Hi, Does anyone have any experience exporting a homebuilt aircraft to France or Switzerland? I am moving to Geneva and I would really appreciate some views from someone who has experience here. I have contacted the LAA equivelandt in these countries (RSA France and EAS Suisse).
Thanks.
Nick
Anyone exported a homebuilt to France or Switzerland?
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He started his RV in France, finished it in Texas and ferried it back himself, kept it in France for years on an N reg and then converted to an F-. Starting it in Fr helped but ...
The French have a rule about how long you can stay but as the fella told me when I asked a similar question,
"... If you ask I will have to say no ..
which translates as don't ask me.
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He started his RV in France, finished it in Texas and ferried it back himself, kept it in France for years on an N reg and then converted to an F-. Starting it in Fr helped but ...
The French have a rule about how long you can stay but as the fella told me when I asked a similar question,
"... If you ask I will have to say no ..
which translates as don't ask me.
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Nigel Hitchman
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- Location: Hinton in the hedges
I would imagine it would be much easier to export to France rather than Switzerland. As far as I understand from people in Switzerland, each individual homebuilt has to undergo testing and have the appropriate design paperwork that would be required only for a first of type in the UK and ontoop of that the Swiss rules are somewhat more stringent.
My guess (and no more than a guess) is that France might be a lot easier if it was your aircraft that you built yourself and not one that someone else built. There are very few imported homebuilt aircraft in France, whereas there are quite a few here.
I saw a Jodel that was previously on a PFA permit in Quiberon last year, it was a French built Jodel, but it wasnt flying as for the last year the owner had been trying to get it through the French paperwork system to put it on the French register.
The RSA in France has no approvals or authority from the DGAC, so they are not really like the LAA, they are more just a club and a lobby group rather than having any authority, so although they could maybe advise you how to do it, you would need to deal directly with the DGAC or their representative.
My guess (and no more than a guess) is that France might be a lot easier if it was your aircraft that you built yourself and not one that someone else built. There are very few imported homebuilt aircraft in France, whereas there are quite a few here.
I saw a Jodel that was previously on a PFA permit in Quiberon last year, it was a French built Jodel, but it wasnt flying as for the last year the owner had been trying to get it through the French paperwork system to put it on the French register.
The RSA in France has no approvals or authority from the DGAC, so they are not really like the LAA, they are more just a club and a lobby group rather than having any authority, so although they could maybe advise you how to do it, you would need to deal directly with the DGAC or their representative.
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swissexpat
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- Joined: Fri Jan 09, 2009 8:16 pm
- Location: Lucerne, Switzerland
Exporting homebuilts to Switzerland
Nick
I am in the same position as you - I moved to Luzern about a year ago but my Jodel has yet to follow me as it's in the middle of an engine replacement. I believe that there are a couple of UK permit aircraft resident here, but have yet to find out where.
One of the main things the Swiss authorities are concerned about seems to be noise - hence as part of my engine replacement I'm fitting a Swiss Muffler (http://www.piteraq.dk/flight/muffler.html). I'll be keeping the Jodel on the UK register and following the same advice they give in France, ie "if you don't ask, nobody can say no".
If you find out anything else, I'd be delighted to know!
Cheers
Adam
I am in the same position as you - I moved to Luzern about a year ago but my Jodel has yet to follow me as it's in the middle of an engine replacement. I believe that there are a couple of UK permit aircraft resident here, but have yet to find out where.
One of the main things the Swiss authorities are concerned about seems to be noise - hence as part of my engine replacement I'm fitting a Swiss Muffler (http://www.piteraq.dk/flight/muffler.html). I'll be keeping the Jodel on the UK register and following the same advice they give in France, ie "if you don't ask, nobody can say no".
If you find out anything else, I'd be delighted to know!
Cheers
Adam
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bertdeleporte
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- Joined: Wed Jul 30, 2008 12:33 pm
- Location: France
hello Landell,
my position is a little bit different than yours, but I can tell you a few things.
I purchased a UK homebuilt G-BRVH and live in France. I asked DGAC what to do to get a F register. The rule is very simple: a homebuilt must be built in France and construction must be followed by GSAC, a branch of DGAC, to be allowed to get a F registery. In other words, import a hombuilt is impossible.
However, as a French pilot, nothing forbiddens me to fly and own a G aircraft on permit. The only minima principles are:
-to be able to supply a UK adress to LAA
-to make the annual survey on the UK soil by a UK inspector. The permit cannot expire abroad.
That's it.... I find it very acceptable, as I live in Lille and work in Cherbourg, both along your south border.
Otherwise, as far as I know, nothing will retain you of keeping the G register and fly extensively in France. I don't know for Swiss, but I think you will find the same possibilities.
Bertrand
my position is a little bit different than yours, but I can tell you a few things.
I purchased a UK homebuilt G-BRVH and live in France. I asked DGAC what to do to get a F register. The rule is very simple: a homebuilt must be built in France and construction must be followed by GSAC, a branch of DGAC, to be allowed to get a F registery. In other words, import a hombuilt is impossible.
However, as a French pilot, nothing forbiddens me to fly and own a G aircraft on permit. The only minima principles are:
-to be able to supply a UK adress to LAA
-to make the annual survey on the UK soil by a UK inspector. The permit cannot expire abroad.
That's it.... I find it very acceptable, as I live in Lille and work in Cherbourg, both along your south border.
Otherwise, as far as I know, nothing will retain you of keeping the G register and fly extensively in France. I don't know for Swiss, but I think you will find the same possibilities.
Bertrand
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Nigel Hitchman
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