Following the success of the 2022 Waltz around Texas and the 2023 Tango Round the Outback, we are pleased to introduce you to the “2024 European Quickstep”. With no real opportunities for GA flying in Singapore, we are instead bringing our IFFR “Post Convention” Flyaway to Europe.

We will start our European Quickstep tour on Friday 5 July in Copenhagen, Denmark. Over the next 9 days we will take you from Scandinavia, through Germany and the Netherlands to Brussels, Belgium where our flyaway will end in spectacular style at our final night Gala dinner on the evening of Saturday 13 July, with departures on Sunday 14 July (unless you choose to stay longer and explore more).

This adventure is organised as a collaboration between the Nordic, German/Austrian and Benelux Sections to showcase the best that Northern Europe has to offer. New for 2024, the first weekend at the start of the Quickstep will also be the Nordic Section’s annual fly in meeting, and the last weekend will be the Benelux Section’s annual fly in meeting . Thousands of years of European history and culture, European capital cities, castles, museums, music, cars, boats, planes and islands are all on the agenda as well as novel aviation experiences and, of course, lots of opportunities for truly international fellowship.

The attached flyer gives a good indication of what we are planning. On the ground, we will have a luxury 50 seater coach, providing a comfortable way to see Europe for those not flying and for all of us on the days when we have a ground-based programme. On the flying days, our GA aircraft will lead the way, and on occasions may take the Long Way Around, but we will all be together each evening.

All your accommodation and dinners and some of your lunches, as well as all the experiences, are included in the registration fee. The exact price will be dependent on numbers. With around 45 attending, it’s expected to be €2,750 per person (approx. US$3,000 or AU$4,500), for those double/twin sharing. Single supplement (expected to be a few hundred euros) will be confirmed very shortly. These prices include a healthy contingency which if not required will be refunded, in the same way that we have made refunds after the 2022 and 2023 Flyaways.

IF YOU ARE POTENTIALLY INTERESTED IN COMING, PLEASE EMAIL GEORGE RITCHIE AT PRESIDENT@IFFR.ORG EXPRESSING YOUR INTEREST AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
THIS DOES NOT COMMIT YOU – BUT WE NEED TO HAVE AN IDEA OF POTENTIAL NUMBERS IN ORDER TO FINALISE THE PROGRAMME AND PRICING.

George Ritchie

Please note the final programme will be issued in the next few weeks when we have finalised arrangements, and have a clearer expectation of numbers which will enable us to determine final pricing.

If you have questions, join the IFFR Special General Meeting next Tuesday, 28 November, at 20.00 UTC and raise them with us then.

EMAIL YOUR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

FURTHER INFORMATION

1. Do you want to rent a plane in Europe?
   If you are coming from outside Europe and want to rent a plane, the two steps are (i) sorting the paperwork and (ii) renting the plane.

Paperwork – for those with FAA licences can rent an “N” registered plane based in Europe and fly on your FAA licence. Otherwise, you can apply for the EU 28 day “holiday licence”. This is a bit like what we did in Australia, but we believe the paperwork will be easier. See the article HERE

Rental – We are contacting flying clubs and individuals to provide you with a list of places where you can go to rent a plane. Note that it would be your responsibility to contact the providers and make your own arrangements with them at your own risk. As this is a “one-way” tour, renters will need to get to Roskilde from their rental location and return the plane afterwards. Don’t worry, though, Europe is much smaller than the US or Australia. At this stage, we need to have an idea of approximately how many planes we expect to be rented. So, if you are thinking of coming and would like to rent (on your own or shared with other pilots), please tell us when you email us.

2. Getting to and from the Quickstep
   Copenhagen and Brussels are both great gateway cities. Well-connected in Europe, with direct flights to/from the US, and with easy one stop access from Asia/Australasia. More details are provided in the flyer, but do contact us if you need any help in understanding how to get to or around Europe.
3. Attending the Nordic or Benelux section meetings only
   Separate registration will be available for those wishing to attend only the Nordic or Benelux Section meetings only – as has been the case in previous years, priced to cover those events only. Watch this space for more information.

We hope you will make the European Quickstep part of your travel plans for 2024.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Yours in IFFR fellowship

The Organising Committee

• Nordic Section – Svend Andersen & Roland Johnsson
• German/Austrian Section – Fritz Breitenthaler
• Benelux Section – Kris de Keyser & Ingrid Witvrouwen
• IFFR World – George Ritchie and Mike McFarlane