27 July 2019: Dutch Dakota over Frisian Lakes


Fast Forward to 2019. Looking for an alternative for the missed flight in the Catalina, I found the Dutch Dakota Association. It was possible to book a flight aboard PH-PBA.

This Dakota has quite a bit of history. It was build in 1944. It took part in Operation Overlord. She dropped paratroopers near the beaches of Normandy. Then in September of the same year, she towed a glider during Operation Market Garden. Then after the War, the plane was gifted to HRH Prince Bernard, the husband of future Queen Juliana. The Prince found out pretty quick that owning a Dakota is quite an expensive hobby. So he gave the plan to the Dutch government, with the condition that he be allowed to fly her any time he wanted. That sounds like a nice deal! As a government plane, PH-PBA flew during the Berlin Airlift. Later in life she became a plane used for scientific work. After hanging is a museum, she finally became part of the fleet of the Dutch Dakota Association.

So I picked a flight. I wanted to start with a short flight. It had been a while since I had flown, and that was in a modern Boeing. So half an hour should do. And then a flight over some Frisian Lakes. Nice photo opportunities, and a long enough flight to gain an unforgettable experience.


So we arrived at Lelystad Airport. A very small and relaxed airport. Entering the plane was an experience on its own. I was a steep uphill walk to the front of the plane. I sat next to a window in a very hot plane. It was over 30 degrees Celsius (86F). The pilot told us that as soon we were airborne there would ben cool air coming through the open cockpit windows. And he was right.


There was quite a bit of turbulence, especially flying over large windmills. But I soon got used to that (even if I did hurt my knee when I stood up from my seat when the plane suddenly went up and I landed on my knees). As soon as we were airborne, we were allowed to leave our seats and explore the plane, including the cockpit. The view from all the different windows was beautiful!





After landing back at Lelystad we all got a certificate and a pin of a Dakota (gold or silver). That was a great flight. I decided there and then that I would try to make a historic flight at least oce a year. I also became a member of the 'Friends of the Dutch Dakota Association'.







Reacties

Een reactie posten

Populaire posts van deze blog

13 October 2020: Klemm KL35D, Trainer of the Luftwaffe

Afbeelding
After missing the chance to fly in a warbird at Egmond Vintage Wings' Open Hangar Day, I went back to the airfield nearly two months later. The weather wasn't great, it was cold and grey. But hey, I got to fly along in an historic plane! The Klemm I originaly wanted to fly was repaired, so this was the plane of choice. This KL35D (D-ECCI) was build in 1940, and used during the war to train future Luftwaffe pilots. It was a strange feeling to be sitting where once these pilots sat before they went to war in Messerschmitts, Junckers, Focke Wulfs and Heinkels... It was quite exciting to go into the air in an open cockpit. I hadn't flown in many planes back then. And there was not a lot plane around you. But after a short feeling of uneasiness it was beautiful! I had a GoPro on my wrist and a photo camera in my other hand. Shame about the grey weather, but that's what to be expected in October.
Meer lezen

19 September 2021: Second time in the Dutch Dakota

Afbeelding
  As a friend of the Dutch Dakota Association I had to fly PH-PBA again as soon as covid would allow it. In 2020 there were no flights, so 2021 was the first opportunity. This time I took my eldest daughter along for her first flight in a plane. I want my children to have their first flight in style! This time we flew from Eelde (Groningen Airport EHGG). We flew over the city of Groningen en over the surrounding countryside. It was beautiful flight in sunny weather, so we could see a lot. But it is ofcourse all about those engines in a classic airframe which makes all the difference.
Meer lezen