French airfields?

[Courtman]

I am nipping across the Channel this weekend and want to visit some different airfields, not just Le Touquet. Looking around I see the following within easy reach of the Channel...

Berck-sur-Mer
Eu/Mers-le-Treport
Amiens
Albert/Bray
St. Omer

Are any/all of these worth dropping into? Does anyone know if there is the French AIP (or airfield plates) on the net that I can see or print for the weekend?

[distaff_beancounter]

One point to bear in mind, is that the French authorities, require Brits to make the first landing in France, after arriving from the UK, either at a "Customs Airfield" such as Le Touquet, or if going to a smaller airfield, then customs has to be booked in advance (some require 24 hours notice).

You can, of course, land at Le Touquet to clear customs, & then fly on to a smaller field. This is usually easier than trying to pre book customs, especially at weekends.

We may all be Europeans, but some are more European than others. It is apparently due to the UK not signing the Schnegan (spelling?) agreement, that we still have to carry passports & clear customs, in France.

[Keef]

Distaff is spot on - you must land at a Customs airfield when arriving in France.

To answer the other question: no, there's nothing on the web (yet, anyway) with French airfield plates.

I spend a happy half hour a month updating my Bottlangs.

[Fujiflyer]

Just to add to the good advice given so far it is important that you make sure you arrange a departure back to the UK through foreign customs as well. On my relatively recent trip down to Menorca I cleared customs on the outbound leg with no problem (24hrs notice to Tours which actually only require 4hrs), however on my return trip to the UK the customs officer pointed out on no uncertain terms that I should have given notice of my intended departure time and airport back to the UK.

[distaff_beancounter]

And, another little French quirk, is the essential lunch break.

For instance, Caen, will not let you depart for the UK until you have cleared customs outbound, but the Customs office is usually shut between about 1200 & 1400 local, for lunch.

[Courtman]

Thanks

Already got the Customs bit sorted, into France via Le Touquet, then to the airfields mentioned, then exit France via Calais....

So, any info on the airfields mentioned? And maybe Dunkerque (sp?) too?

[2Donkeys]

For internet-based information on the fields you mention, you could do a lot worse than to take a look at www.nav2000.com. This little gem is a French-run site that provides all sorts of useful information on pretty-much every French airfield, and a few foreign ones too. Probably not enough to complete your flight planning, but certainly good enough to give you a flavour of the places.

So far as specifics are concerned, I have been to all of the fields you mentioned, and with the exception of the desire to get them into your logbook, in some instances at least, you may find them disappointing.

If we take Berck as an example, it is effectively the private home of a flying club that specialises in BBQs fly-outs and doing the odd "Bapteme de l'Air". The club is close-knit, and whilst you will be warmly greeted, there will be a degree of surprise to see you. Fuel is often not available for visiting aircraft (since it is administrated by the club) and facilities for met and flight-planning will be basic.

Berck is not really in the town of Berck-sur-Mer, although it is not a long walk to the seafront. It is also next-door to the massive Bagatelle, theme-park, not a bad run if you have kiddies, but definitely quicker to land at Le Touquet and take a taxi.

Turning to Eu/Mers-le-Treport, this airport is of restricted use, and is only available to aircraft based there, and those based at certain surrounding airfields. Whilst you could obtain permission to land, there is little to do there when you arrive, so few bother unless they have a particular reason for landing there.

Amiens is a nice airport with a lovely little terminal building, stuck some way out of town. Make sure you bring a taxi number and a mobile phone with you to avoid being marooned at the airport with nothing to do.

Albert/Bray is a very friendly little field with a nice hard runway and a friendly aeroclub. There are also some nice restaurants in the neighbouring villages.

St. Omer is another friendly one with an aeroclub that actively encourages visiting aircraft. It is also a little closer to town, and you can readily walk to the town centre. Worth remembering that the grass runway is only available to the residents.

Contact me directly if you want more specific information.

[Flik]

How about St Valery, further SW along the coast just past Dieppe?

Small quiet uncontrolled field, and only a short taxi ride to a typical French costal town. There's a couple of good restaurants and a cheap, albeit basic hotel.

You could fly direct to Dieppe and clear customs there, with 2 hours notice I think. Then its a 5 minute hop.

No landing fee!!!

[2Donkeys]

St Valery is very nice. A couple of the unwary get caught out each year trying to land on the hard runway (which whilst very visible, is also all broken up). Stick with the grass, and remember that it often becomes a bog during the coming winter months.