Welcome to the Around Germany Air Rally (AGAR) website. The site has been developed for use by those pilots and crews who took part in the Around Britain Air Rally (ABAR) 2004, the Around Ireland Air Rally (AIAR) 2005 and the Around France Air Rally (AFAR) 2006, and for any pilots who might be interested in AGAR 2007. Information on these past rallies can be found at www.intrepidaviators.com.

Here are a just a few pictures from the three previous rallies:
ABAR
Where it all began - Sywell June 10 2004
The 'hayfield' (parking lot at Land's End)- June 15 2004
Arrival board at Shoreham - June 17 2004
Last day - Old Buckenham June 18 2004

AIAR
Waiting for the weather to improve - Leixlip July 2005

AFAR
Quiberon - June 3 2006
Bourg - June 6 2006

For 2007, an Around Germany Air Rally is proposed. Start date will be Thursday June 7 and the rally will finish on Sunday June 17.

General information about flying in Germany.

Airspace
Those who have flown previously in Germany will probably be familiar with the following information. For those who haven't, I hope it may prove useful.

Airspace is wonderfully uncomplicated. There is no class 'A' or 'B' airspace, and the CTR at every major and regional airport is class 'D'. Major airports such as Berlin, Munich, Hamburg etc. will have a class 'C' CTA at altitudes suitable for VFR approaches underneath it or for transits above it. Class 'C' airspace also applies at all flight levels above FL 100 (FL 130 in the Alps). Class 'E', 'F' and 'G' airspace is subject to the same rules as the UK.

For clearance to enter class 'C' airspace you need a German CVFR rating (similar to our IMC rating) or an IR, and the aircraft must be suitably equipped (radio, transponder with mode 'C' or mode 'S' and a VOR). Having said that, there is a school of thought which claims that if you have a JAR licence issued after April 2003, then this allows you to be cleared into class 'C' airspace. I've tried to find out what is correct, but I have to say it's rather like trying to get a straightforward 'yes' or 'no' from our CAA. Anyway, a class 'C' CTA is always such that it can be underflown for an approach to an airport. Transit clearance for class 'D' airspace is usually readily given. Restricted/Danger areas are few and far between, relatively small and easily avoided if active. They are not usually active at weekends and public holidays. There are no Prohibited areas in Germany.

Transponders
A transponder is mandatory for the following VFR flights:
1. Within class C and D airspace. Altitude reporting (mode 'C') is also mandatory for airspace C and D, but an exception is made for class D airspace if it's a CTR.
2. Within Transponder Mandatory Zones (TMZ). TMZs are located at the following airports: Friedrichshafen (EDNY), Hahn (EDFH), Karlsruhe (EDSB) and Paderborn (EDLP). TMZs generally require aircraft wishing to enter the TMZ to be equipped with altitude reporting (mode 'C'). Exceptions are possible, and I have spoken to Friedrichshafen who say they will allow aircraft to fly in which are not equipped with an altitude encoder or an encoding altimeter.
3. In all airspace above 5000 ft MSL or above 3500 ft AGL - whichever is higher. Mode 'C' is mandatory for these altitudes.
The German equivalent to the UK VFR conspicuity squawk of 7000 is 0021 below 5000 feet and 0022 above FL 050. These transponder settings should be set unrequested (with mode 'C' if you have it) unless given a discrete squawk. Now ignore the last sentence: with effect from March 15 2007, the VFR conspicuity squawk in German airspace will be changed to 7000.
Mode 'S' will not become mandatory until March 31 2008.

There are special rules for flights close to the Polish border. An area running south from the Baltic sea parallel to the Polish border is known as an Identification Zone. It's generally 10 to 15 NM wide, goes from SFC to UNL, is active H24 and subject to the following rules: aircraft intending to fly within the zone at more than 150 KTAS must file a flight plan; aircraft within the zone flying at less than 150 KTAS need not file a flight plan but must squawk A0032 unrequested. Our planned route takes us within about 15 NM of this zone, so this is probably only of interest to those who might venture a little further east.

En-route
QFE isn't used in Germany, only QNH. This is why, for example, the published circuit height for Albstadt Degerfeld (EDSA - elevation 2881 feet) is 3900 feet. There are no language problems with ATC at major and regional airports, and most of the smaller airfields will speak English. I've spoken to the smaller airfields we are visiting and they have assured me that on the day of our arrival and departure there will be someone on duty in the tower who speaks English. ATC en-route is no problem. The Flight Information Service (FIS) is first class and quite laid back. All FIS controllers speak excellent English and are equipped with SSR, so they know exactly where you are. An airfield ground station with an INFO callsign is equivalent to the UK INFO or A/G RADIO and cannot give instructions, only information and advice. I have produced a document in *.rtf format giving some useful words and phraseology for pilots flying in Germany. The list is based on that produced for the French rally by Andrzej last year. It is by no means comprehensive but might be useful to those who venture into non-English speaking airfields.

Charts and Flight Guides
The only airfield guide for Germany I'm familiar with is the Bottlang. VFR/GPS charts for Germany are available from Jeppesen and ICAO charts from Deutsche Flugsicherung GmbH (DFS). In the UK, I have arranged a 10% discount with Pilot Warehouse for charts and for a Bottlang trip kit for Germany. The contact persons at Pilot Warehouse are Norman Hobbs or Chris Jolliffe on 01296-624840. Just mention AGAR 2007 and they'll know what you're talking about. The discount will also apply to online orders (enter into the 'Comments' box at the bottom of the page after the credit card details 'Participant in AGAR 2007 - 10% discount agreed'). DFS is the German equivalent of our NATS. The ICAO charts can be bought as a complete set of eight charts covering the whole of Germany, or individually. They cover airspace up to FL 100. For the rally you'll need at least seven out of eight (depending on your starting point, you might also need the Hannover section for your flight to Bremerhaven). Personally I prefer the ICAO charts. They are a model of clarity and contain a huge amount of information without being cluttered. The reverse side of each chart comprises a key to the entire chart and describes the airspace structure. A full set of eight ICAO charts ordered from Germany cost €76.80 unlaminated or €97.60 laminated. From Pilot Warehouse they cost £10.99 each. New charts are issued in March every year. If you decide on the Jeppesen charts (at £9.45 each for the unlaminated version they are cheaper than the ICAO charts) you'll need all six (ED-1 through ED-6).
This extract from an ICAO chart shows Vilshofen (EDMV) airfield. The information is very comprehensive and demonstrates what can be depicted on a chart without making them difficult to decipher.
EDMV = ICAO ident.
991 MSL = field elevation in feet
119.175 = tower frequency
The bold bar inside the circle indicates a hard runway surface and the runway orientation (a grass runway is depicted by a white bar)
940m = shortest available TORA or LDA in metres
2.2 = circuit altitude (QNH) in thousands of feet
SW = all circuits to the south west.

Miscellaneous
An odd thing in Germany is what are known as Terminal Charges. These are charges levied for the use of air navigation services during the landing phase of flights at the major airports, and are invoiced to the aircraft operator several weeks after the event (shades of the landing fee at Aix-en-Provence?). The airports we are planning to use on the rally which levy these charges are Tempelhof and Dresden, but two years ago they only amounted to €8.90 per arrival so it's not going to break the bank.

A significant point for those who fly behind a Rotax 912; many German airfields have Mogas. On our route however, only Dahlemer Binz has it. For those of us who fly homebuilt PFA aircraft, there are no problems entering German airspace (see extract from the AIP Germany). The same dispensation has recently been applied to microlight aircraft (see extract from the LBA website).

For all pilots, ask your insurer to provide you with a cover note explicitly covering your aircraft for the minimum liability requirements in Germany. They should know what these are.

Noise certificates are not mandatory, but if you have one for your aircraft bring it along. There are very large landing fee discounts at most airfields if you can produce one.

The Route
The plan is to fly round the perimeter of Germany on a clockwise route. Starting in the north west, we'll head north east towards the Danish border and then east along the Baltic coast to near the Polish border. From there it will be generally south into Bavaria, following first the Polish, then the Czech and Austrian borders. We now head west, following a route which will take us parallel to the Alps to near the Swiss border. Then finally it's north, taking us along the borders with France, Belgium and Holland.

The links below show a photograph of each airfield (where available) and provide a good deal of other information (unfortunately mostly in German) and links to other sites.

I have provided FIS and airfield frequencies and runway details, and these are correct as at November 2006 May 2007. If there are any changes prior to the rally, you'll be informed. Landing, parking and handling fees where applicable are correct as at March 2007, as are Avgas prices. With the exception of a couple of alternates, I have chosen airfields with hard runways. Gliding is very popular in Germany and there are a great many gliding sites to be aware of. They are marked on the charts, and FIS controllers will usually make you aware of any activity.

The provisional route is as follows:

Day 1: Thursday June 7.
Meet up at Bremerhaven (EDWB) airfield in north west Germany where customs clearance has been arranged. Because it's a longish flight for some participants and because the airfield is close to the town centre, it's probably a good place for a first night stop.
English language information for EDWB can found here.
Route: Depends where you are coming from.
Runways: 16/34 1200m hard and 07/25 658m hard.
Field elevation: 11 ft.
Landing fee: Depending on MAUW and aircraft noise rating, €8.70 to €21.00.
Parking fee for every commenced 24 hours: Depending on MAUW €3.70 to €6.20.
Handling fee: Nil.
Avgas: €1.97 per litre.
Payment: Credit card or cash.
FIS: Bremen Information 125.10 .
Airfield frequency: Bremerhaven Info 129.05 or 122.50 English and German.
Useful VORs: WSR (112.90) 15 NM SE of Bremerhaven.
Notes:
1.    On entering German airspace call Bremen Information 125.10 for a FIS.
Alternates: Nordholz (ETMN) and Wilhelmshaven (EDWI). Nordholz is a combined German Navy airbase and civil airfield. The airfield was a base for airships in WW1, and now houses an airship museum (www.aeronauticum.de) which also exhibits aircraft and helicopters used by the West German Navy and the former East German Navy.


Day 2: Friday June 8.
EDWB to Rügen (EDCG) via the MIC VOR (112.20). Distance 200 NM.
Rügen airfield was formerly known as Güttin, so if you have an old version of NavBox, this is the name you'll see. Rügen is an island in the Baltic just off the German mainland, and is separated by 15 miles of water from the airfield of Peenemünde (EDCP). Peenemünde is where, during the second world war, the infamous V1 and V2 rockets were developed and tested. After the war it was used as a Soviet military airfield but little remains today of the site. The airfield is still open though, and is home to some derelict military hardware and a museum. If you visit Peenemünde, be aware of ED-R16, a power station just to the west of the airfield. An ex Royal Navy submarine is open to the public in Sassnitz harbour and is well worth a visit; but be warned, it's not for the claustrophobic (Sassnitz is a town in the north east of Rügen island).
Suggested route: DCT MIC DCT.
Runway: 09/27 900m hard.
Field elevation: 69 ft.
Landing fee: Depending on MAUW and aircraft noise rating, €4.00 to €8.00.
Parking fee for every commenced 24 hours: Depending on MAUW, €4.00 to €4.50.
Handling fee: Nil.
Avgas: €2.00 per litre.
Payment: Cash only.
FIS: Bremen Information 125.10, then Berlin Bremen Information 132.65.
Airfield frequency: Rügen Info 123.00 (usually German only but they have assured me there will be an English speaking controller on duty when we arrive and depart).
Useful VORs: LBE (115.10) 14 NM west of Hamburg, MIC (112.20) on the Baltic Sea coast and TRT (108.45) 8 NM north of EDCG.
Notes:
1.    On the route I've suggested, if you stay below 4,500 ft on leaving EDWB you can duck underneath Hamburg's busy 'C' airspace. The direct route is a bit shorter but you'll have to stay below 2,500 ft, get a clearance through the 'D' airspace and probably be given entry and exit VRPs. Hardly worth the bother just to save 24 NM.
2.    For those who want a lunchtime stop, a number of airfields are available on the route from Bremerhaven to Rügen. If you also want to save some money, there are a few Danish airfields not far off track and if your next landing is outside Danish airspace, Avgas can be bought VAT free (in 2005 I paid the equivalent of £0.62 a litre at Copenhagen/Roskilde). If you intend doing this, check with the airfield first and don't forget to to file a flight plan.
3.    The only restricted area (ED-R10A) close to this route is easily avoided. There are no other restricted or danger areas to be concerned about as long as you stay below FL 080.
4.    I have just learned (May 6) that the German authorities have slapped a TRA (or should this now read in newspeak 'RAT'?) right on our route from Bremerhaven to Rügen. The area is valid from 1400 on June 5 to 1800UTC on June 8 and prohibits all VFR traffic from SFC to FL 100. Basically it covers two circles, each of 30nm radius. The one which affects us is centred on 54 04 00N and 011 53 00E and the top of the circle is cut off by the Bremen/Copenhagen FIR boundary. A chart showing the affected area is available at http://www.daec.de/aul/downfiles/G8-Karte.pdf (the area bordered in red is the one which affects us).
The reason for the TRA is the G8 summit at Heiligendamm.
What this means is that you can either fly a long way south of your planned route, or divert slightly to the north along the Bremen/Copenhagen FIR boundary. This only adds about 5nm on to the original route, but unfortunately means filing a flight plan if you plan to enter Danish airspace.
I have defined two temporary waypoints which will keep you clear of the area:
TMP01 is 54 31 00N, 011 29 00E
TMP02 is 54 32 30N, 012 10 00E
If you fly from Bremerhaven to Rügen via the MIC VOR, TMP01 and TMP02, this will just take you into Danish airspace. However, the wording of the TRA order states 'along the FIR boundary', which means that you can fly from one waypoint to the other following the curve of the FIR boundary without infringing the restricted area and without entering Danish airspace (if you keep your left wing in Danish airspace and your right wing in German airspace you'll be OK). I'll leave the rest up to you.
Alternates: Barth (EDBH) or Stralsund (EDBV). Stralsund has a grass runway and sells Mogas and Diesel but not Avgas.


Day 3 and 4: Saturday June 9 and Sunday June 10.
EDCG to Berlin Tempelhof (EDDI). Distance 114 NM.
Tempelhof was built by the National Socialists in the 1930s and is a monument to the delusions of grandeur under which the country lived in those days. Typical of the gargantuan architecture of the time, it was never completely finished but its huge arrival/departure hall does not fail to impress even 70 years on. Tempelhof was the main airfield used by the allies during the Berlin airlift. The area outside the main entrance is named Platz der Luftbrücke (Airlift Plaza) and contains a monument commemorating how West Berlin was supplied from the air with food and fuel during the Soviet blockade of the city in 1948/49. Today the airfield is used primarily for GA with some regional airline and charter flight activity. Situated virtually in the city centre, it is a prime piece of real estate and is under threat of closure, particularly as Berlin has two major airports close at hand. Guided tours around Tempelhof airport are possible.
Suggested route: DCT or via Peenemünde.
Runways: 09L/27R 2094m hard and 09R/27L 1840m hard.
Field elevation: 167 ft.
Landing fee: €60.00.
Parking fee for every commenced 24 hours: €11.00.
Handling fee: Depending on MAUW, €10.00 to €13.70.
Avgas: €2.03 per litre.
Payment: Credit card or cash.
FIS: Berlin Bremen Information 132.65.
Airfield frequencies: Tempelhof ATIS 126.02, Tempelhof Tower 119.57 and Tempelhof Ground 121.95. All in English.
Useful VORs:  FLD (117.15) and LWB (114.55) en-route to Berlin. TGL (112.30) at Tegel airport and TOF (114.10) at Tempelhof.
Notes:
1.    Before approaching Berlin, make sure that you have the necessary VRPs in your GPS. For for the non-GPS flyers (is there such an animal these days?), make sure you are confident you know where the VRPs are. They are marked on the Jeppesen charts and in the Bottlang complete with their GPS coordinates, and on the ICAO charts but without their coordinates.
2.    Approaching from the north, be aware of the very small restricted area ED-R52 (SFC to 1600 ft).
3.    To avoid Tegel's airspace I would advise asking Berlin Information for a routing east of the city centre and into Tempelhof via ECHO 1 (N52 31.4 E013 43.2) and ECHO 2 (N52 30.2 E013 28.3).
4.    You'll be given final clearance into the city not above 2500 ft to stay below the 'C' airspace.
Alternates: Schönhagen (EDAZ) or Strausberg (EDAY).


Day 5 and 6: Monday June 11 and Tuesday June 12.
EDDI to Dresden (EDDC). Distance 82 NM.
Dresden of course has gone down in history after the controversial destruction of the city by allied bombers towards the close of the second world war. Since German reunification in 1990, much of the city has been substantially rebuilt and is now considered one of the most attractive cities in Germany and well worth a longer stopover.
Suggested route: DCT.
Runway: 04/22 2508m hard.
Field elevation: 755 ft.
Landing fee: Depending on MAUW and aircraft noise rating, €12.50 to €32.00.
Parking fee for every commenced 24 hours:  €6.50.
Handling fee: Depending on MAUW, €10.00 to €13.70.
Avgas: €1.99 per litre.
Payment: Credit card preferred.
FIS: Berlin Bremen Information 132.65, then Munich Information 125.80. Munich Radar (125.62) approaching the Dresden zone.
Airfield frequencies: Dresden ATIS 118.87, Dresden Tower 122.92, Dresden Ground 121.90 121.97 and Dresden Apron 121.75. All in English.
Useful VORs:  KLF (115.15) 28 NM south of Tempelhof directly en-route for Dresden. DRN (114.35) 10 NM south west of EDDC.
Notes:
1.    You'll be given initial clearance to leave Berlin not above 2500 ft via one or more VRPs.
2.    As for Berlin, before approaching Dresden airport, make sure you know the locations of the relevant VRPs.
3.    There are no restricted, danger or prohibited areas to be concerned about on this very short leg.
Alternates: Riesa (EDAU) or Kamenz (EDCM).


Day 7: Wednesday June 13.
EDDC to Vilshofen (EDMV) via the EDQM overhead. Distance is 200 NM.
Vilshofen is a delightful little airfield some sixty miles east of Munich and located a short walk from the town directly on the banks of the river Danube. The direct route to Vilshofen is some 50 NM shorter then my suggested route, but takes you through Czech airspace. This is not a problem, as VFR flying in the Czech Republic is as easy as elsewhere and air traffic controllers give an excellent FIS in English. You'll need to file a flight plan of course.
Suggested route: DCT EDQM DCT.
Runway: 12/30 1138m hard.
Field elevation: 991 ft.
Landing fee: Depending on MAUW and aircraft noise rating, €7.00 to €31.00.
Parking fee for every commenced 24 hours: €6.50.
Handling fee: Nil.
Avgas: €1.95 per litre.
Payment: Credit card or cash.
FIS: Munich Information 125.80, then Munich Information 120.65.
Airfield frequency: Vilshofen Info 119.17 (usually German only, but they have assured me there will be an English speaking controller on duty when we arrive and depart).
Useful VORs: There's a distinct shortage of VORs on this sector.
Notes:
1.    Mini-restricted area ED-R78 (SFC to 3300 ft) 65 NM south west of Dresden airport.
2.    Clearance needed through the EDQM overhead if you are below 3500 ft (VRPs again).
Alternates: Eggenfelden (EDME) or Sonnen (EDPS).


Day 8 and 9: Thursday June 14 and Friday June 15.
EDMV to Friedrichshafen (EDNY). Rather than fly direct to EDNY from EDMV, a much more scenic route (at the same time avoiding Munich's busy airspace) is via a waypoint approximately 30 miles south of the MDF VOR (117.00), then west along the northern edge of the Alps to Friedrichshafen. Distance using this route is 176 NM.
There is a Zeppelin museum (http://www.zeppelin-museum.de/firstpage.en.htm) in Friedrichshafen, and Switzerland is just a boat ride across the lake, so it's worth spending some time here.
English language information for EDNY can found here.
Suggested route: DCT MDF180030 DCT.
Runway: 06/24 2356m hard.
Field elevation: 1367 ft.
Landing fee: Depending on MAUW and aircraft noise rating, €11.50 to €62.50.
Parking fee for every commenced 24 hours: €9.50.
Handling fee: Nil.
Avgas: €1.83.
Payment: Credit card or cash.
FIS: Munich Information 120.65, then Munich Information 126.95.
Airfield frequencies: Friedrichshafen ATIS 129.60, Friedrichshafen Tower 120.07 or Friedrichshafen Info  122.50. All in English.
Useful VORs: MDF (117.00) 23 NM ESE of Munich airport. EUR (115.20) 70 NM east of EDNY and KPT (109.60) 34 NM east of EDNY. EUR is directly on the described route and KPT a couple of miles to the north of it.
Notes:
1.    Very small restricted area ED-R145 3 NM (SFC to 3300 ft) east of the EUR VOR.
2.    EDNY is located within a Transponder Mandatory Zone (TMZ), so if your aircraft is not equipped with a serviceable transponder you won't get in! Generally, mode 'C' is also a requirement for a TMZ but Friedrichshafen have agreed to make an exception for any of our rally aircraft.
3.    As for Berlin and Dresden, make sure you know the locations of the relevant VRPs for EDNY.
Alternates: Kempten (EDMK - grass runways and elevation 2340 feet but relatively easy to fly into). Another alternative is Leutkirch (EDNL) with a more moderate elevation of 2099 feet.
4.    A large scale international military air exercise (ELITE 2007) is scheduled to take place in southern Germany from June 14 to June 28 (weekends excepted). The only part of our tour to be affected by this exercise is the route from Vilshofen to Friedrichshafen. If we stick to the route I recommend (leave EDMV and fly south west to a point approximately 30nm south of the MDF VOR, then route directly to EDNY), this will take us clear of the exercise area. Friday June 15 is planned as a free day for the rally, but if anyone wants to fly from Friedrichshafen on that day they will either have to route to the east or west, or get clearance to enter the exercise area from Munich Information. A chart (not very good quality) showing the exercise area and a list of participating aircraft can be seen at http://www.daec.de/flusi/downfiles/ELITE-Briefing.pdf (unfortunately it's only in German). Friedrichshafen is located on the north shore of the lake at the bottom left of the chart. You'll see that the exercise area closest to Friedrichshafen is called ERA MAIN, and has vertical limits from 200 feet AGL to FL 100!!!

Day 10: Saturday June 16.
EDNY to Dahlemer Binz (EDKV) via the KRH VOR (115.95). Distance 204 NM.
A very pleasant airfield in a nature reserve in the Eifel mountains. Field elevation is 1896 ft but the approach is very easy. There is a hotel on the airfield which might be convenient for a final 'night out' to conclude the rally. Customs and passport control will be available here for the departure from Germany.
Suggested route: DCT KRH DCT.
Runway: 06/24 1070m hard.
Field elevation: 1896 ft.
Landing fee: Depending on MAUW and aircraft noise rating, €8.15 to €19.80.
Parking fee for every commenced 24 hours: Depending on MAUW €3.95 to €4.50
Avgas: €1.98 per litre.
Mogas: €1.64 per litre.
Payment: Credit card or cash.
FIS frequencies: Zurich Information 124.70, then Langen Information 128.95 and finally Langen Information 123.52.
Airfield frequency: Dahlemer Binz Info 122.37 English and German.
Useful VORs: KRH (115.95) 88 NM north west of EDNY. KIR (117.50) 7 NM south east of Frankfurt Hahn (EDFH).
Notes:
1.     Be aware that at weekends, Dahlemer Binz is a very busy gliding airfield with three grass runways for gliders. These runways are on the north side of the field parallel and very close to the main hard runway. Make sure you clearly understand the instructions in whichever Flight Guide you are using before you arrive in the circuit. Dahlemer Binz is also the only airfield we are planning to stop at which sells Mogas.
2.    After leaving EDNY, a visit to one or two high airfields would be quite interesting for those with the urge for something different. Neuhausen ob Eck (EDSN) is at 2648 feet and has a 1248 metre hard runway. For those who like it a little more challenging there is Albstadt Degerfeld (EDSA). This airfield is at 2924 feet elevation, has a sloping 960 metre grass runway and an interesting approach.
3.    Routing via the KRH VOR has several advantages. It avoids two small restricted areas ED-R132A and B (SFC to 18,000 ft), and another ED-R116 (also SFC to 18,000 ft). But they probably won't be active anyway as it's a weekend. The indirect route also avoids French airspace and the busy Ramstein USAF air base whose class 'D' airspace goes up to 3600 ft.
4.    ED-R133 (SFC to 2300 ft) is on our track immediately after leaving the KRH VOR, but it's very small and easily circumvented if necessary.
5.    The route takes us through the Frankfurt Hahn (EDFH) overhead. This is not a busy airport but its 'D' airspace reaches up to 4100 ft and is located within a Transponder Mandatory Zone (TMZ). If you want a clearance through it, have your VRPs at the ready.
Alternates: Koblenz (EDRK) or Trier (EDRT).
6.    On departure from EDKV, a FIS is available from Langen Information on 129.875.


Day 11: Sunday June 17. Depart for home.


Useful links:
Notams
German AIS website
http://www.dfs-ais.de
You need to register to use this site. Registration is free and you are sent a password which you can change at any time. The site is available in English as well as German, is very easy to use and you can get Notams for the whole of Europe. This saves you having to visit several sites prior to an international trip.
Once you are logged in, change the language to English and click on NOTAM-Briefing. This takes you to a very intuitive page where you can get IFR or VFR Notams for all FIR regions from Ireland to Turkey and from Norway to North Africa. Airfield Notams are also available.

French AIS website
http://www.sia.aviation-civile.gouv.fr/default_uk.htm

At http://www.sia.aviation-civile.gouv.fr/html/frameset_aip_fr.htm you can download (free of charge) VFR approach plates for every airfield in France.


Weather
http://www.pilotfriend.com
This really is a fantastic website for all manner of aviation subjects. Weather information is incredible and easy to access:
Select Aviation Weather, select the region and the country you want and then choose TAFs METARs. You can also select plain English METARs for the UK and 18 hour TAFs for the whole of Europe.
There is a also a host of other weather info available from satellite images to short-term (12 hours) and long-term (132 hours) USAF synoptic charts. A word of caution here; the USAF charts only show mid-cloud from FL 060 to FL 140.

http://skylinkweather.com/metar/metar-world-taf.php
Here you can get short- and long-term TAFs from all over the world. The TAFs are translated into plain English with the original text at the bottom of the page.

http://weatherpixie.com/index.php?page=find
An interesting site that provides METARs for any location in the world. The information is presented as original text with a plain English translation below it.

http://www.xcweather.co.uk
A clever little site that provides a map of the UK, France, Germany, Italy or Spain showing a graphic representation of wind speed and direction, temperature, dewpoint, pressure, visibility and general weather.

I'll update the site as and when necessary and keep you all informed as to any changes. Any suggestions to improve the site are welcome. You can contact me at pghayward@onetel.com or 01692-402810.

Fly safely.
Peter Hayward (GlaStar G-ETCW)

Site last updated May 22 2007