Paris - Le Bourget   LFPB

Date of Visit = Various

Pilot: = Nigel Webb

e-mail = nigel@warp9.org

Field Report = Many pilots flying to Paris will land at Pontoise or St Cyr L'Ecole. This is a shame, because closer to the centre of Paris is a real experience.

Le Bourget was formerly the main international airport for Paris. The opening of Orly and Charles de Gaulle has ended this era, and the airport is now only available to private flights.

Arrival at Le Bourget from the North in VFR requires strict adherence to the VFR entry lane, accessed just to the south of Pontoise VOR. The arrival procedure calls for reasonable accuracy in both visual navigation, and altitude holding, but is far more straightforward than meets the eye. A transponder (mode A will do) is also mandatory

Choosing this route, the pilot and pax are rewarded with an unrivalled view of the centre of Paris, and even of the ruways at CDG, just a mile or so to the North.

Once on the ground (make sure you identify your runway carefully, its confusing), it is a quick taxi to Parking "Foxtrot", where Transair provide the mandatory handling.

From Transair, a FF150 taxi fare will place you in the centre of Paris in little under 15 minutes. Alternatively, the RER (express Metro) has a stop dedicated to Le Bourget.

Landing and handling fees for a light single will probably amount to £100 for a long weekend. This figure can be improved on slightly if you file your own flightplan (by phone or minitel), assert that the person in the RH seat is crew, and brief yourself on weather. In the interests of balance, what you receive for this is impeccable friendly service, 24/24 operations, full IFR flight plan and slot negotiation facilities and luxurious surroundings.

Le Bourget is not cheap, and the arrival is not for the inexperienced, but is definitely worth the trouble - even if only once in an aviation career.