Flying near Poitiers or Bordeaux

The Luscombe from the book C’est la folie lives in Saint Junien near Limoges – it’s a fun book.

https://www.waterstones.com/book/c-est-la-folie/michael-wright/9780553817324

@Mitch, for what it’s worth I’d encourage you to fly in France even on your short trip, if you can make it happen. I live in the US but have connections to Europe that get me there fairly often. I’ve made a number of similar flights in rented planes or friends planes. Flying in Germany (Reims Rocket) and Italy (Tecnam P2002 and C172) were really memorable experiences.

Peter offered a ride in the mighty TB20 when I was in his area, but I had to work. I’m still regretting that I simply could not sneak away without causing a fuss. Now I wish I’d caused the fuss…

I’ll be in France myself this spring and I find myself reading about club flying and wooden planes with a certain interest. I’ve found you don’t have to make long flights or fly solo, just flying left seat in a different environment is fun regardless. Even a ride can be educational.

Hi Mitch,

If you’re in the Bordeaux-Libourne-Saucats area, I’d be delighted to help if I can – hope you get to fly in France!

Bons vols

@Aviathor merci pour le heads-up !

I have never been to Bordeaux LFBD but it has not had avgas for a long time. Here is the current notam:

FUEL AVGAS 100LL NOT AVBL : NOTAM LF/A0673/16

Poitiers LFBI I have been to a number times. No issues except that at times there is nobody around on the ground (who speaks English) and a couple of times I was not able to get off airside, until I made some calls to ATC. That can be the situation at numerous French provincial airports where a lot of the staff go home after the last Ryanair (etc) flight departs. I last had that in Bastia, Corsica (France) in Sept 2015.

There are other airfields in the area, with aeroclubs. Whether they do self fly hire I have no idea.

There’s an excellent flying club at Limoges with an English instructor (Roger).

PM me for contact details if you’re interested, although it might be a bit far away.

As a US’an, do not expect everybody to speak or understand English. And even if some do, their accent may be quite funny to you, at least. Remember they’ll think the same about you! I think you had better stick to the bigger fields where English is normally not a problem.

@JoJo may be able to help in the Bordeaux end… or @Bordeaux_Jim

Hi Mitch

Just a quick look on Google.
There 2 flying club in Poitiers:
http://www.aero-club-poitou.fr
http://www.acaspttpoitiers.fr

Send them a email and book a flight with a flight instructor.

Romain