Cannes-Mandelieu    LFMD

Date of Visit = Several

Pilot: = Mike McGinn

e-mail = mike mcGinn@ntl.co.uk

Field Report

Navigation:
The first time I flew into Cannes was three weeks after I had bought my TB10, G-BKIA, and was the first serious long distance flight I had done (all the way from Cumbernauld, albeit with a couple of fuel stops). And of course I wasn't familiar with the plethora of restricted areas in French airspace if you potter between the hills at a couple of thousand feet. Look out for cul-de-sacs! Navigating using VORs only (no GPS), I routed down the Rhone valley and took a left turn for Cannes. Hereabouts you are in the foothills of the Alps, with the micro climates the Alps and Alpes Maritimes are famous for. We watched a severe thunderstorm in the mountains as we took the final leg from Montelimar to Cannes, landing in Cannes in baking heat (close to 40C)

Since then, I have usually spent time on the west coast first, and so the last leg takes me along the coast via Perpignan. This is spectacular too, but much more relaxing, so long as you are aware of any activity of the Mistral over the ridges at the end of the Rhone. And from Marseille it is certainly worth taking to the coast at low level past Bormes Les Mimosas, St Tropez and Frejus. There is a low level VFR coastal route that takes you out past the Iles D'Hyers, controlled by Toulon.

On one occasion, we watched three bright yellow water bombers fill at the lagoon at Marseille, and deliver their loads on a burning ridge in a very plush Marseille suburb (huge forest fire, it was in all the papers the following day).

ATC/Radio:
Often in France, in response to your request for a flight information service you will find a recorded message telling you 'there is no-one here, keep a good lookout'! But in the south, good information is available from all the published sources along the coast, usually giving you a squawk and passing your details along, even when you are only receiving FIS. And Cannes are very courteous: I guess they have to be careful, since on first contact they could be talking to one of the many movie stars who fly there.

Circuit:
Circuits are all on the town side, the other side being a rather abrupt start to the Alpes Maritimes, although you have to cut a corner to avoid built up areas. It is busy, and don't be surprised to be sharing the circuit with a couple of Robins, a Citation, and a couple of JetRangers.

Parking:
Once you are down, the guys in the tower can see how famous you are, and will use that to determine how far away you have to park. Well, that's how it seems, when the nice shiny bizjets get to park in front of the terminal building, and little TB10s are dismissed to the end of a substantial queue of aeroplanes. Arriving in a Cessna 310 recently seemed to get me closer to the terminal. However, one time they parked me on the grass virtually at the other end of the airport but sent a minibus to pick us all up, gratis too!

Facilities:
This is a smart little airport. There is always a police presence, but you just walk through the 'airport personnel only' door and give them a wave and they'll wave back.

There is a Hertz or Avis (I don't remember which) desk in the terminal, but if you want others, they are a fiveminute taxi ride into town. Local motorbike rental will deliver to the airport, but expect to pay a fair amout more for a Harley Davidson than a well equipped car.

And there is a pilot shop just outside the terminal building, with all the usual stuff, and some aviation related souvenirs.

Local:
There is a very relaxed hotel at the airport, a mix of hotel and motel, with a substantial pool and very pleasant restaurant.

Cannes is not the most picturesque town in France. Yes, it has its good points, but the reputation for glamour comes from the famous people who visit or live nearby. It is a very busy working town, with very busy beaches.

But as a base airport it is excellent, with the airport right next to the autoroute. On most of our visits we have stayed in and around St Tropez or in the hills around Grasse. Monaco and St Tropez are less than an hour away in opposite directions, and the Camargue two hours or so, so certainly day trip distance.

Near to St Tropez is La Mole airport, which requires either a mountain rating or a local mountain flying certificate before you are allowed to land there. So you need to make the trip by car and do the check with a local instructor before returning with your aeroplane.

Departure:
There is a comprehensive flight briefing facility, and Met includes a live satellite feed with an on duty forecaster to talk you through it all. He speaks very good English, but is quite happy to continue in French if you like the practice.

If the apron isn't full of parked jets, you will be allowed to taxy to the door to load luggage and passengers. Cannes is hot in the summer, and I'd rather avoid a long trek with luggage before climbing into a TB10 sauna, so it's well worth asking for. I have only been allowed to do that once on the way in to unload, though. With the heat, you do have to be aware of the hills if the active runway is pointing towards them. Taking a bit of a tailwind and heading over the sea is not unusual.

Internet Site = www.cannes.aeroport.fr