Flying to Le Mans

[Graham]

I carnt do the usual trip this year, mainly as im hoping to fly to florida in march for sebring

but i've kind of talked a mate of a mate into flying all 4 of us there in his plane.

THe Plan is to fly down on friday in time for the end of the drivers parade, and then fly back on sunday after the race.( so only 2.5 days away from home)

My question is does anyone have any experience of flying into the airport at Le Mans, who to contact and how difficult it is to get a slot and some idea on landing and storage fees for the weekend. I understand we will not be able to use the plane as a base so a few bivi bags will be chucked in with maybe a change of clothes if the weight can take it

Cheers

G

[johnny boy]

Graham

Oddly enough, we were considering doing the same thing in some style - on a chartered BAE146!

Like you, a mate of a mate of a mate has access to one etc.

This looks like a non starter for 2 reasons:

1. Apparently the landing slots get booked up well in advance. We first talked about this in June and they were already all booked for 2004.

2. My mate picks his Noble up next week so he'll want to take that anyway!

I guess your best bet is to contact ACO and get some details from them. I'd be interested in the costings if you manage to get them.

Good luck!

John

[tony_996hasgone]

We used to fly down every year until the mid 90's, and camp on the grass area at the front of the Aerodrome (and there was even a shower block, really crap though).

From memory, there were never too many problem in getting landing slots, although there used to be quite a lot of congestion and waiting for take off slots straight after the race. If you waited until Monday it was absolutely no problem, and at least it gave the pilot chance to get the alcohol levels down!!!

We used to go down in Cessnas or Pipers or whatever C3 GTK could borrow or steal. Always used to work out quite cheap actually, and we organised the slots by phoning Le Mans Aerodrome directly (airfield is nothing to do with ACO).

C3 GTK can probably give you more info as he was the one who used to "try" and fly the crates.

[5150]

I doubt you'll be restricted on landing slots - the problem lies with parking space at the airport. We have operated chartered flights into Le Mans for the racing, but were never restricted on getting slots into/out of the airport.

Personally I would contact the airport direct - give us a shout if you need any further info, otherwise suggest a google search would suffice.

Worth bearing in mind that a 4 seater plane, full fuel, 4 pax etc - you're not going to get much luggage in! Definitely drop C3 GTK a line for full low down - altho it's nearly 10 years since he last flew there (?)!

[Nacnud]

I visited Flight Pass at Exeter Airport this weekend and spoke with a pilot who was chartered for last years Le Mans!

He ended up camping in Le Mans with the rest of them. Apparently wandering around Maison Blanche in a smart white shirt and black tie looking for a camping space is not good form

Supplies and eqipment was a big problem for them, they ended up eating/drinking stuff bought on site rather that take their own.

Seemed to have enjoyed himself though!

[Graham]

Cheers guys this is looking hopefull..

i now have 2.5 possibilities on pilot and plane.

we were clued up on the lack of baggage and were trying to blag somewhere to crash with a local we know, either that or live in the aco building ( you can still join the aco on site carnt you?)

keep the info comming ta..

[Nacnud]

Just a thought - if you camp, you could try wandering up to your neighbours and asking if they would use their car for a super-market run in exchange for a crate of beer, etc. If asked, I'd certainly have been up for it as long as it wasn't inconvenient

[chrisgr31]

Well you could get a taxi to and from the supermarket, and buy cheap gear there, and leave it all behind!

[vetteheadracer]

Details of Le Mans Airport.......including e-mail and phone numbers.

Aérodrome Le Mans – Arnage
Route d’Angers – 72100 Le Mans · Tél. : [phone] – Fax : [phone] - E-mail: [e-mail]
Département : Sarthe (72) · Situation : 6.5 km au sud du Mans

Code IATA : LME
Code OACI : LFRM

Direction
Gestionnaire :
CCI du Mans
1 bd. René Levasseur – BP 22385 - 72002 Le Mans cedex 1
Tél. : [phone] - Fax : [phone]

Directeur de l’aéroport :
M. Joël Grouas
Tél. : [phone] e-mail : [e-mail]

Responsable d’exploitation :
M. Alain Muris
Tél. : [phone] - Fax : [phone]

Données aéronautiques et techniques
Aérodrome civil
Ouvert à la CAP
Ouvert au trafic international sur demande
VFR nuit – IFR sur demande
Heures d’ouverture : 9h-12h / 14h-18h
Assistance téléphonique entre 12h et 14h
Classement : catégorie C
SSLIA : catégorie 2 - catégorie 3 et 4 à la demande
Emprise au sol : 140 ha - 2 pistes

Piste 1
Dimension : 1430m x 30m
Orientation : 02/20
Revêtement : bitume
Aides à l’atterrissage : Localizer
DME – Balisage lumineux BI
PAPI – Feux à éclats

Piste 2
Dimension : 970m x 80m
Orientation : 02/20
Revêtement : herbe

[Graham]

Ta

[SoftwareSorcerer]

Flown many times into Le Mans - here's the deal.

You MUST book a landing slot (usually by phone with LeMans), and stick to it, although one year we were over one hour late due to weather issues, and nothing was said. Basically I think they are trying to spread the load during the day.

You MUST get the reporting points marked on a chart - they are available from various places, including CAA. A temporary control area is in place for the weekend, and it's busy. You will be required to arrive via these reporting points, typically from UK via November and Whisky 1. Call ATC at least 5 minutes before reaching November, having already listened to 'information.'

You cannot book a departure slot until you are on the ground. After you pay for landing (I'll come to that in a moment...), you should file a flight plan and get a number. That number is your key to getting out of the place. On startup, declare the number and the controllers will be able to find your plan amongst the other 200+.

When you arrive, parking is segregated into aircraft types - singles, twins, really big things etc. You will park accordingly on the grass. There is literally acres of space, so don't worry about parking being full.

You can return to the aircraft over the weekend, but plan on camping at the airport, then taking the shuttle minibus to the main gates. Easy. Don't imagine you can sleep though, as the Cobra club members camping at the airport will exercise their beasts during the evening, and the earth will move for you!

Pay for your landing and parking. This is where you get your Platinum card out, as the locals make hay this weekend. Plan on it costing ten times a 'normal' landing fee.... Fuel is also hiked for the weekend - a good plan is to fly via the Channel Islands and buy cheap fuel, if range permits.

On Saturday there are no departures between 1100 and 1400. On Sunday there are no arrivals between 1400 and 1700.

If the pilot doesn't drink, it's possible to watch the 4pm finish, zip back to the aircraft (which you repacked Sunday morning, didn't you?) fly back to the UK and be in the pub that night, 8pm, wearing this years t-shirt. Other mortals are still in the carparks with overheating engines at that time....

[Graham]

So very possible then, just need to confirm my pilots now.. one of them is quite accient prone which is a bit of a worry!!!! any odea on the cost of those landing fees


ta
G

[SoftwareSorcerer]

Depends on your aircraft.

4 seat single around GBP100-120
6 seat single around GBP150-180
6 seat twin around GBP200-250

All from memory you understand.... Last time I actually paid personally was about 4 years ago, and it cost me 170.

Good trick is that you can declare front seaters as pilot and navigator, leaving just the others as passengers. You only pay extra for 'passengers'.

It's very do-able, just be aware of the mass of traffic arriving on Saturday around lunchtime (strongly recommend arriving Thursday or Friday if your pilot isn't too experienced), and there is a huge rush to get away on Sunday afternoon. Ignore any rubbish about the Le Mans ground staff ever calling you back when you request a startup - it won't happen. Get your man to sort himself out, call them, be told to standby, wait 5 or 10 minutes, fire up, call again 'Ready for Taxi' and you will usually receive immediate taxi instructions. The operation is efficient, but only because the timid guys stay put, and they handle the more keen pilots well.

Runway is huge for light aircraft, so no worries there. It is however just North/South, so if there is substantial crosswind, you may well be stuffed.

I've found it just as cheap to fly as it is to drive, especially if no-one has to take time off work.

[Graham]

cool our plan is to fly in on friday and then back sunday night.. the plane is a 4 seater so enough room for the 4 of us and a couple of toothbrushes


cheers

G

[SoftwareSorcerer]

Couple of toothbrushes??

[Graham]

SoftwareSorcerer said:

Couple of toothbrushes??

I always forget mine so just use a lager mouth wash...

and given the choice between swigging an extra larger before we fly back or taking a tooth brush he'd take the lager. the other two lads though will probably be on the pull and require oral Hygene