Welcome to your AOPA Luxembourg Newsletter.

We hope that the sunnier warmer days have given you all great ideas of where to fly, new places to discover or old places to revisit.

Reinhard and I will be taking a break from writing in August but please feel free to send us to editor@aopa.lu pics or share your stories so that we can include them in the fall issues!

As of March 9th we have new board members - so keep your eyes peeled as we continue to get to know the board!

Christophe Englebert, fligth instructor at LFTA and co-ordinator for the DIMAS programme has joined the board to work with administrations.

Stay tuned for updates and trip details **please note these are subject to change**

**17.-18.08.2024   Oldtimer Fly and Drive in Schaffen-Diest

**21.09.2024          AOPA+Aerosport Rally

**Check out Avia Sport's events here

**Check out the FAL events here

**2025 - Air Days - is in the works!

Please let us know if you have any ideas, suggestions or recommendations for flyouts by emaliing us at editor@aopa.lu

The 30th World Assembly of the International Council of Aircraft Owner and Pilot Associations (IAOPA), held from May 7th to 10th, 2024, was a significant event marked by a number of resolutions that will shape the future of general aviation. Among these, a noteworthy achievement was the approval of a resolution spearheaded by AOPA Luxembourg, reflecting a major stride towards harmonizing regulations for Annex II and ultra-light aircraft across Europe.

Resolution 30/6: European-wide Harmonization for Annex II and Ultra-light Aircraft

This resolution, presented by our President Peter Sodermans, titled “Proposal for a European-wide Harmonization of Mutual Recognition for Annex II Aircraft and European Ultra-light Leisure Flight Across Europe,” addresses the inconsistencies in national regulations that create barriers for cross-border operations of these aircraft. The initiative calls for European Civil Aviation Authorities to mutually recognize permits for Annex II and ultra-light aircraft, facilitating smoother leisure flights across borders. This is contingent on pilots holding a valid European pilot certificate and a liability insurance policy.

In a groundbreaking event, a distinguished delegation of air cadets from Australia, the UK, France, and Germany made their inaugural visit to Luxembourg. This historic two-day program organized with the help of LFTA and Young Pilots Luxembourg, marked a significant milestone in fostering international camaraderie and aviation passion among young cadets.
This inaugural visit of the International Air Cadets marks a significant achievement in the ongoing efforts to establish Luxembourg Air Cadets. AOPA Luxembourg, in collaboration with the Luxembourg Army and Belgian Air Cadets, is spearheading this initiative. The visit has not only strengthened international ties but also set a precedent for future exchanges and cooperation in aviation training.

This memorable event has undoubtedly laid the foundation for a thriving community of young pilots and aviation enthusiasts in Luxembourg and beyond.

Our board member Petz Bettendorf fulfilled his dream to take his Risen UL from Luxembourg to Greenland. In addition to the necessary preparation and paperwork, he overcame the hurdles to fly an UL Plane internationally but only up to Iceland. Greenland gave no permission for UL. The outbound flight to Reykjavik was on July 19th 2024 joined by another Risen and a Robin DR400. There was a stopover in Seppe to clear customs for the UK and Stornoway to prepare for the Atlantic crossing to Iceland (Among others, dry suit, life vest and a raft are mandatory). Four hours after takeoff at Stornoway he and the other two planes landed at Reykjavik Airport.

Some sightseeing over famous Icelandic landmarks was a well deserved reward. 

The return flight was with a stopover at Inverness and Peterborough, then back to Bitburg. All in all a flight time of 18 hours for 2500 NM to make a short visit to the Island of Fire and Ice. At economy cruising the fuel burn was around 12 litres per hour. An outstanding record of what UL planes can achieve these days.

You will find more on this trip in the next AOPA Luxembourg Yearbook.

Looking for a new place to fly to? We'll share our newest discoveries and hopefully you'll share yours with us at editor@aopa.lu so that we can include them in a future issue!

So, you have a plane, good weather and a few hours....now the question remains ....where to go??

When recently faced with this situation, all we knew was that we wanted to be at the seaside,so we opted for LFAC, Calais.

In the time it takes to get to LFAT (L2K as I recently discovered it is called by some!), you can be at LFAC minus the reporting points and cues for landing. The airport seems to be used by the local police and customs officers in their shiny helicopters and well-equipped planes.

There is a busy restaurant with a terrace on-site and buses that depart from the airport into town. We opted to take a taxi to the beachfront, to a brand new beach bar aptly named 'L'Aviateur'!

Tell us, where has your AOPA cap been lately?

Would you like to contribute an article or share an interesting link? Is your AOPA baseball cap doing something or going somewhere and you want to share it with our entire community? Please email it to editor@aopa.lu. Keep it clean and aviation related, the editors reserve the right to omit and/or edit submitted material.