Flying in Europe on on FAA ticket - preperation
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Flying in Europe on on FAA ticket - preperation
Fellow Rotorheads, I am looking to do a flight in Europe, UK->Belgium->Holland->Germany->Denmark, return, flying on an FAA ticket in a G reg machine, and I am looking to get some advice and recommendations.
I have read various threads on FAA/G-Reg, and according to the CAA site that is fine, including outside the UK, I have also read up on the tips flying into Belgium, and flying in Germany (only airfield to airfield), and requirements for off airport landings in Holland.
What I am looking for, is advice in two streams:
1) Nuances / differences between the FAA rules I am used to (e.g. altimeter, airspace, flight plans/clearances, air law, flying between Schengen States, insurance requirements, documentation, etc.) (been 7 years since I flew in the UK)
2) Any recommendations for planning and executing the trip, route planning, weather expectations/buffers, and fun things to see and do in Holland, Germany, and Denmark
This will not be my first inter-country trip, though my first in Europe.
The time frame is roughly mid-may, and so far my intended route is roughly as follows:
EGMD->EBKT (channel crossing route as per rotorheads thread recommendation)
EBKT->Off Airport site in Holland, Relais Chatteaux Hotel/Restaurant in Kruiningen that caters for Helicopter Arrivals
Kruiningen along the coast, passed Den Haag to EHHA (Amsterdam Heliport)
EHHA->EDXF
EDXF->EKRK
Lots of variables in the air, so trip is not guaranteed though working to reduce the variables, your input greatly appreciated!!
I have relationships with Heli folk and Rotorheads in England, though none in the other countries above. Any introductions also greatly appreciated.
Unfortunately I can't seem to find many clear resources on the web, though I am using Jeppessen Internet Flight Planner, and am looking to purchase the paper charts in the next few weeks.
The flight is approx 600nm each way, excl. any side trips, and aside from the channel crossing, and a crossing in Denmark, seems like it should be straight forward, with short segments making it comfortable for the wife.
I have one hard date, which is the stop at EDXF, though am not sure what sort of buffer I need to place for any Wx delays.
The wife has never been to Holland or Denmark, so I'd really love for her to get a good feeling for the countries.
I have read various threads on FAA/G-Reg, and according to the CAA site that is fine, including outside the UK, I have also read up on the tips flying into Belgium, and flying in Germany (only airfield to airfield), and requirements for off airport landings in Holland.
What I am looking for, is advice in two streams:
1) Nuances / differences between the FAA rules I am used to (e.g. altimeter, airspace, flight plans/clearances, air law, flying between Schengen States, insurance requirements, documentation, etc.) (been 7 years since I flew in the UK)
2) Any recommendations for planning and executing the trip, route planning, weather expectations/buffers, and fun things to see and do in Holland, Germany, and Denmark
This will not be my first inter-country trip, though my first in Europe.
The time frame is roughly mid-may, and so far my intended route is roughly as follows:
EGMD->EBKT (channel crossing route as per rotorheads thread recommendation)
EBKT->Off Airport site in Holland, Relais Chatteaux Hotel/Restaurant in Kruiningen that caters for Helicopter Arrivals
Kruiningen along the coast, passed Den Haag to EHHA (Amsterdam Heliport)
EHHA->EDXF
EDXF->EKRK
Lots of variables in the air, so trip is not guaranteed though working to reduce the variables, your input greatly appreciated!!
I have relationships with Heli folk and Rotorheads in England, though none in the other countries above. Any introductions also greatly appreciated.
Unfortunately I can't seem to find many clear resources on the web, though I am using Jeppessen Internet Flight Planner, and am looking to purchase the paper charts in the next few weeks.
The flight is approx 600nm each way, excl. any side trips, and aside from the channel crossing, and a crossing in Denmark, seems like it should be straight forward, with short segments making it comfortable for the wife.
I have one hard date, which is the stop at EDXF, though am not sure what sort of buffer I need to place for any Wx delays.
The wife has never been to Holland or Denmark, so I'd really love for her to get a good feeling for the countries.
Last edited by birrddog; 16th Apr 2010 at 22:18. Reason: changed Copenhagen to Roskilde
I would just be more careful with the low-level flying since the FAA allow you to fly a lot lower especially over urban areas. Also in the UK they want helicopters to conform to the airplane pattern (unless specifically designated otherwise) whereas FAA regs require helos to avoid the flow of fixed wing traffic in the pattern ('circuit'). They like standard overhead rejoins too..
and there are a lot of 'Prior Permission Required' fields in the UK. Maybe do an hour with a UK instructor and go over the chart legend and markings as well as basic VFR rules.
Remember to give it a big toot of carb-heat if you're flying a piston in the UK; especially just before lifting off.
Most of all have fun! Europe has so much to see from the air, you are more likely to get lost due to the profusion of landmarks than from their lack.
Flug
and there are a lot of 'Prior Permission Required' fields in the UK. Maybe do an hour with a UK instructor and go over the chart legend and markings as well as basic VFR rules.
Remember to give it a big toot of carb-heat if you're flying a piston in the UK; especially just before lifting off.
Most of all have fun! Europe has so much to see from the air, you are more likely to get lost due to the profusion of landmarks than from their lack.
Flug
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Thanks for the advice.
I am flying a turbine, though remember the carb heat from my days flying in London!
I am going to do some familiarization flying/training in the UK first, and will have a safety pilot fly with for part or all of the trip; I'd just like to be prepared and as knowledgeable as possible myself.
Good reminders about low level, traffic pattern and overheads joins, thanks again!
I am flying a turbine, though remember the carb heat from my days flying in London!
I am going to do some familiarization flying/training in the UK first, and will have a safety pilot fly with for part or all of the trip; I'd just like to be prepared and as knowledgeable as possible myself.
Good reminders about low level, traffic pattern and overheads joins, thanks again!
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I would recommend to stay out of EKCH, because they might be quite expensive to visit, but go for EKRK (Roskilde) instead, very close, and where most private people go when going close to Copenhagen. If you plan to come by EKTD (Tonder, Tønder) I would gladly give you a quick tour of the city, and surroundings, but I'm only in Denmark from the 8. until the 23. of may.
There is alot of things to see around that area.
There is alot of things to see around that area.
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Thanks Stoey, will look into that; Tonder would make a nice stop for the return. Do they have Jet-A1? We are looking to travel in the window you are there.
I had meant to have EKRK as the destination, (copy and paste from old plan!) just edited my post, thanks for the reminder.
Any idea about the off airport landing restrictions for a helicopter?
I found a nice looking hotel on Fyn (Falsled) that offers GPS coordinates for helicopters.. have an email into them to find out more. Looks like a large paddock...
Time to dust off my copies of Laer at Tale Dansk!
I had meant to have EKRK as the destination, (copy and paste from old plan!) just edited my post, thanks for the reminder.
Any idea about the off airport landing restrictions for a helicopter?
I found a nice looking hotel on Fyn (Falsled) that offers GPS coordinates for helicopters.. have an email into them to find out more. Looks like a large paddock...
Time to dust off my copies of Laer at Tale Dansk!
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We don't have Jet A, the nearest would be Skrydstrup(EKSP, but don't know if any civilian can go there) and Sønderborg(EKSB) which I would reccommend. There is also Leck which is just south of the border from Tønder.
But seeing you might be flying from falsted to Tønder that would put you close to EKSB to refuel.
The restrictions to do off airports in Denmark is that you need to have the owner's approval for landing there. I would prefer to have that in writing, to be sure.
The only Off Airports I have done in Denmark is at my families farms.
But seeing you might be flying from falsted to Tønder that would put you close to EKSB to refuel.
The restrictions to do off airports in Denmark is that you need to have the owner's approval for landing there. I would prefer to have that in writing, to be sure.
The only Off Airports I have done in Denmark is at my families farms.
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A note on Garmin 296/396/496 units: you can upload any Jepp Air Chart that you wish however the “Americas” model and the “Atlantic” models will not have the detailed base map for the other.
You’ll have to purchase the relevant Terrain and possibly Obstacle database from Jepp and then purchase the Garmin proprietary memory modules to install them. For people flying in both North America and Europe, you must connect to your computer and fully reload any time you switch between the two. The base map that is purchased/downloaded is not 100% as good as the pre-installed base map that comes on the unit.
Sadly the same applies to the new 500/550 Aera models. I would have thought Garmin would have fixed the problem, but it seems a way to bilk more money from European customers; otherwise we would all buy much cheaper Americas versions from the US.
Re the flying, when in the UK have someone take you through the London Heliroutes. It’s quite unique to fly down the River Thames through London at 1000’.
You’ll have to purchase the relevant Terrain and possibly Obstacle database from Jepp and then purchase the Garmin proprietary memory modules to install them. For people flying in both North America and Europe, you must connect to your computer and fully reload any time you switch between the two. The base map that is purchased/downloaded is not 100% as good as the pre-installed base map that comes on the unit.
Sadly the same applies to the new 500/550 Aera models. I would have thought Garmin would have fixed the problem, but it seems a way to bilk more money from European customers; otherwise we would all buy much cheaper Americas versions from the US.
Re the flying, when in the UK have someone take you through the London Heliroutes. It’s quite unique to fly down the River Thames through London at 1000’.
