Great post, Niner_Mike. Sadly I missed this before I flew, but I will make a note of Dhont-Grellet for a future visit!
Thanks to all for the helpful tips. The trip to Epernay was lovely – huge grass strips (reminded me of White Waltham) and super-friendly service. It’s definitely ‘ouvert a la CAP’ and I even paid cash for fuel with the airfield’s Total card. They couldn’t have been more hospitable. They also serve a great Leffe on tap 
Will definitely return.
Nice little field.
If you are into champagne, you can call the nearby champagne house Dhondt-Grellet up front and they will pick you up for tasting or to deliver the bottles at your airplane.
The owner is a pilot himself.
See my experience on:
http://www.abeam.be/champagne-run/
Enjoy
Good advice; thanks!
jgmusic wrote:
It also looks like cash is accepted for fuel
The thing is that you need to find someone willing to do the transaction. If they are all busy flying or launching gliders, or out for lunch, do not count on it. And they will be very crossed if you “demand” fuel. This is most probably a service they offer benevolently. I know of an aerodrome where they told me in no uncertain terms that they stopped advertising fuel on the VAC because they were too many pilots turning up demanding to be served in a hurry.
So don’t count on fuel being available, and plan to have enough to go somewhere where you are assured to get fuel.
Thanks Aviathor, yes I just saw that too.
It also looks like cash is accepted for fuel but I won’t take any chances just in case
boscomantico wrote:
I would say no. Not a single word about that in the VAC or NOTAM.
Sorry. Only VFR night is restricted.
Thanks. All good things to know!
I would say no. Not a single word about that in the VAC or NOTAM.
jgmusic wrote:
Thanks to all. Presumably the auto pump takes ordinary credit cards too – or is that foolish thinking…?
Foolish
I have however observed that TOTAL has started upgrading the pumps and card readers now, and the new card readers do accept ordinary credit cards (at least Mastercard/VISA), and do have a touch screen with English user interface.
boscomantico wrote:
LFSW is ouvert a la CAP by the way.
But restricted to based aircraft – so need permission from operator.
