Le Bourget
 

Can I fly in here VFR? What is the procedure? I've checked out and negotiated rates with a handling agent, just now need to be sure what the procedure is. I'm only VFR at the moment, and looking at the charts it seems right close to Charles de Gaulle....

Regards
:) http://www.pprune.org/ubb/NonCGI/confused.gif :)

Weather notwithstanding, flying into Le Bourget VFR is not a problem. There is a specific low-level VFR route which commences just to the south of Pontoise, and keeps you clear of the CDG traffic. If you are coming up from the South, the other end of the same route starts from close to Chelles Aerodrome.

Because the procedure is somewhat involved, you will need to obtain the appropriate plates (Bottlang for example), and follow those instructions rigidly. Failure to do so *will* result in you being turned away from the airfield. It is also prudent to have a diversion airfield (such as Pontoise) in mind. There are slightly higher-than-normal VFR minima applied to the VFR route into Le Bourget, and the possibility always exists of being turned away.

As a footnote, you should be aware that the VFR entry route takes you very low over 10 miles or so of built-up area where there is absolutely no chance of gliding clear in a single. You will need to search your conscience as to whether you can fly a G (or N) registered aircraft along the route legally and safely.

Feel free to contact me directly if you want more info

-2Donkeys

Best to avoid next week though :-)
Ian

... or read the special NOTAMs very carefully. Transair (not related to the Shoreham Pilot Shop), are doing handling still for small aircraft apparently.

-2Donkeys

Thanks for the replies. We're not going now, Transair do handle little aircraft but are busy when we want to go (next week Ian!) so my friend who wanted to go see the aeroplanes will have to use Eurostar!

Cheers all.

For futire reference if it is Paris you want, Tossus le Noble is the place to go. They accept single engine VFR flights and you end up about a 10 minute taxi ride from the Palace of Versailles.

Be careful about joining instructions, they kept telling me to "report Sierra" trouble was my chrat and plate had no "Sierra" on it. Eventually I called "Field in sight" and they slotted me in.

...also known as Toussus le Noble... but I think I preferred your version :)

As you say Toussus is OK, but for convenience and proximity to the the centre of Paris, you will find Pontoise tough to beat. It is a shorter flying time for most Britishers than Toussus, and the local RER (underground) station will get you to the centre of Paris (as opposed to Versailles which is 15 miles out) in less than 15 minutes.

Pontoise also avoids some of the more compressed airspace and awkward reporting points that Toussus involves.

-2Donkeys