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News item of 13 March 2020. Last updated on 3 April 2020: some information may have changed. Latest news
CORONAVIRUS COVID-19 HEALTH CRISIS
Saturday 2 May - Special newsletter: clarifications on the gradual lifting of lockdown
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Newsletter > Saturday 2 May |
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Details on the gradual lifting of lockdown A number of you in the départements provisionally marked red reacted to the Federation's recommendations in the last newsletter. We would like to provide the following clarifications:
While awaiting regulatory clarification, the Federation, taking a reasoned and responsible approach, is led for now to give the following recommendations:
More generally, it is obvious that the forthcoming legal conditions will apply to all aeronautical activities. It is not the federations but the State that makes the rules. As you have seen since the start of the crisis, the information is sometimes contradictory and incomplete. It is therefore very difficult for all of us to navigate injunctions or unspoken points that sometimes lack coherence and... even legality, and that change every week. We would also like to make everyone aware of the psychological effect of the date of 11 May, whose significance should be put in perspective. Everything is still possible and precarious, in an obviously more restrictive direction. Under the state of health emergency, prefects could have very extensive powers. The 100 km limit and the explicit bans on certain activities or areas are still in force. We must also bear in mind that small warning signs (an accident, a lack of public-spiritedness, etc.) can have a very significant effect on all our activities. We will need to support the return to flying with great caution. As soon as we have more precise information (so normally on the evening of 7 May), in liaison with the authorities and the members of the National Council of Aeronautical and Sports Federations, we will communicate on how the new rules apply to our activities. We have given a general framework, being pragmatic and responsible, involving the whole Board of Directors, our lawyer, the federation doctor and healthcare professionals. It may change, and we hope it will in a less restrictive direction for the départements in the red zone. For the départements in the green zone, we are defending the framework that has been set out, but we must all remain very vigilant. We will communicate again on Thursday evening or Friday morning at the latest. Look after yourselves! Sébastien Perrot President of FFPLUM |
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Friday 1 May - Special newsletter
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Newsletter > Friday 1 May |
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A very gradual lifting of lockdown The Prime Minister's announcements to the National Assembly on Tuesday 28 April clarify the framework for the very gradual easing of lockdown from 11 May. In particular, we note: |
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Where things stand This year 2020 will be deeply marked by the Covid-19 crisis that we are living through and that affects us all. We assume that, like us, you listened carefully to the Prime Minister’s statements this Tuesday 28 April and the conditions for lifting lockdown that will apply to everyone. |
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FFPLUM arrangements - Covid-19 In the absence of treatment and a vaccine, the fight against Covid-19 rests on everyone’s sense of civic duty and on respecting health rules. In clubs and companies affiliated to the French Microlight Federation, this vigilance is applied under the responsibility of the club president or company manager.
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The 2019 BEA report Below you can read the full report of the Investigation and Analysis Bureau (BEA). In 2019, the picture is slightly positive compared with the decade average for microlight activity, and that is without taking account of the increase in the number of pilots. Find the review of microlight activity from page 31. |
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The World Distance Record in a Weight-shift Microlight In this new lockdown interview, we meet Colin Fargher and his son Louis. They both crossed France from east to west on 14 September 2019 in a weight-shift microlight without landing. 7h40 of flying and 782 km from Vesoul to Quélarn in Brittany. A feat ratified in April by the FAI (Fédération Aéronautique Internationale).
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The best pictures of the week The FFPLUM challenge continues. Thank you for the many responses we have had, and we are counting on you to keep going together until the end of the lockdown! Get your smartphones out, show off your hidden talents, and tell us about microlighting from home! In the meantime, here are the best photos and videos of the week! |
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Microlight Quiz - Part 5 Flying is still banned, but it is also a chance to work on keeping our theoretical knowledge up to date! Here is part 4 of the quiz offered by the Training and Flight Safety division. This version is more interactive! Feel free to test yourself; it's the ideal way to recall a few basics! |
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Dark chocolate marquise and its custard Discover a new recipe from Bruno Rascalou, president of the Occitanie Regional Committee. After giving you the recipe for cocotte eggs with mushroom duxelles last week, our cooking teacher (who trained Cyril Lignac) offers his new recipe: dark chocolate marquise (no oven) and its custard. Get cooking! |
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The video guide To take out or renew your 2020 Licence, our new dedicated tutorial guides you through the process! A second tutorial is also online to help you understand the different types of insurance.
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Friday 24 April - Special newsletter
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Newsletter > Friday 24 April |
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Getting ready to return to flying In what politicians and scientists are saying, we can sense a glimmer of hope for an easing of lockdown that, everyone agrees, will be gradual. But how should we approach this moment, which everyone is waiting for impatiently? |
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What will happen on 11 May? The conditions for the gradual easing of lockdown from 11 May are still the subject of many questions and sometimes contradictory or hasty announcements. We will certainly have more precise information in the middle of the week. We can nevertheless see that the impossibility of flying, which allows for a very few exceptions, is essentially due to restrictions on travel, on receiving the public and on sporting events. When these conditions are partly lifted, we will again be able to fly, taking all the necessary distancing measures. For next week's weekly newsletter we are preparing detailed material on the recommendations that can be put into practice in our activity. We all know that the only effective measure against Covid-19 for many months to come is barrier measures, until an effective treatment or vaccine is found. For now and until 11 May, nothing changes. The exemptions to the flying ban are in the Covid-19 Memo. Look after yourselves. Sébastien Perrot President of the FFPLUM |
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Georges Humeau, an example to follow In this video, find an interview with Georges Humeau, president of ULM Chambley. In early April, he launched a solidarity initiative for staff engaged and mobilised in the fight against coronavirus.
Already more than 360 introductory microlight flights have been promised thanks to the generosity of pilots and clubs.
Georges explains how to take part!
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Engine failure on take-off (English version) Our tutorials are watched beyond our borders, so we have started translating them at the request of our foreign pilot friends.
It is a chance to watch again our very first training tutorial, made in 2018. It covers engine failure on take-off!
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The best pictures of the week The FFPLUM challenge continues. Thank you for the many responses we have had, and we are counting on you to keep going together until the end of the lockdown! Get your smartphones out, show off your hidden talents, and tell us about microlighting from home! In the meantime, here are the best photos and videos of the week! |
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Cocotte egg with mushroom duxelles Discover a new recipe from Bruno Rascalou, president of the Occitanie Regional Committee. After giving you the recipe for apple and lemon tart last week, our cooking teacher (who trained Cyril Lignac) offers his new recipe: cocotte egg with mushroom duxelles. Get cooking! |
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The Rogallo curtains From experimental kite to microlight! An engineer at NACA, Francis Rogallo was carrying out, alongside his wife Gertrude, rather offbeat research: they were passionate about kites, which Gertrude sewed from curtain fabric. |
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The video guide To take out or renew your 2020 Licence, our new dedicated tutorial guides you through the process! A second tutorial is also online to help you understand the different types of insurance.
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COVID-19 
Friday 17 April - Special newsletter
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Newsletter - Friday 17 April - |
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Editorial: The call of flight, the call of sport!
For once, this editorial is devoted to the Federation's sporting mission. The FFPLUM sport division continues its work of structuring and organising itself to increase its ability to fulfil one of the federation's key missions: competition and, more broadly, air sports. |
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The lockdown interview: and what about sport?
In this video, find an interview with Noël Mazaudier (Head of the FFPLUM Sports Division) and Pascal Vallée (Coach and Selector of the French Paramotor Team). Both talk with passion about sport in the middle of lockdown, about the lockdown season, about what comes after... |
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Covid-19: for now, nothing changes
The announcements about the start of lifting lockdown from 11 May have no concrete translation yet for our activity. For now it is still the conditions set out in the Covid-19 Memo that apply. Every flight plan request made to the Federation leads to a telephone conversation that relies only on the texts in force. Don’t forget: for the return to flying, the REV+ grant has been raised to €60! |
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Tour ULM 2020: where things stand
Like you, we are closely following developments in the Coronavirus situation. Given the exceptional conditions of this epidemic, you will understand that the 2020 TOUR ULM is now under threat. It is difficult to predict what can be envisaged once lockdown is lifted and how it will be applied. The Executive Board of 15 April decided, before taking a position, to wait and study how the pandemic develops, in order to decide whether to keep or cancel the 2020 TOUR ULM. We will keep you informed of any new developments. |
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Training: grants extended by 6 months
The Training division informs you that all grant applications currently in progress will be automatically extended by 6 months, starting 1 April. |
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Project to acquire federal bases (continued)
Many of you reacted positively to the project to acquire federal bases. It has been a long time since we invested in airfields, and there is real demand! The important thing is to know as well as possible the diversity of local situations and projects, so information needs to be exchanged as close to the ground as possible and a strategy defined in line with the federal specifications. When you get in touch, try to be as precise as possible about the context. For a project to get under way, the project holder must be an association. The Federation’s resources are “historically” limited compared with other sports, but this is a long-term investment and we will find other resources so that projects become reality. Contact: acquisitionbasefederale@ffplum.org |
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Colin Fargher, new world record holder!
On Saturday 14 September 2019, Colin Fargher, a weight-shift microlight pilot, together with his son Louis, broke the world distance record for a two-seat weight-shift microlight. They crossed France from east to west without landing. |
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Clubs: solidarity initiatives in our regions
Last week, we relayed in our newsletter and on our website the initiative of the Chambley club, which is offering air trial flights to people working on the front line during this pandemic: hospital or care-home staff, supermarket employees... Other organisations contacted us this week to let us know they wish to set up the same initiative. |
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FFPLUM Challenge: the best pictures of the week
The FFPLUM challenge continues. Thank you for the many responses we have had, and we are counting on you to keep going together until the end of the lockdown! Get your smartphones out, show off your hidden talents, and tell us about microlighting from home! In the meantime, here are the best photos and videos of the week! |
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While we wait to resume: the microlight quiz (part 4)
Flying is still banned, but it is also a chance to work on keeping our theoretical knowledge up to date! Here is part 4 of the quiz offered by the Training and Flight Safety division. This version is more interactive! Feel free to test yourself; it's the ideal way to recall a few basics! |
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Down the runway for dessert!
During lockdown, we called on the talents of our team of volunteers. Among them, Bruno Rascalou, president of the Occitanie Regional Committee and cooking teacher (trainer of the famous Cyril Lignac!), who agreed to share his cooking recipes with all the Federation’s members! So, get cooking for the first recipe: a grated apple and lemon tart! |
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The 2020 Licence Guide
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Friday 10 April - Special newsletter
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Newsletter - Friday 10 April - |
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Editorial: Everything starts from the ground! Federal bases acquisition project
This very particular period lets us look at the essential things differently. On the aviation side, being deprived of flying is a chance to remind ourselves that everything starts from the ground. France, a pioneer of aeronautics, has always benefited from very high-quality aerodrome infrastructure. The DGAC heritage committee published a few years ago a remarkable Atlas of airfields, available online. After the very dynamic phases of the pioneers, the Popular Front and then reconstruction, State policy took a quite different turn over the last 20 years. |
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Covid-19 and lockdown
A week ago we published a Covid 19 Memo that clearly sets out the extremely precise regulatory framework of permitted activities. We remind you that respecting the general interest requires us to apply lockdown with the utmost firmness. Fine weather, individual interests and bad examples set by some or others must not undermine the essential principles guiding our country in such tragic times. We would all be losers. |
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Lockdown & mechanics: what to do with our engines and machines?
On social media, some people are discovering brand-new mechanical skills and passing on information that is often contradictory. That is why we preferred to call on the specialists, CNFTE, ROTAX and others, to give you some advice during this period of lockdown. Let us ask the right question: has my machine (or the club’s) already been left for several weeks without flying, without running? The answer is certainly yes, and we therefore asked ourselves the same questions: what should we do? |
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Federal life: the Regional Committees Steering Group
In the middle of lockdown, the Regional Committees Steering Group (GPCR) has met several times by video conference. Here is its mission. |
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FFPLUM Challenge: the best pictures of the week
The FFPLUM challenge continues. Thank you for the many responses we have had, and we are counting on you to keep going together until the end of the lockdown! Get your smartphones out, show off your hidden talents, and tell us about microlighting from home! In the meantime, here are the best photos and videos of the week! |
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While waiting to resume: the microlight quiz (Part 3)
Flying is still banned, but it is also a chance to work on maintaining our theoretical knowledge! Here is the 3rd part of the quiz offered by the Training and Flight Safety division. This version is more interactive! Feel free to test yourself; it is the ideal way to recall a few basics! |
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A word from a member: Patrick, a former BPA man
Against the backdrop of a deserted, silent aerodrome, offering a new space of freedom to wildlife, men and women devoted to Icarus, inexorably stuck on the ground, flying machines stored at the back of hangars that are now out of reach. And to round off the scene, Lady Weather has offered us nothing but blue skies for some time now. |
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History: the essential microlight
Powered ultralight flying began with weight-shift microlights, which gave rise to innovative regulation and were only outnumbered by three-axis microlights a decade later. From the approximate motorisation of hang-gliders, including the Mac Culloch engines as early as 1974 and the Soarmaster in 1978, had sprung the brilliant weight-shift solution and the success of the Mosquito trikes |
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The 2020 Licence Guide
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Friday 3 April - Covid-19 memo
Friday 3 April - Newsletter
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Newsletter - Friday 3 April 2020 - |
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Editorial: When we fly again!
If we look at the tragic experiences around the world of the Covid-19 catastrophe, it is certain that lockdown will last all of April and, if we are optimistic, part of May. The lifting of lockdown will also be very slow and gradual, in stages, with long-term social distancing measures and special strategies for welcoming the public. Since the start of this lockdown period the Federation has held that no flight should be undertaken whether recreational or for instruction, by affiliated clubs or companies. |
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When EASA wants to take charge of our microlights...
In the middle of the COVID-19 crisis, we noticed a recent and very discreet EASA publication dated 18/03/2020. It is “Decision ED 2020 / 005/R” and its annexes, which deal with the possibility of counting “microlight” flight hours as “aeroplane” flight hours, flown on Annex I aircraft under “European Regulation (EU) 2018/1139” of 22/08/2018. |
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Damage insurance: information for organisations
Our microlights are all grounded. This situation is blocking our activity and endangering the cash flow of everyone involved in developing our sport. Associations, clubs, schools, OBLs and companies are particularly affected by this exceptional situation. Our broker Air Courtage has approached the damage insurers and tells us it has obtained from our federation TPL insurer AXAXL one-off measures for the benefit of these organisations. |
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Flying in France: a foretaste
During lockdown, the FFPLUM remains active! Watch the latest federal video with Jérôme Bonnard and Jean-Christophe Gibert! The latter travelled to French Guiana in early March with Pierre-Henri Lopez to set up the national seaplane flying division now taken over by Marc Dabrigeon. Discover magnificent images and a foretaste of the “Flying in France” series! |
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While waiting to resume: the microlight quiz (Part 2)
While we wait to resume, the training and flight safety committee offers you the 2nd part of its 40-question quiz. Not flying can let us work on maintaining our theoretical knowledge. So feel free to take a look at this quiz to recall a few basics! |
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FFPLUM Challenge: the best pictures from members
The FFPLUM challenge continues. Thank you for the many responses we have had, and we are counting on you to keep going together until the end of the lockdown! Get your smartphones out, show off your hidden talents, and tell us about microlighting from home! In the meantime, here are the best photos and videos of the week! |
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ULM Chambley: a solidarity initiative
Georges Humeau, president of the Chambley club, and the aviation enthusiasts of the microlight club, in addition to the help they can give locally, also want to prepare for the end of this exceptional health crisis by modestly showing their support, admiration and attachment to everyone on the front line right now. Georges is offering flights to hospital staff, care home staff, shop cashiers, transport workers and anyone in any other service working to make sure we want for nothing. Here is the link to the form for his club.
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Video: Galdez gathering at Gap-Tallard
The second Galdez gathering took place at the end of February, run by the national mountain flying division at Gap-Tallard aerodrome. Discover the weekend summary by clicking below. |
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The 2020 Licence Guide
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Friday 27 March - Special newsletter
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| Special newsletter No. 4 |
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As if…
The Federation's General Assembly should have been held this Saturday at the headquarters of the Directorate General for Civil Aviation. I thank the DGAC staff and the employees of our Federation who prepared this key moment for our movement in advance. It has of course been postponed. We plan to hold the General Assembly on Saturday 29 August in the late afternoon during the Blois microlight show, followed by a big celebration. All of this is of course subject to how the current crisis develops. |
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Update: information for organisations
Affiliated organisations, depending on your status, you may be eligible for support during this public health crisis. The French Microlight Federation has gathered various documents and sources of information to help you with your applications. |
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Extension of aeronautical qualifications
Contrary to some information published at the end of the week, there is no official DGAC position on extending qualifications in general aviation. The Secretary of State for Transport replied by letter on 26 March for professional aviation (letter attached by clicking here), proposing a period of four months, renewable. The Federation received it for information via the CNFAS. The DGAC’s position should be known next week, most likely based on the professional aviation template. |
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While we wait to resume: the microlight quiz
While we wait to resume, the training - flight safety committee offers you a quiz of 20 questions. Not flying can let us work on maintaining our theoretical knowledge. So feel free to take a look at this quiz to recall a few basics! |
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A word from a member: Patrick, microlight club president
All together to give people a dream! Keeping in touch, sharing our passion for aeronautics, learning from others’ experience… in these times of lockdown the instructors (aeroplane and microlight) of the Saint-Junien Flying Club have offered a fun activity using the Discord software usually used by “gamers”. So every two days between ten and twenty of us meet for a navigation lesson built around planning a simulated trip. |
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While we wait to resume: the FFPLUM challenge!
Take part in the FFPLUM challenge! From today, the Federation sets you a new challenge: every week, send us your best messages, testimonials, mood pieces or humour, in pictures, alone or with your family. Find the full press release by clicking below. |
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Thursday 26 March - Press release from the Minister for Sport
Sunday 22 March - Damage insurance and pilots in lockdown
Saturday 21 March - DGAC press release for recreational flight pilots
Thursday 19 March - Special newsletter
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Optimists!
Pascal writes in the Pensées: “When I have sometimes set myself to consider the various agitations of men, and the perils (…) from which spring so many quarrels, passions, bold and often wicked undertakings, etc., I have often said that all the unhappiness of men comes from one single thing, which is that they do not know how to stay quietly in a room. A man who has enough to live on, if he knew how to stay at home with pleasure, would not leave it to go to sea or to besiege a town. For pilots, instructors and managers who are drawn to nature and motor sports, often passionate about the sea and the mountains, involved in community life, and driven by a taste for passing on knowledge and for projects, finding themselves confined is a genuine mental revolution. |
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Affected activities: advice!
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A message from our firefighter pilot friends
In the current health crisis linked to the covid-19 coronavirus pandemic, it seems reasonable to recall a few guidelines. The government has indeed placed France at stage 3 of the coronavirus plan to curb the epidemic. What does that mean in practice? |
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Federal doctor: some advice
The lockdown needed for a few weeks to contain the pandemic will change our daily habits and routines. Below you will find the recommendations of Gérald Blücher, FFPLUM's doctor and a Board member, on screen time, your diet, physical activity, staying in touch and managing your medication. |
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Federal calendar: postponements under way
The Federation’s teams at head office are in direct contact with the organisers to postpone their events. At federal level, regional competitions are for the moment postponed to later dates, while the French championships are (for now) going ahead. |
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While we wait to resume: keep yourselves busy!
Well, here we are: the anticyclone is over France, the weather is fine across the whole country, but... Covid-19 has invited itself onto our territory and we are all stuck at home in lockdown. Let us look at the glass as half full and stay positive despite everything: it is a chance for all of us to finally do what we have put off for so long; we all have a more or less pronounced procrastinating side… During this period of health emergency, also take the opportunity to watch or rewatch our videos on our YouTube channel: Mechanics tutorials, Training tutorials, REV, Tour ULM, etc. |
