I think your interpretation of the rules re Customs are pretty much spot on,
although
I think Ipswich must be the regional place for your customs as down here
on the Isle of Wight I deal with Customs in Plymouth (although I think this
may have moved to London now?).
In France you are right that you have to go through a designated Customs
airfield
both when going out and when returning. I have used Cherbourg before and just
turned up (having of course done the Flight Plan bit with LHR). I have never
yet seen a Customs person there but this may be because I tend to go at
weekends.
When leaving from/returning to the IOW (both from Sandown and from a private
farm strip) I have never yet seen a Customs person at this end.
I once flew on to Lannion in Brittany having called in via Cherbourg. When I
tried
to file a Flight Plan direct back to the UK from Lannion they wouldn't let
me, saying I had to route back via a Customs airfield (Cherbourg again in this
case). The next time I went to Lannion I notified ATC there 1 day in advance
that I wanted inbound and outbound customs and they said they'd sort it all out
so I could go direct there and back.
I thought it would just be a formality but, no the Customs people were there in
their smart uniforms waiting for my grand arrival. They checked everything
(aircraft
documents, passports) and searched the aircraft. They then asked when
I would be leaving. I gave them a rough time later in the afternoon, but they
wanted an accurate ETD. I gave them this and went off to the beach for the day.
On my return at roughly my ETD time I was surprised that the same Customs people
were there and interrogated me about what I had been doing and what I was
carrying back in the aircraft (just some wine). They were perfectly courteous
but very thorough, so I guess the moral of the tale is - be prepared and stick
to their rules!!
David
-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, May 02, 2002 9:28 AM
Subject: Flying: Ireland & the continent
Thanks Alan (& Kevin),
This is very useful information.
Anyone who wishes to go abroad needs to know who to contact, and what
the pre-requisite documentation
requirements are. (particularly in France!!!).
I especially like the on-line flight plan which I will copy for future
use. It's such a counter-intuitive
form, anyway. With pull down options, the on-line version reduces the
likelihood of embarassment and of
having to admit that you don't have the vaguest idea of what numbers and
abreviations belong in which columns !
On the more general issue of flying to the continent, I believe the PFA
still supply some general information
covering such flights:
flight plans, ATSU tel. nos. etc.
of French ATC.
All worth knowing.
Documentation filing requirements for flights to France
*****************
When I fly to France, I despatch two specific documents:
1/ 'SuperFax' an outbound and return (if known) flight plan to
Heathrow ATSU.
2/ 'SuperFax' a General Aviation report to Ipswich, Customs and
Excise, stating departure AND return info.
* Superfax is Windows/Word compatible faxing software which avoids the
necessity of paper copies.
After take-off, I activate the outbound flight plan on the R/T via
London Information (124.6).
General customs' rules regarding flights to France
*******************
My understanding of current customs regulations is that:
Since the UK (perhaps justifiably) didn't sign some recent pan-European
agreement regarding free passage between EC
member states:
All flights to France(/Europe) must land firstly at a recognised customs
airfield.
All flights from France(/Europe) must depart lastly from a recognised
customs airfield.
The first/last UK destination/departure point must either be a
recognised customs airfield,
or an airfield/airstrip designated as satisfactory from the point of
view of Customs & Excise.
.. I'm a little vague on these rules, particularly the last one.
Perhaps someone could correct me, if I'm in error ?
Alan
-----Original Message-----
From: forum-owner@europaclub.org.uk
Subject: Re: Ireland
Kevin
If you are going to Southen Ireland do'nt forget to give Special Branch
at
least 24hours notice of the trip. Telephone Numbers are in Pooleys or
contact your local office. Please read the AIC on this link:
http://www.ais.org.uk/uk_aip/pdf/gen/10102.pdf
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