Flying to Belgium
 

I would like to fly from London to Belgium for a quick Saturday trip.

I was thinking about Brussels initially so I contacted Brussels International: they quoted me landing and handling fees of >€500 for a Cessna 182... The only reasonable way would be to land at Grimbergen - a grass airstrip very close to the city - but that would require me to stop at a customs airport first.

So I could consider Antwerpen or Oostend (are these the only two customs airports in Belgium?), but Oostend seems far from the local tourist attraction I am aware of (i.e. Bruges) and I am not sure whether Antwerp is worth the trip.

Any suggestions on attractions/ alternatives destinations/ practical flying tips in Belgium?

Belgium
 

Hi, I was a few weeks ago in Ostende - EBOS for a weekend in Brugge,
had a very good experience with Airport and Brugge,

i paid for 3 days parking, operations etc. ca. eur 50,
service was great and fast,

there is a city bus from apt every 15-20 mins to the train station and then 3 trains/hour to Brugge (20 hours by train),

Greg

Can't you stop in France too, clear customs there and then you're inside the Schengen (forgive my crap spelling!) zone, so don't need to clear again into Belgium.

Do the reverse on the way home.

dp

WE used EBKT the last time we went to Brussels

I think Greg meant 20 minutes by train. I did this several years ago, and it was quite straight forward.

Brooklands

IMO, Antwerp is worth the trip. Nice town centre with classic Flemish architecture.

I also use Antwerp for Brussels. Take a taxi (or walk) to Antwerp Berchem station and there are frequent trains to Brussels Central that take 35 mins. A bit much for a day trip, but still quite convenient.

I'd also confirm that getting to Brugge from Ostend is straightforward.

Antwerp is fine. I went there in 2009. A really nice city too.

It wasn't a £10 airport but it was OK for the occassional visit.

Belgium has very good helpful ATC, IME. I have even flown through Belgium, VFR (VMC on top), FL085 or so, with Brussels Departures giving me vectors :) Unheard of in the UK.

Do note that Antwerp now has compulsory handling. It's not that expensive compared to other controlled fields, but it's still something like 10 euros for a 100-meter bus trip.

At least, this is what I've heard at the club. I might be wrong. It might be more expensive for a shorter distance.

I think you are right.

Lucky it isn't £400 - like Gatwick, Luton etc :)

BTW I heard the other day that mandatory handling is illegal in the EU unless there is a choice of at least 2 handling agents. Of course, in practice, they will run a cartel on this (which is also illegal but only if you get caught).

If it's for a quick visit, then go to EBAW. There is a lot more to see than Brussels.

If you want to be a bit more adventurous, why don't you try Spa (EBSP)?

I have done it a couple of times and it is a great and friendly place to go (it is even better if you enjoy a nightstop). It takes about 2 hours in a PA-28.

Spa also has full facilities so you don't have to worry about the "non-Schengen" racket.

I thought they stopped that a few months ago. It was ridiculous anyway.

I would avoid Grimbergen, they really don't want to have any visitors and are not friendly at all, it will take you more time to wait for the taxi and drive to Brussels than if you take a train from Antwerp to Brussels center.

EBAW is the best GA choice IMHO.

I'm afraid that's no longer the case. Spa used to offer customs and permit non-Schengen arrivals, but no longer. Belgian AIC 01/2009 refers.

Ah well, nothing lasts for ever. Thanks for that.

Odd...I have flown in there once from Rotterdam, and it was one of the friendliest airfields that I have visited, as long as you stick closely to the required procedures. If you don't follow the well publicised procedures, then perhaps they'll get upset with you.