francoflyers

Reader's Question—French Exams in English

Vassi Rehman writes:

Hi,

I am new in France, willing to get my PPL training here in France at CAMI Aeroclub.

I have a question here that is that to get PPL, DGCA Exam is in French language or they provide the facility to pass the exam in English Language?

Or being an English student, is there any problem to get PPL in France.

Please let me get the benefit of your flying experience in france by you guys......

Thanks indeed for your help.

 

 

Reader's Question—Robin R3000 For Sale

Ian Doubtfire writes:

Hello

I like your website - very informative.

I am trying to sell a beautiful Robin R3000/180.

Whilst it is on the UK register, only the French really know this aircraft.

Can you suggest a company that would be good to sell the aircraft in France.

Thank you

 

Reader's Question—N-registered aircraft required for hire

Miguel Chiang writes:

I am a newly FAA licensed private pilot in France and I am looking for N-registered aircraft for rent in France, or a flying club in France who operates N-registered aircraft, in order for me to build time.

My preference is with Cessna, however I know the number of N-aircraft in Europe is limited so I am interested in other types as well.

I am based in Paris but would be interested anywhere in Northern and center part of France.

Can anyone help me where to look?

Thanks a lot.

Reader’s Question—French Farm Strips

Peter Waugh writes:

Dear Les,

Is there any publication in France like Lockyers Farm Strips and Private Airfield guide?
.

 

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.

Reader’s Question―French Flying Clubs

Paul Madden writes:

I like the idea of European aeroclubs and, in particular, French aeroclubs.

Nothing like that here in the States with the possible exception of a few gliding clubs here and there. I visited one when I was last in France a few years ago.

I'm in the process of winding down my work at the Lab in preparation for retirement by the end of next month. More time available then to do some flying, etc.

I also have some (American) friends living in France (Paris) who suggested that I consider joining a French aeroclub and fly there during the summer, maybe for a month or so.

Unfortunately my wife is still working at a high-power job so could probably join me in France for only a short period during any given summer. But she says: do it!

Can you suggest a club, or clubs, where I wouldn't be out of the water given that I'm not fluent in French (actually not even close)?

However, I have no problem reading French.

Also, would it be a problem conversing with airfield controllers?

I imagine they have to speak English to get such jobs but I don't know if this is the case at smaller airports. Absolutely no rush for an answer.

Best regards,

Paul

P.S. I have also considered UK aeroclubs but I'm told the weather is so freaky in the summer that I could go for a month without ever flying. Don't know if this is accurate or not.

Reader's Question―UK to Limoges

Will Dawes writes:

I am thinking about flying to Limoges from Shoreham in the UK possibly for my CPL qualifier, in possibly a DA40 or PA28. I have seen on your blog that you’ve flown from Limoges to the UK in the DA40; can I ask how long this took and if you have any advice for preparation for such flying in France?

I’m just completing my ATPL groundschool with a few hours yet to build.

Reader's Question―French ULM Information

Paul Madden writes:

I have written to many French ULM sources trying to find information about a French ULM from the late '90s called the Caprice 21. I have attached a photo of the aircraft (from Tagazous), and following is a link to a YouTube video of the aircraft (you have to go to the end to see the aircraft from a distance):

 

I have seen " for sale" advertisements for the aircraft in various French magazines dating back to the early 2000s. I think quite a few were manufactured, some powered by the R582 and others by the R912. From the YouTube video, I know where at least one is based - in south-west France. I wrote to the aeroclub at the airfield without getting a response. The French national ULM association was of no help either.
Anybody know anything about this aircraft?

 

Reader's Question―Language Proficiency Examiner

Frank Writes:

My name is Frank, to make a long intro short; Dutch PPL, member of ACHR located at Habsheim-Mulhouse), live in France near the Swiss border.

My question; are there known examiners with whom I can do a Language Proficiency Endorsement (LPE) test.

I have found several institutes in the Netherlands that I consider a ripoff. 

Kind regards Frank

Aéroclub du Haut-Rhin (ACHR) (See also French Aeroclubs list on sidebar)

 

Reader's Question―Helicopter Trips in Tremolat

Kristine Taylor writes:

Sorry but bit of a long shot here. 

Does anyone know of a company with a helicopter that would pick up and return to the Vieux Logis in Tremolat 24510.

A friend is trying to arrange a trip for his elderly mother.
 
many thanks

kris

Reader's Question—Flying Club/Instructor near Cannes

Scott Salyer writes:

I'm recently relocating to Nice/Cannes area.

Typed in Hawker 800/900/Citation 500/525SP and total time just short of 10,000 hrs.

Very interested in local flying clubs and aviation friends.

Can you recommend a local instructor in Cannes area?

Need to understand the local rules before I take off flying around.

Do you recommend local flying club?

Reader's Question—ULM Instruction in France

Martin Toseland writes:

Hi Les,

I hope you are able to help me out.  I have just begun training on a three axis in the uk.  However, I regularly travel to the South of France, where my partner is from.  We intend to move back there in a year or so.  As I will also be looking for a career change I had the strange notion of combining my newly rediscovered love of flying with a career.  So, what are my questions?  Well, the questions I was hoping you could help answer are:

What qualifications or tests would I need to undertake if I wanted to be able to become a ULM instructor in France?  What qualifications would be required, such as time I have held a PPL etc. Also, is it necessary for all tests to be completed in French?

If I was to restart my three axis training in france, as I have not done many lessons yet, what licence would I receive and could I fly in the uk on this?  I could arrange an intense training course to achieve this pretty quickly at one of the French ULM centres, recommendations appreciated (the closer to Marseille the better).

Are there any peculiarities in teaching ULMs in France that I would not be aware of?  I ask this as it seems there are often strange rules connected with trades that do not exist in the uk, like teachers not being allowed a second job outside of education!

If there is a need for clarification of anything I will be happy to elaborate. 

Thanks for any help you can offer.

Reader's Question—Cost Sharing

John Bachelor writes:

Do you know the position in France regarding sharing the cost of a flight. I know that in the UK under the CAA the pilot has to pay his share, but what about in France, flying a French reg aircraft. There is some discussion on http://www.pprune.org/archive/index.php/t-372503.html

It seems it’s OK in Germany, but nobody has clarified the position here.

Hope you can help.

Reader's Question—Continuation Training in France

Stuart Morton writes:

I wanted to ask if there were any Francoflyers who have come across any training organisations in France that would be recommended.

I am thinking in particularly of post-PPL training?

Do you know if/when I get my UK PPL would I then be able to do the further ratings in France.

NB Stuart is a professional photographer, currently training for a UK-issued PPL at Limoges but lives in the South of France.

Reader's Question—using OLIVIA to submit flight plans

Paddy Yeoman writes:

Hi

Can I use Olivia to file a flight plan from UK to france on my PC without the usual faxing (eg Leicester to Le Touquet). Are there any snags, how do I know it has been received OK.

Reader's Question—Channel Islands Customs procedures

France to the Channel Islands (Iles Anglo-Normandes)

I am keen to pop into the Channel Islands when flying France to the UK so I can pick up cheap fuel.

If someone could advise where to find the info on customs/immigration for that trip (and the opposite direction) I would like to know.

Alternatively:  How do I purchase duty free fuel when leaving France?

I will be flying HA-YAB which I wrote about in an earlier article.

Reader's Question―Paramotor exams in English

Jaap Butter writes:

I am about to start my training for Paramotoring in Spain.

I am a Dutch National but live in France.

I know that I have to get a license to be able to fly in France.

Is there a English written exam available?

Where do I have to go to get this license.

Any help is welcome!

Reader's Question—French Customs Clearance

Tug Wilsons writes:

Hi Sue,

I am planning a trip from Plymouth in England to France and on to Italy. Could you tell me which GA airfields have customs in France?

Also, will I need customs when I leave France for Italy and again on my return?

Regards

Tug

Reader's Question—English Language Proficiency

John Bachelor writes:

Hello Sue

I have a UK PPL and am now resident in France, flying from Alencon.

What is the position regarding language proficiency?

I have a stamp in my licence to say I am proficient in English but do I need one for the French language too?

It should not be a problem but no-one seems certain.

Reader's Question—Microlight get-together

Andy Hillyer writes:

Hi,

I fly a 3-axis microlight from Frejus in SE france.

Any other English speaking flyers fancy meeting up at airfields in the area for lunch / discussions etc..

The warm season is now starting—I'd like to explore the region a bit more !

Readers' Question—English-speaking GA Airports

Hervé Laoureux writes:

Hello,
 
Sometimes ago I have registered your website as my homepage not to forget
to visit it often.

I am resident in the UK, live in Germany and hold a South
African PPL.

A friend of mine who is doing his ATPL in the UK sent me the
following request.

I have never flown much in France due to their regulations
and thought you might be of better advise. Here is his message: 
 
We may be doing a ferry flight of a Cessna 182T from the UK to Nairobi and we
would need to fly through France to Cannes.

I am not sure where the best places to stop on the way might be.

I would want to avoid the largest airports but I think we would also need to avoid the small aerodromes where only French is spoken!

Can you think of some good general aviation airports where they have ATC and
we can speak English between the UK and Cannes? 
 
Thanks for your help.

 

Reader's Question—Microlight moving to France

John Harris (G-MJVX) writes:

Hi

I recently saw an article in LOOP regarding flying in France which you replied to,   I hold a PPL (D) and have done so for about 15 years.  I will be moving to France in the near future and would like to fly my own aircraft there which is a Phantom Micro light. 3 axis.

It is fully permitted and insured.

Question: What do I have to do, if anything, to continue to fly my aircraft in France?.

Any help or information would be most appreciated.  I would be flying from a private field with the owner's consent.

Reader's Question—Air Event Regulations

Rhodri Watkins writes:

Hello,

I am a hot air balloon pilot from the UK and was hoping to fly at an event in France this coming summer. The even website gives this information on required pilot experience:

"French regulations relating to air events stipulate that each participating pilot must show proof of having completed at least 50 flights, among which 3 ascents in the three months prior to the event"

Some people believe that the 50 flights requirement can include training flights, however I cannot find any evidence that this is correct, and have not yet had a reply from the event organisers. Please could you let me know whether my training flights can be included in my flights total for air events?

Many thanks in advance,

Rhodri

Reader's Question—IMC rating

Peter Seed writes:

Dear Sue,

Do you teach the IMC rating?

Regards

Peter
 

Reader's Question—paramotor licence requirement

Alan Kendal writes:

I have a French license for paramotoring, i.e. I have the paramoteur class on my ULM license.

I am asked what 'license' is required for visiting English paramotor pilots. In England the paramotor is de-regulated but I have heard that having a certificate showing completion of a recognised training course is acceptable.

A recognised course includes weather, safety, theory of flight, airmanship and air law.

Is this certificate acceptable for visiting pilots flying in France?

Reader's Question—England or France, which is best for hours-building?

Barry Jeapes writes:

If I am lucky I might just get to do my gft next week, the culmination of 2 years training in the low cloud, wild cross wind, misty viz and generally awful weather of south east England.

I usually manage one hour every 3 or 4 weeks so you can imagine that consolidating knowledge has been a challenge.

Now to the point, I have bought a house in Brittany which will be my main abode before too long, and, I want to really learn how to fly which means some consistent flying, preferably in a Robin or other low wing aircraft (except Warrior).

In the long term, I am considering buying my own plane and perhaps also having a place in the South of France.

Consolidating my flying and becoming familiar with French airspace seems a good idea at the moment.

Do you offer this kind of training?

On the other hand my flying colleagues reckon that more flying around the South of England will teach you to fly anywhere as its so intense.

Any views on this subject.

Reader's Question—IMC Rating

Geraint Jones wites:

Hi Sue,

Nice to see the blog is up and certainly running. I was interested to read that Carl Pryce has done his first solo – nice one. I took my skills test at Cambridge in July and passed. I have now done some 10 hours since PPL and am really  enjoying it.

I already have my night rating and in view of weather limitations here, I am looking to do the IMC rating next year. To that end, can you do IMC?

By the way congratulations on becoming an examiner.

 

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Reader's Question—Danger Area Notification (2)

David Miller writes:

Danger Area notifications.

I note the reply to a recent question on this point, but am having great difficulty in finding out any details of the danger or restricted areas apart from the information shown on the maps.  The Jepp map does not agree with the DFS map in all respects, either.  My attempts to log in with Eurocontrol and/or Olivia have met with the usual frustrations and failure to get anywhere.  Maybe I am not computer minded, but I find the whole thing very user hostile.

My query is whether R 24A can be penetrated with permission, or whether it is a complete no-no.  I want to route from ING through to Mackel and there are several Restricted areas at various levels.  I don't really want to go under them at 1100 feet but I need to plan my route (a rather complicated one, at the far end) before the week end so that I know what frequencies etc to prepare.

Have you any words of advice?

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Reader's Question—Danger Area Notification

Terry Rawlins writes:

Dear Sue

Danger Area Activation Notification.

The Low/medium level Military Routes have their active or non-active status notified in the FIR section of Notams.

Is the activation of individual Danger Areas (eg R49A – aka “Cognac Military Area”) notified in any way?

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Reader's Question—Airways VFR

Steve Noujaim writes:

Hi Sue,

We have friends near Brive and so we are planning to fly down to LFBV on Sunday from EGBJ via DVR, ING stopping for customs at LFRG then via Le Mans, Le Blanc, your NDB LOE and then Brive. The flight is VFR.

I was wondering is it possible to fly direct VFR say from Deauville to destination? via Airways VFR? or is it easier to just remain clear of controlled airspace, as you can see the route is not really direct.

Later on I plan to go Isle of Wight Cherbourg but I am still running the aircraft in (10 hours) so I am going for the shortest sea crossing.

The aircraft is on a Permit so is day VFR only.

Having written the above, in essence what's the most efficient way of getting from Calais to Brive, VFR?

A customs option could be Limoges so we could meet if the douane could be arranged on a Sunday?

Do you know anyone at Brive who speaks English, I am trying to organise hangarage for a week from Sunday 31st Aug as I am concerned about your famous hail storms denting my nice new paintwork.

If I cant hangar at Brive do you have anything at Limoges for an RV7.

Finally what's the score on landing fees and fuel payment do most places take VISA?

Brive seems only to accept cash or an SFACT voucher whatever that is. Sorry about my ignorance but I am unused to VFR operations in France.

In any event Anna and I may drop in and say hi if you don't mind and time permits or certainly if customs are available would Sunday PM be okay?

Thanks in anticipation

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Reader's Question—Foreign licenses in France

James Kwong writes:

Dear Sue and the Francoflyers team,

I currently have an Australian PPL, and I am flying a G registered aircraft in the UK for hour building towards a JAA CPL.

I have always wanted to fly across the channel to France, and of course I know the weather is generally better there as well! However I am not sure about the legality of flying in France in a G registered aircraft with an ICAO (Australian) PPL. It is permitted here in the UK, but I am not sure about France. I have tried to contact the French CAA but find it difficult to communicate over the telephone with them about this fairly complicated matter.

What I do know is that if I wanted to fly a French registered aircraft I would have to get a temporary French license that costs around 70 Euros, and takes about a week to sort all the paperwork, however I must stress that I will be in a G registered aircraft and I believe it is this that complicates matters.

If anyone else has had experience with this problem, or knows someone who has flown in France on a non JAA license on a non French registered aircraft then please let me know what to do and perhaps who I could speak to about this problem. At the end of the day I don't want to break the law! But would love to fly to France and enjoy the flying there too!

Reader's Question—Flight plan problem

Paul Booth writes:

Hi Sue,

I hope you can help me, on my return to the UK from France flying holiday last year other UK pilots have comment that if I ever return to France as Pilot in Command, my aircraft will be impounded and I will receive a large fine for breaking French Flight Rules.

I am fully aware that all flights from the UK to France must be to a customs/immigration designated airfield I did that; ‘those rules are very clear’ it’s the return flight to the UK where it’s becomes unclear.

I am aware of the ‘Schengen Convention’ and that flights are permitted between most EU countries and non-customs airports subject to a flight plan file at least one hour before departure.

I did not think at the time I was doing anything wrong as other pilots/aircraft returning to the UK did exactly as I did i.e. Filed a flight plan at Abbeville direct to the UK. After landing in the UK (Southend) my actions were not questioned by the authorities   

My question is: Can a UK registered aircraft fly from a French airfield (such as Abbeville) to a UK customs airfield (such as Southend) when a flight plan was filed 1 hour before departure and once airborne activated by RT with say Lille ATSU quoting flight plan reference number.

I do hope you have the answer to my question as I hope to holiday/fly to France this coming July.

Thank you.

P.S you live in a most beautiful country.

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Reader's Question—Circuit patterns

David Pedley writes:

Hi Sue,

I am a little confused about the ‘normal’ way of joining the circuit at a (non-controlled) French airfield. I can find no reference to the concept of ‘dead-side’ or overhead joins (it does not appear in any of the aviation vocabularies I have found).

Am I correct that it is normal to join downwind at circuit height?

If approaching from the deadside direction of a field, would one normally come cross-wind at the non-landing end of the runway and at circuit height, of would one be expected to fly a good radius around the field in order to approach downwind?

I am particularly concerned that I may be flying into a field without a/g radio and could cause chaos if the circuit is busy by doing something unexpected.

Will greatly appreciate your advice.

Please submit your questions, as follows:

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Reader's Question—Low Altitude Chart

Does any body know where to get JUST, the Defense Low Altitude System chart which comes as a part of the SIA VFR Folder.

Is it available on line?

Terry Rawlins

PA 39 – N41FT

LFCW

Reader's Question—Flying Doctor wanted

Ken, from Peyrat de Bellac, writes:

Hi,

I am hoping to obtain my PPL and hope that you can direct me to a list of PPL doctors to obtain the necessary certificate.

Reader's Question—flying without a transponder

David Palmer writes:

I have a microlight Eurostar and would like to fly into France, however, because of the weight limitation, I do not have a transponder.

My question is, may I fly in France without a transponder?

If so what sort of reception would I get at Class D airfields and how are Transponder Mandatory Zones shown on the IGN charts?

Thanks in advance for your help

Reader's Question—ELT beacons

Terry Rawlins writes:

French AIC 10/08 published May 01 states:

Para 2.11.12.1 From 1st January 2009, all aeroplanes and helicopters shall be equipped with at least one ELT of any type

Further in the AIC it states:

2.11.5 Frequency, coding and registration

Any emergency beacon (ELT or PLB) shall be capable of transmitting simultaneously on the following frequencies:

121.5 MHz and 406 MHz, be coded (according to ICAO Annex 10 for ELTs) and be registered from the national authority in charge of initiating the search and rescue operations or from any designated authority.

Am I correct in thinking then that 406 MHZ ELT’s will be compulsory wef 01/01/2009?

Reader's Question—JAA licence, medical and radio requirements

Bob Writes:

Hi Sue

Having recently moved to France I am interested in continuing my private flying but wonder if you could clear up the following queries for me.

1. As a CAA PPL holder, do I need to convert to a JAA licence?  Is this a difficult/expensive process?
    
2. I only have very minimal experience of radio nav aids so would need to complete further training in this discipline; would you recommend the AOPA radio Nav course and are you able to offer training for this?
    
3. Finally, is it possible to renew a medical in France or do I need to return to UK, med due in August

Reader's Question—IFR issues

Terry Rawlins writes:

Is it possible to fly IFR outside controlled airspace (Open FIR Class G) in France.

I am Instrument Rated. If on a VFR FPL and go IMC can I fly IFR/ (It is possible in England and you fly according to Rules of The Air  32,33,34 & 5.)

Reader's Question—PPR at Toulouse

rawlins747@gmail.com writes:

Para 18 (Divers/Miscellaneous) of AD2 LFBO TXT 06 of the VAC part of the LFBO plates on the AIP talks of “General Aviation: Commercial Assistance PPR PN 3HR by ………” (Amended slightly including change to the fax number by a recent Notam).

Does this mean that if I use Blagnac 1 (the General Aviation Terminal) at Toulouse, I must get PPR?

Reader's Question—ICAO Language Proficiency

John Milnes writes:

Hi Sue

I was reading in "Pilote" that 5th March 2008 was D-Day for the implementation of ICAO Language proficiency.

How do you see things changing as this comes into force for English speaking pilots in France, are the small airfields like St Junien that only operate in French going to be forced to speak English?.

I only ask as I will be holidaying in Perpignan this year and will be flying with the aeroclub de Roussillon, where only one member of the club speaks English.

Reader's Question—Mode S transponders

Clive Brown writes:

The CAA have provided for temporary exemption from Mode S which our group has applied for and obtained.  Obviously, this only applies to the UK, however.

What is the position about flying in France without Mode S?  Is it yet required for controlled airspace?

Do you have a source that can provide similar information about other European countries, in particular Holland and Germany?

Reader's Question—first flight to Belgium

Simon Roe writes

I am wanting to fly to MOORSELE in belgium this weekend i have not flown outside the UK before could you tell me what i have to do what precedures i have to follow.

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Reader's Question—Information on Clermont Ferrand

John Richardson writes:

Dear Sue,

Congratulations on the excellent website. I find it very useful for general info on French flying.

I will be flying to Reggio Emilia in Northern Italy on 2nd May from Wellesbourne in the UK and need to stop off en route in France for customs, fuel and most importantly lunch!

I was considering Clermont Ferrand which nicely breaks the journey in two halves - I am flying an Aztec - and seems to have a good restaurant from the website.

Do you have any experience of this airfield and the lunch!

Many thanks

John

Please submit your questions, as follows:

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Reader's Question—US licence conversion

John Wullf writes:

Hi Sue,

Is there any procedure in place for a pilot with a US PPL to attain approval to fly in France? Can I get a JAR PPL or equivalent? What about instrument training in France?

Thanks.

John

John W Wulff
N24WF @ VKX
A '75 Grumman Traveler based in
the most secure airspace in the US!

Reader's Question—fuel availability near Limoges

Bob Davies writes:

Hi,

In early May, I will be flying an Aeronca Champ from the London area to Castelnau Magnoac [just south of Auch]

This is a trip I have made several times but always by Cherokee Arrow and for convenience I have often refuelled at Limoges.

In planning my Aeronca trip I am somewhat restricted in that I have a fairly limited range allied to the fact that as the aircraft has no electrics I am limited to a handheld radio with no transponder.

Earlier this week I spoke Controllers at Calais [Class D airspace] who confirmed that although I have no transponder provided they were not busy they would be able to allow me in to land/transit via VFR reporting points.

My questions are

1. Do you know if the same scenario exists with the Controllers at Limoges?

and

2. Are you aware of any nearby airfields where fuel would be readily available if I am unable to land at Limoges.

Many thanks in anticipation,

Bob Davies

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Reader's Question—mountain flyer wanted

Charles Flint writes:

Sue, I fly a Husky from North Wales and I would like to get to the European Mountain Pilots fly-in at Corlier on 10/11 May.

I have done a few hours in the Alps—and in New Zealand—but do not have a mountain qualification, nor the authorisation de site for Corlier—or any other altiport !

I have 200 hours on the Husky and fly off a 300 m hill strip but have not yet had the opportunity to get the mountain rating—I am thinking of trying to get to Megeve in September.

Question—do you happen to know of anyone—with the rating—who would like to fly with me from Bourg en Bresse into Corlier that weekend ??

I appreciate Limoges is not close, but I hope you do not mind this speculative enquiry.

Great site and very useful—keep it up !

Best wishes

Charles Flint
G-HSKI

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Reader's Question—Cross-channel reporting

Kai writes:

Hi,

What a great site you have and what great fun you seem to have, admirable and exciting at the same time.

I would like to wish you all the best and maybe one day I will fly-in to visit.

Meanwhile, I am a novice at flying into France and am unfamiliar with 'whom' to talk to when I fly over there.

It might seem a silly question, but I don't know the answer hence my asking you as a seasoned traveller (and I have consulted a French VFR map).

My planned route is Southend to Abbeville.

My trip will take me from near Southend to Dover where I am planning to cross the channel and coast-in at Cap Gris-Nez, then onto the Bolougne BNE before heading due south into Abbeville.

I understand that Lille no longer speaks to VFR traffic, and I am not IMC but 'only' VMC / VFR, so with whom will I speak once I leave the FIR boundary, EGTT?

Do I switch to Lille Info anyhow or do I wait until I get to the BNE and contact Le Touquet for an FIS?

I do have a mode S transponder as well, which I understand helps.

I am sorry that this is a simple question but I am lost, would you help?

Reader's Question—French ULM examinations

Malcolm Spalding writes:

Good Moaning

Can anyone help please?

I have decided to try ULM flying and I am currently having lessons from a French instructor but, although I think I am making progress with the practical, my real concern is with the French Theory test.

My French is not good (yes, I am trying to improve it) and there is no way that I can guess at what the questions are asking me!

My instructor says that he thinks it may be possible for me to take the test in English but that special preparations would have to be made.

He has not heard of this being done before.

My obvious question is, do you know if this is possible?

If this is not possible, am I allowed to take a dictionary into the examination?

This test is specific to ULM's

Transit through military airspace in northern France

I was wondering if anyone might be able to answer a question about transiting through the military airspace in northern France.  I'm planning to fly from London Elstree to Luxembourg and am planning to route via Le Touquet, Cambrai Epinoy (LFQI) and the MMD VOR.  That routing takes me through a number of military restricted areas.  As best I can tell from reading the French AIP, I need to talk to the following in order to get permission to transit the restricted airspace:

For LF(R)102 - Cambrai Approach on 118.525
For LF(R)53 - Reims Approach on 119.8
For LF(R)26 - Reims Approach on 119.8

The owner of my flying club in London assures me that I won’t have any trouble getting permission to go through as long as I'm talking to the appropriate air traffic control facilities.  However, I was wondering if anyone has any experience of flying in those areas and whether 1) I'm likely to get through without problems and 2) whether my RT plan listed above is the correct one.

Some of the restricted areas are notified by NOTAM, so I may find that they're not actually active for the time I'm planning to go through.  Nevertheless, I'd rather be prepared in case they are.

Thanks in advance for your help!