Southern Italy Flying Clubs

[miket67m]

I am visiting the Puglia region for 10 days from 19th October (not with my own aircraft) and wanted to know if there are any flying clubs in the area who have facilities for visitors.  I have a JAR PPL, with (UK) IMC and night rating. Happy to fly with instructor or safety pilot if that is required.  Checked out on C182, C172, PA28, DR400 and T67M.  Wife also a PPL.  In the Pescoluse area but happy to travel.

Mike

[Marculì]

Hi Mike,

first of all, do you mind flying also ultralights or do you prefer flying just general aviation?

[lucaberta]

Hey Mike,

Pescoluse is almost at the tip of the heel, and there are only ultralight fields nearby, the closest one being Ugento, followed by one in Gallipoli, very near to the beach.

Here is a map of the area with the airfields:
http://www.campidivolo.it/Dati/Puglia_sud_m.htm

Here are a few useful links;  this one has content in english, I've flown with the instructor in the past and he comes from a GA environment, though nowadays he just flies microlights:
http://www.airsalento.it/gbr-index.html

This other one is on the Adriatic seaside:
http://www.volaresalento.com

But the coolest thing you could do is to fly from Leuca, very close to Pescoluse, on a microlight seaplane, check this site out:
http://www.aeroclubcapoleuca.it

As you can see, most of the flying done these days in Italy is on microlights.  There is little GA in the deep south of Italy, I am afraid... let me know if you need any more help!

Ciao, Luca

[ClaF]

As Luca pointed out, in Italy "flying for fun" means flying on (advanced) microlights. While advanced microlights actually replaced GA, General Aviation is struggling to survive, and in southern Italy is even worst.

It could be a good chance to discover microlights world, if you don't know it, as Italy is probably the biggest microlights market.
And surely it's the best way to visit Puglia from above

Ciao, Claudio

EDIT: the only problem is that microlights are two seater...

[mitch]

dude... other reason to prefer flying with microlight in italy... the rent of a General Aviation's airplane is bloody expensive and with a GA airplane in Italy you're not allowed to land in all little as awesome airfields. Keep in mind the biggest airports (few airports) in italy are expensive as well. With microlights i think u've heaps possibilities...and if u're with your wife or girlfriend or whatever the best and romantic way to fly in puglia is microlights planes...
Enjoy Italy and let us know after Your travel your impression!

[miket67m]

Thanks all for the advice.  I suspected as much from my trawl on the internet.  I am a GA pilot but perhaps this is a good chance to check out the microlights branch of flying.  Thanks again.

Mike

[miket67m]

Back from Italy and managed to visit two clubs while we were there.  Vega Aeroclub at Lecce has a nice set up.    Also visited AirSalento just west of Maglie.  Sadly the weather had everybody on the ground though we had a good conversation with members at both clubs and were made to feel quite welcome.  A lot of discussion about cost of GA in Italy and availability of Avgas.  Thanks for all the pre-trip advice.

Mike

[Marculì]

A lot of discussion about cost of GA in Italy and availability of Avgas.  Thanks for all the pre-trip advice.

Mike

You are welcome!