Airport Calais Marck (LFAC) IFR
Marck, Hauts-de-France, France 🇫🇷
3.0 ∅ rating
Runways
1 RWY, 1535m/5036ft 1 Runway, longest: 1535m/5036ft (paved)
What other pilots say about LFAC
This time, for a change, I used Calais (instead of Le Touquet) for an overnight stop and Schengen exit. There is now an online form on the LFAC airport website to notify Customs. This is required even for flights arriving from, e.g., Germany! Unfortunately, after submission it generates no email confirmation at all. So even if you definitely did it, you have no proof in hand. Really bad. Also, the AFIS and aerodrome operating hours change quite often; you need to check carefully. Friendly AFISO, stayed 15 minutes late in the evening to fit me, as IFR traffic, into the remaining traffic and to close my FPL. On arrival (from Germany) I dutifully stopped by Customs. Yes, they said they had my notification for tomorrow morning to the UK; see you tomorrow. Next morning, at the advised time, of course no Customs showed up. According to other reports, that’s the norm there. I fulfilled all my obligations, waited briefly again, then departed. As an EU citizen you don’t need a passport stamp anyway. Still leaves an uneasy feeling. So: Customs in Calais are absolutely unreliable. The landing fee desk is also only sporadically staffed. In that respect, Le Touquet is clearly much better. Positive: free, regularly scheduled bus directly from the airfield to Calais (except Sundays). The city was largely destroyed during the war, but there are still a few nice monuments (theatre, Hotel de Ville, lighthouse, Tour de Guet). Huge sandy beach, also good for ship-spotting. Otherwise, the city is rather bleak. However, there’s tasty seafood, e.g., at Brasserie de la Mer. Hotels are relatively expensive for what Calais is. Landing fee at LFAC €15 (up to 2 tonnes) is inexpensive; parking, typical of EDEIS, gets a bit pricey the longer you stay, but who stays here more than half a day anyway...
LFAC offers both VFR and IFR operations, including ILS, RNAV, and NDB approaches on runway 24. English is used for ATC when ATS is present; otherwise, communications revert to French-only air-to-air. The airport is quiet with little traffic and is suitable for Schengen entry/exit, but customs reliability is poor: advance notice via a webform or QR code is required, yet customs officers often do not appear at the agreed time. There is no confirmation after submitting the customs webform. Procedures vary; see AIP/NOTAM.
Landing fees are low, typically about €10–€15 for GA aircraft. Example: landing fee about €20. Parking for longer stays can be relatively expensive; Example: four nights parking about €110. Payment may be made at the terminal when staffed or via an online form/QR code with invoicing by email if unattended.
A restaurant/café operates on site with positive feedback on food and service, and clean toilets are available. Fuel (Avgas and Jet A) is available during operating hours, dispensed by staff or firemen; payment is handled in the terminal. Free WiFi is available in the terminal.
Ground transport options include a free or regular bus service directly from the airport to Calais city (every 30–45 minutes), with a journey time of 7–15 minutes depending on destination. Taxis are available but can be costly, with fares to Calais city or beach ranging from €20 to €80 depending on distance and destination.
The circuit offers scenic views along the North Sea coast. There are occasional cautions regarding turbulence near the coast and a restricted area east of the field; attention to NOTAMs for fuel availability is advised. The runway and taxiways are in excellent condition.
Customs procedures are unreliable despite required prior notice; pilots may depart without seeing customs after fulfilling notification requirements. The airport provides a convenient technical stop for fuel and Schengen formalities but reliability of customs presence cannot be assured.
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