Paul_Sengupta wrote:Just one thing to be aware of, certain bits of airspace attract charges to use. You'll get a bill from Eurocontrol somewhere down the line. We had that when we did the Berlin trip.
The bill is from DFS - not Eurocontrol IIRC, happens only when you fly into the larger regional airports. Last one I had was for something like €14 from Münster/Osnabrück in 2008 on the way to Tempelhof.
There is a very clear distinction between clubs and schools.
Membership of a club is that and truly means being a member of a community which does focus on making flying affordable and available to members. They often have a large number of 'passive' members who have an affinity to the club, may have been active pilots before but now want to contribute something and take part in some of the social events.
These clubs usually have some trainers, some tourers and often combine powered (SEP) flying with gliding and motor gliding.
Membership is usually by a monthly contribution and then an hourly flying rate. Instruction and checkouts are commonly undertaken by members with instructor ratings and typically do not incur an extra charge.
Members are expected to do additional tasks related to the flying, such as washing the aeroplanes, helping with the maintenance (a number of hours during the winter) club administration etc.
6 months may be too short to get involved in such club flying but certainly something to explore at the nearby airfields (there are at least 4 GA airfields within an hour's drive from Dusseldorf.
The other option is straight forward hire from a school which is more akin to what we see in the club and school environment in the UK.
GA in Germany is alive and well and there are a gazillion great destinations to choose from when you are based in the Dusseldorf area.
Have fun!
FLYER Club Member
