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3. Mooney Fly-In to Paris 2011

(by Birgit Vogelbruch)

This year's European Mooney Fly In was organized by the French Mooniacs Gilles Khaiat and Jacques Callies and they decided to meet in the Aéro-Club de France, the oldest Aeroclub of the world which is in the heart of Paris. Paris is lucky to have many airports for general aviation.

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The Mooniacs flew to Toussus le Noble, LFPN, south west of Paris. From there a pick up was arranged to down town Paris. The weather could not have been better: bright sunshine, no clouds and great views. We fly IFR to LFPN from Germany, the controllers lead us directly over the city of Paris and we could see the Eiffel tower. In the evening we met for a gala dinner in the famous Aéro-Club de France which is situated in Rue Galilée near the Arc de Triomphe. On the wall outside the building there is the big propeller of a Transall. When you enter the old building you walk up a broad stairway to the first floor. There you find pompous rooms with golden ornaments. We first had a champain reception outside at the balcony and then went inside for a nice dinner. Jacques and Gilles welcomed every crew with a champain cooler made out of glass which was engraved with 3rd Mooniacs Fly In.

The next day Jacques and Gilles took us sight seeing in Paris. We went to Pont Neuf for a boat tour at the Seine. From there we saw Notre Dame, the Eiffel tower and many other famous buildings. After a short walk we had lunch at Place Dauphine sitting outside in the hot sun where we started planning next year's Fly In. Afterwards we went for the best ice cream in town to BERTILLON where they were cueing outside. It was worth it.

We then went back to Toussus le Noble and had a nice flight back home. We are looking forward to see everybody again at next year's Mooney Fly In which will take place in Oostende in Belgium.

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