Les Sables D'Olonne - Talmont  LFOO

Date of Visit = June 1999

Pilot: = Kevin Head

e-mail = kevin_head@hotmail.com

Field Report = This is at least an annual trip for me, having also visited twice in 1998, once as part of a three aircraft tour.

The airfield is situated nearly half way down the western side of France, about 20/30 minutes flying time north of La Rochelle. In our Arrow 4 from Blackbushe the flight was an easy 2 hours to Rennes via St Katherines Point, the MP NDB near Cherbourg, overhead Granville and then direct, taking care not to violate the Mont St. Michel restricted airspace.

Arriving at Rennes VFR be familiar with the reporting points as per Bottlang - I was asked to route via two of them and then into RH downwind for the westerly runway. only to find myself having to go-around due to a landing ATR72 not having vacated the runway.

Comfort break and fuel loaded (careful weight & balance needed - Les Sables tarmac only having 700 meters)leaves about 60 minutes direct track to Les Sables. Few ground features on this leg so if no GPS then it may make sense to route further west than needed, pick up the coast and follow it to the field. Approach to the SW runway is over the town and then descend downwind left hand circuit.

Field can be busy at weekends (banner towing, club aircraft etc - quiet during the week)- caution if landing on the South Westerly as you will need to back-track to the parking area and they do not like you to land if there is another aircraft in the turning circle at the SW end of the runway.

Landing fee is FRF25 - no parking fee as far as I can remember so a good deal all around - they may well ask you if you have a sticker from your club in the UK - they will give you one of theirs in return to put in your logbook or on your flightbag.

If you need 100LL fill up on arrival as there is often no fuel for an early morning departure until about 1030 when the club opens. Cash for fuel recommended - no credit cards accepted.

The five minute taxi ride into town will take you to a popular French seaside resort. The promenade is at least 1 mile long with a wonderful sandy beach. The area around the fishing harbour behgind the beach has the best restaurants. The place buzzes in August / September and can be crowded. We have always had blisteringly hot weather there in June / Sep, probably the best time to go.

We always stay at "Le Merle Blanc" a hotel positioned at the southerly end of the town - quieter and a good 30 minutes walk to the restaurants along the seafront. The proprietor, Liliane, is super and friendly to British aviators, having had a trip in a PA28 with me when she kindly drove all the way to the airfield to deliver a watch that one of our party had left by mistake in the hotel.

Well worth a visit during 2000 - I shall be back there at some stage.