PIREPs by Peter

Just used this airfield for the recent PPL/IR “Over-Nighter” ARNHEM 80TH COMMEMORATIONS 20th – 22nd September 2024 Trip.

Welcome & Administration: Those who have organised Flying Trips will know that pilots/planes are a fluctuating. Yet throughout all these changes - from arranging customs; landing slots; reserved parking for such a large (possible) numbers; the airport was fully cooperative and welcoming even though they were busy controlling/refuelling Dakota’s full of paratroopers for the Arnhem celebrations.

Costs: Landing & Parking over 2 days for a Cirrus was €30. As always, do remember that Noise Certificate. [What the ‘extra’ for the Dakota was - who I suspect don’t know what a ‘Noise Certificate’ is - I dare not ask!].

IFR/VFR: Although the field has a RNP procedure for Rwy 26, it was Notamed inoperative during our visit and all movements had to be done VFR arriving from the south. Likewise, there was some confusion with autorouter not accepting Y and Z plans in the Netherlands which produced some forum discussion but was happily resolved.

Customs: Deventer/Teuge conveniently offers Customs/Immigration during Operational hours; but for our departure the official arrived 90 minutes late which meant frequent ‘delays’ to our Flight Plans. Even when he had arrived, the Stamp was missing/lost and he had to laboriously ’doodle’ by hand a Departure Stamp (21st technology?) into all our passports!

Refreshments: Normally there is the good Restaurant 'The Hangar' by the Control Tower https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g2184494-d4065521-Reviews-The_Hangar-Teuge_Gelderland_Province.html; but it was (temporarily?) closed during our visit. There is, though, a very friendly alternative further down the airfield, 'Take Off' https://www.restauranttakeoff.nl/ belonging to Sky Diving Club - the largest Parachuting Club in the Netherlands https://teuge-airport.nl/bezoekers/parachutespringen/ - where GA pilots & passengers are made most welcome to enjoy simple snacks among a bustle of activity.

Taxis: Again the very helpful ATC ordered us taxis into Deventer (€20); while one of our party used his Uber app.

Accommodation: If one wanted to stay at the Airport there is, conveniently, Hotel de Slaapfabriek, 12 rooms, very nearby https://deslaapfabriek.nl/. Bizarrely, two of you can also actually stay in a DC10 VleigtuigSuite**** *https://www.vliegtuighotel.nl/NL/ with bubble bath and breakfast served in bed right by the Control Tower!

Because our object was to visit Arnhem (and because all the beds there had been pre-booked a year in advance) we arranged to stay In Deventer at Hotel Finch Boutique** * https://hotelfinch.nl/contact/?lang=en- a rather bijou place, popular for its cocktails(!), but served a good breakfast and was right by the Railway Station where the ever efficient train service could whisk us into Arnhem. Nearby were a whole host of good restaurants.

Arnhem: This is a vibrant city with much to see and do.https://www.planetware.com/tourist-attractions-/arnhem-nl-gld-arn.htm. Even without the celebrations, ‘the Bridge too far’ with its historic museums and memorials is a very rewarding experience.

For us, the highlight, was being with 100,000 others in glorious sunshine enjoying the 80th Celebration.

Most pilots visiting Corsica use the airfields around the coast, but if you want to experience the heart of this beautiful island – both literally, politically and spiritually – then one should visit/stay at granite Corte: historically, the centre of bandit country.

Most pilots will be coming from either Calvi https://airfield.directory/airfield/LFKC- or Bastia LFKB flying VFR up the valley from the centre of the north of the island, overflying route N197. There is something very satisfying in flying in 30 minutes what the lorries, as they grind round the hairpin bends below, are taking 4 hours to do!

Airfield: I have always found the field deserted (and so use the A/A (in French) 123.5), but there is a reasonably paved 950m runway (altitude: 1132’) with free landing/parking but NO FUEL.

Normally I have used straight-in 13; but if using Rwy 31, the circuit is r/h - even then, keep it tight for although the NE of the field is ‘lower’ than the rest, it quickly goes up to 2000’/3800’.

Due to the terrain it is often difficult to close a flight-plan (with Ajaccio BRIA: +33 4 95 22 61 85) on a mobile; but the local campsite (see below) has willingly let me use their landline in the past. If you need a flight plan for departure, I have used the same number and activated it with Bastia on 125.92 once airborne.

Because of the altitude of the field, and the fact that it can get up to 40°C in the summer, do check ‘density altitude’ especially if taking off in the afternoon.

Corte: This eagle-nest town was capital of the independent kingdom created by Pascal Paoli, and his spirit still seems to live on in the old streets, the castle and Citadelle. It is not a pretty place, but the surrounding scenery is stunning and the town is a centre for serious hikers. Even if you are not up to doing a part, let alone all, of the GR20 - this Grande Randonnée is considered, by many, as the most illustrious of Europe. For a ‘taster’ one could do the simpler, but still breathtaking and enchanting Gorges de la Restonica. https://www.hikideas.com/walk-restonica-melo-lake-capitello-lake/

Hotels: I have stayed in La Restonica, http://www.aubergerestonica.com/ 2km SW of the town: full of character and very good food + pool; while if you want to go up-market, there is the Dominique Colonna ****, http://www.dominique-colonna.com/ next door, with the same owner and same pool!

If, though, you are prepared to slum it (as I did once when I needed a 3.00 am departure!) one could stay overnight in a mobile home/caravan right next door to the airfield. From here, you can literally roll out of bed into your plane! Camping Santa Barbara http://www.camping-santa-barbara.com/ has a bar/restaurant and have got me a taxi; closed my flight plan; and served me a refreshing cool beer; as I have relaxed taking in the scenery in this wild and wonderful area and reflected on being one of the few UK pilots to visit/return.

Have flown in to Calvi a few times: Both IFR & VFR. There is now a LPV approach for Rwy 18. 18 is normally the favoured runway with the wind coming off the mountains. With a length of 2310 metre, it is often possible to accept a small tailwind rather than using CTL. Plenty of GA parking; but be cautious of the ground: It is mainly small stones on soft sand - rather lethal for prop chipping. Better to position oneself on the hard taxi ways and then 'pushback'.

There is a friendly Restaurant de L'Aéro Club [04 95 65 02 97] https://www.aeroclubcalvi.com/ right by the parking area by the threshold of 36 - open lunchtimes & evenings - who do simple Corsican specialities and a nice welcoming cold beer. I prefer it to the rather clinical Le Bar U Scontru which is in the airport and geared more for normal tourists.

Fuel - both 100LL and Jet A - available via an Esso bowser,

Taxi to town is normally available just outside the entrance to the airport [about €15]. They are often very useful for finding accommodation; but be warned: In the summer, pre-booking is almost essential - even though Calvi has more accommodation than anywhere else in Corsica. [If you really, really get desperate you can always 'sign up' for the Légion étrangère, who are often seen walking around Calvi, and whose HQ is right next to the airfield!]

Restaurants: Plenty of nice restaurants overlooking the beautiful bay; but often nicer and better quality just one road further inland.

If staying more than 24 hours one should hire a car and travel south on the coast road and see the Calanques de Piana https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=Calanques+de+Piana&es_sm=122&tbm=isch&imgil=VNdk3RRvhXSgEM%253A%253BvclTVtC2CMs34M%253Bhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Ffr.wikipedia.org%25252Fwiki%25252FCalanques_de_Piana&source=iu&pf=m&fir=VNdk3RRvhXSgEM%253A%252CvclTVtC2CMs34M%252C_&usg=__ncXKr-i9hw2a9aeFWI6CjQu1TGE%3D&biw=1280&bih=899&ved=0CCsQyjc&ei=HwgXVc-ZLILsavGLgPAJ#imgdii=_&imgrc=A5hpDsZp0l1_oM%253A%3Bhv9XUj-CYXuOVM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.calanque.org%252Fwp-content%252Fuploads%252F2012%252F07%252FLes-Calanches-Piana.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.calanque.org%252Fles-calanques-dajaccio%252Folympus-digital-camera-3%252F%3B1900%3B1425 which is a UNESCO world hertiage site, and one of the great wonders of Corsica (and of the world).

If wanting to visit Corte https://airfield.directory/airfield/LFKT- the old capital in the centre; far better to go by air (20 minutes) than the six hour road journey.

Ouessant – known to Anglophones as Ushant – is undulant and green and perfect for bikes, e-bikes and walking, just like her bigger sister Belle Île. But there the comparisons end. Where Belle Île https://airfield.directory/airfield/LFEA is winsome, idyllic and trendy, Ushant is burly, windswept and Wagnerian – yet also often ignored by the English and especially by English pilots. This is a great shame because ‘Island hoping’ is one of the great assets and joys of GA. Ouessant is all of 10 minutes flying time from Brest LFRB with a hard 833 metre runway with RNP at both ends of 05/23. One would normally work IROISE Information before using OUESSANT Information (french only) since ATC is rarely there unless there is a Commercial flight - in the holiday season around 9.00L & 17.00L. As the field is often deserted, there is usually parking for 8 planes. Remember the wind blows hard here so using the tie down rings is advised. There is an honesty box for landing fees displayed on the notice board - about €8.

Getting to Lampaul: It is about a gentle 30 min walk. Some of us, like myself, try to fly with a foldup bicycle; but it is possible to arrange in advance for a local shop to deliver bike(s) to the airfield. See details in Island brochure: Guide Pratique 2025

Accommodation: As one would expect, accommodation is limited - especially in the summer - and pre-booking is essential. On our recent trip, some stayed at Le Roc'h Ar Mor ***(https://www.lerocharmorouessant.bzh/) which they highly recomended both for accommodation & as a restaurant.

For those who like isolation, open space, walking/cycling among wildness, nothing can compare to Ouessant. This is even more so 'out of season' - but then one must allow flexibilty because of the weather. Remember, Ushant doen't have 5 working Lighthouses for nothing! Whilst there, DO as the locals do: Enjoy a Kir Breton (a kir royale but with cider – sweet, cold and delicious) and their staple diet Galettes Bretonnes!

A lovely, friendly Brittany field – just 10 minutes flying from the mainland – with a 660 hard metre runway + unusual for an island Avgas (although only in the summer and not on Wednesday). There is a welcoming clubhouse with pression on tap: an ideal way to get in to the French holiday mood! The field is only 177’ above sea level, so it can often get fog bound and there are no procedures. There is a Webcam based on the airfield called 'Bangor'. Although the plate states “français seulement” the instructor/Bar man/Pump attendant, Maurice Portugal, – who worked in England – is often in the tower and speaks good English. He is also training a new lady ATC, Emmanuelle, whose English R/T is getting quite good. In July/August it is very rare for the Military Zones around the Island to be active and, even at other times, contact with Nantes Info 122.8 will suffice. If, though you are particularly concerned about activity, phone Maurice +33 (0)2 97 31 83 09 who is usually informed a day in advance. Above all, the field is remarkably cheap: I paid €8 for my PA28 Turbo Arrow for landing + three days parking. Avgas was €2.2 a litre: Credit cards accepted. Getting to/from the airport: Taxis are quite limited on the island and there are NO taxis on Mondays! There is a local bus service #2 from Le Palais to the airport; which returns from a stop by a nearby campsite, Trion-Guen, down the road from the airport. Likewise Bus #3 also calls there. Do check the website for the current Bus timetable for it changes 2/3 times a year.

Accommodation: If you are going to the island when the French want to go there, do remember the number of beds is limited and you should book in advance. For that special occasion – or just because you want to spoil yourself – La Désirade**** https://www.hotel-la-desirade.com/ - just 1 km from the airport is a perfect place to relax. It consists of Individual chalets around the swimming pool with a wonderful restaurant and facilities. They will collect from the airport and have all the contacts for bicycle hire, excursions etc. Likewise, for a hotel with a terrific view and wonderful swimming pool, Le Cardinal*** http://www.hotel-cardinal.fr/ Port Bellec, Sauzon. If you are happy to sleep more simply, I have stayed many times at Hotel Le Bretange** http://www.hotel-de-bretagne.fr/ and at Hotel Atlantique** http://hotel-atlantique.com/ next door, both right on the harbour front in Le Palais (the main town). Try for a ‘chambre vue sur mer’ if, like me, you find it relaxing and romantic to sit drinking a Kir Breton (a kir royale but with cider – sweet, cold and delicious) as the sun goes down watching the coming and going of the ferries with all those adieux and au revoir’s: It nostalgically reminds me that one is on . . . an island.

Restaurants: Le Palais is littered with many restaurants – especially sea food one’s – of all grades. For a wonderful French meal, and to visit one of the most picturesque places in the island, Sauzon https://www.belleileenmer.co.uk/discover/the-largest-breton-island/sauzon-and-its-picturesque-port/, try Roz Avel https://restaurant-roz-avel.fr/#lagalerie just behind the church in Rue du Lieutenant Riou. This most photogenic of places on the island also has another very good restaurant (Michelen*) with beautiful views: Café de la Cale https://cafedelacale-sauzon.jimdofree.com/ I have been given very good reports of Bistrot du Port https://www.belleileenmer.co.uk/offers/le-bistrot-du-port-sauzon-en-3220073/ and Restaurant St Louis https://le-saint-louis-sauzon.edan.io/. There are two cheaper, simpler establishments in Le Palais – but consistently good – which I recommend: Crêperie L’Annexe https://www.belle-ile.com/offres/lannexe-le-palais-fr-136215/ – the best galettes and crêpes on the island; and Le Verre à Pied 3 Place de la République, https://www.belle-ile.com/offres/le-verre-a-pied-le-palais-fr-136000/ a lively Bar/Brasserie run by young people. 2025: Our group reported that they had a good meal at Le Goeland https://www.belleileenmer.co.uk/offers/le-goeland-le-palais-en-136222/ . Souvenirs: If you want to bring back something ‘fishy’ to recall your visit do buy some of the wonderful tinned produce from Conserverie La Belle-Iloise http://www.labelleiloise.fr/fr/ in 6 place de le République - Le Palais. [If you want to cheat, you can always go to their shop in 40, Rue Saint-Jean, Le Touquet!]

At 71° 00’ 35” Honningsvåg Valan is almost the most northerly airport on mainland Europe. An attractive entry to have in one’s logbook.

Despite the fact that it only has about 5 movements a day, it is kept open because of ‘public service obligations’ – a lifeline to the small community of Valan. The local fireman proudly told me that by using their snowplough last year “we kept it black every day, including Christmas Day”. It is mainly used by people wishing to visit Nordkapp (see below). Its asphalt runway is surround by high terrain, especially at each end. There are two RNP approaches to Honningsvåg. RNP-A & RNP-D: but both have their difficulties. There is also an NDB approach with a 1334’ minima; but with ‘coastal effect’ and ‘night effect’ (and remember it is night for over 6 months of the year here!) I would only use it with previous practise – and I can’t see how a ‘foreign’ pilot could achieve that. Even the VFR approaches requires the same kind of curved intercepts at either end.

Once you have landed, though, you will be made very welcome. All 5 staff on duty (all with perfect English) will ply you with hot chocolate & biscuits and be keen to know your life history and adventures. The fireman offered me his car ‘if I needed to get in to town’ – 5km away. As I had my bicycle, I declined. One of the two town taxis might be available provided they are not taking someone to Nordkapp. There is no Avgas - the nearest was at Tromso ENTC. There is, though, a limited supply of Jet A.

Accommodation: I stayed at the reasonable 2* Scandic Bryggen https://www.scandichotels.com/hotels/norway/honningsvag/scandic-bryggen?_ga=1.213688919.2124388246.1474305034, located right on the harbour-front near the Tourist Office. It is a converted warehouse. Ask for a room overlooking the harbour and you can watch the Hurtigruten Ferry coming & going.

The town: With only a population of 3,000 the facilities are fairly basic; but there are, apart from the hotel, some restaurants and a few pubs. Like all these northern towns in Norway it was totally obliterated by the blitzkrieg of 1944, the only survivor being the little Honniggsvåg Church Worth a visit for the poignant pictures in the porch showing its use as a refuge in 1945.

Nordkapp: Most people – all 300,000 of them a year – come to Honningsvåg to visit Nordkapp. Although they would totally disagree with me, I think Nordkapp itself is a rip-off and a sham. There is a toll of 260NOK (which technically is valid for 24 hours but they know you are only going to go there once) in addition to the bus cost. [There is technically a cheaper fee of 180NOK which allows you to visit the site only, but not the ‘exhibits’; but one sometimes has to argue to get this.] Admittedly the view is spectacular, especially if one can get there for sunrise or for the Midnight Sun. One looks down on the wild surf some 307 metres below and perhaps dream of Svalbard ENSB, far away to the north. But at 71° 10’ 21” Nordkapp is NOT the furthest north of mainland Europe: that is at Knivskjeloddev, on a tiny spit to your left.

Knivskjeloddev: For a purist, like myself, this is the real and true northern point of mainland Europe: and one can walk there. The friendly Tourist Office in town can supply you with a helpful schematic leaflet and give you all the details of the local buses. The bus will drop you off at the car park some 6km south of the Nordkapp toll booth. The route is clearly marked from the car park and is signed on the way with easily identifiable Cairns. The walk can really only be accomplished in the summer - after the snow has melted and the autumn rains have not yet arrived. The 9km track is not too difficult – although the last section is quite steep. But good clothing and definite walking boots/shoes are a must; as well as some nourishment for the journey. One should allow at least 5 hours for the return trip. When you have arrived at latitude 71° 11’ 08”N (the real North Cape) there is a safe in a cairn which contains the visitor’s book. Sign your name and take a note of your number (remember to take a pen & paper for this). Back at the Tourist Office, for a small fee (nothing is free in Norway!) they will present you with a certificate and pin badge for your (great sense of) achievement. [Your fee actually goes to up keeping the path for future visitors.]

Although Sumburgh https://airfield.directory/airfield/EGPB, with all the "bells & whistles", is the main commercial airport for The Shetland Islands, Tingwall Airport is much closer to the administrative centre of Lerwick and many would claim much nearer the heart of Shetland also.

It has no Instrument approach; but it does have PAPI’s and lights. PPR.

It's not over-used – it has only two resident aircraft and the Fair Isle Islander which calls by. It is none the less hospitable and the one fireman/ATC/Pump attendant/collector of fees will give you a warm welcome. He will also give you an ‘unofficial’ talk-down, if need be, informing you which sector is more cloud-free.

In marginal weather it is best to keep on the centreline since the surrounding hills are increasingly being used by wind farms up to 500’. Likewise, if you have to CTL, do ensure you keep tight. There has fortunately been only one fatal accident http://www.aaib.gov.uk/cms_resources/dft_avsafety_pdf_501869.pdf in the history of the field (see below) - and that was very late at night.

Flight following: Because traffic up here is fairly sparse – and conditions are frequently marginal IMC – Scottish Control operating as Sumburgh Radar will readily give vectors/procedural service to VFR traffic. (To help them in this, they do ask that you include Sumburgh in your flight plan address list; even if landing elsewhere.)

Because of terrain, I twice had to remember my "Relay r/t" as they asked me to assist them in contacting helicopters that had dropped below the surface.

Fuel: There is Avgas at island prices; but not too excessive when one considers that this is the most northern supply in the UK, and it has to come in barrels. With careful planning, one need only take on what is necessary to get back to Kirkwall or Sumburgh.

Landing & Parking: Landing for my PA28RT was £16.50. Parking was free overnight, although I suspect the fireman forgot to charge me (£8?) as he was carried away with regaling how (then) Prince Charles once had to use the toilet by his office!

HIAL Out of Hours Permit: If one intends to ‘fly the islands’ and/or stay elsewhere overnight, one is encouraged to apply for this Permit and receive it (it takes at least 72 hours + postage time). This allows one to T/O & Land outside of the usual opening hours. (See my comments on this under Kirkwall https://airfield.directory/airfield/EGPA).

Snacks: There is a small ‘waiting room’ hut for the Islander which has an automat machine; but that is only available when a ‘scheduled’ (frequently delayed for hours) flight to the Fair Isles is due.

Transport: A taxi, (or in my case a folding bike), is essential to get to Lerwick or elsewhere. ATC will get one for you or you can try: 01595 694617 or 692080.

Accommodation: The nearest hotel to the airport – I mile straight ahead as you leave the field - which is very comfortable is The Herrislea House Hotel http://www.herrisleahouse.co.uk/.

The best hotels in Lerwick: The Shetland Hotel http://www.shetlandhotels.com/Shetland/shetland.html or The Queen’s Hotel http://www.kgqhotels.co.uk/

Scalloway: I had come to do some further research into The Shetland Bus and visit the newly opened small museum which has an interesting section on its heroic wartime sacrifice; so I travelled along the quiet lakeside road by bicycle, rather than use the main road over the hills. In doing so I passed the memorial to Captain Alan Young http://www.google.com/search?tbm=isch&source=hp&ei=39JwW9uuFqiZlwSJ0b6IBw&q=captain+alan+young&oq=captain+alan+young&gs_l=mobile-gws-wiz-img.3...8463.22504..23283...1.0..0.89.1151.18......0....1.......5..0j35i39j0i30j0i8i30j30i10.I_JRLS-6Pu4#imgrc=TLCLYcl7tYK6KM (see above).

Scalloway is very small. I stayed at The Scalloway Hotel https://www.scallowayhotel.scot/, one of the few places then available, which was very homely; although closed in 2021 it is (2025) now open again.

P.S.: Sadly, the political accountants have their eyes on Tingwall and its days as an airfield may be numbered. http://www.shetlandtimes.co.uk/2012/06/06/tingwall-airport-future-discussed-by-councillors.

If you want to know where all your EU euros have gone, fly to Kirkwall in The Orkneys! Like many of the Highland & Island fields, in the last few years they have been transformed with new hard runways, lights etc. with money from the 'EU Development Fund’.

Kirkwall Airport offers ILS, RNP, PAPI's, and lights at both ends, with fuel and easy parking and, although a 'regional' airport, is very GA friendly. It also has a shorter hard - 680 metre - cross runway - which is useful for lighter GA since the 'crosswinds' can be notorious here at times, and if you need to CTL.

Services: Parking on the apron is professionally done with marshallers; and on both occasions that I have landed there recently, the fuel truck arrived before I had shut down! Avgas was payable by BP Card or Credit Card (and I assume by cash also). Landing was £14.60 for my PA26 Arrow, and £8 per night with good security.

Remember the Hi-Viz to walk to the 'staff' entrance to the main lounge. (When you need to return to your plane, you have to ask 'Information' to let you out again, or all hell is let loose on security alarms.)

The only 'downside' is that there is no Briefing Room but it now has Wi-Fi which you can use in the large Waiting Room and Café which is open during the day and which does snack food; but it often closes early, especially if no Island flights are pending.

Buses go fairly regularly during the day into Kirkwall and beyond. There is a list of Taxi firms on the notice board by the Information Desk. I used on one occasion: Craggies 01856 878787.

Accommodation: Although the number of private planes coming to The Orkneys is small, quite a lot of tourists come by ferry in the summer, so bed space can be tight. The choice in Kirkwall is rather limited. The main hotel is The Kirkwall Hotel http://www.kirkwallhotel.com/ which is sometimes used by the Islander pilots when ‘weathered in’. Because I often travel with my folding-bike, I try to get a bed close to airports. I stayed at The Royal Oak Guest House https://royaloakguesthouse.co.uk/ which was the nearest to the airport. It has decent rooms + a good ‘Scottish’ breakfast for £60 per night. (It was a bit of a climb by bike from the airport; but then it was downhill all the way the next morning!)

HIAL Out of Hours Permit: If one intends to ‘fly the islands’ and/or stay elsewhere overnight, one is encouraged to apply for this Permit https://www.hial.co.uk/downloads/file/1030/hial-out-of-hours-indemnity-application-form-issue-24-april-2025 (£53.05) and receive it in advance. It takes at least 72 hours + postage time. This allows one to T/O & Land outside of the usual ‘opening hours’.

This is important for two main reasons: Many of the fields close quite early – especially at weekends - and the ‘best’ weather is often in the evening. Remember, being so far North, in the summer it is ‘daylight’ till 10.30pm! It is a shame to be grounded during it. But more importantly, the weather can often change for the better in the evening. To be able to delay T/O for 45 minutes – to a time after the airport is closed – could make all the difference between ‘getting home’ or having to stay overnight somewhere else.

If you like wild scenery; quiet; walking country with puffins & seals; or just a chance to ‘get away’, the peacefulness of The Orkneys, and the other islands, makes one feel that ‘London is a thousand miles away’ (in fact, in Shetland one nearly is that distance away: Madrid is closer to London than Lerwick!).

When the weather is fine, one could almost believe one is flying in The Caribbean: clear blue skies and beautiful views of over 100 islands all laid out before you (although one knows the water is very cold!). But to fly safely up here one really needs either plenty of spare time, and/or the ability to fly IFR.

There are occasions when the weather can move in for days and unless one has the skill, one could be grounded for a long time.

For example, on my return journey once, there was cloud over Kirkwall from 500’ to 10,000’. Only by flying a SID, and flying at FL120 (with oxygen), was one able to fly over the top. This I did till over Manchester; and then it was ‘pure blue’ all the way back to Rochester, Kent..

Kirkwall makes a good base for ‘doing’ the Northern Islands; but don’t rush it: Relax and enjoy . . .

Life in the Outer Hebrides is often described as “Living on the edge” and for an outsider this certainly seems true: Sparse population, all with a unique single DNA; few trees; isolated shops & eating places; and limited accommodation.. Add to that the fact that on eight bus trips I was the only person NOT speaking Gallic and you will understand the challenge of Walking The Hebridean Way. https://www.visitouterhebrides.co.uk/hebrideanway/walking To do this, I started at Barra https://airfield.directory/airfield/EGPR and then came on to Benbecula.

Airfield: An old Second World War creation, it still has the feel of its military past. Two long tarmac runways with (currently) VOR/DME & NDB Approaches [I say ‘currently’ because steps are fairly advanced to replace them with RNP’s.] and friendly ATC (as far as I can work out, everyone in the tower comes from the same family!). It’s ‘military’ past, though, still lingers on because the Islands are the site of the Hebridean Rocket Range https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deep_Sea_Range#:~:text=It%20is%20situated%20in%20the,all%20sites%20of%20the%20range. which should ensure that the airfield is maintained for many years to come.

Good parking - but bring tie-downs since the wind can be very strong here. If you come from Barra, the firemen will kindly hose down your undercarriage.

Transport: There is an infrequent Bus Sevice https://www.cne-siar.gov.uk/media/15707/w17-south-uist-eriskay-to-balivanich.pdf which runs up & down the spine of the island which includes the Airfield- which can be flagged down anywhere on its route. At other times, pre-booked taxis are needed: AM/PM Taxis, Daliburgh 07957 798374; Aitken’s 01878 710333; Tam’S Taxi 07717 862999; Alda’s Taxi 01876 500215;

Accommodation: This can be quite spread out and limited and heavily booked in the summer. I found it sometimes necessary to backtrack to a previous venue in order to find a bed/food. I used: The Borrodale Hotel and The Dark Island Hotel https://www.isleshotelgroup.co.uk/ [Both in the same group]. A very well presented and highly recommended B & B near Benbecula is Borge Guest House. https://borve.scot/ Whilst staying there I used The Dark Island Hotel for sustenance.

Pit Stops: Places to get sustenance are very few and far between except for hotels (at hotel prices!). Two venues I would recommend are: In South Uist, Kilbride Cafe 9 HS8 5TT which does wonderful 'Fish & Chips'; and in Balavanich, The Stepping Stone Restaurant https://www.facebook.com/TheSteppingStoneRestaurant/

Barra - ‘the airfield on the sands’ - is one of those fields one likes to have in one’s logbook. Unique in the British Isles (possibly in the world).

It has though NO FUEL; NO Procedures for GA (see comment below); therefore VFR only; and (normally) NO OVERNIGHT PARKING.

Because the field is Tidal one must negotiate one’s ETA PPR with the local FISO well in advance. They would prefer you to land and Take-Off at least 15 minutes either side of the Loganair twice Daily flights. In fact, their timetable is useful for pre-planning since you then don't need to work out the tides! https://booking.loganair.co.uk/VARS/Public/FlightScheduleReport.aspx?VARSSessionID=7719f633-8a0c-495a-af41-86cc9a590bfa&fromdate=05/Sep/2025&todate=06/Sep/2025&deptcty=GLA&arrcty=BRR&lang=EN

Landing: Although there are two RNP Approaches to their three runways, they are restricted to ’Commercial use only’. There is though nothing to stop you using them for ‘guidance’ especially as most Landings are Straight In. Although the runways are marked by a post at the sea end and a Marker Board at the Land End, these are hard to spot if not familiar with the field. I, therefore, used the Procedure and Landed slightly long since it is sometimes difficult to differentiate between sea-end and standing water. I kept power on since the sand & puddles can slow one down. Likewise, on Departure one should do one’s checks at Land end since in Backtracking one should continue rolling since if too slow one could ‘sink’ at the sea end!

Parking: Normally, Overnight Parking is not allowed; although with careful pre-negotiation arrangements can be made to pull the plane above High Water Level. [There is a new small ramp being built, so limited parking might be available in the future.]. Although I was going to Walk the Hebridean Way https://www.visitouterhebrides.co.uk/hebrideanway/walking I had been asked to ‘work’ on the Sunday Morning to allow the local priest to have a holiday. Accordingly, everyone on the island knew I was coming - including the firemen - who made arrangements for me to park on their (only) slipway! They also kindly hosed the undercarriage down: a MUST at your next point of call if you visit Barra.

Fees: I paid £25 for landing but because parking is not allowed there was no published fee for four days parking so they allowed me to stay for free!

Accommodation & Taxis;. If Walking or Staying on the Island, beds are hard to find, especially in the summer if not pre-booked. I stayed at The Castlebay Hotel. https://www.castlebayhotel.com/ Likewise taxis are rare, so one must carefully study the Local bus timetable which connects with the airfield thrice daily (except Sunday). Taxis #’s are: Campbell’s 01871 810216; BarraTaxi 01871 810012 & 07974 071255; Brevig Taxi 07807 279954; Dan Taxi 07807 526134..

Extraordinarily, quite close to the Caslebay Hotel is Café Kisimul https://www.cafekisimul.co.uk/ a well-reviewed Indian Restaurant! serving a local total population of 1,200 people; but now, sadly, up for sale.

Reputed to be the cheapest Avgas fuel in Germany. https://www.edxr.de/ He sells 40,000 litres per month. Credit cards accepted. Situated in the middle of, and alongside, the Kiel Canal this VFR field is an attractive one. It is an ideal spot to relax whilst exploring the Kiel Canal by air. €8.50 landing fee for PA28. A very friendly welcome and a good Balkan restaurant (closed Monday), Bato's https://batos-flughafen-restaurants.de/ - + 49 4337 913561 - run by the same family and the same menu! - as EDHK Kiel-Holtenau. The circuit height is 900' and if using Rwy 11 you must remain 330' till the hedge to clear the traffic on the canal. Had an enjoyable lunch on an outside veranda overlooking both the Canal and the airfield: Canal Traffic 100' away on one side; and Landing traffic at the airfield 200' on the other.

I visited Ærø recently with fellow flyers: This time the grass was cut; but the bumps remained! None the less, we managed to get 4 planes in quite easily including my PA28RT (retractable) and a Cirrus 22. The ambience of the field reminded me of ‘hilly-billy’ fields I have visited in Texas, USA: a laid-back controller who does everything (radio; fuel; flight plans etc.) whilst sitting in a rocking-chair smoking his pipe! [Like all Danes, he was most welcoming and spoke perfect English.] Although only 789 metres & grass - because of waterlogging, do your taxi on the runway (backtracking if necessary). It also has lighting.

It boasts now to be Ærø International since it can handle customs/immigration with PN 1 hour. This means a direct flight from the UK is perfectly possible (2 hr 50 mins in my PA28RT). Therefore within range for that ‘long weekend’ which you have promised yourself.

Ærø is certainly very beautiful; although whether it is the ‘most beautiful’ of all the Danish islands is difficult to judge since I haven’t been to many of the other 300!

This idyllic, attractive island of Denmark is, though, usually only accessible by pilots and ‘yachters’ – although there is now an electric ferry. There is a useful äÆro Guide Book in English https://issuu.com/markstormgrafisk/docs/_r_guide_2025?fr=xKAE9_zY2Ng which lists most of the accommodation available on the island together with enticing articles.

I stayed at the nearby and very quaint and picturesque town (population 660) of Ærøskøbing. With its cobbled streets and attractively coloured old houses: it is for here that the words “higgledy” and “piggledy” were invented! I stayed in Hotel Ærøhus https://www.aeroehus.dk/home conveniently placed in the centre with attractive en-suite chalets in the garden and ‘rustic ’bedrooms in the main house. The later, by the nature of being an old farmhouse, although perfectly clean, had shared showers & loos. It did though have ‘single’ bedrooms available: something rather hard nowadays to find without a ‘supplement’. The dinning was excellent; eating as we did, outside in wonderful weather.

If you are into ‘fish’ you should visit/eat at Røgeri Æroskobing http://xn--rrgeri-oua9lb.dk/ (details on the back page of the Ærø Guide Book). Although the tables are basic picnic style, the food and surrounding views of the harbour make the fish taste extra exquisite. [Cash only, unless one has a Dankort card]

Others in our group stayed at the other equally attractive small town of Marstal, at the newly opened (by a Danish ex-flight engineer) Udsigten https://udsigtenmarstal.dk/. This accommodation was all en-suite and had wonderful sea views.

Although Denmark is not the cheapest place in Europe, this island – which very few English visit – is a wonderful ‘hideaway’ and an idyllic respite for busy pilots.

The East Friesian Islands: 5 of the 7 are hard runway airfields, on the barren north shoulder of Germany. It is still a place apart – overwhelmingly rural, and unscathed by tourism. It is an isolated patch of land where both Holland to the west and Germany to the east seem like foreign lands.

See my posting on Nordeney where I make comments/advice about visiting The Friesian Islands themselves https://airfield.directory/airfield/EDWY*

EDWZ Baltrum: NOTE: The concrete runway is only 360m: If you want to land here, DO ENSURE YOU ARE VERY CURRENT IN STOL - it is a very isolated field to get an engineer to if you mess things up!

Another small field with a great welcome – also with a webcam on its weather page http://www.baltrum-flug.de/

Following the closure in May 2024, I had to write a sad report : My trip yesterday to Cherbourg was a “bittersweet” experience. As always, Luc & Edith were wonderful generous hosts and a long leisurely lunch was enjoyed by all. But with them finally leaving, I was conscious, that after visiting their restaurant /wine outlet for nearly 20 years, this would be my last time. Their leaving, after their serving Pilots for 33 years, will be a sad loss and create a void which, at the moment, no one is prepared to fill. Without them, and Le Coucou de Fourchette, the airfield will be a ghost town and, I fear, deserted by GA. . Although still convenient for customs, if travelling West (with 24 hour PPR), when even they don’t turn up, one feels very lonely. The good.news is that i report that, very surprisingly, a new restaurant has now opened again at Cherbourg. La Table des Cieux https://www.ouest-france.fr/normandie/cherbourg-en-cotentin-50100/le-bar-restaurant-de-laeroport-de-cherbourg-maupertus-a-rouvert-ses-portes-5611bd92-fb4c-11ef-8a23-f6ed1268bcca This is surely a bold gamble, as there is virtually no traffic anymore at Cherbourg… I wish them well.

Rothenburg ob der Tauber claims to be “the most beautiful town in the whole of Germany”. Quite a boast: but it comes up to its claim. Built on a promontory, caught in the meander of the river, standing with its towers and pinnacles is an intact medieval small city set behind its own walls. For the pilot, there is the added advantage of a 950 metre hard runway with good English ATC just 2km away with fuel and easy parking. Although reputed to be very busy at weekends, it was deserted mid-week when I was there. The controller manages fuel, landing fees, will call a taxi, and even arrange ‘prior notice’ customs, if need be. He will also ‘lend’ you some bike locks for the 10 free bikes that can be used to cycle in to town: a perfect way to see (and get to), since the town is ‘motor traffic free’. If you want refreshment on the field, there is a convenient Tratotia Volare which serves very good Pizzas and is a nice place to relax. If, though, all you need is a ‘soft’ drink, there is a club room fridge just below ATC where drinks can be purchased using an ‘honesty box’.

Fuel & fees: I paid €2.20 per ltr for Avgas. Landing for my PA28 Arrow was €8.50, with overnight being only €6.

Accommodation: Being a very ‘tourist’ visited town, prices are understandably higher than elsewhere. If one wants to be in the centre, a small but very atmospheric place, is Altafraenkische-weinstube, €60 a night. http://www.altfraenkische.de/deutsch/hotel.htm I have also stayed at Hotel Eisenhut - €95+ for a single bed & large ‘German’ breakfast! https://www.hotel-eisenhut.de/ They both allowed me to walk the streets late at night: pure magic. Another popular, central hotel is Reichskuechenmeister. It has a very agreeable outside restaurant patio. The food is always good - it should be, as the name translates as ’Imperial Head Cook’! https://hotel-reichskuechenmeister-rothenburg.de/

Refreshment: There are so many places which look so wonderfully attractive that is it difficult to make recommendations. One place: Baumeisterhaus is one of the prettiest places in Rothenburg, a few yards from the Town Hall square. (Ask for a table at the far end of the patio: fantastic.) https://baumeisterhaus-rothenburg.de/ Alternatively, go for a beer/meal at Zur Hölle - The Devil’s Hole, in front of the Museum of Crime! – Germany’s oldest tavern. A very good Italian restaurant is Michelangelo https://www.michelangelo-rothenburg.com/

What to see: There are so many beautiful buildings. For myself, I had to visit St Jakobkirche. Like many Churches in Germany, due to religious changes, it is often the Protestant Church that contains the most beautiful pre-reformation artefacts: Its western gallery contains the famous Holy Blood altarpiece of the Würzburg wood carver, Tilman Riemenschneider, carved 1500-1505. Whilst behind the current High altar there are some evocative pictures depicting different pilgrimage stops on the way to Santiago de Compostella. Remember to take your torch from your flight bag to see the details & colours more clearly!

The East Friesian Islands: 5 of the 7 are hard runway airfields, on the barren north shoulder of Germany. It is still a place apart – overwhelmingly rural, and unscathed by tourism. It is an isolated patch of land where both Holland to the west and Germany to the east seem like foreign lands.

See my posting on Nordeney where I make comments/advice about visiting The Friesian Islands themselves https://airfield.directory/airfield/EDWY

EDWJ Juist: A small airfield with a big welcome and a good restaurant! They have a good German web site http://www.edwj.de/. For such a small field there is even a web cam. There are often plenty of bikes/e-bikes for rental. Wonderful beaches are only 10 minutes away. The Landing Fee is a little more than the other islands because it contains a Tourist tax.

The East Friesian Islands: 5 of the 7 are hard runway airfields, on the barren north shoulder of Germany. It is still a place apart – overwhelmingly rural, and unscathed by tourism. It is an isolated patch of land where both Holland to the west and Germany to the east seem like foreign lands.

See my posting on Nordeney where I make comments/advice about visiting The Friesian Islands themselves https://airfield.directory/airfield/EDWY

EDWG Wangerooge: The furthest east of the Friesian Islands and very noise and environmentally sensitive. For a small field, another informative web site http://www.edwg.de/ + webcam.

There is a 10% Landing reduction if you use the Aerops app.

If the Airport restaurant is closed, there are many eateries in the village. Recommended are: Cafe & Restaurant Pudding" the sea promenade; and restaurant Snabbelkraam.

Semur En Auxois (not to be confused with Saumur St Florent LFOD https://airfield.directory/airfield/LFOD) is a medieval gem in Burgundy, France. A picturesque walled village standing on the top of a rose-tinted granite cliff, overhanging the little river of Armançon. A town, unknown by most pilots, full of charm and atmosphere. It has a 780 metre hard runway with free landing and parking. What is more, this is only 2km from the ramparts and its cobbled streets; making it an easy walk into town (although because it is 'down a hill & up again' in both directions - and the streets are not the best in France - I recomend taking a 'set of wheels' for your luggage). As you leave the airfield, go straight ahead down the hill towards the town. Follow the road for about 1½ km., crossing the river to enter the heart of the town of Semur by the church. By crossing the square there, you will soon find the helpful tourist office http://www.tourisme-semur.fr/ in Place Gaveau (+33 3 80 97 05 96). They have the usual ‘freebies’ and can assist in getting accommodation if needed; although in the summer it is wise to book ahead. They produce (in English) a simple little guide map with 5 different ‘coloured’ walks (ranging from 1 - 3½ hours) of the town and the ramparts. There is a very informative web site for the town. http://www.ville-semur-en-auxois.fr/

Hotels: Three recommended hotels are: In the town itself: the basic The Cymaises ** https://www.hotelcymaises.fr/; nearby, a Logis de France Côte d'Or *** http://www.logishotels.com/en/hotel/hotel-de-la-cote-d-or-120791l= which has an Irish receptionist. The manager’s husband is a commercial pilot so they know all about late cancellations. They will collect pre-booked guests from the airfield. Outside on the ring road: Hostellerie d’Aussous *** https://www.logishotels.com/en/hotel/logis-hostellerie-daussois-2513?partid=1466&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw_ZC2BhAQEiwAXSgCliIJqFtaLAm_vIdKJDLhZRCzruLo-xWtJoMoMo5sIP7SPDISHILKARoCZW4QAvD_BwE has beautiful views over the city and its floodlit walls at night + a swimming pool.

Restaurant: If you enjoy a genuine French Brasserie - getting harder to find even in France - then you will enjoy Le Saint Vernier https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g675640-d1336757-Reviews-Le_Saint_Vernier-Semur_en_Auxois_Cote_d_Or_Bourgogne_Franche_Comte.html in 13 rue Fevret in the Old Town. Full of wonderful local atmosphere and very good value french cooking with a good choice of pichets of french wine. If you want a more traditional restaurant - but still good value - try La Rumeur https://www.larumeur21.fr/restaurant.html

Fuel: There is Avgas for cash only but this, like the field itself, is nearly always deserted – especially mid-week.

Radio: Being an unmanned field one must use the Common Auto-Information Service: 123.5 en français. If you want a short excursion, get a taxi (or hire a car - details from the tourist office) to Flavigny-sur-Ozerain https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=flavigny+sur+ozerain&espv=2&biw=1280&bih=899&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=EmoZVaj5DIHraNLTgZgN&ved=0CCsQ7Ak, some 10 miles to the east. Another tiny picturesque village on top of a rock, isolated by three rivers, this hamlet of 438 people is now preserved by French heritage. You may recognise it since this is the site where the amusing and photogenic film Chocalat https://www.google.com/search?gs_ssp=eJzj4tTP1TcwLTO2KDBg9OJLy8zJVUjOyE_Oz0ksSQUAbEsImA&q=film+chocolate&rlz=1C9BKJA_enGB785GB785&oq=film+chocolat&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUqBwgBEC4YgAQyCggAEAAY4wIYgAQyBwgBEC4YgAQyBggCEEUYOTIHCAMQLhiABDIHCAQQLhiABDIHCAUQLhiABDIHCAYQABiABDIHCAcQABiABDIHCAgQLhiABDIHCAkQLhiABNIBCDgzMzZqMGo3qAIKsAIB4gMEGAEgXw&hl=en-GB&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8 was made. If you watch the film on DVD before you leave, you are bound to identify some of the places used, not least the local church of St Genest and the site of the Chocolate shop opposite!

The East Friesian Islands: 5 of the 7 are hard runway airfields, on the barren north shoulder of Germany. It is still a place apart – overwhelmingly rural, and unscathed by tourism. It is an isolated patch of land where both Holland to the west and Germany to the east seem like foreign lands.

See my posting on Nordeney where I make comments/advice about visiting The Friesian Islands themselves https://airfield.directory/airfield/EDWY

EDWL Langeoog. It is good that the landing strip is hard since the rest of the island is all porous sand! Bikes can be hired opposite the train station. Caution: Be careful when parking. There is an overgrown trench at the edge of the parking area which isn’t marked on the landing plate.

Island webpage: http://www.langeoog.de/

The East Friesian Islands: 5 of the 7 are hard runway airfields, on the barren north shoulder of Germany. It is still a place apart – overwhelmingly rural, and unscathed by tourism. It is an isolated patch of land where both Holland to the west and Germany to the east seem like foreign lands.

EDWR Borkum: This has a 1000m asphalt runway and occasional Avgas; but don’t rely on it! (See my posting on Nordeney where I make comments/advice about visiting The Friesian Islands themselves https://airfield.directory/airfield/EDWY).

You might care to make Borkum your base. https://www.borkum.de/DE/index.php It is a magnificent and popular destination spot for Germans, so booking accommodation in advance (especially in the Summer) is advisable.

In Borkum itself there are a variety of hotels or, for a really different type of accommodation, and a wonderful ‘base’ for pilots, have a look at Dünen Hotel http://www.duenenhotel-borkum.de/ right on the airfield. Here you can relax with other pilots, see your plane out of the bedroom window and have ‘hangar talk’ all night!

Like all these Islands, a bicycle is almost essential if you want to get around. A few bicycles are available at the airport – ask at the Airport Information office.

I was a schoolboy – nearly 50 years ago – when I first read The Riddle of the Sands by Erskine Childers. This extraordinary novel, written in 1903 – (it was made into a film in 1979 starring Michael York and Simon MacCorkindale) - predicted the First World War; it may, some claim, have even helped start it. But like all great thrillers, the power of its plot is matched by the potent magic of its setting. The irony is that although nowhere in Germany feels further from Britain, this brooding hinterland of Edwardian espionage is actually the corner of the Federal Republic that is closest to the UK.

The East Friesian Islands, 5 of the 7 having hard runway airfields, on the barren north shoulder of Germany, is still a place apart – overwhelmingly rural, and unscathed by tourism. It is an isolated patch of land where both Holland to the west and Germany to the east seem like foreign lands.

Childers was transfixed by the islands' bleak and unforgiving beauty, and in his book he maps this barren scenery in almost obsessive detail. You can practically use Childers' novel as a guidebook – so meticulous are his descriptions, and so little has this lonely landscape changed. If you want a holiday break with nightclubs, top restaurants, Go-go dancing etc. then the East Friesian islands are definitely not for you! The pace of life is very genteel with few or no cars, Most restaurants (and even hotels) lock up at 10.00pm. If, though, you want to ‘get away from it all’, enjoy the wild countryside, like to walk or cycle, simply relax in bracing sea air, have an interest in ‘bird watching’ (and theoretically you can do both kinds since Norderney claims the longest nudist beach in Europe!) or want to go from one island to another (5 minutes flying time!), it is one of the most arresting places I've ever been to.

EDWY Norderney, 1000m asphalt. The second largest of the seven East Friesian islands, but still only seven miles long, and barely a mile across. There is only one town - which shares the same name as the island - but its imperial grandeur is out of all proportion to its size. Its smart avenues are lined with elegant whitewashed villas – architectural relics of Germany's affluent, self-confident Second Reich. In Winter it's funereally quiet, but the town still gleams in the pale sunlight, as if its neoclassical façades had been scrubbed until they shone. Childers' "great white hotels" are all still there, and so is his "gorgeous casino". Even the municipal post office looks more like a metropolitan town hall. More information on the Island’s website https://www.norderney.de/

Cars are confined to the town, at the western end of the island, and the only way to see the eastern end is by bike or on foot. Cycling east, you soon become lost in a maze of sand dunes, flanked on both sides by miles of brilliant white beaches, battered by a restless sea. I have stayed at Hotel Friese *** http://www.hotel-friese.de/ which, unusually for a hotel nowadays, has 18 single rooms – very convenient for pilots on ‘fly-outs’ and is indicative, perhaps, of the (rich?) German widows who reputedly come here to inhale the bracing air and find a replacement husband!

NOTES: Avgas: None of the Islands have Avgas (except occasionally Borkum, but at Borkum prices!) When re-fuelling is necessary, one can easily fly to the ‘mainland’ to either Wilhelmshaven EDWI - BP Card - or Elden EDWE, both all of 15 minutes flying time away. But not to EDWS Norddeich which does not have Avgas.

Fog: If there is one ‘weather fact’ that dominates The Riddle of The Sands it is sea fog! Childers even describes how it was so thick, “charging up the street in dense masses, that it was impossible to see across Norderney harbour”, let alone fly! At times (especially in winter) it can stay all day.

Bicycles: These can always be hired in the local town and nearly always at all the airfields as well – provided others haven’t got them first! (For this reason – W & B permitting – I try travelling with a couple of fold-up bikes in the hold).

Tie-downs: As well as the fog, The Friesian Islands are renowned for the wind – even in Summer. As most of the islands are only about 4ft above sea level, the ground is always very wet and soft. Good tie downs using skewers are recommended, if not essential.

Waterproofs: Even in Summer, it is advisable to have a good waterproof (and windproof) anorak plus a good pair of walking/waterproof shoes. Even walking around the aircraft for its pre-flight can sometimes be a very muddy business.

If Venice is "the most beautiful city in the world - Lord Byron, then the claim on the airports website, quoting the BBC, that "this is the third most beautiful airport in the world" must add, for pilots, a reason to visit - if they still need one.

Absolute gem of a VFR grass airfield slightly spoiled by Italian stereotype officialdom Beautiful art-deco terminal building with great era-like decoration. A pleasant restaurant on the field.

One can take the airfield water taxi to San Marco for €70 for the 7 minute crossing. Cheaper public transport alternatives are available but you have to either take a taxi or a 20 minute walk to the main Lido landing stage for these.

Definitely an airfield to visit.

Four Warnings:

Even after you have filled in the web site for Customs, allow at least half an hour arriving/departing for Italian bureaucracy to inspect your passport.

Being an Island, the cost of fuel on The Lido is always going to be prohibitive and, also, often in short supply. For ALL Italian fields, if I am desperate for Avgas, I always double check by phone/email that they have a supply. Sometimes with high Italian prices, it is more convenient to upload only what is necessary and then complete one's take-up elsewhere.

The Grass runway is perfectly adequate for those who are used to such surfaces; but the field is not very good at 'loosing' water after a heavy downpour: The Fire Truck had to pull a couple of planes out of the mud whilst I was there + it was very wet underfoot when doing the pre-flight.

The run-off the grass to the Apron is LETHAL. Ensure that you use the 'white' gateway. The rest of the edge of the grass is a deep hidden ditch which could easily result in a prop-strike for the unwary.

Nothing is cheap in Venice, but The Lido is far more reasonable than the city itself. Above all, it is far more 'crowd free' than the main island which made the evenings/eating/relaxing far more pleasant. I stayed at Hotel New Reiter**** https://www.newreiterhotel.com/en which is in the main thoroughfare Gran Viale Santa Maria Elisabetta 57. It was about 15 minutes walk from the airport and each day it was only a few minutes to the end of the street to get The Vaporetto into Venice.

The Victoria Palace Hotel**** https://www.viktoriapalacehotel.com/ was recommended to me but I haven’t stayed there. It is a 10mins walk from the airfield with the waterbus stop 15mins further on. If you want to get directly to the main city of Venice, The Car Ferry http://actv.avmspa.it/en/content/actv-ferry-boat goes hourly from very close to the airfield. Foot passengers can travel on that for the price of an ordinary Vaporetto ticket. At the other end of Gran Viale Santa Maria Elisabetta is the famous 'sea shore' immortalised in Thomas Mann's novel (& film) Death in Venice. The Grand Hotel des Bains is now a sad sight; but it still resonates with its iconic grandeur. If you get 'sight seeing' overkill from Venice, I can recommend The Lido as a wonderful antidote: Nice walks/beaches/space. Bicycles can easily be hired (I took my own in the plane) and the whole of The Lido can be leisurely explored. If, also, you have had too much of pasta, can I recommend the Indian Restaurant Buddha Soul Resto http://buddhasoulresto.net/ right opposite the Hotel New Reiter.

Helgoland are two islands in the middle of the North Sea some 45 miles from the mainland, Although part of Germany, they have their own peculiar history having been at times British; they were ‘swapped’ for Zanzibar in 1890; and were a naval base in both World Wars. In the Second World War, it was Germany’s largest submarine base (the remains of which can still be visited) and which caused an airfield to be built on ‘The Duene’ – the smallest of the two islands. Although part of Germany and a member of the EU it has a special economic status being Duty Tax free, including fuel.

One of the joys of flying there in the morning or late afternoon is that one can see the many tourist boats from the Friesian Islands, or mainland Germany, making their daily journey like spokes on a wheel. This results in the population changing from about 5000 by day to around 500 by night!

Runways: There are 3 crossed concrete runways which are VERY SHORT – the longest, 33/15 is only 480m. It is fortunately always windy; but it is a requirement that pilots have experience of AT LEAST 100+ HOURS IN STOL and Crosswinds experience before they can land. The approach to 33 has a slight sand bar and fence and, at the end of 33, there is an even taller sand dune at the end of the runway. So don’t fly in too low, especially as sunbathers are often present. [In the 1950’s there was a unique Warning on the Landing Plates : “Pilots must ensure that they are not distracted by the nudist beach by the threshold!”]

Airfield: The atmosphere on the airfield is very relaxed. The small modern terminal doubles as the campsite restaurant and supermarket (with lots of duty free alcohol) with lots of holidaymakers plane spotting -a high viz jacket is obligatory The man in the tower speaks very good English; but quickly switches to the familiar ‘Du’ when you speak German.

Avgas: One of the attractions of the island, for pilots, is the tax-free price of Avgas. Being an island, though, supplies are limited.. So do check their web page, https://www.flugplatz-helgoland.de/ which shows their current price and capacity. If their stocks are low - especially at weekends as their delivery day is Monday - the tower, if phoned in advance, is happy to ‘reserve’ some for you. At the pumps, you speak in the little tannoy speaker and ask him to switch them on, as he can’t see you from there. You then pick up the fuel receipt from tower, along with the landing fee, and pay downstairs at the duty free supermarket till.

Ferry: Transport between the two islands is by a regular short ferry. Unless one has a lot of luggage I would discourage the use of the ‘minibus’ which goes from the airport to the ferry terminal. it is only a pleasant 15 minute short walk along a tarmac path. The Ferry is ‘free’ to the mainland; one pays (€8) at the pier terminus tourist shop when one wants to return - they know you have got to get back!

Accommodation: This is naturally limited in the holiday season, but should be no trouble at other times: but remember in Germany each Bundeslander has - for the sake of the tourist industry - its own school holidays. I stayed at the Hanseat Hotel https://www.flugplatz-helgoland.de/

Attractions: The island thrives on the fact that it is ‘duty free’. This means there are many shops selling cameras, binoculars etc. at very competitive rates. In the evening, life is very peaceful - especially for nature lovers - as the majority of people have left. I visited the remains of the submarine base inside the cliffs which, despite the effort of the British to destroy them after the war, gives an insight as to what the island must have been like during WWII when the whole island was taken over by the German Navy and it was the largest submarine base in Europe and, conveniently for us, built the landing strip!

The Café is now closed but ‘The Innovation Centre’ by the airfield entrance operates a small coffee facility during working hours.

Berlin Strausberg EDAY: Is, in my experience, THE GA field for Berlin.

Although originally in the (old) East, it has had multi € spent on it, so that it has all the needs the GA flyer requires. It has a good and informative Website. https://www.flugplatz-strausberg.de/en/information-on-the-airfield-ppr/

One is exempt the Deutche Flugsicherung for Air Navigation Services Terminal Charges unlike Berlin Tegel or Berlin Schönefeld.

Two new RNP approaches 05/23

Good & Welcoming ATC.

Landing & Parking at very reasonable fees - €51 for landing & 4 days parking for a PA28.

AVGAS available either on a BP card or Credit card. €2.79 per ltr.

Border Control available with 7 days notice.

But above all, very practical infrastructure: There is an Airport Mini-Hotel https://www.flugplatz-strausberg.de/en/overnight-stay-at-the-air-base/ - right across the road from the main entrance with double rooms at €60 per night; A good Restaurant Doppeldecker 50 yds down the road. https://www.restaurant-doppeldecker.com/

A further 10 minutes walk gets one to the Strausberg Nord S-Bahn station where you can buy a single ticket (€5), or a Travel Card, which gets you by direct train into the centre of Berlin in 1 hour.

[If a foreign GA pilot wanted to get into and see London: Where could he get such convenient and practical facilities near the metropolis?]

Merville Calonne [LFQT] is a mixed blessing and a sad site/sight (please forgive the pun!) – it even has a Mary Celeste feel to it. There is a newly refreshed 1840 metres paved runway with ILS and RNP for R22 at one end and RNP for R04 at the other; lighting; but NO Customs; full ATC (but for how long?); Avgas & JetA; a wonderful brand new 'state-of-the-art' club house - one of the best I have ever seen – together with a wonderful new restaurant and ample GA parking. All at very reasonable fees. But there is no one around! [On the two days I was there, French ATC were on strike and even the firemen had gone – although there was a hot kettle on the stove!] A couple of years ago the field was the height of activity: The Chinese government and Air France were training their pilots there. All have gone: the Chinese now doing their training 'in house' and Air France has moved to Oxford. The result is what looks, and feels, like a brand new airport, but deserted. It is though still, an ideal perfect place for IR training & renewals: just 15 minutes flying time south of Calais. (without the complication of the nuclear power station zone).

IFR: As well as ILS and RNP, + NDB procedures for both runways, there are STARS & SIDS. I transited via IBERU both in and out.

Fees and Fuel: For my Piper Arrow I paid €9 for landing and €6 per 24H parking (this was after three days when a sole fireman decided to turn up). He implied that the landing fee covers one's initial Instrument approach and seemed unconcerned as to how many other approaches one had done after that.

Fuel: There is the ubiquitous TOTAL 24H self-service but the fireman operates it during day hours.

The Aeroclub: l'aéroclub de la Lys et de L'Artois https://aeroclublys.org/ has a wonderful brand new modern designed club house with ample GA parking. It is on the south side (opposite the main terminal). There is a warm welcome, not least by the Président, André Jonghmans – the man who managed to pursuade the french authorities to spend thousands of euros on the club! There is a bar/coffee room, spacious planning rooms with ability to submit flight plans etc. As you can see from the web page, it would make any flying club jealous. Although usually manned throughout the day, if you need to 'go through' the club house to exit/enter the parking area, the code # to the doors is: the ATIS + * i.e. 1279* Upstairs, either via the club or from outside with its own entrance is a new and very attractive restaurant: L’Helice. https://www.helice-restaurant.fr/?lang=en it is open every day (except Monday).

Town & Hotels: Regretfully, Merville (2km away) has nothing to attract, having been totally destroyed some 11 times in its history, including during both World Wars! Likewise, the choice of hotels is very limited. On the terminal side, right by the tower is the basic Hotel Mervill Airport. It has a convenient location (if you are that side of the field) but is very basic.

Gérard Stephan, who did so much to make this field attractive for visiting pilots, has retired. Likewise, Customs has also gone which used to make direct flights from the UK very convenient. One now therefore has to clear Customs somewhere else e.g. Le Touquet. But despite these two loses, Dieppe remains a convenient airfield to a very picturesque part of Normandy and a vibrant pretty port. Sadly, ATC closed permanently in 2019.

Route: Whatever route you take, do ensure that you fly well inland past Le Tréport and track very accurately, or well south, of the Dieppe VOR: there is a ‘Prohibited area’ LFP 33 (up to 3700’) around the Nuclear Power station just NE of the field. (The French are very keen on collecting fines of €2,500 for any infringement – which makes that lunch rather expensive!)

Runways: There is a good 820 metre hard runway 13/31; but both the RNP LPV and NDB to Rwy 13 were withdrawn in Jan 2023. There is plenty of parking both on the apron and on the grass. Usually, one can leave/enter the field via the café or the open security gate; but both are often closed during mid-week or winter. Then one must use the code on the security gate. It is displayed in the notice board at the base of the ATC tower.

This notice board also gives taxi numbers etc. and nearby is a public telephone (if you don’t have a mobile).

Wi-fi: The ULM club next to the aero club is often more active and has Wi-fi in its club room which it has let me use. It has a strong signal and so if used once, you can use it again outside its windows even when it is closed! Login: Bbox-311696. Password: Gallot2016

Avgas: As the tower is now permanently closed it is only available on 2 hour PPR. As it is not Total or any longer BP it must be either cash or credit card.

Fees: Without ATC there are NO FEES for landing or parking.

Taxi: Radio Taxi Dieppe: 02 35 84 20 05. Get the taxi to drop you off at the Tourist Office, which is in the centre of the port, where there are plenty of “freebies”. This is also the place where there are nearly always taxis waiting to bring you back.

Restaurants: You are now almost on Quai Henri IV – a wonderful area with views over the harbour, full of restaurants specialising in fish courses etc. Among them, I would recommend Le New Haven at #53. http://www.restaurantdieppe.fr/ If, though, fresh fish is your thing then it doesn’t get any fresher or more wonderfully cooked than at Le Turbot https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g207347-d2702916-Reviews-Le_Turbot-Dieppe_Seine_Maritime_Haute_Normandie_Normandy.html just up from the Tourist Office at 14 Quai de la Cale. If you have never tried it, do experience ‘La Marmite Dieppois’ - a wonderful fish stew in its own special pot made with cream etc. The best in Dieppe is at the eponymous La Marmite Dieppois, http://marmitedieppoise.fr/restaurant-dieppe-fishes-uk/ 8 rue Saint Jean, 76200 Dieppe: +33 2 35 84 24 26. Not cheap, but very good.

The town: Stroll down The Grande Rue (now pedestrianised), where on Saturday morning there is a wonderful Farmers’ Market (three times voted ‘France’s finest’): an abundance of stalls offering farm fresh butter, pâte, sausages, cheeses etc – none of which have seen a ‘freezer’ in their life! At the end of The Grande Rue is the Le Café des Tribunauux, still packed and chaotic as it was when Monet, Renoir, Gauguin, Pissarro and Whistler used to sit there and discuss art and, a little later, Oscar Wilde composing The Ballad of Reading Gaol. A wonderful place to enjoy the late afternoon sunshine and watch the world go by.

Hotels: On the eastern edge of town, there is the delightful Auberge du Vieux Puits https://www.puys.fr/en/ which has its own good restaurant. In the past, I have stayed on the sea front at Hotel Windsor *** https://www.hotelwindsor.fr/ which I have found very good. It has an attractive panoramic restaurant on the first floor overlooking the sea. If you want to save the €uros, and/or stay up near the airfield, there is a Hotel Kyriad https://www.kyriad.com/en-us/our-hotels/france/normandy/hotels-dieppe/ within reasonable walking distance. Dieppe airfield is also one of the few where you can camp free on the field with the use of the club house shower and wash room (provided it is that time of the year when it is open!) .

Although it is VFR only, without CUSTOMS, and GRASS, I find Saint Cyr L'ecole LFPZ a most attractive field and the best for staying/visiting Paris. As all the GA fields for Paris now no longer have Customs, whichever one you use, you are required to clear them 'en route'. From the South-East of UK, I use either Le Touquet or Calais. Approach: From the North, one has to be below the Paris TMA of 1500', usually reporting the Serres Greenhouses for integration into the 800' circuit for L or R 890 metre parallel runways. On Right Base for R29, or final for R11, one gets a stupendous view of The Palace of Versailles. For first time visitors, it is essential that you read carefully the text from the AIP France for the airfield (appended to the plates in Skydemon). Fuel: Is strictly for BP Cards only, unless requested with Air BP 24 hrs PPR on +33 1 74 25 49 58. Hi-Viz required for the person doing the refueling. Even if you have a BP Card, because it is a popular GA field, ascertaining in advance that Avgas is available either from BP direct or the Tower (+33 1 30 58 12 60) is often wise. Restaurant on the field: There is an attractive, and good restaurant close to the tower: Les Ailes Volantes. https://www.facebook.com/Les-Ailles-Volantes-195581707319836/ A sign of its quality is that it is often full of 'outsiders'. Accommodation: Right by the entrance to the airfield are two places of accommodation: one behind the other! The first you will see - and by its architectural style you can see that it has accommodated/fed aviators since 1909! - is Le Pavillon de L'Aero*. https://www.facebook.com/pavillondelaero/ Behind it is the Motel B & B Hotel Aérotel**. http://www.aerotel.fr/ I have stayed in both and find them perfectly acceptable as one's base if exploring Paris or Versailles. Although Le Pavillion de L'Aero is the more historic. and therefore perhaps more nostalgic, I found it was a little 'tired' (Change of owners?) compared to the Hotel Aérotel. Being very close to the former Saint Cyr L'ecole Military Academy there are many eating establishments within easy walking distance, if needed e.g. La Tanière. https://lataniere.eatbu.com/?lang=fr#menu [Some others are shown on the next link for the RER station] Saint Cyr RER: What makes Saint Cyr L'ecole airfield so attractive is that the local RER https://www.france-voyage.com/cities-towns/versailles-31505/rer-station-saint-cyr-23464.htm is only 5 minutes walk away; making getting to Versailles or to the centre of Paris so convenient and cheap (in contrast to the complicated/expensive process required from the other airfields around Paris). For only €5.20 one can take the half-hour journey (which runs twice each hour till midnight each way) to Gare Montparnasse. Remember that this ticket also includes any journey via the Metro within Paris (provided one doesn't 'surface' from the journey en route.) Likewise, for €1.10 one can go just the two stops to Versailles-Rive Gauche which is right outside the Palace itself. I would allow two days to see this wonderful world-famous site: One, for the Palace itself; and another, for the Gardens (best seen by bicycle - a lot cheaper if you bring your own, as I try to do, in the plane!).

The good news is that as well as RNAV LNAV approaches to 14/32, there is now a cross grass runway of 575 meters 04/22 available when crosswinds exceed 15 knots. Likewise the parking, which used to be a nightmare, has been greatly improved with 4 specific parking zones which can accommodate 90 planes. When I have been here mid-week, or out-of-season, parking has not been a problem; but I am led to believe that it can still get pretty crowded at weekends in the height of the summer. One could phone ahead to check; but one cannot reserve. The lack of transport from the field - and even on the island itself - cannot be over-emphasised. There are only two taxis on the island, one driven by Isabelle, or a local bus which only runs 3 times a day. Either bring your own bikes or ensure that transport of some kind has been prearrange [See Tourist Office link below]. I have stayed at Les Voyageurs http://mobile.hotelyeu.com/ which I have found very convenient and satisfactory. In our PPL/IR Trip in 2025, a good meal was had at Ma Reserve https://www.facebook.com/lareservedubouchon/?_rdr [For those interested in history, just behind the hotel is the island museum which took over the house occupied by Madame Petain who lived there whilst her husband - Marshal Petain - was incarcerated on the island after WWII. His grave - in the local cemetery - and his cell - in the local fort - can be visited. Although the museum is now 'closed' one can, via the Tourist Office, obtain a key which allows one to peruse a room dedicated to that part of history.]

Île d'Yeu is smaller - and in some ways wilder - than it counterpart Belle Île. It is none the less a wonderful place if you enjoy peace, nature, walking/cycling with the convenience of arriving by air. There is a good and helpful Tourist Office webpage https://www.ile-yeu.fr/ which is available in English.

The airfield continues to be a useful ‘stopover’ for those wanting Customs/Fuel/Overnight and/or accessible accommodation. Landing: Although there are/were a variety of Approach procedures some have been curtailed (permanently?). TRO VOR is out of commission; and the NDB TY is threatened with withdrawal which would eliminate the NDB Approach. However there are two good LVP RNP Approaches 17/35 with STARS. PA28: €8 Landing; €12 per 24hr Parking (€0.5 per hour) Customs & Administration: There were helpful staff and Customs provided that you conform to their scheduled arrangements I.e. 24 hr PN for Customs and recognise that both ATC & airfield close promptly. [We had difficulty extracting someone after they landed in-hours but tried to leave the field only a few minutes later!] The CouCou Restaurant https://le-coucou.fr/ is open and functioning and is a popular airfield restaurant but only at the specified lunch times. Fuel: Conveniently, there is a 24/7 Self Service Avgas pump which takes ordinary Credit Cards. Avgas: €2.71 pl Hotel: For convenience we stayed at The Golden Tulip**** https://troyes-nord.campanile.com/en-us/ which is within easy walking distance. It produced a good breakfast and an adequate evening menu provided one was not staying for too many days. It has an Outdoor pool. The hotel is ideal for Overnighter’s or those who want to be by the airport (like ourselves); but, as it is 7km from Troyes centre, for those spending a few days and/or wishing to explore Troyes itself (which is very beautiful) I would suggest staying in town. Taxi to the centre is about €20; but allow plenty of time for it to arrive because it has to come from the town. About 10 minutes from the hotel, at Barberey-Saint Sulpice (the Commercial Supermarche area), Bus #3 https://tcat.fr/se-deplacer/le-reseau-tcat/horaires-et-plans/ goes to the centre of Troyes twice an hour from 07.00-20.00 (journey time 20 mins).

One of the great advantages that Saumur St Floriet airfield has, over most others, is that there is an excellent hotel only 5 minutes’ walk from the runway. I can highly recommend it.

Hôtel les Terrasses de Saumur*** (formerly Hôtel Clos de Bénédictines) is a wonderful Logis de France, with its own pool and terrace overlooking Saumur itself. Having dinner or breakfast there is one of life’s great pleasures.

The hotel not only has a gourmet restaurant, but there are also chalets and duplex apartments available in the ground. The perfect place to relax and recover after that flight you have just made; be it for a night or longer. (Note: Room 14 is rather on the small size.)

The French National Horse-Riding School – one of the great attractions of Saumur – is within walking distance.

Fly Overs: Saumur is the ideal base to overfly The Châteaux of the Loire. This page gives their details and Coordinates: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ch%C3%A2teaux_of_the_Loire_Valley