GRANVILLE DZ

http://www.normandieparachutisme.fr.st/

From the Skydive Jersey newsgroup - 5/3/2003. By Mike Aubert

Hi Y'all.

Just a quick update about my visit to Granville DZ last weekend. I may make the meeting on Wednesday but only for a half hour, so I'll give you the info here;

I took my rig (and Aluns) the previous weekend for service/repack etc and met Regis (directeur technique), Christophe (president) and Claire (secretary). All of them seem very nice and friendly, but dont speak much English (yet!?).

When I went back last Saturday (in theory their first day of season) there was quite a few other people buzzing around looking busy. Mainly tidying stuff up etc, as the weather was too crap for flying in the morning when I went.

The Porter is apparently out of action for a while as it got pranged in Spain during the winter. They are only flying the Cessna for now and hoping to get the Porter back quite soon. The pilots name is Gabriel(sp?) - seemed apt. For those of you that havent heard - they jump from 5000M instead of the more usual 3800M... yeehaaa 8)

DZ looks nice, but a bit basic at this time. They are in the process of moving equipment / portacabins and caravans etc from Caen airport where they have been shut down due to increase in commercial traffic.

The actual landing zone is reasonably large (but not as big as Vannes) and they have a target (if you're inclined...). As you would imagine, this close to the beach its very sandy underfoot but has quite springy vegetation. Even so, if you cock up your landing and go in bigstyle, expect to be spitting sand for a while...

The new cafe/resto is under construction next to the (small) airport building and should be open by June/July. Onsite they operate a small flying/microlite school and do scenic trips around MtStMichel etc etc.

Covered packing area is under construction - it looks like a semi-temporary structure, but they had only just started it on Sunday so I cant tell yet. Not huge, but probably adequate.

Runway ends about 100 metres from the beach, to which there is easy access. Really nice beach, about 2 miles of golden sand (nudist section one one end) with a few dunes. Unlike other beaches close by (in the bay of St Michel) its surprisingly silt-free and shelving, so the tide only goes out a few hundred metres (instead of kilometres) Probably a bit like St Ouens looked before the Germans covered it in concrete.

Two camp sites quite close (one within walking distance) and I was told that it would be OK to camp at the DZ and the airport should have toilets etc (I doubt any showers - but theres always the sea!) Theres a bar/night club about half a click away and some reasonable looking hotels in the area. Nearest ATM (cash dispenser) is about 2k down the road to wards Granville at a post office.

Car parking at the airport or DZ looks more than adequate. The public car parks near the beach might get busy in Summer...

You could probably get away with taking wives/kids/girlfriends etc with you if its beach weather. Membership of the club cost 45 Euros for the year - I think that's a bit cheaper than Vannes? My reserve repack and inspection ( from the paperwork, this seemed more thorough than I usually expect) cost me 30 Euros. I have some membership application forms if anyone wants one to post fax or just to complete before going. Will bring them on Wednesday.

They can do your FFP membership while you wait (not long), but that has to be done on-site and in-person. Dont forget your current medical certificate and license(s).

Getting there is quite easy; Head for Granville and then go North about 5k, looking for the signs to 'airport' or 'Brevil'.

Granville as a town is quite nice for rainy days/evenings. Some good eateries and an English pub (if you have to) near the 'Casino'. I recommend the US-diner-texmex place, also near the casino for a change from snails & frites...