At the Aéroclub du Var, a day to bring your dreams to life
On May 18, the Aéroclub du Var opened its doors for an exceptional day of aerial discovery, accessible to all, young and old.
At the Cuers-Pierrefeu airfield, this day allowed the general public to discover the world of aviation. Ranked among the top 10 clubs in France in terms of members, this establishment trains enthusiasts and future professional pilots every year. MAKING AVIATION ACCESSIBLE The Aéroclub had invited the general public to come take flight between sea and mountains aboard its planes.
This day was therefore an opportunity to fulfill dreams and discover the joys of flying. Faithful to its history and mission, the club wishes to make aviation accessible to all, breaking down prejudices.
Founded in 1934, it is celebrating its 91st anniversary this year. Since its creation, it has trained hundreds of pilots and organized numerous events to promote aviation. Today, it has a fleet of 8 aircraft (Robin DR400, Piper PA28, Evektor SportStar, etc.), allowing members to practice their passion under optimal conditions.
The association is also committed to training young people through the Brevet d'Initiation Aéronautique (BIA), recognized by the Éducation nationale. It allows young people to discover aeronautics and benefit from financial aid to continue their learning. Thus, in 2023, the club recorded 4,038 flight hours with 316 members (23 women and 293 men).
Among them, 242 licensed pilots and 72 student pilots in training. It also has 19 volunteer instructors and 3 employees to ensure its operation.
Visitors enjoyed an engaging program featuring an aircraft exhibition, the discovery of different types of aircraft used by the club, and an introduction to air navigation. And for the curious, a flight simulator provided an immersive experience behind the controls of a virtual airplane. During this day, the CIRFA Air et Marine presented careers in the Armée de l'Air and the Marine.
Finally, the day took place in the presence of Bernard Mouttet, mayor of Cuers, René Melzani, deputy mayor, Chief Warrant Officer Astier from CIRFA Air Toulon, Daniel Bezard, vice-president of the club, Sabri Zeglil, in charge of communication, and Marie Charlotte, secretary.
PLEASE NOTE... For more information about the club, visit the official website or social media (Facebook and Instagram).
Bernard BERTUCCO VAN DAMME (text and photos).