Lind/Grimbergen (EBGB)

[Katamarino]

A small grass strip near Brussels. Strange runway - tarmac at each end, with grass in the middle! Interesting approach at 900ft below Brussels Class whatever-it-is (B? C? no chart to hand), avoiding a lot of noise sensitive areas - the one guy on duty was very friendly and helpful. They have fuel, although I did not partake. Fees were low - 15 euro total I think.

However, the very best thing about this airport is that its code is EBGB (or, ee-bee-gee-bee). It's a lot of fun to say.

[Keef]

I know of it (never been there). There was an almighty row some years ago associated with an attempt to close it down. The reasons for closing it were never quite clear (to me, anyway) but it survived.

It's in the Flight Guides as Grimbergen (Lint).

[vintage ATCO]

Have they still got the round hangars? Last visited there in the 60s!

[GrahamB]

Have they still got the round hangars? Last visited there in the 60s!

Oh yes, or at least they were the last time I was there, a couple of years ago. I know a chap (as does Grumpy One) whose aircraft is hangared in one of them (and whose garden backs on to the apron, lucky devil!) They were built by the Luftwaffe, apparently.

I believe the campaign to close it was invoked by the anti-noise brigade. All the club aircraft based there have silencers fitted.

It's a great little field for visiting Brussels - a five minute taxi ride to Vilvoorde where you can jump on a train to the centre of Brussels.

[scroft]

I often travel to Brussels on Business (at least once a month), and have considered flying here instead of using the normal heathrow BMI routes and all the delays that involves. You can see the airfield as they descend to Zaventem and it looks quite interesting. However, i understand they don't do customs outside of schengen countries so would require a stop at Ostend for example to clear customs, making it impractical for a flight from the UK for business. Otherwise a flight to Antwerp would be better with the train to Brussels Noord which takes about 30 mins. Do you know if they will actually do customs with prior notice even though on their website they say they don't?

[GrahamB]

Do you know if they will actually do customs with prior notice even though on their website they say they don't?

I've always cleared customs elsewhere. I used to use Kortrijke when it was quick (and inexpensive) but the last couple of times I used Calais.

[Grumpy One]

Do you know if they will actually do customs with prior notice even though on their website they say they don't?

Verily. We have had many Grumpy fly-ins at Grimbergen - Sadly we could not get customs to attend.
Our resident member and fly-in organiser, Grumpy Red, is a senior ATC bloke at Brussels but even he couldn't manage to persuade the authorities.

The Grimbergen beer's not bad. Innit

[scroft]

Pity. However i will make the effort to visit the airfield and sample the beer during one of my longer trips

[Grumpy One]

Sorry .... Forgot to add....
The airfield is STRICTLY PPR(I say again ....Strictly). Phone them first.
Lovely quirky circuit - See http://www.rvg.be/ for webcam and circuit diagram and details etc.

Edited to give an English speaking version of the website: - http://www.rvg.be/Eng/home_en.htm

[Keef]

Interesting website!

Odd that they charge extra for arrivals from another Schengen country. I wonder why that is.

Voor vluchten afkomstig uit een ander Schengen-land wordt supplementair een administratiekost van 5,5 EUR aangerekend.

[Grumpy One]

Interesting website!

Odd that they charge extra for arrivals from another Schengen country. I wonder why that is.

Voor vluchten afkomstig uit een ander Schengen-land wordt supplementair een administratiekost van 5,5 EUR aangerekend.

Hmm! That does sound odd - To my simple brain cell, it imples that they do, in fact, allow direct entry.
I'll check up on a) the translation and b) what the feck they are on about.

and get back to you.

[Keef]

No, that's INSIDE Schengen, not from the UK. That's what I thought was odd.

[Grumpy One]

Verily Keef.
Here's what my Belgian spy has to say:-
"People from non shengen or third world countries (grin) can not fly direct to Grimbergen, they have to clear customs."

The He/she Spy -For I can not reveal any identity for fear or reprisals also goes on to say, "and the cheapest place to land to clear customs etc is another Belgian custom airfield." Hmm! I have my doubts on that (Kortrijkt for example has gone very expensive landing fee-wise, compared to say Calais - What thinkest thou?)

Then Spy explains the extra cost, "For people coming from other shengen countries, including those from non-shengen countries who just made a custom stop in a shengen country ( e.g..Calais) are bringing more work ( closing FPL etc....) for those overworked Grimbergen administrators. That's the reason methinks they add 5.5 Euro administration cost."

So there you have it. QED. Forsit Super. Scratching of head now ceased. Worry ceases - I can now go to bed and sleep well at last. The extra 5.5 Euro's is the cost of the single phone call to Brussels to close your flight plan.

[Keef]

Ah - now that I understand. Cost of phone calls in Belgium!

[GrahamB]

I think the 5.50€ goes into a fund to buy Brussels Control beers everytime a stranger c@cks up the approach to/departure from the field and busts the zone accordingly. It happens regularly.

The fact 'our spy' happens to work for Brussels ATC there may nothing to do with that, of course.