Second FFPLUM French Navy Air-Sea Camp: the energy of youth

For more than two years, the French Navy has been a partner of the Federation in a relationship focused on young people. Those of the Navy and those of the Federation. One of the building blocks of this strong relationship is the Air-Sea Camp, held at the Lanvéoc-Poulmic base in the Finistère.

A sailing trip was on the programme © FFPLUM

It allows young microlight pilots (between 12 and 15 people) to discover the various careers in the Navy, in particular those linked to naval aviation. The whole point of this course, however, is to show, beyond the passion for flying, the richness of careers in the French Navy. The four-day stay therefore begins with a general presentation of the Navy at the École Navale, from a theoretical angle (what is at stake at sea and in being a sailor) but also a practical one (a sailing trip). It also lets participants grasp the basics of life in a crew and of military rules (bivouac, orienteering exercise). The course then turns more directly to discovering all the Navy’s aerial vehicles (helicopters, rescue, combat, flying introduction, survival training) in the wild and enchanting setting of the Crozon Peninsula, which the trainees were able to fly over in an SR20. The course helps some to refine their personal project but, more generally, above all enriches their experience around the passion for flying.

We have every reason to be very proud of our young people, who have a slightly different profile from traditional aviation and who each time show their curiosity and spirit of sharing. If you are interested, this course takes place every year and is restricted to those over 18 (for reasons of responsibility on site). It will probably be held during the All Saints’ holidays in 2023.

I would particularly like to thank the Federation’s Youth Division and in particular its elected members: Marie-Clotilde, Mattéo and Patricia, who drive and nourish the projects for our young people. The debrief of the 2022 BIA shows the ever-growing interest of young people in this qualification, which is completely unique in the French national education system (18 000 registered candidates, 30% girls). The pool of our future pilots is therefore well established. It is up to us to make ourselves better known through all the schemes they can benefit from, in addition to what the regional committees can also offer.

• BIA preparation
• Flying grant
• Passport for discovering other classes
• Air-Sea Camp

https://ffplum.fr/debuter/aides-jeunes

I would also like to thank Xavier Tytelman, editor-in-chief of Air et Cosmos magazine and YouTuber, sponsor of this 2022 edition of the Air-Sea Camp, who was present alongside our 12 young members. Visit his YouTube channel here!

Sébastien Perrot and Xavier Tytelman (left) and the naval air base commander (right) with our young members © Marine Nationale

Do not hesitate to contact the Federation about any personal projects and to join the Youth Division. We will shortly propose an equivalent partnership with the ALAT, focused on discovering helicopters, and at the end of the year we will propose a new version of the Tour ULM, involving veterans who want to pass on their experience to our young people.

Tomorrow’s microlight pilots are already here; it is up to us to help them, to sustain our activity and share our passion more widely.

Sébastien PERROT

President of FFPLUM

Photos of the 2022 Air-Sea Camp

Our young people before the trip to sea © FFPLUM

Smiling during the trip © FFPLUM

© Marine Nationale

Cap10 instrument panel © Marine Nationale

Our young people take a close look at the Cessna © Marine Nationale

Take-off of the Caïman © Marine Nationale

In the simulator © Marine Nationale

View of Crozon from the SR20 © FFPLUM

The young people spent a night in a bivouac © FFPLUM

© FFPLUM

Relive the 2021 Air-Sea Camp on video