@Lenthamen: I never stated the flight is impossible. Yet flying low along the coast, boarded either with dense population (Randstad) or industry (Rotterdam port) is perhaps not impossible but it does present an increased hazard. Neither have I forgotten this accident .
If I really wanted to, I could and I would do it – skirting the Randstad on the East side is not impossible, either.
But for pushing my boundaries, I prefer flying into France, or Germany, or even beyond. Scenery is more attractive, legal restrictions far more relaxed, more aerodromes and more welcoming of G/A. Not to mention the cuisine, better and more affordable – microlight flying is all about tight budgets!
@Dublinpilot: The Dutch are not the only ones to ramp check – a couple weeks ago in Vichy ALL planes were rampchecked, not even by the DGAC but by (a specialised team from?) the gendarmerie. If and when authorities decide to ramp check, they’ll do it at some gathering or fly-in, I’d not be surprised to be checked today or tomorrow at Schaffen EBDT. No issue there.
As regards “just do it” and “who cares about the ELT requirement?” and more such, would you believe I even respect speed limits when driving? Even when I know there are no speed cameras? Microlight pilots already have a bad reputation for “cowboy mentality”, I see no reason to add to that.
I am thinking about coming to EHTX, it’s just a 30 min hop for me. What day and time are you planning to be there?
Last year the dutch aviation police did indeed rampchecks at te fly-in. So they can be present also this year.
When I hear that you are avoiding the Netherlands makes me more mad on the dutch CAA. Why all the stupid rules
Great to hear, you are considering to come Jan.
It’s time for fun!
In that kind of situation I would fly somewhere else and take a train/bus there.
Ramp checks in the Netherlands are rare, as they are elsewhere. I fly out of a Netherlands airport and it has happened to me only once. The officers who do them are very friendly and efficient. If you have the appropriate documents with you there should be no issue.
Texel is a very friendly and, unless your aircraft doesnt like grass, easy place to fly to.
Flying down the West Coast at 1,000 ft VFR is entirely suitable in the Netherlands, people do it all the time.
Peter – as Texel is an island you’d be talking about a train/bus and a ferry!
JayBee, I second that – I have my PPL for 11 years and I’ve never been checked here.
I doubt anybody is concerned about having their normal papers checked. The tricky one is the certificate of free circulation for VAT, if you are non-EU reg (e.g. N-reg). In that area, the police (or whatever you want to call them) are the judge, jury and executioner. These checks are very rare – I have never had one – but even though I do carry a genuine CofFC, I would not fly to an airport where I am likely to get it.
It was also the the first time a saw them, in my 9 years of flying,
We have also other microlights from Belgium and France coming who probaly also don’t have an ELT.
The look out is great for the fly-in. We have until now 89 aircraft registered.
We have many Europa’s(founders of the fly-in), RV’s, vintage aircraft coming in. See the complete list at: Link
A little foreplay how it was last year:
Oldest flying PBY Catalina(‘41) comes to the Texel Fly-in. Flying Circus flies in with a beautiful black-copper Boeing Stearman(’43) to tell aviation stories.to the young and the old. The mark of 100 participants is passed, there is lots of room available for beautiful airplanes. Fly-in and have fun at the Texel Fly-in. See futher program details at http://www.texelflyin.nl/program/
Last weekend the fly-in was finally there. Despite the low clouds, we had a stunning 160 visiting airplanes. From homebuilt to vintage to warbirds.
The reading from Flying Focus was interesting and many pilots took the advantage to pick a bicycle and tour on the beautiful Island.
During the barbecue on saturday 100 pilots chit chatted about there amazing adventures they had.
