Burda Publishing Gmb. was the only major publisher who didn't operate out of the mega-centres in North-central Germany; the plant was located in Offenburg, 7 miles off the approach end of Lahr's runway 21. The company heavily depended upon it's aircraft for communications. During normal operations, civilian aircraft would not be authorized to fly IFR within the Canadian controlled airspace. However, after the Burda pilots were briefed on the Canadian ATC SOPs, including PAR, and they had standing permission to request authorization for IFR flights to and from Offenburg, including PAR to a cloud break. This "special permission" even extended to a PPR to use Lahr as a weather alternate. Some of the aircraft were even channelized to the Lahr ATC frequencies, and one was TACAN equipped.
The Burdas had their own private vineyard and Gasthaus in Offenburg. Once a year, Lahr ATC was invited there to enjoy an all expenses paid evening of wining and dining, live music and companionship. Other guests included the Burda and other local civilian pilots, German military pilots, and German civilian and military ATC. The menu rivalled any five star restaurant. A highway cruiser bus was provided as transport for the Canadians.
It didn't stop there! "Rides" were provided for Canadian ATC members and spouses to several spots in Europe; ask Pierre Lacasse about his trip to Switzerland. One particular trip to Vienna turned into somewhat of an adventure for some couples. After depositing the Canadians there, the Falcon departed for another location, planning to return for a pick-up later that day. Around the appointed time, the Burda party was paged to an information kiosk, where they were informed that "their" aircraft had blown an engine and would not be coming to pick them up. As they were trying to figure how they were going to get back home from half way across Europe, the Burda party was paged to the Lufthansa desk, were they were handed tickets for the next flight to Frankfurt. Things were looking up, since trains ran from the Frankfurt airport to Offenburg, a two hour trip. If they couldn't "swing" a ride from Offenburg through friends, a taxi ride, albeit expensive, would get them home. Upon arrival at Frankfurt, the Burda party was once again paged to an information kiosk. Awaiting them there were two of Burda's pilots, with limousines, to provide the Canadians with transportation to their home doorsteps. Now that was class, but typical of the appreciation expressed by Herr Burda for the special relationship he enjoyed with the Canadians (he got a trip in a CF-18).
Updated: April 18, 2005