I wonder what the border crossing complications are?
Bob Axsom
Bob,
Border crossing complications are really just bureaucratic inconveniences:
- Have to file a flight plan when crossing international borders.
- Have to clear customs when entering/leaving Schengen Agreement countries (e.g. UK is outside, France/Italy inside Schengen area).
- In the UK, requirement and notice period varies by departure airfield and destination but have to advise Customs/Immigration/Police of ETA of return to UK.
- In Europe, RV's are non-certified a/c with a national 'Permit to Fly' so need to seek written permission in advance to fly in other countries. Some countries respond with permissions, others may not respond at all! Has improved of late with e.g. national agreement between UK & France to accept each other's 'Permit to fly' a/c.
- Getting fuel can be an issue. E.g. in France some airfields require you to have a Total (fuel company) Card to use the automated fuel pumps but you cannot get a Total Card if you don't have a French bank account (or possibly Euro currency bank account) so you may need to find a friendly local willing to loan you their Total Card in exchange for cash.
- Need to get a bunch of different charts that use different presentation styles.
- And then there is language
. My experience of ATC is good in that they all generally speak good English but it is a little disconcerting when there is other traffic around and they are conversing with ATC in local language meaning that it is not possible (for one such as I with poor European language skills) to pick up clues about the other traffic's location and intentions.
I'm sure there are other issues too, but these are the main ones for me.
Regards,
Steve
