Around here, we call it the “trip of a lifetime,” though that hardly does it justice. You might remember last month’s column that left off at an improbably tasty restaurant in Kangerlussuaq, Greenland, after just the first day of a 23-day private jet tour of Europe. Air Journey organized the trip, and it featured three airplanes: two Cessna CJ3+s and “our” Cessna M2. I say “our” because my wife, Cathy, and I were guests of Pete and Shardel, the actual owners of this glamorous Garmin-bedecked M2.
General Aviation Flying in Europe
Key Takeaways:
- A 23-day private jet tour of Europe highlighted the essential role of specialized services (like Air Journey) in managing the complex logistics of international private flights.
- Flying in European airspace presented unique challenges, including navigating multiple air navigation service providers, strict slot times for takeoffs and landings, and non-linear routes often designed to traverse many countries.
- Ground operations in Europe were notably different and expensive, featuring high handling fees (e.g., 1,800 euros), remote parking requiring reliance on ground staff for access and services, and specific technical requirements like 8.33 kHz VHF channel spacing.
- The author ultimately expressed gratitude for the relative simplicity, accessibility, and lower cost of private flying within the United States compared to the intricate and expensive European experience.
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