Flying an RV6 across Europe

It’s been a while since I posted one of my trip reports, and this one being slightly different from the rest. Back in October (Yes it’s really taken me this long to getting around to posting!) myself and a friend/fellow pilot were tasked to ferry a sold Vans RV6 from the Isle of Man to Warsaw, Poland to its new owner. After a few late evening meetups to discuss routings and possible dates as well as arranging permits to fly over each country (Being an LAA/Permit aircraft this is required for flights outside the UK). We had our route planned out with various stop off airports worked out. These limited mainly by our fuel, although the aircraft with full tanks was good to go for well over 4hrs because there was 2 of us plus baggage/life jackets, aircraft docs and tools ect we could not fly with full tanks. Taking into account diversion airfields and reserve fuel ect, we would not be flying legs more than 2hrs. We agreed on Thursday 4th of October as our departure date (With the Wednesday afternoon as our back up). With the UK sectors pretty set in stone, it was our routing through Europe that ended up changing almost daily. Originally the Europe routing was to clear customs and night stop in Albert Bray/LFAQ (about 70nm NE of Paris) fly East over Belgium and into Cologne/Bonn Hangelar/EDKB for fuel before heading to Erfurt for the night. Next day to enter into Poland via Przylep Gory/EPZP (I promise this had nothing to do with the onsite Antonov AN2 maintenance facility, honest!) fuel up and route to the final destination. However, on further investigation only a few days until we left I found out that although on the AIP its published as having Avgas available, due to some sort of government restriction they cannot provide it. So a quick replan and we changed to Leszno/EPLS… Anyway after a few other alterations we had a final route which was as follows:

Isle of Man(EGNS)-Stapleford(EGSG)-Albert Bray(LFAQ)-Siegerland(EDGS)-Erfurt(EDDE)-Leszno(EPLS)-Konstancin (The aircrafts new home, a small grass strip just south of Warsaw Chopin Intl). A flying programme of 3 days.


By now I had also finished my conversion training on the new type to me, the relevant paperwork was in place and we were good to go.
Before we knew it, upon us was the morning of departure. An early start of which to visit the Ronaldsway Met office for a weather briefing. Sadly, it was not good news and although the weather around the Irish sea was unusually favourable, London and surrounding areas were fogged in, this effecting our first stop. We could have waited for it to clear however there was a front due to move through the IOM later that morning so the decision was made to leave and land at Tatenhill/EGBN where we could assess the weather and plan our next move, at least we were underway and headed in the right direction. The flight to Tatenhill was straight forward and after a few pre departure photos and the previous owner of our aircraft “VM” had said farewell, we routed SE off runway 26, past Liverpool, overhead Harwarden into Tatenhill.
Vans RV6 Trip 2018 by IOM Aviation Photography, on Flickr
A couple of photos from Tatenhill, a new airfield for me. A very friendly place
G-PMGG
Bell 206A G-PMGG at Tatenhill EGBM 04/10/18 by IOM Aviation Photography, on Flickr
Cessna 120 G-BUKO
Cessna 120 G-BUKO at Tatenhill EGBM 04/10/18 by IOM Aviation Photography, on Flickr

Sadly the weather in Stapleford had not improved so we had no choice but to replan another route. We needed to beat this front behind us so ideally needed to continue south, the weather towards the East and down over Norwich was looking favourable so the decision was made to land in Lydd/EGMD for the night. After a bite to eat in the airfield café we refuelled VM and went on our way.

The view from 6000ft looking towards the North Sea. A bit of a long routing due weather..
Vans RV6 Trip 2018 by IOM Aviation Photography, on Flickr

Upon landing in Lydd we parked up, put the covers on VM for the night and got a taxi to a local B&B in New Romney. After some food we spent a couple of hours in the bar checking weather along our route for the next day and filing flight plans. After an early start for breakfast and a taxi ride later we arrived back at the airport to a day of fine weather. Result!

Lydd EGMD airport 05/10/18 by IOM Aviation Photography, on Flickr

A strange terminal with all the amenities and signage you would expect at a large airport bit with not a whole lot going on.
Lydd EGMD airport 05/10/18 by IOM Aviation Photography, on Flickr

After fuelling and paying our dues we were ready to depart for France
Lydd EGMD airport 05/10/18 by IOM Aviation Photography, on Flickr
The two based SAR AW189’s
Lydd EGMD airport 05/10/18 by IOM Aviation Photography, on Flickr
Lydd EGMD airport 05/10/18 by IOM Aviation Photography, on Flickr
Vans RV6 Europe trip by IOM Aviation Photography, on Flickr

An overview of Lydd on our departure
Vans RV6 Europe trip by IOM Aviation Photography, on Flickr



Early morning view while crossing the channel
Channel crossing 05/10/18 by IOM Aviation Photography, on Flickr

Cap Griz-nes
Cap Griz-nes, France 05/10/18 by IOM Aviation Photography, on Flickr

The flight was just over an hour long and not long later were we talking to Albert Bray for our arrival
Albert Bray LFAQ 05/10/18 by IOM Aviation Photography, on Flickr

We taxyed in to the fuel pumps, where we were met in by I think the fire crew who also do the ground handling. Unfortunately our French wasn’t quite up to scratch and there was a bit of a language barrier. There was also not a single other aircraft in sight, I know they have the Airbus Beluga’s visit from time to time but the place was deserted!

Albert Bray LFAQ 05/10/18 by IOM Aviation Photography, on Flickr
Albert Bray LFAQ 05/10/18 by IOM Aviation Photography, on Flickr

A pleasantly warm day in Northern France 😊 Vans RV6 Europe Trip by IOM Aviation Photography, on Flickr

The obligatory after landing in France pic!
After Landing at Albert Bray LFAQ 05/10/18 by IOM Aviation Photography, on Flickr

There was a reasonably sized terminal there, I briefly went in to use the internet, again deserted! Once paid up with our fuel and fees we were airborne without delay from runway 09 tracking East towards Cambrai. Our routing through Belgium took us in-between Charleroi and Florennes Air base before overflying the Spa race circuit as seen below.
Vans RV6 Europe Trip by IOM Aviation Photography, on Flickr

Vans RV6 Europe Trip by IOM Aviation Photography, on Flickr

Some excellent views upon entering Germany. Rurstausee reservoir, the second largest reservoir in Germany (Below)
Vans RV6 Europe Trip by IOM Aviation Photography, on Flickr
German ATC were very accommodating along the way to our next stop which was Sigerland, the second highest commercial airport in Germany at almost 2000ft high. The approach was very scenic, flying in over forest covered hill sides. Must be great in winter, like landing in a ski resort!

Jet ranger D-HFAY
Bell 206B Jetranger D-HFAY at Siegerland EDGS 05/10/18 by IOM Aviation Photography, on Flickr
Our RV6 G-BXVM at the front of the pumps having just paid for our fuel uplift in the small fuellers hut opposite. The staff weren’t too sure what type of aircraft it was, it was apparent Vans RV’s aren’t very common in these places, especially in Poland as we later discovered!
Bell 206B Jetranger D-HFAY at Siegerland EDGS 05/10/18 by IOM Aviation Photography, on Flickr
Siegerland was the home of Air Alliance’s Learjets. Often seen in the UK
LearJet 35A D-CTIL at Siegerland EDGS 05/10/18 by IOM Aviation Photography, on Flickr
VM now parked up next to Finnish PC12 OH-EKB while we had a wander and made use of the facilities in the main terminal
Siegerland EDGS 05/10/18 by IOM Aviation Photography, on Flickr
The terminal entrance
Siegerland EDGS 05/10/18 by IOM Aviation Photography, on Flickr
Siegerland EDGS 05/10/18 by IOM Aviation Photography, on Flickr
A quick pic with VM, my first time in Germany
Vans RV6 Europe trip at Siegerland 05/10/18 by IOM Aviation Photography, on Flickr
Air alliance Lear departing
Learjet 35A D-CTIL at Siergerland EDGS 05/10/18 by IOM Aviation Photography, on Flickr
A civil PC7, a first for me. Apparently less than 20 on the US civil register. It was performing aerobatics
Pilatus PC7 N15WK at Sigerland EDGS 05/10/18 by IOM Aviation Photography, on Flickr
After a complimentary cup of coffee, we and VM were fuelled up again for our last leg of the day. Sigerland-Erfurt…. Not a bad landscape off the port side while climbing away from runway 13. A great airport, one I’d certainly hope to visit again.
Vans RV6 Europe trip departing Siegerland 05/10/18 by IOM Aviation Photography, on Flickr
This was probably the shortest and most simple leg of the trip. Only an hour or so en-route in the still late afternoon air. A very pleasant end to the day.
Vans RV6 Europe trip 2018 by IOM Aviation Photography, on Flickr
On final for runway 10 at Erfurt (My colleague in the right seat flying this leg)
Vans RV6 G-BXVM on final EDDE by IOM Aviation Photography, on Flickr
No, we didn’t take a wrong turn and end up in the depths of Russia, it really is an Ilyushin IL-18 in Germany! A way of knowing you had landed at an ex German Democratic Republic airport in East Germany. Built in 1962 and operated by the East German national airline Interflug until 1988 when it was parked up here. Pleased to see it seems to be having some restoration done. A part of history!
Interflug Ilyushin IL-18 DDR-STG at Erfurt EDDE 05/10/18 by IOM Aviation Photography, on Flickr
Apart from the above, the rest of the traffic seemed to consist of Germania Airbus’s & 737’s. After being marshalled onto stand we put VM to bed in the evening sun and were driven to the terminal.
Vans RV6 G-BXVM at Erfurt EDDE 05/10/18 by IOM Aviation Photography, on Flickr

After a taxi into Erfurt city followed by a search high and low for a hotel we relaxed over a meal and well-earned drink ready for an early start the following morning for the final day.

Part 2 to follow..