The end is near. Sightseeing flights with the historic Dakota end at Groningen Eelde Airport. Today the last flights left Drenthe. “It’s bittersweet,” says pilot Edward Clapp.
The organizing airline Dutch Dakota Association (DDA) Classic Airlines will cease operations after September, but today were the last flights from Groningen Eelde Airport. The DDA is closed for various reasons. For example, the lease for the aircraft storage facility in Schiphol was cancelled and no other accommodation was available.
The European Commission has also banned the use of the Dakota’s flying fuel, AvGas, from 2025. Aviation regulations no longer target historic aircraft of this caliber. “We’re really running into all sorts of aviation laws and regulations,” Clapp says.
This causes a lot of sadness, not only among the pilots, but also among Dakota fans. Boele Olthof flew the plane for the first and last time today. A dream come true. “I have owned this plane in various collections since I was a kid,” he laughs. “When I look at it like this, I feel childish enthusiasm again.”
Flying the Dakota is not only an experience for the passengers, but also for the pilots. Clapp calls the plane a “vehicle,” and it is not comparable to a regular airliner. Everything is operated manually. “We also have to navigate with a map in our lap. It feels like an airplane,” Clapp jokes.
That’s not how Olthoff would describe the plane. “I’m very tall and have a lot of legroom here, and I think this could become standard.” The interior, Olthoff says, has a spartan appearance. “I can imagine that when you were using this plane, it was a great pleasure.”
The plane seats 18 passengers. Clapp describes it as a school trip: “Everyone is so excited and looking forward to it.” Olthoff agrees. “This is really top of the bill.” Not only is he excited to fly, but seeing the plane from the ground is fun. “It’s the whole process: checking in, taking pictures, smelling it. In a word? Awesome!”
It is a disappointment to both gentlemen that sightseeing flights to Dakota have been discontinued. DDA hopes the device will remain in the Netherlands with someone who will take good care of it.