Overseas Flying Requirements
 

Hi,

I'm looking to a do a flight from Southend to France (probably Le Touquet). What's the requirements? Never done overseas flying before so tell me everything I must/should get done.

Thanks.

Try this.

There is one thing that I need to update that document and make more explicit: Many French airfields require notice in advance for Customs e.g. Le Touquet requires 2 hours, which can be done by email.

Some things missing from that list which become mandatory from the 25th of August:


NCO.GEN.135 Documents, manuals and information to be carried




(a) The following documents, manuals and information shall be carried on each flight as originals or copies unless otherwise specified:


(1) the AFM, or equivalent document(s);




Page 9 of 47 Annex VII ‘Part-NCO’






(2) the original certificate of registration;


(3) the original certificate of airworthiness (CofA);


(4) the noise certificate, if applicable;


(5) the list of specific approvals, if applicable;


(6) the aircraft radio licence, if applicable;


(7) the third party liability insurance certificate(s);


(8) the journey log, or equivalent, for the aircraft;


(9) details of the filed ATS flight plan, if applicable;


(10) current and suitable aeronautical charts for the route of the proposed flight and all routes along which it is reasonable to expect that the flight may be diverted;


(11) procedures and visual signals information for use by intercepting and intercepted aircraft;


(12) the MEL or CDL, if applicable; and


(13) any other documentation that may be pertinent to the flight or is required by the States concerned with the flight.


(b) Notwithstanding (a), on flights:


(1) intending to take off and land at the same aerodrome/operating site; or


(2) remaining within a distance or area determined by the competent authority,


the documents and information in (a)(2) to (a)(8) may be retained at the aerodrome or operating site.


(c) Notwithstanding (a), on flights with balloons or sailplanes, excluding touring motor gliders (TMGs), the documents and information in (a)(2) to (a)(8) and (a)(11) to (a)(13) may be carried in the retrieve vehicle.


(d) The pilot-in-command shall make available within a reasonable time of being requested to do so by the competent authority, the documentation required to be carried on board.


NCO.IDE.A.170 Emergency locator transmitter (ELT)




(a) Aeroplanes shall be equipped with:


(1) an ELT of any type, when first issued with an individual CofA on or before 1 July 2008;


(2) an automatic ELT, when first issued with an individual CofA after 1 July 2008; or


(3) a survival ELT (ELT(S)) or a personal locator beacon (PLB), carried by the pilot-in-command or a passenger, when certified for a maximum passenger seating configuration of six or less.


(b) ELTs of any type and PLBs shall be capable of transmitting simultaneously on 121.5 MHz and 406 MHz.




Page 30 of 47 Annex VII ‘Part-NCO’






NCO.IDE.A.175 Flight over water




(a) The following aeroplanes shall be equipped with a life-jacket for each person on board, or equivalent individual floatation device for each person on board younger than 24 months, that shall be worn or stowed in a position that is readily accessible from the seat or berth of the person for whose use it is provided:


(1) single-engined landplanes when:


(i) flying over water beyond gliding distance from land; or


(ii) taking off or landing at an aerodrome or operating site where, in the opinion of the pilot-in-command, the take-off or approach path is so disposed over water that there would be a likelihood of a ditching;


(2) seaplanes operated over water; and


(3) aeroplanes operated at a distance away from land where an emergency landing is possible greater than that corresponding to 30 minutes at normal cruising speed or 50 NM, whichever is less.


(b) Seaplanes operated over water shall be equipped with:


(1) one anchor;


(2) one sea anchor (drogue), when necessary to assist in manoeuvring; and


(3) equipment for making the sound signals, as prescribed in the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, where applicable.


(c) The pilot-in-command of an aeroplane operated at a distance away from land where an emergency landing is possible greater than that corresponding to 30 minutes at normal cruising speed or 50 NM, whichever is the lesser, shall determine the risks to survival of the occupants of the aeroplane in the event of a ditching, based on which he/she shall determine the carriage of:


(1) equipment for making the distress signals;


(2) life-rafts in sufficient numbers to carry all persons on board, stowed so as to facilitate their ready use in emergency; and


(3) life-saving equipment, to provide the means of sustaining life, as appropriate to the flight to be undertaken.




NCO.IDE.A.180 Survival equipment




Aeroplanes operated over areas in which search and rescue would be especially difficult shall be equipped with such signalling devices and life-saving equipment, including means of sustaining life, as may be appropriate to the area overflown.




Page 31

It's true that the document needs a minor update to cover imminent changes, but it is not intended to cover carriage of items in the aircraft which are required anyway by other legislation - which most of the 25 August changes are.

Whether you fly to France or not, much of that will become necessary

I do already cover A.175 and A.180, which are specific to flight over water.

Thanks - just a few things then!

You do hold a PPL, at least, don't you? Weren't you taught in PPL ground class what requirements you must meet for international flight? If not, I suggest you sue your training organisation!

That said, following certain recent events there are exceptions in effect at certain FR aerodromes, but AFAIK there's no difference for UK <=> LFAT flights (or, for that matter, UK <=> LFAC or other French "fields of entry"). Given the present instability, I would still recommend getting in touch with your destination field before take-off. A little phone call could bring a lot of relax.

@Sherwood16


It is your obligation to conduct a safe flight and that includes understanding the underlying requirements. Hence, you must acquire the France VFR & Operational Manuals and study the requirements before engaging on your flight to France. That's your best approach right there.


Don't waste your time picking on low hanging fruits. It makes no sense flying to a destination without mapping out the appropriate situational awareness. A thorough understanding of the requirements greatly enhances your flight preparedness and readiness.


WP