A French Approach

From the English side of the Channel the aviation scene in France appears idyllic, plenty of airfields in scenic locations, good facilities, moderate costs and all in uncrowded airspace blessed with good weather and French food and wine on tap.

Is this really flying heaven?

In comparison with the UK there are certainly many pluses. In France local aviation continues to receive financial and general community support to an extent which would be quite unthinkable in the UK. An airfield is viewed as an asset to the locality rather than a bloody nuisance.

Airfields here are not under threat from land-grabbing property developers as building land is plentiful and thus cheap. Many houses here are, in any event, self built on plots provided by the Commune with all services laid on. The French are individually practical and frugal although the same cannot be said of the French State.

Of course this is only one side of the story. There are some Cbs building. For some time the economic situation in France, particularly away from Paris, has been much worse than the French would ever admit. France is also subject to the same global factors as the rest of the world, which no amount of protectionism can stave off.

Sarko was elected because a high proportion of French people feel privately that some radical reforms will be necessary to continue to pay for the very good health service, state schools, roads, and railways which are all part of what makes France a civilised place to live.

Perhaps the biggest drain on the economy is the massive state bureaucracy. This employs one in three French workers. Not that Sarko is about to do a Thatcher as that would still be political suicide in France but I suspect a little more economic realism and belt-tightening is on the way. This will probably mean less support for minority activities like flying.

At a less political level, and particularly outside Paris and the Public Sector, wages and salaries seem to be considerably lower than UK equivalents. The French are understandably concerned about the security of their jobs and pensions. Pilots are finding it harder to justify the costs of flying while domestic costs are rising even though club hire rates are probably only 66% of the UK average. In consequence, flying clubs are facing seriously reduced flying hours.

The Clubs are responding. The emphasis is already shifting from Group A to ULM’s for obvious economic reasons. Believe it or not French maintenance regimes for certified aircraft are even more complicated and expensive than in the UK and there is a shortage of qualified aero-engineers. In consequence most newcomers to aviation are flying three axis micro lights at the established aero clubs or weight shift at the increasingly numerous dedicated sites.

As a Brit retiring to France, I have been cushioned from the state of the French economy and the difficulties I have encountered have been more to do with my lack of understanding of ‘the French way’ than economics.

In the UK we have become used to a society dominated by commercial considerations, whereas France remains essentially a socialist society irrespective of the composition of the government of the day. A flying club in France is just that, a club. The majority are run on a ‘not for profit’ basis unlike the UK where flying schools tend to be normal businesses aiming to make a good profit. This sounds like it might be good news but hold on a minute! Things here can be difficult for a Brit to grasp at first and not just the language.

Even when standing in a half empty hangar you must not be surprised if questions as to the availability of hangarage are met with the shake of the head. It is easy to form the impression this is just plain obstruction or Gallic dislike of strangers, particularly foreign ones. Actually that is probably not the main reason. The constitution of the club as a not for profit organisation may well prevent it renting space to non-members.

So you have fallen into the first trap by asking the wrong question. The question should have been “ Is it at all possible to be considered for membership of this magnificent club which is clearly without parallel in France and thus the world” It seems that you must never ask directly for what you actually want and it is quite impossible to use too much flattery of the club, region and country in that order.

Not at all like the UK where all you have to do is slap your wad on the table and get your arm snatched off. Nothing so vulgar in France. There are rituals and customs to be observed and due respect to be humbly offered. You are expected to know how to approach these things and, if not, well you are obviously not membership material. (Now I come to think about it, just like Jackrells!)

Again there are parallels with the way French society in general operates. In front of the vast seemingly-impenetrable wall of French bureaucracy there is a person with the key to the back gate if you can just find them and persuade them you are worthy. For many important domestic issues this may well be the nice lady in the Mairie or equally the bloke fiddling with his plane in the hangar.

In my case I knew none of this, I was just plain lucky. On one of my pilgrimages to the usually-deserted local airfield I stumbled across Jean-Rene struggling alone to reunite his rebuilt Continental with his Jodel. Pitching in to help proved to be my salvation and Jean-Rene subsequently guided me through the minefield. He is a Breton and as such will always be, to an extent, a stranger here in central France. Having experienced difficulty himself, he was unusually sympathetic to my plight. Now we are firm friends,

Anyway you get the picture. Good game, not easy. If anyone is thinking about a move or is just interested in any particular aspect please contact me.

Richard Arkell
richardjuliaclub-internet.fr@club-internet.fr

Comments

[Les King]

A most insightful take on the art of dealing with French people.

I see where I have been going wrong by just asking politely for what I want and expecting some response.

I must start practising the art of flattery.

[sue virr]

great article Richard many thanks!

[Stuart Morton]

Can I ask which area you are in Richard ? I am also living in France and couldn't agree more with you.

[John Stevens]

Great article Richard and you could not have written it at a better time from my point of view (you know the reason why!)

[Gwen Jenner]

Richard, your article was a pleasant and informative read and seems already to have had a beneficial effect. Old fashioned courtesy and respect are great freebies available to all of us and always well worth the effort.

[Barbara Reed]

Go on Richard, you may tell them which airfield! I give you official permission
Barbara