Posted by Collin on Monday, September 21, 2009 @ 09:29 PM:
Hello,
June 14th-19th 2010 will be the CFI world days meet.
Starts in GAP then to Cannes after that to Le Bourget near Paris
Click on link for more info.
http://www.cfiamerica.com/CFI-2010_world_days.html
Posted by eugenio on Sunday, September 27, 2009 @ 12:49 PM:
In order to let US pilots to legally fly the EU registered Fourniers it is possible to have your licenses validated. I did that for Collin in 2006 and I will do that again for him and all other wishing so. The validation last until the medical expiry, that means at least one year.
The cost is (in Italy) about 50 Euros.
Keep in contact with Collin for the organization.
For more info you can contact me at eugenio.lanza<NET>casalanza.it <NET> is for @
Eugenio
Posted by Bob Brock on Sunday, November 29, 2009 @ 08:54 PM:
Dear Eugenio:
First, thanks for all your assistance... it is very much appreciated. I could not do the RF-4 project without the help of so many others.
Second, I plan to come to France and Italy for the CFI- World days. It would be great to be able to visit you in Torin, Italy before the CFI event. My wife Kris and I plan to fly into Paris, and take the train to Torin, but we are completely open regarding schedule and do not have tickets yet. I did not have to say Italy and France twice... she said her bag could be packed in little or no time. We love Italy and look forward to more adventures in your wonderful country.
Please email me at: Bob.Brock@gmail.com
with your email address as I would love to get a pilots license in Italy. In fact the way I met Collin was to first give him his motorglider (self launch) endorsement to make him legal. I traded him the instruction for his endorsement for a flight in his RF-4d, and the rest is history. You know how addictive even one flight can be.
Regards,
Posted by eugenio on Tuesday, December 1, 2009 @ 03:21 PM:
E.mail done. I invite all others wishing to came to contact Collin for the organization. This is a unique occasion, who knows when such an event will be held again? No other type club has such an occasion.
Eugenio
Posted by jb92563 on Monday, December 7, 2009 @ 11:38 AM:
I'm considering going.
Any special considerations like Visas or travel permits etc for US or Canadian citizens?
Sounds like if anyone ever considerd coming to a CFI meet this would be the one not to miss.
--------------------
Ray
RF4D #4057 N-1771 Rectimo 1400cc
http://picasaweb.google.com/jb92563/FournierRF4D
http://www.touringmotorgliders.org
Posted by eugenio on Monday, December 7, 2009 @ 01:08 PM:
When I was in the US three years ago I had been told that with electronic passport I didn't need visas for a holyday travel (not for work) and so it was. I think it's the same when you come in Europe. (electronic passport is just a scanned photo on the passport and a bar code).
Eugenio
Posted by Bob Grimstead on Tuesday, June 22, 2010 @ 09:53 AM:
Hi Folks,
The Gap-Tallard get-together was well organised, but unfortunately the weather did not cooperate.
The British contingent of (I think) thirteen aeroplanes, of which eleven were Fourniers, got to Gap-Tallard on the preceding Sunday and did some local flying then and on the Monday, but on the Tuesday and Wednesday the heavens opened.
This was reported as the worst weather in over 200 years.
I heard that they got fifteen inches (37 cm or 370mm?) of rain and 10 people were killed on the first night, 20 more the following day and night.
Certainly there was a huge amount of water and flying was just not possible, so the planned 70-aircraft fly-in to Cannes to celebrate Rene's first RF-01 flight just didn't happen.
Nevertheless, we had lots of good food and wine, and presentations form the French Air Force Parachute Team (who now use the old Alpavia hangar), Rene himself, and Gerard Moss who flew all around the world in 100 days in his Fournier RF-10 (okay, so it was a Ximango, but they’re basically the same thing).
Then we all flew north to Paris (Meaux). I was among a big flotilla of 13 Fournier 4s and 5s, which was great, and my flying partner-in-crime, Matt Hill joined us just after we landed, which for me was even better.
Regrettably the French ATC stubbornly (and illogically -- even spitefully) refused to allow non-transponder-equipped airplanes into le Bourget, so the planned fifty Fournier line-up unfortunately did not eventuate.
Nevertheless, there was a small presentation to Rene at the Green Air Show for all his work towards efficient light aircraft, and more wine was drunk and food consumed.
During the week we all got to meet some great fellow Fournier fans.
The return was, like all the week's flying, under a 1,000- to 2,000-foot overcast with showers and drizzle.
Once we crossed the English Channel, the weather brightened up, but there was one further disappointment in store for Matt and myself.
As we lined up for our formation take-off from Lydd, my wheel jammed.
I will write this up in the 'maintenance' topic, but basically one of the three bolts holding the wheel halves together sheared, jamming the brake.
Imagine the fun... my aeroplane stuck in the middle of the runway of an (admittedly small) international airport!
The saga of the repairs (done in a deserted hangar with whatever we could find in the bins) will take several hundreds of words, so that will have to wait until another day.
But we did get to leave within ten minutes of the airport closing for the night, and got home after a couple of exuberant formation fly-bys at our respective homes.
The important thing is that Rene's work was marked, and we were all able to thank him in person for all the pleasure his aeroplanes have given us.
Yours, Bob
Posted by Bob Grimstead on Tuesday, June 22, 2010 @ 09:56 AM:
The REALLY BIG NEWS will also have to wait until another time, but to whet your appetites I can tell you work is proceeding fast on an ultralight RF4, to fit in with Frnech regulations which require no certification for aeroplanes with a maximum weight below 300 kg.
The prototype should fly early next year, and kits are planned to be avaiable a year or so after that.
WATCH THIS SPACE.
Yours, Bob
Posted by jb92563 on Tuesday, June 22, 2010 @ 03:42 PM:
Wow, a superlight RF4.....now that sure is interesting news.
Only 660lbs max gross weight with fuel pilot etc?
Interesting!
Glad to hear the Fournier Days went alright even though the weather misbehaved.
I imagine that the people are as interesting as the scenery and nostalgia.
--------------------
Ray
RF4D #4057 N-1771 Rectimo 1400cc
http://picasaweb.google.com/jb92563/FournierRF4D
http://www.touringmotorgliders.org
Posted by Jorgen on Tuesday, June 22, 2010 @ 06:15 PM:
Hi Guys,
I concur Bob's story, for a number of reason I left SE-XST at home. I arrived with my family by car and managed only to attend Tuesday nights dinner, after which we fled the downpour (Sofi can´t swim) into Italy, where the weather was better. Honors all around to our right honorable French Fournieteers (A personal Merci to Messieurs Leblanc et Daubanga) who did a great job organizing the event. Food was excellent, little pots with new surprises just kept coming, wine and beers was plentyful and hence conversation was lively.
Unfortunately the battery to my camera died, but it felt good to shake René Fourniers hand and I did see the "UL 4". It even smells Wood- oh sorry- good!
May the 4's be with you/ Jörgen
[Edit by Jorgen on Tuesday, June 22, 2010 @ 06:18 PM]
Posted by eugenio on Wednesday, June 23, 2010 @ 02:11 PM:
Jorgen, where did you find better weather in Italy? We have been under the rain until friday, then after a day of sun (but low ceiling in the alps) it started raining again. Only on Monday (obviously) weather became decent...............
I couldn't attend the meeting for that incredible bad weather.
Eugenio
Posted by Jorgen on Wednesday, June 23, 2010 @ 03:05 PM:
Caro Eugenio,
I´t rained like crazy until we passed Milano, but as you know Italy is a big country- we spent the week in Verona/Valpolicella/Lago di Garda. Next time I'll give you a call, but with a three year old in the car the schedule has to be carefully adjusted.
I might ad that I tried the 4 with a downpointed tab on the left aileron today, a substantial improvment!
May the 4's be with you/ Jörgen
Posted by Bob Grimstead on Monday, July 5, 2010 @ 07:20 AM:
Hi Eugenio,
I was very disappointed that you could not get to Gap-Tallard, but having seen the rain and cloud personally, I do completely understand.
I look forward to meeting you again at some other CFI get-together.
And Hi Jorgen,
I was so disappointed that we were both in the same hangar at the same time and we never got to meet each other again.
I'm still not quite sure how that happened.
And I would have loved to have met my number-one fan, Sofi.
The following evening I put on a brief display, but if I'd known she was there, I would have flown on the Thursday instead.
Anyway, I'm glad you had a good time in Italy, and look forward to meeting you again at some other Fournier meet.
Yours, Bob
Posted by Jorgen on Monday, July 5, 2010 @ 04:14 PM:
Hi Bob,
I didn't know you were there Tuesday, funny we managed to miss each other. Mind you, after three days in the Car, Sofi was a bit fed up with sitting and spent the evening doing one of her favorite pasttime- splashing in the water puddles outside the hangar which might explain why we didn't get to meet everyone. Don't worry- "-We'll meet again", as the song goes...
May the 4's be with you/ Jörgen
Posted by Jorgen on Monday, August 2, 2010 @ 03:41 PM:
Hi Guys,
I managed to take a picture with my malfunctioning cellphone at the Tuesday night dinner. René is seated at the second table from the left in a light beige jacket. The Bar was at the front under the screen (ask me how I know this, as Bob usually puts it) and from the right the magnificent staff delivered tasty new courses all the time. A special thanks for the special order that the chef prepared for Sofi and thanks again to all the organizers for a memorable evening.
May the 4's be with you/ Jörgen
[Edit by Jorgen on Monday, August 2, 2010 @ 03:50 PM]
Posted by jb92563 on Monday, August 2, 2010 @ 04:17 PM:
I'll bet it looked just like the above picture after enough food and wine had run through your veins.
I don't believe the Camera malfunctioned 
Any more news about the Ultralight (300kg) UL 4?.
Did no one sneak a picture?
--------------------
Ray
RF4D #4057 N-1771 Rectimo 1400cc
http://picasaweb.google.com/jb92563/FournierRF4D
http://www.touringmotorgliders.org
Posted by Bob Grimstead on Friday, August 27, 2010 @ 06:41 PM:
Hi Guys,
For some (French) info and a couple of pics of the new RF4UL, see http://www.pilotermag.com/Pilotesmag/Le_Blog/Entrees/2010/8/27_LE_FOURNIER_RF-UL%2C_ULM_ET_EN_KIT....html
Sorry, but I can't tell you more until my articles have been published, otherwise the editors won't publish, and I won't get paid.
Yours, Bob
Posted by Donald on Monday, August 30, 2010 @ 08:02 AM:
Damn, Bob. How intriguing is that?
Posted by Bob Grimstead on Saturday, September 4, 2010 @ 08:14 AM:
Hi Guys,
Here are a few pics from Gap-Tallard.
The ground shots are by my son, James, and the air-to-airs are from Vincent's red RF5.
You can see the weather was not the best!
