PIREPs by Tobias

Basically, everything’s been said: very good for a visit to the (beautiful!) city. IFR approach, short walking distances, good public transport links: bus from stop "Pottier" to Place Stanislas in 10 minutes. The AFIS operators speak perfect English and are very helpful. Parking directly in front of the small terminal, restaurant looks nice but we didn’t try it. For re-entry, have the radio frequency handy as the code. Neither on arrival nor on departure was anyone in the C office, so no landing fee paid. Recommended: Hotel "Les Prélats" in a beautiful historic building, very central next to the Cathédrale Notre Dame.

UPDATE 2025: Hotel "Les Prélats" does no longer exist. „Hotel de Guise“ is similarly charming, centrally located and reasonably priced

Nice small airfield in Franche-Comté, within walking distance (~20 min) of the old town. The walk there is somewhat hilly. The quality of dining in town seems to have declined since my last visit—where there used to be nice restaurants, there are now, in part, fast-food outlets, or the offerings and opening hours are much reduced despite peak season. But the ambience and the possibility of arriving by aircraft make up for it.

Uncontrolled, radio French only. Taxiways partly with tall grass along the edges, parking space somewhat limited. No landing or parking fees. Fuel probably only via the aeroclub—not yet tested.

Very good, straightforward airfield for training and visits to the beautiful city. The field is controlled but has no control zone, and the IFR procedures are entirely in Class G airspace. Repeated approaches are also possible, no pleading or prior notice—just fly in.
Payment via AeroPS or at the terminal. Access to the airside is by entering the TWR frequency at the entrance gate.
Parking on asphalt is sometimes not possible despite generous apron space.
For VFR arrivals and departures, observe the overflight prohibitions to the north and south (city center).

Training flight with an 80PS-DV20 (MTOM 730 kg) in August. No customs notification required, and on site there was no inspection or other formalities.

Approach via Flüela–Zernez–ECHO was uneventful; on departure from RWY 21 toward SIERRA and onward to Maloja, at DA 6900 ft our aircraft needed an extra circuit to climb.

Landing fee 41 SFR still OK; at the restaurant "Intersection", coffee and a tasty cheese roll for 6 SFR is downright cheap.

A "bucket list" airport, but ultimately there are, especially in summer in the Alps, alternatives without Mandatory Training and with at least equally attractive surroundings.

Everything previously written still holds. Worth highlighting are the very friendly ground service and the extremely generous, well‑maintained infrastructure. 30 CHF for a 1.5 t SEP (domestic) is almost a bargain—certainly entirely reasonable. For SET & above, however, the fee schedule is quite steep. Excellent bicycles are available free of charge subject to availability; a small fee applies for a reservation if desired. Quiet, both at the field and in Saanen/Gstaad itself (possibly due to current extra‑Schengen travel restrictions), but postcard‑perfect scenery wherever you look.