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Nancy is worth the trip. We know this already since last year when we flew to Nancy on Whit Sunday to get to know the city. The weather for April 24, 2004 is said to be good all over Europe, so we decided to go to Nancy. We, that is Lothar Hubrecht (Hubi) and Christian Müssemeyer in a Katana D-EZIC, Karla Philipp and Karl-Heinz Künzel in the Grob 109 D-KEOI and Henk and Elly Dumont in the Taifun D-KDFI.

From Mönchengladbach we flew via Düren in the Eifel and after a 35 minute flight we landed initially at the Dahlemer Binz. Henk was already waiting for us because he left from Geilenkirchen. After departure we flew a three-ship formation (two motorgliders and one Katana) heading south towards Trier. From there on we followed the Mosel River, passed the Saar River and headed for Saarlouis and crossed the border into France. We contacted Reims approach and were allowed to pass Metz CTR in the direction of Nancy. Under a clear blue sky we enjoyed a flight over an interesting landscape.

After a 1 hour and 10 minute flight we landed in Nancy, the total time from Mönchengladbach being less than 2 hours. We owe this to Henk, he was like a slave driver, telling us to go faster and faster because his Taifun needs the speed. Both the Katana and the Grob followed, but to slow for Henk. Nancy didn’t answer our calls, probably because of their lunch-break, we landed anyway. This is no problem but in Germany where a Supervisor of Flying has to be there all the time (somebody has to tell you to land into the wind!). Because nobody answered when we landed we didn’t pay any fees, we didn’t get any service. Okay with us!

We ordered two taxis into town. Nancy is a lovely town. The centre is the Place Stanislaw, named after a Polish king. The Place is surrounded by countless historical buildings and many restaurants. Directly bordering the Place is the old centre, also loaded with restaurants.

We found a nice place to eat and enjoyed a typical French lunch. After lunch we visited the old centre and the adjacent park with numerous flower beds, almost looking like pieces of art. Pitiful we had to go back to the airport around 16.00, citylife just started and we would have loved staying.

We flew back past Metz towards Saarlouis, crossed the border, Trier and landed at the Dahlemer Binz for refuelling. We said good-bye to Henk who continued to Geilenkirchen. Finally he could release all the power of the Taifun, nobody around to slow him down.

For Karl-Heinz Künzel this flight to Nancy was a remarkable experience. His initial training was done on an ultra-light airplane in Kückhoven. He finished his training in Aeroclub 77 and now is the proud owner of a JAR-FCL, allowing him to fly all piston engine driven aircraft. It also was his first flight abroad with a powered glider.

Nancy is a worthwhile city and already I'm looking forward to my next flight there.

Christian Müssemeyer