I've just returned from the second foreign trip in as many weeks, in my
'classic', monowheel, 80hp Europa. I fear this may be my last
opportunity for extended foreign travel for a time as I begin new
employment on Monday.
Trip 1. The Channel Islands and Geneva.
Day 1 : Rayne - Alderney (Channel Islands) 1hr30 en-route: a night under
canvas in the island's only licensed campsite.
Day 2 : Alderney - Le Mans 1hr30 - Annemasse (via Lake Geneva) 3hr15 :
The hotel, adjacent the airstrip was about 36/night/person inc.
breakfast.
Day 3 : Annemasse - Coulommiers 3hr10: Precautionary. A second night
under canvas. Beaten back and surrounded by thunderstorms.
Paradoxically, it never rained once !
Day 4 : Coulommiers - Abbeville 1hr05 - Rayne 1hr15 : Again, temporarily
grounded by localised mist on the southern coast of the Channel.
Pondering the dilemma of being stuck in France reminded me of a famous
turn of the 19th century "The Times" newspaper headline from London,
centre of the British Empire - "Fog in channel, continent isolated !"
I had a great time. A memorable highlight was a viewing of Lake Leman
(Lake Geneva) and the Jet d'Eau fountain. From my loftly aspect, I could
see the mountains all along the southern side of the lake to Evian and
across to Montreux.
The scariest moment .... probably getting lost (sorry, temporarily
uncertain of my position !) in the back streets of Annemasse, late on
Saturday night !
Alderney is a great (if somewhat relaxed!) staging post for onward trips
to western France. Avgas is currently 52p/litre, and the
landing/overnight fee, a trifling 6. Bring your own tent and stay for
4, though be warned, the campsite is at the opposite side of the
island. Breakfast of scrambled eggs on toast was 2.50, and was taken
outdoors while watching the tide creeping up the deserted bay.
Afterwards, I heaved my huge rucksack some 3 1/2 miles alongside the
picturesque harbour road and up to the airfield. Now I know how the
humble snail feels, carrying his home on his back.
Once in Annemasse, it's possible to take an expensive taxi or bus and
tram to Geneva, cruise the Lake, or take the train to Montreux. (circa
20/return). On departure, if air traffic is light, Geneva International
(Contrin) may allow zone transit over some of the loveliest terrain in
Europe.
My homeward journey was interrupted, east of Paris, by an impenetrable
barrier of 'Cu. Nim.' with fork lightning clearly visible to the north.
The sky was dark and foreboding. After prevaricating over alternatives
(make a decision and stick to it !), I elected to drop the aircraft into
Coulommiers, which is possibly the most remote airfield in the western
hemisphere. I had no living soul for company overnight, save for
unwelcome colony of ants nearby. Once again, the tent proved an
invaluable asset. I cellphoned Orly to tell them of my diversion, though
they weren't really too interested.
The following morning, I was up with the early light, though once again
was forced into a diversion due poor visibility and diminishing fuel
reserves. I selected Abbeville, and on this occasion was fortunate to
meet with two English pilots with 'bags of time' on their hands. They
had dedicated the month of June for microlighting the breadth of Europe.
They kindly dropped me at the local filling station to uplift 40 litres
of 'Sans plomb 95'.
Refuelled, with improving skies, I struck north toward Calais, and
opened my flight plan for the hop across the Straits of Dover.
Paradoxically, on the weekend in question, the southern UK enjoyed more
favourable weather than the continent, and conditions improved as I
crossed the channel. Into Essex, the visibility extended for 50 miles or
more.
I was home fourteen hours later than originally planned. It could have
been much longer. Channel crossings are always at the mercy of
unpredictable weather. Delays are inevitable if excursions are regular,
and this should always be allowed for. However, the aircraft and engine
performed without fault for the entire trip.
Trip 2. The low countries and Scandinavia.
Day 1: Rayne - Calais - Antwerpe, Belgium.
Overnight in a grubby hotel, near the city Central Station. The area
around the city square and catherdral is lively and very attractive
however. The airport is quite expensive. (landing fee 10).
Day 2: Antwerpe - Gronningen, Holland - Tonder, Denmark.
Gronningen is again expensive, and European Avgas is typically around an
astounding 1/litre. However, the little grass strip at Tonder was
recommended to me and was warm and welcoming. Fuel was cheaper, and
overnight accomodation was a sofa within the airfield building itself.
Day 3: Tonder - Antwerpe (3hr) - Rayne.
I was begining to realise the difficulties of pan European travel within
the countries of the EU. Highly taxed, and with the necessity of flight
plans across FIR (read national) boundaries, it becomes a bit an
administrative nightmare unless you plan the details of your trip well
in advance of travel. Of course, then you may be at the mercy of the
weather.
Also, flights should be to Customs airfields if the destination airfield
is outside of the EU (and vice versa). The UK, not having signed a
pertinent agreement, is outside of the EU for customs purposes. Since, I
wasn't sure of how to view Sweden in this context, I abandoned tentitive
plans to fly there.
I suddenly realised that the cheapest night's accomodation was to be had
under the roof upon which I am currently paying a fairly sizeable
mortgage. I headed for home !
Lessons learned:
1/ The homebuild flying community badly needs a compiled list of
welcoming, cheap, flexible European airfields. Something like the
equivalent of 'Farmstrips guide for Europe'. Factors to consider are:
location, telephone number, language spoken, landing fee, proximity/cost
of overnight accomodation, local attractions etc.
For Europe, we also need a summary of specific air regulations and
customs requirements for the country concerned, and whether Euro's are
acceptable or national currency required. Example: Denmark and the UK.
(Also note that Denmark and Germany require much higher levels of
aircraft liability insurance).
Perhaps some of our fellow European builders/pilots would be prepared to
suggest exchange overnight visits to their local strips by responsible
pilots from other countries ? Any offers ??
2/ Long water crossings are frightening, particularly with unreliable
radio equipment like many Terra 760's.
They have a tendency to make you re-appraise the safety and logic of
your decisions whilst en-route ! Thank goodness some aero-engines have
an excellent in-service record. I realise that the engine doesn't 'know'
it's over water, however.....
3/ European Avgas can be horrendously expensive, due tax. UK fuel for
export (Avgas and Mogas) and fuel from the Channel Islands comes in at
around half the price. (just over 9/flying hour as opposed to over
18). The bigger airfields (giving access to Customs, money, provisions,
accomodation, flight planning services) tend to charge much more to
land. For heavens sake don't intentionally land at Copenhagen's main
airport without checking the landing fee first !!!
4/ Ad hoc flying in Europe is pretty complicated. Planning before
departure can significantly reduce the administrative overhead. Roll on
the days of cheap wireless internet access via handhelds, or better
still, a homebuild pilots guide to shoestring flying in Europe.
... & I'm trying desperately to avoid the fairly obvious suggestion that
I should write one myself !!
Alan
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