Bonjour mes amis, Kamaraden und other hoi polloi

Visiting Dieppe (by GA I'm afraid) it's quite clear that they are braced to receive many more microlights after Le Touquet becomes doomed to transponder-dom. They are very concerned about the effects this may have on the general amenity of the area - not just the usual bother of overflying the nimbies and so on, also the "problems of the anglais" is how they put it, as delicately as it is possible for frenchmen.

Fortunately the Aero Club is very well placed when it comes to Dieppe, as there are already strong connections with one of our senior members being a childhood friend of the Chairman, and always in attendance at family weddings and so on. Not only that, the connections between Dieppe and another regional airport are well served by one of the other members of the Club but it would be indiscreet to go further. The extent of the tentacles and influence of the WF should not be underestimated, mes amis.

I was assured that the Aero Club will always be welcome to this "new"destination. Sensing an opportunity to assist, I ventured that WFAeC could have a positive role in helping them to manage future traffic - we could, in essence, become a UK based microlight "gateway" into the airport, so that UK micro pilots wishing to go there would be required to obtain their PPR through the Aero Club. Having indicated a belief (with which we felt compelled to agree)  that a few UK microlighters are an undisciplined shower, with little respect for local customs and with a radio technique limited to a few grunts, they would welcome some sort of screening being undertaken by those in the know.

I do sense a real opportunity to advance the entente-cordiale and I hope that you geezers on here will see this as a positive intervention. All this will be taken ahead when we go over there in mid June. Before then we want to develop some more detailed ideas and would welcome any views from this forum.

Harry McBaine

"Floreat mons albus - may the white hill flourish!"