Transiting France en route to Jersey
 

I'll be attempting a mission to Jersey this weekend. There seem to be two options, either to track straight from St. Catherines on the IOW to Jersey, or take the route-less-wet by crossing between Dover and Cap Gris Nez, and then following the french coast. Any thoughts? And my real question: do you have to clear french customs if you are transiting french airspace?

No. You only clear customs if you land. Not a bad idea to take your passports though, in case you need to make an unplanned diversion.

2D

But maybe better to land in France just in case there is a problem. Calais is a good stoping place. I went there with a very long piste

Why is it better to land in France in case there is a problem, there is no need to land in France.

The Douane guys are very tricky in France. If you fly over the country maybe they get you next time!!. I read in some places see Flyer forum guys that there are problems in France. Those guys they look for N reg. So it is better to visit the Douane guys. But it is also a good time to let the pax have a break and a cofee. 2 hrs is a max in a small plane. Better to be safer than sorry I think in France. The engine also has a rest cool down and get ready for the next waypoint

Sorry, but cannot see any need whatsoever to plan to stop in France en route Jersey. You will clear customs in Jersey. I have often flown to Jersy over France in my N reg, and also direct to France on numeorus occassions. Only on one occasion have I been boarded by Customs in France, at Le Bourget, who were only interested in checking my VAT certificate.

Hello MrJamesgroves........
I do Jersey quite often and I can't think of any reason to go via France. I fly form White Waltham in a P28A and it normally takes around 1hr 45mins brakes off to brakes on. I route SAM DCT ORTAC and Solent approach are usually very helpful. HOWEVER, there are a few NOTAMS out for this area at the moment so make sure you check them before you start your flight planning. You will need to file a GENDEC 12 hours before you fly as The Channel Islands still fall under the prevention of terrorism act, also you need to file a flight plan at least 1 hour before you take off, on the flight plan they like an EET for 50 north.
Landing charges are very reasonable in Jersey, if you are under 1000Kg then it is £8 + £5 admin........this also includes 7 nights parking !!
You can also claim fuel drawback which works out at around £54 on our Cherokee.
Send me a PM if you would like me to send you GENDEC, Flight Plan and drawback forms so that you can complete them on your computer and keep them for future reference and use.
Hope you have a good trip,
Regards
FBW

Flyby but I think you can go DCT on your route so no need for a call in France that would be crasy. I think the guys that go over France on the way to the CI should drop in to the douanes in France. The N reg boys must drop in and say hello/ goodbye to make sure no problems next journey

Cio

bpilatus

It would be a shame if your version of humour led anybody to feel that overflying France in any kind of aircraft, let alone an N-reg posed any kind of problem. It doesn't.

If you've paid the VAT on your N-reg, landing in France and exploring that country deeply is no problem either. The Douaniers are only out to make a fast buck if you can't either:

a) Prove that VAT has been paid (either import docs or original VAT Invoice); or

b) Prove that the aircraft has been in the EU since 1/Jan/93 - which gives it immunity under directive EC 92/111.

Foreign Douaniers can only ask questions about the VAT status of non-EU registered aircraft. They may not ask such questions of G-reg aircraft. That privilege rests with our own dear Customs and Revenue Service.

Don't you think that the phoney accent is wearing a bit thin now...

2D

here, here.

I'm not sure anyone, bar bpilatus himself, ever found it funny, and it was a bit thin from the start. :rolleyes:

You guys need to give a poor guy a break. You live in big fancy houses and you have a go at me. Oh very good guys I like your style. You are the bully boys of pprune. That Bose guy he is a ********.
So if I go to France I stop for customs. OK. If you go to France you do you're own thing. No problem for me. I say I told you so. What do I say that is wrong! Ok I have my own rules. You have you forget it I get tired of hearing youre words.

*********** Dick Head

Do you know if there's any problem yet just relying on the Letter of Free Circulation issued by UK customs?

So far as I am aware, Customs don't issue such letters any more following the demise of the Southampton-based GA Unit.

If you are lucky enough to have one, then that too will deal with Customs.

2D

still do not understand why bpilatus feels it necessary to land in France when going to the channel Is. when overflying France?

No Neeeeeeeeed

What's equally peculiar is why he feels the engine benefits from a "rest" and a "cool down". Attributing anthropomorphic qualities like that to an engine is often wrong. An engine is at its "happiest" ;) when it's running at its normal temperature. If anything, it would be marginally better for the engine if you stay in the air and avoid the unnecessary cool-down.

This is peculiar as you say.

next thing bpilatus will have easy jet stopping at france for customs on the way to spain......

I am glad I have stirred him up, but I did see him promise to sling his hook on another thread if we do not stop giving him a hard time. We are still waiting, byeeee!

:cool:

Once again it has been demonstrated by the likes of bp that the use of an aliases reduces the readability and usefulness of forums.

If everyone was forced to post either under their own name or if the community was small enough (like on the FF) so that everyone would know each other, the quality of the contributions would rise and the amount of noise would diminish by a fair factor.

Frank Voeten

think bpilatus posts are very similar to ronchonner and spaceman2000. Phoney French accent on the posts and full of drivel.

If you have no time to get Special Branch clearance, a landing in France can be quite useful…

Rod1