Discover Martinique with ACF Aviation

I have an appointment this morning with Tom Fanchette to experience a discovery flight. I’ve chosen a one-hour combined Presqu’île de la Caravelle + les Salines flight to discover the natural beauty and diversity of this Caribbean island from the air!

I’m in luck, the weather is superb, the sky is clear and the sun is shining: ideal conditions…

Directing to the general aviation area behind the airport, I find Tom who welcomes me warmly. Over a cup of coffee, I take the opportunity to ask him a few questions about himself and his team.

Personally I took over the flying school in 2016, I was doing initiations and discovery flights. Since 2019, I’ve relaunched the training courses as well as the whole instruction part.

Today‘we have 4 aircraftincluding 3 4-seater Cessna 172s,we can take up to 3 passengers (in addition to the pilot).

I‘have a great team of passionate young instructor pilotss. The‘ambiance is friendly and convivial, our customers and elèves feel it well, it‘is part of the successès of‘ACF! For all that, we work very hard and veryès seriously, it‘is essential ! “

The islets of Robert and François

The cAtlantic coast is wonderful with all its islets, its camaïeu of blue, from the lightest to turquoise and those white backgrounds that pop up in the middle of the‘océan. Chancel, Madame, Oscar, Thierry… Tom enumeratesè me the names of the islets we’re flying over with the point of‘orgue the célébrissime Baignoire de Joséphine. I‘get an eyeful! I know these places but they take on a whole new dimension and I rediscover them in wonder.

L’étang et la plage des Salines

Après la mangrove de la baie des Anglais et l‘anse Trabaud, the‘plane passes the cape that separates the‘Atlantic Ocean from the Cara Seaïbes, we head up the coast to Martinique’s most iconic beach, les Salines, famousèfor its natural beauty linede with coconut palms. The spectacular panoramic view captures the essence of Martinique: verdant mountains, golden beaches and turquoise waters stretch to perte de vue, creant an enchanting picture that only an aerial flight can offer.

Renowned for its professionalism and passionate pilot instructors, the school offers two types of training:

• ABL (Autorisation de Base): Accessible from age 16 (with parental authorization), the ABL represents a minimum of 6h of dual-control flight training with an instructor. The ABL will enable you to fly an airplane by day, alone on board and within a 45km radius of the departure airfield. It’s a perfect start, and the best motivation for further training.
• Private Pilot License: Accessible from the age of 17, the PPL(A) private pilot license represents training of around 35h of dual flight and 10h alone on board. The license allows you to fly as pilot-in-command with no restrictions on distance or destination.