Flying to Europe from the UK

General Aviation Report

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'general circulation in the EU'

If your aircraft has been imported legally into the EU and duties paid, the aircraft is then in 'free circulation', so answer 'yes'. If you are unsure, you may call the Customs on 023 8079 7089 and they can be very helpful. They will look up your aircraft, and if you would like it, send you a 'free circulation certificate'. This could be helpful if you suffer some problems in the hands of French officials.

If you are leaving the UK from a non designated airfield, you are able to go the another EU state without prior permission (Channel Islands require 12 hours notice) but must inform customs of return at least four hours before your intended arrival back in the UK.

Many UK pilots who suddenly decide to fly to the Channel Islands and have therefore not given the required 12 hours notice, fly first into a French airfield such as Cherbourg before moving on the the Channel Isles.  This is in fact technically illegal as the Channel Isles would be viewed as the final destination.

We suggest that you submit the General Aviation Report to the AOPA or www.goav8.net . If you are flying to a non-EU destination, then it must be sent a minimum of 24 hours in advance. If for any reason your return to the UK is over one hour different from your stated ETA, then you should also phone them prior to your return flight at the same number.

If flying to the Channel Islands, Isle of Man, Eire or Northern Ireland, you must also fax this form to the Special Branch of the relevant county at least 12 hours in advance. (see below) Failure to do so can result in stiff penalties!

It is advised that you retain the original form with your aircraft during the journey.

Permit to fly aircraft

There is no automatic right to fly an aircraft with a 'permit to fly' to another country. However, agreements have been made among several countries (OK), otherwise, prior permission is required (PPR). There are differences as to whether you fly a homebuilt, microlight or factory built aircraft. Some countries which require PPR may issue a blanket permission for your aircraft for all future flights, but many may require a new permission each time you fly. In some cases, the permission may not actually be given until long after the flying season is finished if at all! Belgium , Portugal and occasionally Spain are the worse offenders.

country Homebuilt microlight factory-built
Austria PPR PPR PPR
Belgium PPR PPR PPR
Denmark OK PPR PPR
Finland OK PPR PPR
France OK OK OK
Germany OK OK PPR
Hungary PPR PPR PPR
Ireland OK PPR PPR
Italy PPR PPR PPR
Luxembourg OK OK OK
Monaco OK OK OK
Netherlands OK PPR PPR
Portugal PPR PPR PPR
Spain PPR PPR PPR
Sweden OK PPR PPR
Switzerland OK PPR PPR
U.K OK OK OK
Channel Islands PPR PPR PPR

 

 DESIGNATED AIRPORTS


Aberdeen
Belfast/Aldergrove
Belfast City
Biggin Hill
Birmingham
Blackpool
Bournemouth
Bristol
Cambridge
Cardiff
Coventry
East Midlands
Edinburgh
Exeter
Filton
Glasgow
Humberside
Isle of Man/Ronaldsway
Leeds Bradford
Liverpool
London (City, Gatwick, Heathrow,
Luton, Stansted)
Londonderry
Lydd
Manchester
Manston
Newcastle
Newquay/St Mawgan
Norwich
Plymouth
Prestwick
Sheffield
Southampton
Southend
St Averton/Gloucester
Sumburgh
Teeside


 

CUSTOMS & EXCISE GENERAL AVIATION AGREEMENT AERODROMES

Andrewsfield
Barrow/Walney Island
Battersea
Bembridge
Beverley/Linley Hill
Blackbushe
Bodmin
Brize Norton (RAF)
Bourn
Caernarfon
Carlisle
Chalgrove
Clacton
Compton Abbas
Cranfield
Crowfield
Cumbernauld
Denham
Doncaster
Dundee
Dunkeswell
Duxford
Eaglescott
Earls Colne
Elstree
Fenland
Goodwood/Chichester
Haverford West
Hawarden
Isle of WightlSandown
Kemble
Lands End/St Just
Lasham
Lashenden/Headcorn
Leicester
Little Gransden
Llanbedr
Lyneham (RAF)
Manchester/Barton
Mona (RAF)
Netherthorpe
Newtonards
Northampton/Sywell
Nottingham
Northolt (RAF)
Old Sarum
OxfordlKidlington
Perranporth
Pert hlScone
Peterborough/Conington
Peterborough/Sibson
Popham
Redhill
Retford/Gamston
Rochester
Sandtoft
SciIly Isles/St Marys
Seething
Sherburn in Elmet
Shipdham
Shobdon
Sleap
Stapleford
Sturgate
Swansea
Tatenhill
Thruxton
Valley (RAF)
Warton
Wellesbourne
Welshpool
White Waltham
Wick
Wolverhampton
Wycombe Air Park!
Booker Yeovil/
Westland

there are four types of airfields

1. Customs or designated, i.e., Southampton, Biggin Hill, Liverpool
2. General Aviation Agreement Aerodromes (GAA) i.e. Goodwood, Ellstree
3. Private Airfields and Helipads
4. Military (not covered in this document)

1. At a designated Airfield you may arrive and depart without prior notification to Customs (this rule may be subject to change). You will be required to complete a GAR prior to departure and also on arrival from foreign.

2. At a GAA Airfield you can fly to and from anywhere, but there are differing periods of prior notification required depending on your destination departure point.

Outwards - to another EU Country there is no obligation to advise customs of your departure.

Outwards - to a NON EU Country (Inc.. Channel lslands*) you must notify customs at least 24 hours prior to departure.

Inwards - from another EU Country - 4 hours prior to arrival

Inwards - from a NON EU Country - 24 hours prior to arrival


*Channel Islands - notification period is 12 hours.

3. At private Airfields and Helipads you can only fly to and from other EU Countries, unless you have an agreement to do so. In particular, flights To/From The Channel Islands will need to be agreed with Customs and police.
The notification period is the same as for GAA Airfields..

Notifications for flights should be the NCU by Fax 0870 785 3738 or email
ncu@hmce.gsi.gov.uk

If you have any questions regarding foreign travel in your Aircraft, please contact
the GA Team on 02380 797089 or email GACOPE@hmce.gsi.gov.uk

PRIVATE AIRCRAFT COMMON TRAVEL AREA FLIGHTS/TERRORISM ACT 2000

If you are flying to/from the Channel Islands, Isle of Man, Eire or Northern Ireland you must fly via a designated airport under the Terrorism Act OR give 12 hours prior notice in writing for the Police area in which the Port is situated. Please refer to the Police contact numbers printed on the rear of the GAR. It is an offence under the Terrorism Act to wilfully fail to comply with this legislation.

Special Branch
 

Anglesey
Cheshire
Derby @
Essex @
Gwent
Isle of Man
Lincoln
Nothampton
North Yorkshire
Stafforshire
West Midlands
Central Scotlland
Lothian & Borders
Fax 01492-511967
Fax 01244-613904
Fax 01246-522396
Fax 01245-452697
Fax 01 633-867773
Fax 01624-825681
Fax 01522-558052
Fax 01604-703511
Fax 01609-789188
Fax 01785-226056
Fax 0121-7827699
Fax 01786-472206
Fax 0131-3353500
Avon & Somerset
Cleveland
Dorset
Gloucester
Hampshire/lOW
Kent
Merseyside
Northern Ireland
Nottingham
Suffolk
Thames Valley (Berks, Bucks, Oxon)
West Yorkshire
South Yorkshire Police
Durnfries & Galloway
Northern
Fax 01275-473516
Fax 01642-326035
Fax 01202-222053
Fax 01242-253883
Fax 02392-899087
Fax 01 303-289052
Fax 01 51-7778533
Fax 02890-738987
Fax O1 159-560058
Fax 01394-673969
Fax 01865-855741
Fax 01 13-2500275
Fax 01 302 385523
Fax 01776-7O4066
Fax 01463-720668
Bedford
Cumbria
Durham
Greater London
Hertford
Lancashire
Middlesex
Northumberland I
South Wales-Cardiff
Surrey
Warwickshire (Coventry)
Wiltshire
Fife
Strathclyde
Fax 01582-723352
Fax 01768-217665
Fax 01325-335298
Fax 01 959-540481
Fax 01707-354755
Fax 01253-776101
Fax 01959-540481
Fax 0191-2140270
Fax 01446-71 0360
Fax 01483-482411
Fax 01926-491319
Fax 01380-720775
Fax 01592-418581
Fax 0141-5326075
Cambridge
Devon/Cornwall
Dyfed/Powys
Greater Manchester
Humberside
Leicester
Norfolk
Nth Wales-Holyhead
Sth Wales-Swansea
Sussex
West Mercia (Hereford, Shrops, Worcs)
Grampian
Tayside
Fax 01223-823295
Fax 01 752-234603
Fax 01 348-874046
Fax 01 61-8560260
Fax 01482-578672
Fax 01332-812581
Fax 01 603-788603
Fax 01497-763565
Fax 01792-4731 86
Fax 01293-592815
Fax 01905-332285
Fax 01 244-770412
Fax 01 382-596509