francoflyers

Things looking-up at Calais

Received from Paul Bazire (North Weald Flying Group)

I was in at Calais the other day and would like to report that the airport restaurant which opened at the end of last year is actually rather good and the very pleasant owner is really trying to attract pilots into the airfield for lunch.

Calais is a nice easy cross channel hop and with a 9 euro landing fee is very reasonable. Visiting has been made that much easier as the previous 24 hour faxed Customs notice has now been reduced to 2 hours and can be filed online on the Calais Airport website .

Calais used to be a bit of a desolate hole with tumbleweeds blowing around the place but the new cafe/restaurant has made it somewhat more appealing.

There is a long running NOTAM about cross channel drones flying from Calais with a temp restricted zone. It's not that often but you need to contact the ATC Manager to check. The numbers are on the plate.

It's very late notice but Calais are night flying this evening (Saturday) . All landing/circuits are free and the cafe will be open until late.

The downside is there will be no ATC so all calls are to be made blind and in French only^**.

Hopefully, this will be a regular event.

** If you need help with this, our article on French Radio Calls should help.

Reader's Question—Restricted Airspace Notification

Denman Rooke writes:

I’ve recently bought property in Aurignac (31420). My nearest airfield is LFJH Caziers Palaminy.

This airfield is under Restricted Area LF-R0046F3 (800AGL – 3300AMSL).

Apparently, its operation is ‘INTMT’.

Any ideas how I find out the hours of operation, and whether there is any dispensation for aircraft flying into this field?

I don’t relish creeping about at 700’ so close to the mountains.