Posted Friday, April 3, 2009 @ 06:41 PM  

That did tell me quite a lot.

I see that some big names have been involved in the past.

I think that either Matthew or I should try to get there if we can.

I'll let everybody know how this develops.

Posted Wednesday, May 27, 2009 @ 05:28 PM  

http://flygfesten.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=32%3Abob-grimstead&catid=2%3Anyheter&lang=sv

That's claiming a fair bit of territory on the European continent for Fournier Air displays, I would say. Or maybe you won´t practise your point roll's during the entire transfer...? Not that any Fournier in Sweden does air displays as I know of. Let us in on your plans as they solidify.

Take 5(b) just 4 fun/ Jörgen

Posted Sunday, May 31, 2009 @ 01:27 PM  

Now I have also been asked to display at the Rygge airshow, Norway on 22nd & 23rd August.

Dala-Jarna is on 7-8-9th August and they're only 100 or so miles apart.

But the bummer is that I have a British airshow in between them.

Looks like I'm going to clock up 3,000 miles or so in a fortnight in my little RF4.

I may not be able to walk the following week!

Posted Monday, June 29, 2009 @ 11:13 AM  

Thanks very much for that advice.

I have been very provisionally planning to fly from Lydd, across the Channel to maybe Midden Zeeland in the south-west Netherlands (I'm told there are friendly folk there, although I'm not sure about Customs) or Wevelgem in Belgium -- they used to be friendly to small aeroplanes.
Then, later that day to somewhere up around Schleswig-Holstein / northern Germany / southern Denmark to stay overnight.

What was Leer like? Friendly? Good overnight accommodation? Not too expensive, I hope

I then hope that day two would get me to Malmo, and then on to Ödestugu as you suggest and then Dala-Jarna. That seems to be a great plan!
Do I need to clear customs on entering Sweden? If so, can I do that easily and cheaply at Malmo?

I do not need Avgas. I mostly use motor car fuel (unleaded) and that is legal for me, so might it be possible to get some (maybe 20-30 litres) at your airstrip?

I am a creaky old man, so three legs of 200nm each day would seem best for me, although I could probably do more if the aeroplane can (and weather permitting).

It would be really great if we can fly together at least some of the way. And if some other Fourniers would like to meet at Dala-Jarna, they also seem to be very friendly.

See you in August, I hope.

Yours, Bob

Posted Wednesday, July 1, 2009 @ 02:50 PM  

Yes Europe is small and the skies are busy and everything is complicate. Dear Old Europe..

Posted Thursday, July 2, 2009 @ 05:09 PM  

I have been looking more carefully at the map, and Flensburg seems to be a better place to stay overnight if I'm going to get to Dala-Jarna in two days.

Did you stay overnight there?

Did you have a transponder?

Is a transponder needed in Swedish airspace, or only in controlled airspace?

Of course I don't have a transponder and I don't want to fit one, but maybe I shall have to?

Posted Monday, July 27, 2009 @ 10:36 AM  

My planning (such as it is) for Dala-Jarna is pretty well complete.

I hope to leave England on Tuesday 4th August, and will almost follow your route, but going direct from my local airfield, Goodwood, to Wevelgem near Kortrik in Belgium, then to Leer and on to overnight in Flensburg as you did.

If all goes well, I would then come to to Malmo, and then on to Ödestugu as you suggest and then to Dala-Jarna all on Wednesday 4th.

Although I only have to be in Dala-Jarna on the Friday, I am planning to fly there two days early both because I am concerned about the northern European weather (my Fournier is currently stuck at an airfield in northern England and I had to come home by train because of yesterday's horrible weather) and because of possible serviceability problems with a forty year-old aeroplane and engine. Also if possible I would like to try and get some practice over the airfield.

Would it be possible for us to meet up on that Wednesday morning?

Obviously, if the weather early in that week is not good, or if I have any kind of problem with the aeroplane, I shall be later than that.

My mobile phone number is: +44 7850 982783 maybe we could communicate by text messages?

I do hope to meet you, either at Dala-Jarna or en-route.

Yours, Bob

Posted Monday, July 27, 2009 @ 05:09 PM  

I won´t be able to check your tail if you fly up already on Wednesday, partly because I´m fresh out of serviceable Fourniers at present (will hopefully sort that out this weekend) and partly because the organizers at Dala-Järna does not allow camping next to your aeroplane for security reasons (there must be lots of security problems lurking about in the woods around Dala Järna, it isn´t exactly a Metroplex). I am still contemplating flying up for the Saturday airshow and then divert to Siljansnäs 15 min to the northeast in the evening were the legendary "Kräftstjärtsvängen" (Crawfish-spin) fly-in is held during that same weekend. As opposed to Dala Järna they offer AVGAS and in addition other volative fluids to help down the crawfish!

Posted Saturday, August 1, 2009 @ 05:01 PM  

http://www.lfv.se/upload/ANS/AIP/GEN/GEN%201/ES_GEN_1_2_en.pdf

If you look at the end of section 4.3.1 (the right column is in English) it is stated that no incoming Aircraft report needs to be submitted (not even the most zealous custom officer could regard the RF 4 a cargo plane). Additionally in section 4.3.5 it is stated that it´s only aircraft arriving from countries outside the EU that needs permit to enter via "non-custom airports".

I would say blast your way down to my strip, refuel and get the hell out of Dodge. As I understand it you´re legally OK as long as you file a flightplan (which you need for all bordercrossings) and don´t carry any "cargo or provisions under custom surveillance". Designation code for my strip should be OK as "Staffanstorp". If you like I could call customs Malmö/Sturup airport and check.

May the 4´s be with you/ Jörgen

Posted Friday, September 4, 2009 @ 11:29 AM  

Jorgen was quite right. Once I had crossed the Channel from Britain into 'Europe' proper, I only had to clear customs in Belgium (my first landing, at Wevelgem/Kortrik). After that, I was free to come and go throughout Euope, except Norway, which is not a signatory to the convention. and of course, since Britain doesn't heed the Schengen agreement, I had to clear customs back there too.

Despite fearing all sorts of beaureacratic tangles, I found the whole thing pretty straightforward.
You do have to file a flight plane for all international flights, and of course you have to open that as you depart from your chosen airfield, but after that there is no need to talk to anybody (so I didn't) until you get to your destinatin, where it is very important to close your flight plan (if you don't want to be woken roughly by a bunch of burly uniformed guys getting out of a big military helicopter!)

I'll try to cobble together a story, but it was basically 32+ hours at 2800rpm, 103 mph and 10 litres per hour.
Just keep chugging along and you can get anywhere in an RF4.

Jorgen was extremely helpful both before and during my trek.

I'll post another picture of his airstrip when I can.

Yours, Bob

Posted Thursday, September 17, 2009 @ 11:10 AM  

Here are a couple of stolen photos of my flying at Rygge, Norway.

Yours, Bob