French fly-in to Isle of Wight
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French fly-in to Isle of Wight
The flying club I fly from in France has decided to organise a club outing to the Isle of Wight in mid-July. I think the choice of destination was largely to minimise exposure to English-speaking controllers!
As the resident Brit, I've been asked to help with the planning. Can anyone suggest which of the airfields on the island would be the more suitable destination? We would be in 3 Robin DR400's, with maybe a Rallye as well, if the people on the "maybe" list make up their minds and decide to come along too.
Also, any suggestions for accommodation would be very gratefully received.
Thanks in advance.
As the resident Brit, I've been asked to help with the planning. Can anyone suggest which of the airfields on the island would be the more suitable destination? We would be in 3 Robin DR400's, with maybe a Rallye as well, if the people on the "maybe" list make up their minds and decide to come along too.
Also, any suggestions for accommodation would be very gratefully received.
Thanks in advance.
Last edited by Aerobatic Flyer; 2nd Jun 2003 at 22:03.
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AF
I've been to both, but never get beyond the airfield at Sandown, although I'm sure that you can walk to either Sandown or Shanklin.
There's a nice pub by the sea about 20 minutes walk from Bembridge (but I can't remember its name
). You can also walk to Bembridge Town/Village.
Try the Island's website for more info, but note that the link to Bembridge airfield goes to the wrong place (but the url given is correct)
I'd pick one, but have a backup plan for the other in case the crosswind is too strong at your first choice. The runways at the two fields are almost at 90 degrees (12/30 at Bembridge and 05/23 at Sandown) so the crosswind will never be much more than 45 degrees at one of them.
I know what you mean about the French pilots unease with dealing with UK ATC and airspace. I was involved with organising a weekend trip by a club from Paris to Wycombe are few years ago. They were all a bit daunted by the airspace/ATC issue, but overjoyed once they got to Wycombe at having mastered it, and keen to come back to the UK again.
Brooklands
I've been to both, but never get beyond the airfield at Sandown, although I'm sure that you can walk to either Sandown or Shanklin.
There's a nice pub by the sea about 20 minutes walk from Bembridge (but I can't remember its name
). You can also walk to Bembridge Town/Village.Try the Island's website for more info, but note that the link to Bembridge airfield goes to the wrong place (but the url given is correct)
I'd pick one, but have a backup plan for the other in case the crosswind is too strong at your first choice. The runways at the two fields are almost at 90 degrees (12/30 at Bembridge and 05/23 at Sandown) so the crosswind will never be much more than 45 degrees at one of them.
I know what you mean about the French pilots unease with dealing with UK ATC and airspace. I was involved with organising a weekend trip by a club from Paris to Wycombe are few years ago. They were all a bit daunted by the airspace/ATC issue, but overjoyed once they got to Wycombe at having mastered it, and keen to come back to the UK again.
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Minimizing their exposure to UK RT won't prevent them from having to talk to London Info or other busy controllers. I do hope they'll be up to it.
French pilots often think they won't have much trouble doing the RT in English...until they have to key the mike that is!.
I leant to fly in the UK where I lived for more than ten years (I am french by the way). I now fly out of a little, nice and relaxed airfield - Bernay in Normandy. Jersey is down the road from us and I often fly out there to get my £100 sunday papers. Too often I hear French GA pilots having difficulties understanding messages from the Jersey controlers even though they (the controllers) make the effort to speak very clearly and slowly to french pilots.
Jersey is good enough to let us GA pilots mix with the big boys - all for just 9 quid (how much is it is Blackbushe now?) and I think French pilots ought to ensure they can fit in.
Mind you - they will probably hear a lot of french chatters on the Sandown frequency - unless things have changed, Sandown is still on 123.5, the same as the French Unicom frequency.
Anyway, Sandown and Bembridge are great. I understand the museum in Sandown is closed but the pub next to the airfield in Bembridge is still open.
By the way, if they can go as far as the Isle of Whight
By the way Aerobatic Flyer, where do you fly from?
Were you in Bernay this week end? We hosted the Boulier aerobatic competition.
French pilots often think they won't have much trouble doing the RT in English...until they have to key the mike that is!.
I leant to fly in the UK where I lived for more than ten years (I am french by the way). I now fly out of a little, nice and relaxed airfield - Bernay in Normandy. Jersey is down the road from us and I often fly out there to get my £100 sunday papers. Too often I hear French GA pilots having difficulties understanding messages from the Jersey controlers even though they (the controllers) make the effort to speak very clearly and slowly to french pilots.
Jersey is good enough to let us GA pilots mix with the big boys - all for just 9 quid (how much is it is Blackbushe now?) and I think French pilots ought to ensure they can fit in.
Mind you - they will probably hear a lot of french chatters on the Sandown frequency - unless things have changed, Sandown is still on 123.5, the same as the French Unicom frequency.
Anyway, Sandown and Bembridge are great. I understand the museum in Sandown is closed but the pub next to the airfield in Bembridge is still open.
By the way, if they can go as far as the Isle of Whight
By the way Aerobatic Flyer, where do you fly from?
Were you in Bernay this week end? We hosted the Boulier aerobatic competition.
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I've been to both airfields, and with apologies to the nice people at Sandown, I'd say that Bembridge is a much better choice for visitors. Even though there is less on the airfield itself, the town is nicer than Sandown for a visitor - and there is a pub (I think called "Propeller"?) that does a good lunch, right on the airfield (walk via the threshold).
And as has been said, if x-wind no good, land at the other one!
Hope this helps, let us know how it goes!
Andy
P.S. glad to hear there is as much trepidation on the part of French PPLs having to speak English as we sometimes feel having to speak French at uncontrolled French airfields!
P.P.S - yes it is called the Propeller Inn, see http://www.wightwash.org.uk/pubpage/bembridge.html then click on "Propeller Inn".
And as has been said, if x-wind no good, land at the other one!
Hope this helps, let us know how it goes!
Andy
P.S. glad to hear there is as much trepidation on the part of French PPLs having to speak English as we sometimes feel having to speak French at uncontrolled French airfields!
P.P.S - yes it is called the Propeller Inn, see http://www.wightwash.org.uk/pubpage/bembridge.html then click on "Propeller Inn".
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Thanks everyone!
Between us, we should manage with the English! I'll fly one aircraft, and there'll be an instructor in each of the others I think. It's still a bit daunting for to have to talk another language, though... I feel for them, 'cos I tend to make a hash of RT in French despite being reasonably fluent normally.
CBG - I fly from Villefranche, close to Lyon. Wasn't in Bernay this weekend - I was at the AFPM fly-in at the Col du Béal altisurface instead. Good fun!
Between us, we should manage with the English! I'll fly one aircraft, and there'll be an instructor in each of the others I think. It's still a bit daunting for to have to talk another language, though... I feel for them, 'cos I tend to make a hash of RT in French despite being reasonably fluent normally.
CBG - I fly from Villefranche, close to Lyon. Wasn't in Bernay this weekend - I was at the AFPM fly-in at the Col du Béal altisurface instead. Good fun!
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Aerobatic Flyer.
As an ex FIR controller (note the contradiction of terms), might I suggest a 'loose' formation flight.
File the flight plan as normal, callsign section, put one registration. In type, put 3xDr400, in remarks put, Formation of 3 aircraft registrations F-,F-,F-.
Select a 'chat' frequency for relaying information, but leave all the 'English RT' to you.
With you in the lead aircraft there should be no problem.
Might be the easiest option if your fellow pilots are worried about the RT.
As to airfields, Bembridge has an interesting village, windmill, lifeboat station and chalk cliffs. But if you want the beach, Sandown is closer (i think).
Cheers
As an ex FIR controller (note the contradiction of terms), might I suggest a 'loose' formation flight.
File the flight plan as normal, callsign section, put one registration. In type, put 3xDr400, in remarks put, Formation of 3 aircraft registrations F-,F-,F-.
Select a 'chat' frequency for relaying information, but leave all the 'English RT' to you.
With you in the lead aircraft there should be no problem.
Might be the easiest option if your fellow pilots are worried about the RT.
As to airfields, Bembridge has an interesting village, windmill, lifeboat station and chalk cliffs. But if you want the beach, Sandown is closer (i think).
Cheers
aceatco, retired
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Select a 'chat' frequency for relaying information, but leave all the 'English RT' to you.
Aerobatic Flyer
Try and persuade them (maybe later) to come to an Shuttleworth display one weekend at Old Warden. Plenty of accommodation, good food, nice airfield, lots to see and do. We don't bite!
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Red Spitfire Driver
Thanks for the suggestion. I hadn't realised that one flight plan for several aircraft was permitted. Possible slight problem with the "loose formation" bit, though.... I think we'd probably be a bit separated after the Cherbourg to IoW crossing.
Vintage ATCO
I'd love to come to a Shuttleworth display. Is anything happening on Julyl 13th?
Thanks for the suggestion. I hadn't realised that one flight plan for several aircraft was permitted. Possible slight problem with the "loose formation" bit, though.... I think we'd probably be a bit separated after the Cherbourg to IoW crossing.
Vintage ATCO
I'd love to come to a Shuttleworth display. Is anything happening on Julyl 13th?
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Aerobatic Flyer
There isn't a display at Shuttleworth on July 14 but the airfield is available to fly into (subject PPR) and the museum will be open.
In July the displays are 6th (1930s Air Display) and the 19th (Summer Evening Air Display).
Other dates via my website.
VA
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There isn't a display at Shuttleworth on July 14 but the airfield is available to fly into (subject PPR) and the museum will be open.
In July the displays are 6th (1930s Air Display) and the 19th (Summer Evening Air Display).
Other dates via my website.
VA
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The Crab & Lobster is I believe still operational, although someone on a previous post said the cliff walk to it is now in the sea. It had crab sandwiches and salads to satisfy a French pallette.
One question. Customs?
Would you have to go to Southampton to clear in and out?
If so I think they have some temporary restrictions on arrivals, best to check.
For the crossing MP- SAM I have always found Deauville excellent, and Southampton likewise, and probably quicker on the draw if an engine failure occurs.
However a recent notice stated Southampton no longer provide information on the D036. I suggest you determine by telephone prior to flight the status and possibility of getting transit permission.
There is a danger area shown on the IoW, but if you check the small print you will see it only applies to helicopters.
Hope this is of use.
One question. Customs?
Would you have to go to Southampton to clear in and out?
If so I think they have some temporary restrictions on arrivals, best to check.
For the crossing MP- SAM I have always found Deauville excellent, and Southampton likewise, and probably quicker on the draw if an engine failure occurs.
However a recent notice stated Southampton no longer provide information on the D036. I suggest you determine by telephone prior to flight the status and possibility of getting transit permission.
There is a danger area shown on the IoW, but if you check the small print you will see it only applies to helicopters.
Hope this is of use.
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It'd be nice if the next PPRuNe fly-in could be a joint venture - perhaps meeting up with some of our French 'colleagues' at a south-coast airfield. Be kind of interesting to get a first-hand account of how the other half lives etc. especially for someone who is based too far north to make day trips across the chanel a practical option.
Be good to extend the hand of frendship to our neighbours, especially after the recent 'disagreements'. We could even invite the Belgians
Be good to extend the hand of frendship to our neighbours, especially after the recent 'disagreements'. We could even invite the Belgians
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The cliff path to the Crab & Lobster is full operational, walked along it from Bembridge a few ago - they've simply moved the path in a few yards in a couple of places, all roped off so no problems - the prawn curry was very good 
...please insert 'y' and 'weeks'...
...please insert 'y' and 'weeks'...
