dutch

taildragging in The Netherlands still exists !!!!!
 

PH-VCY at Ameland airfield (North Sea island)

In the course of the sixties and seventies the Dutch aviation scene altered remarkably, as aircraft, covered in fabric, and often made of wooden components, were changed en masse for tin boxes with carpet on the floor, an ashtray and a cigarette lighter. In the past 25 years a further evolutiuon took place, and we now fly in plastic boxes. Not that is a real problem, because there is a reason for everything, and these new techniques have not been invented for nothing.

But what happened to the "old" boxes of steel tubing, wood and fabric? Often sold abroad, or just written off and scrapped. With the disappearance of the "old" boxes, the tailwheel vanished from the Dutch scene. Airfields were not that rough anymore, runway became hard surfaced, and the world was ready for nosewheels.

take-off runway 25 at Seppe airfield

Still, taildragging is a basic art. It takes more skill and command of the aircraft than flying in a nosewheel thing, and in some way is a greater challenge. One could compare it with looking at new horizons in flying as a hobby, like making longer cross-countries, getting an IF-rating, training aerobatics, etc.

Unfortunately, taildragging in The Netherlands is a limited commodity. In the past few years it is on the increase again, but often only for dual training flight or in secluded organizations. Also, in the glider world taildraggers are still used intensively.

About ten years ago a few fanatics decided to foud the Vliegend Museum Seppe (Flying Museum Seppe). One of the aims was to make classic taildragging more accessible to the piloting community. By acquiring the Piper PA-18-95 Super Cub PH-VCY, supporters of the museum were enabled to qualify for taildraggers. Until today, many pilots made use of this opportunity. Meanwhile, the possibility for taildragging has been expanded to other aircraft, like Piper J3c PH-GEN and Auster Mk.5 PH-NET. Around this core of aircraft, available for common use, other taildraggers are operated privately, like Chipmunk, Luscombe, Tiger Moth.

ready for pre-flight

If you want more information, contact us by e-mail. 

For more information on Vliegend Museum Seppe, click here. For information about other activities in taildragging, have a look at the website of Tiger Moth G-AJHS:

last update 17-06-2000