I’ll probably be there as last few years
I will be there. Not decided when, though.
I hope they use the web page approach again next year.
I’d hope they dismiss this embarrassing slot system altogether. Just hire some old Army ATC officers* for the weekend and everything will be fine.
But I also hear rumour of nearby microlight fields offering arrangements – perhaps even including under wing camping
Usually Markdorf offers landings for microlights and touring motor gliders. Unfortunately not for towplanes. They offer a shuttle transport with the landing fee, iirc. If you have a good camping bed, the tent city isn’t that bad. You just have to take the wooden floor into consideration. But if your camping bed is too heavy, I might have some payload from Aachen.
I prefer a thursday to friday for Friedrichshafen.
I will try to be there too…
I’m planning to be there as well.
How many days should you plan for visiting the fair? (Haven’t been there before…)
Is it reasonable to plan on refueling at Friedrichshafen or is that better done somewhere else?
Refuelling at Friedrichshafen is quite efficient (ask the parking guys to call the bowser out to you), it usually appears in a few minutes. Downside is Avgas is expensive.
(Compared to UK typical prices).
How many days should you plan for visiting the fair?
I spent only 6 hours last year, including a bit of lunch. But at no stand did I spend more than 15 minutes, and I skipped the vast majority. If you have in-depth questions you can of course be much much longer.
Probably most time will go into socialising with other aviators – some people come for no other purpose.
Downside is Avgas is expensive.
Compared to other German airports?
You can “do” the whole place in 1 day, no problem, if you just walk around quickly.
It’s not as big as it was say 5 years ago, anyway.
And in certified GA very little happens (as we all know).
If you are into homebuilts / ultralight stuff (I use these terms loosely) and perhaps into esoteric stuff which will never reach the market, you can spent a lot more time there.
For meeting up with friends, it’s great 
I’d be arriving Thursday and departing Sunday morning i.e. 3 nights total. That gives time for 3 evening meetups. Usually there is one with some Greeks and a few others, and this year there will be a EuroGA one of some sort. It also gives a bit of leeway for weather.
Can I suggest a EuroGA get-together on Saturday 18th April?
I think that day is when most people are likely to be around – being a weekend.
