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First Contact In France

This is where the holiday Starts: In contrast to the frantic hurly burly of London info, the laid back (but no less professional) approach of Claude (or is it Charles?) almost exudes an atmosphere of Gaulloises and strong coffee. An ordinary quick fire TR Pacer radio call will be understood, but we may have to repeat it several times! So just slow it down and don't be hurried. Very soon we will be acclimatized to the accent and more relaxed style. French ATC have a habit of leaving off the Golf part of the registration, "Share ar ortel" sounds nothing like its UK equivalent "Golf Sierra Hotel", and the "cocktail party effect" may not work for a while.

Above: First contact with Lille Information, they sound relaxed but expect you to get it right.

• "Lille Information Golf Bravo Alpha Sierra Hotel"
  

• "Golf Sheerar Ortal Lille eenformation go ahead."
  

• "Golf Bravo Alpha Sierra Hotel is an AA5 Popham in the UK to Calais overhead the FIR boundary at two thousand feet one zero two one requesting flight information". (Very often flight information services such a Lille cant wait to get rid of you, they may not answer and you may be passed to another frequency right away. Don't be phased just keep making the calls until someone keeps you!)

• "Golf Sheerar Ortal Sqwawk 6120"

• Some time later "Golf Sheerar ortel contact contact Calais Tower on One one eight point one goodbye".

• "Contact Tower one one eight decimal one gooday"

Right: Everyone loves miss Deauville Approach.

Contacting the Tower

• Golf Bravo Alpha Sierra Hotel is an AA5 Popham to Calais with 10 miles to run from the South West at 2500 feet one zero two one requesting Joining Instructions.
  

• Golf Bravo Alpha Sheerar Ortal Join downwind left hand for runway 06 QNH 1021 QFE 1018 call on left base.
  

• Golf Bravo Alpha Sierra Hotel Join downwind left hand for runway 06 QNH 1021 QFE 1018 will call on left base.

• Golf Sierra Hotel Finals

• Golf Sierra Hotel cleared landing etc.
  

Closing the flight Plan

Note: When landing at an airfield with ATC they will close your flight plan. If for any reason you land and there is no Air Traffic Control you must close your flight plan. Click here

The First Thing to do after Landing

The First thing to do after landing is to fill up with Fuel for the return flight. Allow for some shopping in the calculations though, and that French meal will be flying home with you!

The Second Thing to do after Landing

The Second Thing to do after Landing is to Plan the return trip!  There is nothing worse than returning from a pleasant day out to face the paperwork. Get it done now while the passengers relax and maybe find a Taxi. Also remember there will be a half hour delay from filing a flight plan until you can depart. It can be very stressful if you are late back to the airfield , there is a risk of it being dark when you arrive back in the UK if you have to wait half an hour for Gallic officialdom!

(Note: Those who are really smart file their flight plan for the return trip in the UK before leaving!)

Finding your way to the terminal

Finding your way to the terminal once you have landed can be confusing. Even at large airports there is little security unless an airliner has landed or is due to depart. Click here for Airfield dodgy details.