Robert Welford Posted June 29, 2022 Share Posted June 29, 2022 (edited) I am heading off to France this weekend to do some full-size gliding in the Alps. I would also like to take an electic F5J type glider (NAN Shadow E) with me. Can any forum members who live in France (eg David Davis) give me some advice. Is the UK CAA registration scheme recognised in France, or would I need to the full DGAC registration etc? Are the rules different for flying from recognised French model clubs in comparison to ad hoc flying from a farmer's field? All advice appreciated. Regards, Robert Edited June 29, 2022 by Robert Welford Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattyB Posted June 29, 2022 Share Posted June 29, 2022 (edited) We have some French members who are well placed to advise, but I suspect you will have difficulty flying legally at such short notice - the French have gone beyond EASA proposals in some areas, requiring model registration (not just pilots) and transponders for models over 800g outside of designated sites in addition to the now standard online competency testing. I would say don't bother this time round, as it's almost certain you would be flying illegally... https://emfu.eu/regulation/implementation/france Edited June 29, 2022 by MattyB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattyB Posted June 29, 2022 Share Posted June 29, 2022 (edited) More useful resources on this topic... https://www.finesseplus.org/flying-your-models-in-france-what-you-must-know/ https://www-finesseplus-org.translate.goog/rc-slopes/?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en-US&_x_tr_pto=wapp (click the green "Je suis d'accord" button on entering) https://www.geoportail.gouv.fr/donnees/restrictions-uas-categorie-ouverte-et-aeromodelisme (no translation available) Edited June 29, 2022 by MattyB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul De Tourtoulon Posted June 29, 2022 Share Posted June 29, 2022 Maybe worth starting on the French FFAM site and find a club in the region that you want to fly, they will give you the 'legal' flying sites and ask them for an 'initiation' members adhesion to the club, most club's are helpful, but don't mention any English battles that the French lost ( too many of them ) but just drop a line like my Uncle flew Spitfires, Mosquito's or Lancaster's,,,it will work wonders,, https://www.ffam.asso.fr/fr/pratiquer-l-aeromodelisme/trouver-un-club-pres-de-chez-vous.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Welford Posted June 29, 2022 Author Share Posted June 29, 2022 Thanks Matty. I had looked at the www.finesseplus.org and was surprised at was required to fly models in France. I wondered whether there was any reciprocal arrangement with the CAA/BMFA scheme. The risk with it being so difficult is that even sensible people will be tempted to fly "illegally". I will leave my Shadow glider at home ? Thanks again Robert. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Stephenson Posted June 29, 2022 Share Posted June 29, 2022 I wonder how many French fly illegally given for their renowned destain for "petty" laws. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul De Tourtoulon Posted June 29, 2022 Share Posted June 29, 2022 1 hour ago, Andy Stephenson said: I wonder how many French fly illegally given for their renowned destain for "petty" laws. No more than those driving over the speed limits,,,? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Davis Posted June 29, 2022 Share Posted June 29, 2022 As far as I know, BMFA insurance covers you when you're on holiday in France flying from an official French club's flying field. Certainly at our field if a Brit turns up he always shows us his BMFA Me3mbership and we let him fly, no bother. Incidentally, I wonder whether La Coupe Des Barons is insured by the FFAM. Ten models in the sky at the same time? I can't see a British insurance covering that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john stones 1 - Moderator Posted June 29, 2022 Share Posted June 29, 2022 2 minutes ago, David Davis said: As far as I know, BMFA insurance covers you when you're on holiday in France flying from an official French club's flying field. Certainly at our field if a Brit turns up he always shows us his BMFA Me3mbership and we let him fly, no bother. Incidentally, I wonder whether La Coupe Des Barons is insured by the FFAM. Ten models in the sky at the same time? I can't see a British insurance covering that! Did you not see the Mass flys recently, organised by the BMFA, It's a record tha no's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barry W Posted June 29, 2022 Share Posted June 29, 2022 I lived in France for nearly 40 years and flew both model aircraft including gliders in the southern alps. I am sure you would be made very welcome in any French model club. So take your model glider and have a great holiday. By the way where are you planning to fly full size gliders? I used to fly in the southern alps mainly from Fayence which is near Cannes. Barry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Welford Posted June 29, 2022 Author Share Posted June 29, 2022 Thanks Barry. I am flying full-size out of Sisteron and the nearest model club is in Ribiers about 5 miles away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul De Tourtoulon Posted June 30, 2022 Share Posted June 30, 2022 Yes some nice flying to be had in the lower Alps, my brother Alan did a lot of instructing in those clubs for around 10 years so needless to say I have done a few hours of flying there, so as Barry says, bring a glider the chances of being controlled by the Gendarmerie is probably 1.000.000 to 1,,, 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris collis Posted June 30, 2022 Share Posted June 30, 2022 I am in France at the moment near St Etienne on a touring holiday so I checked out the French FFam website for a local club. Found one and went there yesterday to sound out any possibility to fly and met the club chairman at their field.Showed him my BMFA,CAA and club card and he could not be more welcoming and agreed to let me fly with them this coming Saturday.This is about the fourth holiday in France i've had have always been welcomed by the local clubs. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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