Thanks Ibra. Good to know
Its why I mentioned the SIA VFR guide pack. It is in both French and English and IIRC includes the 1:1m map (amongst other things) which include all theblow level airways (Echo corridors) call them what you will.
I have to admit, even with Skydemon and SDVFR if I am planning one or 2 flights where “R” and number and letter is marked on the map I still consult the complimentaire to get an idea of the area. Cognac area has eg R49A R49H etc many starting and finishing at different altitudes.
@Peter I wrote “often” but on a personal level I have never been refused a transit but I have been rerouted/vectored around eg an airfield when there has been military excercises with for instance countless fast jets from all over europe landing.
I don’t know anyone who was flat out refused without some sort of assistance but I’m sure there will be many. But then most of us as soon as SIV tells us that the area is active, try to go round/under/over. But SIV might also simply say “Restricted airspace ahead of you what are your intentions?” We then choose whether to call them for transit or consider it active and do as I wrote above.
There is a joke here (but it has some base in truth) that at such spaces the controllers speak more understandable aviation English than they do French. 🙂
“P” zones just steer clear. Most are small although many also have quite low upper limits.
“D” as written before your choice but also as written sometimes the area is a block to link various military installations and in the complimentaire and probably on SDVFR and Skydemon there is a side note that badically says if you stick to this bit don’t worry about it.
NB an emminent aviation lawyer once wrote an article in one of the French flying magazines pointing out that under avaiation law you have not committed an infringement by entering a region marked as a danger zone this was endorsed by the DGAC and IIRC by EASA and ICAO. Only the UK seemed to ignore it. Before Brexit, I wonder what would have happened if such a case went to court.
The only exception to generally being cleared through “R” areas in France is the RTBA system of low-level routes for jets. But these are activated on a precise timetable, published in advance here – the RTBA activity site
I’ve yet to be in a position where these corridors become a barrier, but unless anyone knows differently, I could see how they might possibly be…and unfortunately when I ask who you talk to to cross them, I get a gallic shrug from French aeroclub pilots…
Regards, SD..
@Skydriller that’s because up to now we just accept them as low level and fly over them.
It is recommended, during weekdays, to fly at more than 1500’ in most of France due to low level military jets. On the corridors they just fly faster. As you say the corridors are published when active so there is no reason to contact anyone. Both these things are just accepted facts of life. We just never let it become a problem.
