Alan
My information maybe out of date now but I did some flights from
Meribel about 8 years ago in a French aircraft with someone who knew
what they were doing. Then you had to be checked out with a local
instructor before they would let you land there on your own. I remember
talking to someone from Paris who had flown down to the nearest "flat"
airport and then got a lift up to Meribel just so that he could get a
piece of paper signed before he completed the final leg to Meribel. They
were pretty strict then, but understandably so. Personally I wouldn't
want to fly in there without having had someone show me the ropes. It's
certainly worth the investment though.
What sticks in my mind even now is the advice given for an engine
failure on take-off, which was to aim for a little plot by the church
which is the only flattish area within gliding distance but too short
for a "landing". Appropriately it was right next to the graveyard.
Of course with the glider wings this would not be an issue. I imagine
you could outglide the valley until you found a thermal to take you back
to where you started from :-)
If you don't get hold of Remi you can email the Aeroclub at
a.c.meribel@wanadoo.fr or tel 04 79086133. There were a number of Engish
speakers there when when I went.
Let me know how you get on, I have a vague plan to follow you when I
finally get mine flying.
Paul
On Friday, December 13, 2002, at 03:36 , Alan D Stewart wrote:
> Having just received the Dec 2002 (Issue 36) Europa News, I noticed on
> page 15 that one Remi Guerner has succesfully flown his French
> registered aircraft onto a number of mountain strips in France.
>
> For a number of years, I've dreamed of the opportunity to do exactly
> this. La Rosiere and Courchevel/Meribel are exactly where I would like
> to be on a calm weekend during a stable weather window over the next few
> months.
>
> I had assumed that piloting my own aircraft would not be permitted due
> to the local requirement that visitors possess a 'French Mountain
> Licence', verifying their competence in the prevailing conditions. This
> would be time consuming and costly to obtain.
>
> Are there circumstances where this requirement is waived ? Last years'
> 'Guide Delage' suggests not, but perhaps I'm in error ?
>
> Remi, please get in touch, or alternatively does anyone know of his
> personal email ?
>
> An arial shortcut to the Alps during the skiing season. Now that would
> be a great Christmas present !
>
> Alan
> BWFX
>
>
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