malines). A few of the bigger places in the South have a name in Dutch, too.
And then there's the places that were originally Dutch-speaking, but became French-speaking since - which is the case not only for historical Waterloo but also for the French cities of Lille ("Rijsel") and Dunkerque ("Duinkerke").
And then there's the places that were originally Dutch-speaking, but became French-speaking since - which is the case not only for historical Waterloo but also for the French cities of Lille ("Rijsel") and Dunkerque ("Duinkerke").
On topic again:
Handling is mandatory at EBAW Antwerp. And I suppose the same applies to EBCI and EBLG. OTOH several fields have very modest rates, 5€ at EBKH and at EBHN - both admittedly simple grass runways. Of course we don't even think of EBBR - I once heard a landing fee of some 400€ mentioned...
The airport fees are moderately pricey as I recall, but there's no need for a handling agent
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HPSC
Being between things at the moment here are a few of my all time favourites to wet your appetite of must visit places.
1. L2K - everyone goes I know, but there is a reason and I just keep on going back. Brilliant to hire bikes at the airport. Many good resteraunts. A great beach, OK shops and pretty scenery. There are even two pretty good 18 hole courses within a few minutes of the airport,
2. Alderney - beautiful scenery, always an interesting trip, great hotel and excellent food. Well worth it. Jersey and Guernsey are also to be equally recommended,
3. Rouen - a surprise perhaps, but still not too far. The market square in Spring, Summer and Autumn is a beautiful setting for a meal, the cathedral one of the finest in Europe and so well worth a visit,
4. Lille - a big airport with a friendly welcome. Lille is the capital of Northern France with enough of interest to justify a couple of days,
5. Dijon - the one on the hill - just perfect for some of the best vineyards and best food in France - has the main airport closed now?
6. Cant think of its name just East of Paris - perfect for a trip to the big city and or Eurodisney if you have family of an age. The best airport for Paris by far.
Just half a dozen not to far from the UK all of which I have greatly enjoyed visiting over the years and each to add to your agenda.
Being between things at the moment here are a few of my all time favourites to wet your appetite of must visit places.
1. L2K - everyone goes I know, but there is a reason and I just keep on going back. Brilliant to hire bikes at the airport. Many good resteraunts. A great beach, OK shops and pretty scenery. There are even two pretty good 18 hole courses within a few minutes of the airport,
2. Alderney - beautiful scenery, always an interesting trip, great hotel and excellent food. Well worth it. Jersey and Guernsey are also to be equally recommended,
3. Rouen - a surprise perhaps, but still not too far. The market square in Spring, Summer and Autumn is a beautiful setting for a meal, the cathedral one of the finest in Europe and so well worth a visit,
4. Lille - a big airport with a friendly welcome. Lille is the capital of Northern France with enough of interest to justify a couple of days,
5. Dijon - the one on the hill - just perfect for some of the best vineyards and best food in France - has the main airport closed now?
6. Cant think of its name just East of Paris - perfect for a trip to the big city and or Eurodisney if you have family of an age. The best airport for Paris by far.
Just half a dozen not to far from the UK all of which I have greatly enjoyed visiting over the years and each to add to your agenda.
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Pontoise and Toussus are the two usual ones for Paris.
However, I don't think "Paris for lunch" is terribly practical unless you make an early start; I went to Pontoise last year and it took us 2-3 hrs to get into "Paris", using public transport. A taxi would be quicker but probably very pricey (Deauville got a name for ripoff taxis).
Antwerp EBAW was not really expensive (2009) - under 100 euros total. Brussels EBBR... you can phone up some of the handlers there but it is likely to be ~ 200-400 euros, along with Frankfurt and Munich.
There is a lot in near Europe to see; great value for day trips (if you live on the south coast) and overnight trips otherwise.
However, I don't think "Paris for lunch" is terribly practical unless you make an early start; I went to Pontoise last year and it took us 2-3 hrs to get into "Paris", using public transport. A taxi would be quicker but probably very pricey (Deauville got a name for ripoff taxis).
Antwerp EBAW was not really expensive (2009) - under 100 euros total. Brussels EBBR... you can phone up some of the handlers there but it is likely to be ~ 200-400 euros, along with Frankfurt and Munich.
There is a lot in near Europe to see; great value for day trips (if you live on the south coast) and overnight trips otherwise.
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IO540
I think the OP also said a weekend.
No neither of those - it will come to me shortly - just to the south west of C de G - by far the best airport for Paris IMHO.
You can walk to the train station if you are feeling keen or a very short taxi and direct into G la N - it is a very regualr service as well. ED was a taxi ride but it is only about 20 minutes.
Pointoise and Toussus are a waste fo time for Paris.
I think the OP also said a weekend.
No neither of those - it will come to me shortly - just to the south west of C de G - by far the best airport for Paris IMHO.
You can walk to the train station if you are feeling keen or a very short taxi and direct into G la N - it is a very regualr service as well. ED was a taxi ride but it is only about 20 minutes.
Pointoise and Toussus are a waste fo time for Paris.
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IO540
Lognes Emerainville - lfpl
-about two miles to the train station, hard runway, and a cheap hotel at the airport if that suites. Well worth a visit although havent been for a year myself. Maybe this year.
Lognes Emerainville - lfpl
-about two miles to the train station, hard runway, and a cheap hotel at the airport if that suites. Well worth a visit although havent been for a year myself. Maybe this year.
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You sure there's a choice at EBBR? I always believed Abelag to have a monopoly
).Le Bourget LFPB is what you are thinking of Fuji. I've been there (RHS). That's a good point - need to check it out. I vaguely recall there is a recent issue with it.
Edit: LFPL is VFR only, but yes ... interesting.
Your head must be very busy, FA - how can an a/d be to the SW of CDG and to the east of Paris? Let me offer some help: were you thinking of Chelles? Lognes? Le Plessis / Belleville?
And, sorry to sound harsh, but "G la N" must be confusing to just about anyone - after putting on TWO thinking caps I realised you could perhaps have meant "G du N" which can be understood as "Gare du Nord" which translates fairly well to "North Station"
[[ edit: ok, you found it without my help, bravo! ]]
And, sorry to sound harsh, but "G la N" must be confusing to just about anyone - after putting on TWO thinking caps I realised you could perhaps have meant "G du N" which can be understood as "Gare du Nord" which translates fairly well to "North Station"
[[ edit: ok, you found it without my help, bravo! ]]
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Jan
Yes it is
too many things to do!
Actually it is almsot due south of C de G, and then a little bit east (and not west as I said earlier).
Yes Station of the North indeed it is, direct from Lognes.
Have you been there?
First time I went couldnt fly on instruments in those days forecast good for the next four days got up two days later to cloud on the deck all day, it rained from dawn to midnight, went up the ET and could see the ground from less than half way up - happy days. Trip back when we eventually got away - that is another good story!
Yes it is
too many things to do!Actually it is almsot due south of C de G, and then a little bit east (and not west as I said earlier).
Yes Station of the North indeed it is, direct from Lognes.
Have you been there?
First time I went couldnt fly on instruments in those days forecast good for the next four days got up two days later to cloud on the deck all day, it rained from dawn to midnight, went up the ET and could see the ground from less than half way up - happy days. Trip back when we eventually got away - that is another good story!
No, I haven't been there, I avoid Paris as much as I can - and I do can, I haven't been anywhere near for many years now. When it rains in Brussels, it pours in Paris and I find Brussels too bad already. Rural France is nice and sweet - but the capital is to be avoided, like many capitals.
Take care of that head of yours, though, we wouldn't want to have to do without!
Take care of that head of yours, though, we wouldn't want to have to do without!
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Jan
Thanks I will.
Paris in the Spring have you forgotten - you old romantic.
Under the cherry blossom, Paris girls in short skirts, a stroll along the Champs Elysee.
Can you ever tire of Paris in the Spring, the gentle patter of rain, the American tourists every where.
Thanks I will.
Paris in the Spring have you forgotten - you old romantic.
Under the cherry blossom, Paris girls in short skirts, a stroll along the Champs Elysee.
Can you ever tire of Paris in the Spring, the gentle patter of rain, the American tourists every where.
I thought mandatory handling was illegal in the EU unless there are 2+ handling agents
Handling is compulsory for transport of arriving passengers and crew of general aviation and business flights, parked on apron 1 or general aviation terminal (local flights excepted).
For handling, please contact
For handling, please contact
