Private flying in Belgium.
 

Hi Guys.

I am visiting Belgium in summer 2019 and will be flying in the Limburg area. I am a private pilot. PPL issued by RU CAA. I'm planning on a route over Eindhoven, Lommel, Hasselt, Maastricht, Roermond and Eindhoven. Can somebody advise the most cost-effective route? What are average surcharges in Belgian regional airports? Any restrictions and is there anything else I should take into account?

Thanks.

Welcome to this place, and very much welcome to Belgium! Myself am based at EBZH Kiewit, right in the heart of Belgian Limburg. It will be my pleasure to offer any assistance you might require.

Could you please indicate (more or less) what type of plane you will be flying, and whether VFR or IFR? What are your planned aerodromes of departure and destination?

Just to give a bit of indication: my homefield EBZH, and also nearby EBKH Keiheuvel, charge 5 € landing fee; both have a pump for AvGas, but MoGas would require prior arrangement. Both have an excellent bar/tavern/restaurant, too. A major field like EBAW Antwerp still has quite reasonable charges - some 40-50 €, ISTR - with again a fine resto available, and fuel, and what not.

If you fly VFR, and below 2000 kg MTOW, I understand no direct cost will be levied except the aerodrome landing fees.

A major warning about the Limburg area: Kleine Brogel EBBL is an active fighter base, mind your P's and Q's round there. They may even go at Quick Reaction Alert for a scramble of interceptors in which case their airspace will be closed to all and sundry.

And before I forget, 8,33 radio and mode S transponder are almost mandatory - 8,33 is absolutely required, mode S can still be avoided by flying outside controlled airspace - which means below 4500', and carefully avoid the many CTR's and TMA's - and strictly VFR.

The chart looks inpenetrable, but the reality is easier!

As Jan says, we need to know more of your aircraft type before advising further!

If not too early, we're running a flying event in May - deeper into the summer there are airshows (to which you can fly) all over the country.

Keep in touch, we will put a Gulden Draak in the fridge for you... :)

Beware! Sam, offering our Belgian strong beers to pilots from the East! I once offered one Duvel too much to one of them, I still hope he doesn't hold it against me! Wodka they are used to, and they can cope with short drinks very well; but generally they are not used to strong beers like we have here. There's another warning for you, @kyber39 - but do not let it put you off :) !

Belgian beer caused one of our group, delegated to pay for our dinner in Bruges, to add the mother of all tips. We couldn't understand why the waiters were so keen for us to return the next day, until we were told our share of the bill. :)

Flying in Bel
 

Hi Guys.

Thanks for the warm welcome). I have 125 hours on a single engine Tecnam Sierra p2002. MTOW 750kg. VFR only. And it would be good to have such an aircraft for rent or similar type. Could you advise rental rates for Tecnam in your area? Also if I decide to go can I fly with somebody a couple of times? Just to have a sightseeing tour. I guess I will need to validate my RU PPL. Is that correct? What is the procedure of foreign PPL validation (approval) in Bel? Are there any other issues? And what documents should I have to fly in Belgium legally?

Thanks for reply.

OK, thanks for making your situation clear. I am afraid there is no really good reply, though.

* You seem to fly the P2002 as an LSA, that is a European classification but few planes are registered to it in BE;
* There is little offer, perhaps even none at all, of commercial rentals for this category of aeroplane round here;
* There are a fair number of P2002's around, however they are generally registered as ultralights, and you could only fly them legally on an ultralight license. This being a national matter, i.e. governed by Belgian authorities, you would have to offer first a valid medical, then pass theoretical exams, then fly with a registered BE ULM examinator. Your Russian PPL might help with the first two, I have little help to offer there but others might; the practical test should be quite feasible and not expensive either, but it might take its time.
* Your best bet could perhaps be to fly on a European PPL, issued on the base of your present PPL; join a flying club as a temporary/guest member, a club that has a suitable LSA available to members; get checked out by the club's instructor(s). But I have not the slightest idea of the conversion process;
* One club that I can think of is the Aeroclub Brasschaat at EBBT, I think they have a couple of tri-wheel low-wingers registered as LSA but I cannot really be sure.
* the authority governing Belgian licenses can be found at https://mobilit.belgium.be/en , I have always found these people very polite and serviceable but they are quite understaffed these days so a bit of patience might be required

As an afterthought, as I re-read my own words: flying as PIC might be a lot of bother, and a bit of cost, too, perhaps more than it is worth. Why not consider flying with an instructor as PIC? I think most clubs would be glad to welcome you to this formula.

Good luck, and feel free to inquire further!

Jan.

Thanks a lot for such detailed answer. Yes I thought about flying with an instructor. Why not? How much does it cost? Is it possible to have average prices?

That will depend on whether to do it in ultralight class or PPL/LSA. Ultralight planes and also their instructors are much more available, I would roughly estimate between 100 and 150 € per hour for aeroplane plus instructor but don't take my word on it. LSA is more difficult to estimate because, as said, there's not many around.

Or, just fly with an owner (and offer to pay the fuel)...

That would be cheapest, Sam, of course, and easiest to arrange, too. But not everybody's insurance would cover it - mine at least wouldn't. No problem, sure, as long as nothing goes wrong.

If the owner is P1, the insurance should cover it. If the owner does the landing and take-off, there's not much risk. But OP won't get to log it.