Primarily for general aviation discussion, but other aviation topics are also welcome.
#1517393
Shortly after L2K became pnr for customs I was there a quiet Sunday morning.
A G-Reg a/c arrived just as the customs officers put in a rare appearance.

"you haven't informed us of your intention to fly in"
No one does that do they?
"show us your passports"
No one has ever asked me before to see my passport - I've left it behind.

The pilot and 2 passengers were last seen by me being escorted to a custom's minibus and driven away.

My experience based on extensive touring in France is that the majority of the time you can ignore the regulations but if you are caught the penalties can be severe.

I would not now go to Cherbourg without pnr.
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#1517432
It is frustrating that there doesn't appear to one 'go-to bible' for customs rules. The situation above is obviously his own fault, but it doesn't help when information/rules on this area change depending upon the source.
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By Dave W
FLYER Club Member  FLYER Club Member
#1517434
Well, there is a definitive official source.

Doing something other than what that says, with an expectation that if one is challenged a response of (in effect) "But the internet said it would be OK..." is unlikely to be wise.
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By skydriller
FLYER Club Member  FLYER Club Member
#1517490
reimomo wrote:It is frustrating that there doesn't appear to one 'go-to bible' for customs rules. The situation above is obviously his own fault, but it doesn't help when information/rules on this area change depending upon the source.


Its really VERY simple - do whatever it says in the french AIP/VAC. Each aerodrome is in there with its customs/douane requirements. If there is a change to the AIP/VAC it will be NOTAMed.

As a pilot you are expected to have/checked both. Anything else is irrelevant.

Regards, SD..
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#1517492
It really is luck of the draw. I went to Cherbourg two weeks ago. Turns out my passenger had forgotten his passport. The police officer asked for it and gave us a friendly Gallic shrug when we explained it was forgotten and pointed us in the direction of Edith & Luc's wine shop!
#1517497
felixflyer wrote:How does this work with regards to Diversions.

Could you use Cherbourg as an alternate for Alderney and if so, do you need to let them know or will putting it on the flight plan do that?


In case of a diversion, you divert, customs be damned!

I did just that on a recent return to France from the UK. Never had an issue.
By patowalker
FLYER Club Member  FLYER Club Member
#1517499
skydriller wrote:Its really VERY simple - do whatever it says in the french AIP/VAC. Each aerodrome is in there with its customs/douane requirements. If there is a change to the AIP/VAC it will be NOTAMed.

As a pilot you are expected to have/checked both. Anything else is irrelevant.

Regards, SD..


Have you read the Cherbourg AIP/VAC and NOTAMs? Are you suggesting that pilots should ignore the Airport website and the clear message from David Harfaux of the BSE Cherbourg?
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By Dave W
FLYER Club Member  FLYER Club Member
#1517508
patowalker, it is absolutely the case that skydriller is quite right to say that pilots planning their flights should follow explicitly the AIP and and any NOTAMed changes to that.

Airport websites and emails between (e.g.) Donald Walker and David Harfaux, and then promulgated on another website, are absolutely not official communications, and must not be expected to act in lieu of such.

Neither website is the definitive source of official flight planning data; as skydriller quite rightly says, they are irrelevant in law.
By patowalker
FLYER Club Member  FLYER Club Member
#1517527
Dave W wrote:patowalker, it is absolutely the case that skydriller is quite right to say that pilots planning their flights should follow explicitly the AIP and and any NOTAMed changes to that.

Airport websites and emails between (e.g.) Donald Walker and David Harfaux, and then promulgated on another website, are absolutely not official communications, and must not be expected to act in lieu of such.

Neither website is the definitive source of official flight planning data; as skydriller quite rightly says, they are irrelevant in law.


Dave,

I agree, but I have been around long enough to know that the VAC are not always up-to-date, or modified by NOTAM in a timely manner. For example, Abbeville was (legally) removed from the list of customs airfields on 29.10.16, the NOTAM on the change was not published until 17.11.16 and the VAC still shows Customs PNR 4 hours.

I only asked Douanes the question because it was suggested on the other thread that it would be good to have a copy of the email exchange with Alderney and this was not forthcoming. https://forums.flyer.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=102951&start=15.

I did mention above that pilots will decide whether PNR is required, but should know that there is conflicting information out there.
#1517644
Just checked the VAC and NOTAM for the thirteen airfields that lost Customs in October. All VAC show Customs available and only three, Abbeville, Agen-La Garenne and Amiens have issued NOTAMs advising the change.

https://tinyurl.com/graou84


This is sort of my point. Sure the AIP has the final say, but it's not great when other sources are so dramatically different.