France Airfields

[Alan Kilbride]

The France Airfields article in the Mag this month was excellent. My thanks to the contributors. It was at the right time too. We hope to visit the western part of France in July and we now have some great ideas for stop overs. Although I have visited a few of them, more to add to my list is most welcome.

Perhaps other members could participate on the Forum, so that everyone can benefit from our friends experiences, good and perhaps not so good? Maybe a new section?

A crude map and sticky pins to show locations with a link to a short description of each one would be great too.

The obvious addition for the North East of France would be St Omer (LFQN), which is extremely friendly with a decidedly relaxed atmosphere. The airfield was a main dispersal Airfield during the 1st war and has a distinguished history. La Coupole is a museum to the V1 missile, which fortunately never got to launch one and the town square is vibrant at the weekend.

Arras (LFQD) is also a friendly and easy to get to location. A 20 euro taxi ride into town with a beautiful square full of bars and bistros.

May I also add Traben Trabach (EDRM) to the list. This is on the Moselle valley in Germany and has the most picturesque circuit pattern I have seen. Along the valley to crosswind, south along the valley on downwind, west along the valley on right base and then with the river on the right and left, final to land.
Try the Moselle red wine. Trust me it is superb. The town is a delight to visit and use as a base for the Moselle experience. An hour on the train to Koblenz, or fly to Winningen (EDRK) and take a taxi. The cable car across the Rhine and the Deutscher eck are places to see. A 2 hour trip on a river cruiser takes you to Bernkastel and a stop on the way back the Kloster Machern for their brewery and food is quite wonderful. PPR at Traben is required, but an email to the club website will set things in motion. They welcome visitors with open arms. Don't be surprised if a BBQ is lit on your arrival.

Alan

[SteveHutt]

I agree, Alan,
A good model for similar future articles and other offerings, as you suggest.
Steve

[tnowak]

Thank you!

There were a few other places we had visited in the draft but they were removed due to magazine space issues.
Your idea of a map with "pins" is a very good idea and has been done before:
http://www.arthurandarthur.co.uk/AA/ind ... rance.html
However it looks that website hasn't been update for a while.

I wonder if "Arthur and Arthur" is still around and could update his website or perhaps a map facility could be hosted on the LAA website as you suggest?
Tony Nowak

[Donald Walker]

No maps, but there is information on French and other European airfields here
http://www.wfaec.com/#!links/c1gzt

[Brian Hope]

I agree that having this kind of information, especially with a map(s), on the LAA website would be great, and it is something we can support. If there are people interested in adding to and keeping the information updated we can use Google maps for the location info, either the office updating as info is fed to them, or certain individuals actually updating the website. By all means offer other idea on how it might be done if you are an expert in IT and willing to help.
If anyone is interested in looking after this please let me know and I'll do all I can to facilitate it (please email me rather than use a PM).