Microlight guide to flying in France.
OK, you’ve read all those articles in the
magazines that talk about flying to France, but it still looks like far
too much hassle:
Flight Plans – what’re they all about?
There are lots of documents to take, aren’t there?
Loads of notice required to Customs.
All that radio work talking to London etc?
The planning seems too much, and then there’s the thought of all that water…
The truth is that with only a small amount of preparation over and above normal flight planning, you could depart only ONE HOUR after making the decision to go and the only thing extra you need to do before you leave is to send a couple of faxes; you don't even need to contact London Information!
Those faxes are:
1. Outbound Leg Flight Plan Form, to AIS Heathrow.
2. Inbound Leg Flight Plan Form, to AIS Heathrow or the French airport will do this for you.
2. General Aviation Report to Customs.
You will need to fly to a foreign airfield with permanent Customs and Immigration. There are also many French airfields who have Customs and Immigration on request, so if you find that the destination that you have set your heart on doesn’t have permanent Customs, do not despair – they may only require a short notice period. If they don’t, well - simply clear Customs elsewhere and then continue your journey – it needn’t even cost you much, as most French airfields don’t bother with landing fees.
You can download the French Airfield information from here for free!
STEP 1.
Check that you have your documents.
You’re going abroad, so you‘ll need your passport.
You may also need to prove your credentials so take PPL, radio licence and medical.
Other required documents relate to the aircraft (Permit, Registration, Radio Licence, Insurance Certificate.
The final document you need is a printed copy of the Interception Signals document. (Download here)
STEP 2.
Fill out the flight plan - it's easy, honest!
Read the CAA document on how to fill a flight plan and use this Sample Flight Plan - edit this with your information. I've also added some additional information to the sample to help. If your just going for a day trip then why not fill out the return copy as well.
The flight plan has to be filed at least 1 hour before you take off, so make sure that you allow for this with your departure time. All times are in UTC (Zulu). The reason you cannot leave immediately after sending your faxes is because the outbound Flight Plan needs time to be entered into the system, and an hour is advised to ensure this. One other thing.. lunch in France is a grand affair and can take a while, so allow for this when quoting you return time.
Next you will need to fill out the customs report (GAR) this is very straightforward and simply asks for names, addresses, DOB and Passport Numbers for each occupant as well as times and airfields for outbound and return. This document needs to be emailed or faxed at least 4 hours before your return flight. For a day trip it makes sense to send this before you depart so you know that your ok with the 4 hour rule.
STEP 3.
File the Flight Plan.
Fax the flight Plan (or both of them if you have filled out the return) to 01489 612793
Send the GAR report to customs either by Fax (0870 240 3738) or email it to ncu@hmrc.qsi.gov.uk .
Flight Plans – what’re they all about?
There are lots of documents to take, aren’t there?
Loads of notice required to Customs.
All that radio work talking to London etc?
The planning seems too much, and then there’s the thought of all that water…
The truth is that with only a small amount of preparation over and above normal flight planning, you could depart only ONE HOUR after making the decision to go and the only thing extra you need to do before you leave is to send a couple of faxes; you don't even need to contact London Information!
Those faxes are:
1. Outbound Leg Flight Plan Form, to AIS Heathrow.
2. Inbound Leg Flight Plan Form, to AIS Heathrow or the French airport will do this for you.
2. General Aviation Report to Customs.
You will need to fly to a foreign airfield with permanent Customs and Immigration. There are also many French airfields who have Customs and Immigration on request, so if you find that the destination that you have set your heart on doesn’t have permanent Customs, do not despair – they may only require a short notice period. If they don’t, well - simply clear Customs elsewhere and then continue your journey – it needn’t even cost you much, as most French airfields don’t bother with landing fees.
You can download the French Airfield information from here for free!
STEP 1.
Check that you have your documents.
You’re going abroad, so you‘ll need your passport.
You may also need to prove your credentials so take PPL, radio licence and medical.
Other required documents relate to the aircraft (Permit, Registration, Radio Licence, Insurance Certificate.
The final document you need is a printed copy of the Interception Signals document. (Download here)
STEP 2.
Fill out the flight plan - it's easy, honest!
Read the CAA document on how to fill a flight plan and use this Sample Flight Plan - edit this with your information. I've also added some additional information to the sample to help. If your just going for a day trip then why not fill out the return copy as well.
The flight plan has to be filed at least 1 hour before you take off, so make sure that you allow for this with your departure time. All times are in UTC (Zulu). The reason you cannot leave immediately after sending your faxes is because the outbound Flight Plan needs time to be entered into the system, and an hour is advised to ensure this. One other thing.. lunch in France is a grand affair and can take a while, so allow for this when quoting you return time.
Next you will need to fill out the customs report (GAR) this is very straightforward and simply asks for names, addresses, DOB and Passport Numbers for each occupant as well as times and airfields for outbound and return. This document needs to be emailed or faxed at least 4 hours before your return flight. For a day trip it makes sense to send this before you depart so you know that your ok with the 4 hour rule.
STEP 3.
File the Flight Plan.
Fax the flight Plan (or both of them if you have filled out the return) to 01489 612793
Send the GAR report to customs either by Fax (0870 240 3738) or email it to ncu@hmrc.qsi.gov.uk .
Now you are ready to go......
You (or someone on you behalf) can telephone to activate the flight plan on 020 8750 2615/2616 (simply ask to activate a flight plan, and they will ask for the plane's registration and time of departure) alternatively you can activate it in the air by asking London information, who will ask the same.
You don't need to talk to London information (they might be busy anyway), but it's a good idea to talk to someone - just in case! I'd recommend asking Manston or Lydd for Flight Information Service, and ask to stay with them until mid channel.
Then switch to Lille (120.275) for flight information, and announce "Border crossed" - and yes they speak English.
Once on the ground you will need to close the flight plan - failure to do this will invoke a search and rescue mission and a large bill! It's easy to close it, just call UK: 020 8750 2615/2616 or France: 0810 437 837 and ask to close the flight plan, and they will ask for the planes registration. Alternatively the airfield will do this for you. If you have not faxed the return flight plan yet now is a good time to ask the airport to do this for you. Now you can relax and enjoy you lunch ;-)
Coming back is just the same. You can call UK: 020 8750 2615/2616 or France: 0810 437 837 to enable the flight plan or ask Flight information service in the air.
Remember to close the flight plan once you are back home.
See, it's not that bad! Even the Flight For Life team can do it ;-)
You (or someone on you behalf) can telephone to activate the flight plan on 020 8750 2615/2616 (simply ask to activate a flight plan, and they will ask for the plane's registration and time of departure) alternatively you can activate it in the air by asking London information, who will ask the same.
You don't need to talk to London information (they might be busy anyway), but it's a good idea to talk to someone - just in case! I'd recommend asking Manston or Lydd for Flight Information Service, and ask to stay with them until mid channel.
Then switch to Lille (120.275) for flight information, and announce "Border crossed" - and yes they speak English.
Once on the ground you will need to close the flight plan - failure to do this will invoke a search and rescue mission and a large bill! It's easy to close it, just call UK: 020 8750 2615/2616 or France: 0810 437 837 and ask to close the flight plan, and they will ask for the planes registration. Alternatively the airfield will do this for you. If you have not faxed the return flight plan yet now is a good time to ask the airport to do this for you. Now you can relax and enjoy you lunch ;-)
Coming back is just the same. You can call UK: 020 8750 2615/2616 or France: 0810 437 837 to enable the flight plan or ask Flight information service in the air.
Remember to close the flight plan once you are back home.
See, it's not that bad! Even the Flight For Life team can do it ;-)
