France is easy. It does take a little preparation on your part to
make it painless. France is very glider pilot friendly.
You need to obtain a French Licence Equivalance before you go and that
will take about three months. It is all done by mail.
You will requi
1) A copy of your pilot licence.
2) A copy of your medical certificate that will be less than one year
old during your flying time in France.
3) Two identity photographs, passport size.
4) A copy of your passport identity pages that shows your date of
birth.
5) A short letter stating your request for a Licence Equivalence and
specifying the date of your stay and where you plan to fly (just list
several places).
6) Mail this all to:
DISTRICT AERONAUTIQUE DE PROVENCE
Service des LIcences
Aeroport No. 1
13727 MARIGNANE
I believe they are now charging a small fee for this process.
Fortunately english is the international language of aviation so
people in the District Aeronautique office do speak english. You can
call them at: (33) 442.31.14.81
John Smith's statement about mountain flying in the Alps is correct
(IMHO). However, St. Auban is a quasi-government commercial glider
operation that has an excellent instruction program that will get you
oriented very quickly and off flying solo in very good modern
gliders.
http://www.cnvv.net/
I have flown at St. Auban four times and have flown in: LS-8, Discus
2, ASW-27, Nimbus, DG-1000, DG-300, Fox, Janus, Duo DIscus, LS-4. All
the planes are maintained like new. The airport is located at the
base of the alps so you can fly in to the mountains, stay in the
foothills, or fly the flats. It is very similar to flying out of
Minden or Williams. The staff at St. Auban is wonderful, they speak
english, they have dormitory rooms to rent, a cafeteria, a swimming
pool, recreational rooms, computer access and very good places to eat
in the surrounding communities.
Guy Acheson