Readers's Question─Completing PPL in France sans français

Gregory Caminow writes:

Is it possible to complete my PPL training and gain a PPL without having the ability to speak French in France.

I am currently in the process of gaining my PPL with a FFA registered flying club here in France.

I recently soloed after many hours of circuits and am now onto the 15 hours or so cross-country element.

My home airfield has English speaking ATC so the language thus far has not been an issue.

I realise that some of the smaller aerodromes are French only communication.

Unfortunately my French (and language) skills are abysmal and I doubt they will miraculously improve.

Is there any way that I can obtain my PPL in France when I am useless at communicating in French?

Can anyone help as I am desperate to get my PPL before I am too much older?

It has been my lifelong dream to learn to fly and it is only now that I am living in France that it has become possible but I did not consider this additional problem and the club and the English speaking instructors told me at the start the non speaking of French would not be a problem.

I know that the easiest would be to go to the UK or a school that accepts English only. I wonder how schools in other European countries get around the problem when teaching an English only speaker? Does anyone have any similar experience?

Thanks in advance.

Greg

Comments

[Roger]

Hi Greg, i completed my PPL in the Czech Republic due to issues with the flying schools in Ireland not having the time or in my opinion interest in having a fellow pilot, also the weather played a major role. Although i had started to regain my licence in Switzerland, just before the GST the Authorities decided that my CAA exams were not good enough and wanted me to tke them again (money making scam) if you ask me. I would look towards the Cz Rep. Not only are they half the cost but very good instructors. Most speak english (only the very small fields uses Czech), Roger

[George Wallace]

Good Morning Gregory

It is possible to obtain a PPL in France with English Language are you doing the paper exams in English? this can understand the PPL exams are more comprehensive in English

But if you are flying in France many of the AFIS are French only.

This is not rocket Science, it is a basic level in French and contains only a few phrases you should make a point of learning them for your own safety, being a pilot is not for everyone you should consider this if your not prepared to make the effort to learn a few simple things, especially if your going to be flying regularly VFR in France level 4 on your licence is sufficient to pass with a French PPL.

I can point you in the right direction what is your email address.

Regards And happy Landings

George.

[Rich]

Dear Gregory,

As I understand it the answer is Yes! But it would be worth chatting to the English chap that runs a school at Limoges, he will know the answer to that.

If I can be of any help give us a ring, 01243 820367 www.sportair.co.uk

Regards,

Rich

[Greg Caminow]

For all the replies to my question thus far, thank you.

Though I am getting slightly conflicting answers.

Just for clarification. I have now been learning for over 18 months and nearly all my flights thus far have been based only at my main airfield with an English speaking ATC. I have made the occasional foray to nearby airfields with my instructor onboard and he has handled the French side of the comms.

Theory - I understand the French PPL has the option of completing the examination in English.

Flying Examination - Again if an English speaking examiner can be sourced, this can be carried out in English.

So my only main hurdle is the comms with the smaller French only speaking airfields and actually even larger ones when they go to automated French mode after say 19:00 which has happened on occasions.

Rich - Can you clarify how you believe I could manage in English only? What about the requirement for cross country flight landing at 2 airfileds for example?

George - I agree I should be able to converse in basic French but for some reason since schooldays (a long time ago) I have really struggled my French, horrible French teachers who did little to help me.... I am a mechanical/technical minded person and it just is bl..dy hard.

Comms whilst flying is not easy at the best of times for beginners so I just want to try to make it easier for myself.

Once I have my PPL I will try to work on the French basics for flying and enjoying it!

I would just like to remove the burden in the meantime.

Roger - I have considered the Czech possibility amongst other nearby countries and think that this might be the only way to finish. It is a shame as I gone so far in France.

Any more ideas and advice would still be welcome.

Greg

[Les King]

Greg

Firstly, all French airfields with formal Air Traffic Control will communicate in English.

As English is the 'international' ATC language, the French Controllers are required to maintain a high standard.

Some smaller airfields do revert to 'French-Only' during important periods like lunchtime, though the English ATIS broadcast is usually available.

There are plenty of 'controlled' airfield choices for your cross-country flights.

Uncontrolled airfields always work on the basis of the pilots communicating with each other and that is where you need some French language.

See the link 'French Radio Calls' above for help on this.

There is no requirement for French language in order to qualify for the PPL, though there is now a requirement for proficient English - or, to be more-accurate, a requirement for competent communication in the current environment which, internationally, means English though a French pilot could get-away with no English when flying in France.

I believe that some formal rules have crept in since I flew regularly in France so perhaps a reader could provide the precise language requirements for operating out of uncontrolled French airfields.

Whatever these might be, they are separate from the PPL qualification and also affect current PPL holders.

[James Carrie]

Hi Gregory,

I’m an English FI teaching airline cadets in Spain. We work exclusively in English. Our examiners are mainly English nationals and they all work in English and our students get licenses from all over Europe and beyond.

Are you aiming to achieve an EASA PPL or à French national PPL. EASA licenses are valid in umpteen states including France. A French national licence is almost certainly French only.

Final thought - I have had a love affaire with France for 25 years and find the French very welcoming of Brits who have a go with the French language. If you are bright enough to master the PPL are you sure you can’t master the French

Bon courage !
James

James Carrie
M: 07411 111152

[Barry Whiting]

Hi Gregory,

I would strongly suggest that you contact Roger Sprague at Limoges (LFBL) who currently runs an English Language flying school there, in association with the Aeroclub du Limousin. He specialises in teaching both UK and French based students and can certainly give you all the details you require.

I gained my PPL there just over 4 years ago and have been back regularly for other ratings and general refrsher training - so can vouch for the quality of the training. There are numerous airfields in the area that have English ATC for cross country trips - and there is certainly no need whatsoever to visit 'FR only' airfields - although I'd suggest it's worth making the effort to undersand french radio calls, for general situation awareness.

Roger's contact details are - email: roger@flyinginfrance.com, mobile: +44 (0) 7779 333289

Regards,

Barry

[Graham McMahon]

Hi
I am a British person that did my PPL(A) in France as part of a French aeroclub. I did all the written exams in french and all my lessons in french. I used English with the ATC on my flight exam and french at uncontrolled airfields. The examiner gave me a level 4 in French because of this. This has now expired as level 4 and 5 have a time limit and I am required to show a minimum of 4 again through a language test at a main centre like Paris or Grenoble.It is my understanding that as a holder of a French issued licence I must have French endorsed on the licence at level 4 or above.

Regards, Graham

[Roger]

I fly mainly out of "fench only "airfields, when i make the calls, i speak slowly so that other pilots that may be in the vicinity can understand someone else is there. Never had a problem. Like Barry said, there are loads of airfields with english speaking ATC, but i owuld certainly try and learn the basic phaseology like "overhead" "downwind and Final.9 out of 10 times they wont answer back unless there is an organised flyin.And even then i have experienced english speaking ATC. Igo over and congratulate them and they are chuffed as rocks. Yeah i know "brown nosing" it opens doors.

[Andy CROWE]

Hi Greg,

Where is your home airfield?

I know that it doesn't answer the original question, but the smaller airfields that speak French only are lovely, and usually quiet. So if you miss them out because of the language then you are missing out on a lot of the best flying in France.

I'm sure that there will be other English pilots near by that can go out with you and help you learn the basic French words and phrases needed. It's a bit daunting at first, but one you have done it a few times its surprisingly easy to pick up.

So let us know where you fly from and hopefully someone near by can meet up and help.

[TOMAS PAGA]

Hello Greg,
I'm wondering if you found out a confirmation that you can get your PPL not speaking French.
I'm in a similar situation and asked in a couple of clubs. In one of them they say there is no way, the other one they were a bit more positive and considered that it can be done but I should learn enough French.
I'm afraid that at some point the instructor could refuse to sign if he considers my French is not good enough.
I think learning the French radio calls should not be a problem for me but once you get level 4, it expires and you need to do a language level check again, then I'm afraid about that test since if you need to show conversation level it won't be that easy.
I know about Limoges, but I live in Zurich and is too far. I'm looking for a place near to Mulhouse.
Great forum this one...
Regards,