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Aviation History
1962
1962 - 0408.PDF
408 FLIGHT International, 15 March 1962 SPORT AND BUSINESS HOW FRANCE DOES IT THE French Government has constructively supported general aviation in France ever since World War 2 in all sorts of ways—and not least by providing a network of small airfields and information services geared to the needs of private pilots. One of the most praiseworthy efforts is the series of maps produced by the Service de l'lnformation Aeronautique for the Direction de la Navigation Aerienne of SGAC, the civil aviation authority. Information is set out in simple symbolic form on skele ton topographical maps printed on quite cheap paper and revised twice a year. On four sheets at 1 : 1,260,000 scale, all airfield cata- gories and services are indicated so that the pilot in the air can quickly see what facilities he has near at hand. On a single skeleton topographical sheet at 1 : 2,000,000 scale, airfield communications and navigation radio frequencies are listed, together with outlines of control zones and airways. Another 1 : 27000,000 scale map, not shown here, shows all navigation aids and radar stations. In addition, there is a 1 : 500,000, ICAO-type topographical map, covering France in ten sheets, which has geographical infor mation brought up to date by the Institut Geographique National in 1958—town outlines and railways are accurate. A section of South-East England which appears on the northern sheet is repro duced here. Note the use of hill shading rather than contours and layer tints. On six sheets, therefore, the French pilot can have all the infor mation he needs to plan and execute flights and to get himself out of difficulties. He does not have to open a book and read through pages of tabulated data divided into narrow categories. The maps are far more compact than a manual and, because they are quite simply presented, can be easily amended and cheaply produced. Surely this is the ideal format for the private pilot's flight guide—and one which should be copied by Britain and other countries. All these maps, are incidentally, available in Britain from Tricolore Trading Company (Couesnon Ltd), 13 Suffolk Court, Leigham Court Road, London SW16. CIVIL AIRFIELDS OPEN TO PRIVATE AIRCRAFT (1) Unrestricted for private aircraft ^P (•) controlled or manned O (b) periodically inspected (2) Prior permission only W^f (a) controlled or manned •O (b) periodically inspected Q (3) Only for aircraft based there (4) Gliders only (Jfy (a) controlled or manned l7\ (b) periodically inspected (u) (5) Heliports (4) Seaplane bases MILITARY AIRFIELDS (I) Unrestricted for private aircraft (a) controlled or manned OT) (b) periodically inspected (2) Available to civil aircraft X, (a) PPO or emergency (b) emergency only (3) Forbidden to civil air craft ^CEl ml £V»H:KflB6»-—i-#~=" ~-J| fi i Ml 1~1 |?»«*»P Haiti utimam if 3g vfe k*tttjess mm; jf/csliSMI D„ Section of the airfields map with skeleton topographical information. The symbols are explained at the foot of the page Airfield frequency and aids map, showing airways as well. Frequencies in italics are secondary The ICAO-type "half million" topographical map with hill shading in grey. Woods are green, towns yellow, spot heights in metres At left, the various airfield symbols explained. Below, a sample air port information block, showing some of the many codes used PARIS-ORLY"*- Name of airfield PP|HP[24l45/R|EKrr Customs day and Open Longest runway (m x 100) ttt night 1 24hr 1 A A A • Aircraft with radio only Petrol and kerosine available Runway bearing strength (R = per wheel)
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