Flying in France on UK Pilots licence
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Flying in France on UK Pilots licence
Can anyone advise whether we need a "certificate of profficiency in English" to fly in French airspace? The CAA said the UK licence has this on it, but do we need to contact the Frence Aviation Authority to get some kind of certificate?
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Not as far as I am aware.
You do need to be able to speak French if you fly to a "non international" airport there, however. But you can't do that direct from the UK anyway; you need one with Customs, and the ATC there must be capable of speaking English (during the relevant hours, anyway).
You do need to be able to speak French if you fly to a "non international" airport there, however. But you can't do that direct from the UK anyway; you need one with Customs, and the ATC there must be capable of speaking English (during the relevant hours, anyway).
Be careful.
I heard through some pilots here that the French CAA seems to severely fine and / or ground pilots without an ICAO Level 4 in FRENCH if they are caught on a "French only" airfield in France recently!
Knowing French is not enough, as well as it is not enough to know English. You need the paper to go with it.
Since I heard that, I won't even use a French greeting anymore on ATC as it is theoretically a violation.
So in France, unless you got a Level 4 exam in French you can show, keep away from "French only" Airfields.
I heard through some pilots here that the French CAA seems to severely fine and / or ground pilots without an ICAO Level 4 in FRENCH if they are caught on a "French only" airfield in France recently!
Knowing French is not enough, as well as it is not enough to know English. You need the paper to go with it.
Since I heard that, I won't even use a French greeting anymore on ATC as it is theoretically a violation.
So in France, unless you got a Level 4 exam in French you can show, keep away from "French only" Airfields.
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be a bit canny if your in the final year of your license or its more tha 4 years old and just have the plain English cert on it.
Some french inspection officers say that because it doesn't have a level on it that it is a level 4 and if your over 4 years this is now a problem.
Best thing to do is somehow get a english cert with a level by hook or crook.
Some french inspection officers say that because it doesn't have a level on it that it is a level 4 and if your over 4 years this is now a problem.
Best thing to do is somehow get a english cert with a level by hook or crook.
Where can I find out what a Level 4 French exam entails?
But seriously, why? There are very few french only airfields, and plenty where either there is a controller, so you can do it in english, or radio not compulsory and according to my local DGAC office this means if it doesn't say french only you can do it in english. It might not do a lot for flight safety, but it is apparently legal.
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As a PPL I've never really understood the customs airports things. From what I derived from my air law book was that to fly to another state i.e to France from the UK, once must leave via and arrive at a customs airport.
However, I flew to France (Le Touquet) with an instructor and none of this was necessary. And out all all the things I asked him, I forgot to ask why we didn't need to leave via customs airport. I don't know if Le Touquet is a custom airport, but all they asked for was a landing fee and aircraft reg.
Can somebody clarify?
However, I flew to France (Le Touquet) with an instructor and none of this was necessary. And out all all the things I asked him, I forgot to ask why we didn't need to leave via customs airport. I don't know if Le Touquet is a custom airport, but all they asked for was a landing fee and aircraft reg.
Can somebody clarify?
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I don't know where you flew from, but I understand that Le Touquet is a customs airport.
See Arręté du 20 avril 1998 portant ouverture des aérodromes au trafic aérien international | Legifrance (I don't know how current these lists are).
The number of customs airports is reducing though, see previous thread:
http://www.pprune.org/private-flying...s-customs.html
See Arręté du 20 avril 1998 portant ouverture des aérodromes au trafic aérien international | Legifrance (I don't know how current these lists are).
The number of customs airports is reducing though, see previous thread:
http://www.pprune.org/private-flying...s-customs.html
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There are many 'Customs' airports in france with no actual day to day customs/passport checks. However it's the same once I get home, however from time to time, there could be spot checks.
Cherbourg is one example, customs airport, who only takes your landing fee. In the 10 or so times I've been there (in the last 3 months) I've never seen a customs officer.
Cherbourg is one example, customs airport, who only takes your landing fee. In the 10 or so times I've been there (in the last 3 months) I've never seen a customs officer.
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Originally Posted by Piper.Classique
There are very few french only airfields ...
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But seriously, why? There are very few french only airfields, and plenty where either there is a controller, so you can do it in english, or radio not compulsory and according to my local DGAC office this means if it doesn't say french only you can do it in english.
My plan is to get an ICAO level 4 endorsement from DGAC. I was told carrying the certificate is enough, it doesn't have to be entered into your PPL. The German CAA at least does not enter French language qualification into any license because they would have to first officially recognize test centers.
Where can I find out what a Level 4 French exam entails?
Can anyone advise whether we need a "certificate of profficiency in English" to fly in French airspace?
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My first France trip is on the books for me this year, I fancy Le Touquet as it's close and it's where everyone seems to go. (Don't tell me that there's a far better airfield in the Dengue Valley only another hour further into France, just crossing the channel is going to be an adventure). I'm a little confused about all this language exam stuff, I have a JAR-PPL and did my FRTOL last year. Do I need some kind of language certificate as well?
I think the opposite is true. Most airfields are indicated as French only, operated by an aeroclub
Of course, if you are required to have a radio, then you must use it. In french, if that is what it says on the VAC. I have the paper. On my licence. When I swapped my UK JAR FCL for the French version I got it for being able to whinge in French. Level six.
I didn't invent these rules or this logic. Don't blame me.
Whopity, we know that the R/T licence on a UK PPL lets you use english. The poster wanted to know about using French.....
Soay, it is never advisable to arrive at lunchtime. Arrive before, eat, then leave after. Food is more important than flying, or flight planning, or seeing the customs man who won't be there anyway.
Cherbourg is a fine example of this. Arrive at lunchtime and the lady in the café takes your landing fee.
Thing, it is fine to go to Le Touquet and speak english.
Last edited by Piper.Classique; 30th Apr 2012 at 20:39. Reason: Fingers faster than brain
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After quite a few years flying in the UK I am now playing my first trip to France in my Jodel, has anyone any links to a good resource that covers "all you need to know" for this? I know I can ask lots of folks who have done it before but I would prefer to be able to read all about it in my own time and only ask questions of those with the knowledge once I have some, thanks in advance.:ok
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Which is missing the all important language level so nobody knows how long its valid for.
XIII) Remarks, i.e. special endorsements relating to limitations and endorsements for privileges, including from 5 March 2008 an endorsement of language proficiency, and other information required in pursuance to Article 39 of the Chicago Convention;
If I look at my Canadian Licence, it only shows LP: EN/FR
If I look at my FAA Certificate, it only indicates English Proficient
If I look at my UK Licence, it only indicates Language Proficiency: English
If I look at my friends french licence, it is the same (no level, no expiration date).
The licence is ICAO compliant without the LP level and without and expiration date on the LPR.
Regards
Frac