20 airports in 1 day - a unique mission for Charity
June 20th 2025 | Charity flight | VFR | All Dutch airports
Welcome to my blog! On June 20, 2025 I performed a unique flight together with my good friend Pim van Berkel: in one day we visited 20 Dutch airports for charity, we did this under the name: Wings for Smiles. This day was not only a tribute to Stichting Hoogvliegers, but also a great demonstration of what is involved in good flight planning, efficiency and flexibility in aviation - exactly the qualities I bring as a freelance pilot.
Leg 1 Eindhoven to Maastricht
On 0800 hours local time our Bristell B23, callsign PH-ZLD, took off and made its way onto the taxiway of Eindhoven Airport. Runway 21 was in use, the sky was clear blue and we drove our crate to the ‘run-up’ location where we performed the final engine test before our departure. All instruments were in the green, the tower was asked if we could get clearance to depart. No commercial aircraft were about to land so pilots Pim van Berkel and Olivier van Dijk took off with a rolling start and began their grand adventure!
Eindhoven Airport is located west of the city of Eindhoven. To leave the control area we have to follow a standardized route. This takes us via the A2 motorway to the south of Eindhoven. After which we may change frequency from the tower and set our course towards the province of rolling hills, Limburg. Located in this province is our first stop of the day. Maastricht Aachen Airport. In Maastricht, runway 03 is in use. After landing at 0843, the gentlemen are escorted by a marshaller to their parking spot. Here they are met by someone from the airport who welcomes them with warmth. Together they take some pictures for the socials, shake hands and the gentlemen continue their journey to their next destination: Budel.
Leg 2 Maastricht to Budel
At Maastricht Aachen Airport, the gentlemen must give way to a commercial flight, which is turning down the runway and taxiing ahead of them to its parking spot. Meanwhile, another flight has turned onto the runway and is rolling to the end of the runway to turn and line up for its departure. Given the length of the runway and the maneuver, this gives the gentlemen in their relatively small aircraft a chance to turn onto the runway behind the big plane with their noses pointed in the right direction. After which the boys receive clearance to take off. The time is 0905. After the climb, they follow the Meuse River north. Near the Claus power plant in Maasbracht, they change course towards Kempen Airport, located in Budel.
For those trying to follow the route using a map of our country during this story, something will stand out. The gentlemen are flying back where they just came from! This is completely correct. The reason for this is not because we do not understand that we are flying up and down unnecessarily. Or that we made a big blunder and immediately forgot about an airport. No, the reason is simple. Kempen Airport was not open earlier that day.
Het vliegveld wordt vanaf het zuiden aangevlogen. De baanrichting is 03 met een rechterhand circuit. De landing vindt plaats om 0916. Here the gentlemen are received by someone from DTV, Wilco. De mannen kennen elkaar al. Ze zijn namelijk vorige week nog geïnterviewd. Gedurende deze twee vluchten hebben de jongens al het een en ander gefilmd. Omdat ze tijdens deze drukke dag geen tijd hebben om uitgebreid een interview te houden. Gaan ze de beelden van de eerste twee vluchten hier delen met Wilco. Die het dan kan verwerken in de uitzending van die avond. Ook filmt Wilco hen hoe ze hier aankomen en vertrekken. Het zijn prachtige beelden geworden!
Leg 3 Budel to Teuge
In Budel at Kempen Airport, a beautiful Pilatus PC-12 takes off shortly before us. At 0941 we take off and set course for Apeldoorn. Indeed, east of Apeldoorn is Teuge Airport in the village of the same name. On the way we first encounter controlled airspace. Among others from Peel, Eindhoven and Volkel. By radio we have contact with air traffic control and get permission to cross the airspace. After asking if we can fly over the runway of Volkel, because we like it, we get permission to do so. After crossing the runway we set our course to Teuge. On the way we fly over Nijmegen and Arnhem. Then we pass Deelen airfield and glider airfield Terlet. The trailers containing the gliders are already parked next to the runway. Teuge is approached via the first exit to the right of junction Beekbergen. Where the A50 and A1 freeways meet. From this exit we fly to the north after which we enter the circuit. Runway 08 is in use and we land at 1022. With this, this leg ended up being the longest of the day and lasted 41 minutes.
Once we turned onto the taxiway, we continued to Bluetail Aviation's hangar. One of our main sponsors and the main sponsor of Teuge Airport for Wings for Smiles. This is also where we meet Remco. He is present because he wants to write a piece about us for the AOPA Magazine. In the end our interview can be seen in edition : .... We take some snacks and water before we quickly move on to our next destination.
Leg 4 Teuge to Twente
We cab out from the hangar at Teuge Airport. We arrive at the engine test site and get going. All instruments are in green. We line up for runway 08, the throttle goes forward and we roll! When we take off it's 1050.
This flight takes us from Teuge Airport next to Apeldoorn to Twente Airport, located north of Enschede. Twente is east of Teuge, also the direction we are taking off to. So we continue the course to the east. After a while we call up Twente tower. We would like to land directly on runway 05. Because this saves us time compared to approaching the standard route. After we request this, the harbor master says, to our surprise, that runway 23 is in use. Until now we have landed at every field in an easterly direction. Therefore, we now ask again about the wind at the field. The harbor master says that the wind here too is from the east. To which we ask again if it is then okay to land on runway 05 with this wind. This is agreed to.
The landing took place at 1110 and we park in front of the Twente Airport building. Here we are welcomed by an employee who helps us shoot a picture. Unfortunately, there is not much time for an extensive chat, as by now we were already 20 minutes behind schedule.
Leg 5 Twente to Hoogeveen
From the parking lot it is only a short cab before we are at the runway, we do all the checks and all the lights are green. Because the runway is very long, we can take off through the intersection halfway, line up with runway 05 and go!
After takeoff we turn north, to go in a straight line to Hoogeveen Airport. It is only a short flight, at 1124 we are in the air, at 1145 we are on the ground again with all three wheels. On the way to Hoogeveen a large tuft of smoke seemed visible in the distance, but it was hard to see so had not reported this. It was quiet in Hoogeveen, but we were requested to neatly follow standard procedures, so we flew over the airport to fly the approach route on the north side. We make a landing on runway 09 and have just made our first landing on grass. We will cab alongside the runway to park in front of the tower.
There was no one welcoming us this time so we had to get creative to take a picture with the banner. We leaned a mobile against a Highflyers toy, started the timer and posed.
Leg 6 Hoogeveen to Stadskanaal
Because we took the picture ourselves at Hoogeveen and no one spoke to us, we could quickly move on to our next destination, Stadskanaal! Here we could nicely make up some minutes on the delay that had already occurred, so 7 minutes after turning off the engine we were already taxiing to runway 09.
This was going to be our first takeoff on grass today. After finishing all the checklists we were ready for takeoff again, it was still quiet so we could take off immediately, at 1156 the wheels were off and our course to the north-east. We were now flying in the direction of the smoke cloud we saw on the previous flight, now it had grown incredibly large and blown out by the wind. Now we knew for sure that something was well wrong, we made a report over the radio about the fire. Traffic control notified the local fire department and reported back to us that an agricultural fire had already been reported in that region. This will not be the only fire we encounter today.
Stadskanaal's standard approach route is to the south, so we could follow it nicely and then make a landing on today's shortest runway: 500 meters. Both pilots had not been to Stadskanaal before, it is a picturesque airfield where mainly Ultralight aircraft are flown. Again, it was not yet busy when we land at 1214. We parked next to the runway, paid the landing fee to the harbor master and asked someone sitting on the terrace to take our picture.
Leg 7 Stadskanaal to Oostwold
After a short chat with the person who took a picture of us we are ready to leave for Oostwold again. We cab to the head of runway 06 and take off, we make a rolling start at 12:28 and are off for half the runway, estimated take-off distance around 200 meters, not bad!
Then we turn north to go in a straight line to Oostwold, this will have a shared first place for the shortest flight we will make, for at 12:39 we already put the wheels on the ground in Oostwold. The approach route here is actually from the north, but in consultation with the port authority we were able to arrive directly from the south on runway 06, as there was no one else around the airfield at that time.
We park in one of the last spots available, take a quick picture ourselves before we leave again. Again, this gives us a quick “turn-around time,” as 6 minutes after turning off the engine we are already taxiing back to the runway.
Leg 8 Oostwold to Groningen
After 6 minutes on the ground, we are already on our way to take off from runway 06. Meanwhile, we get into a good flow of cooperation to perform all checks efficiently, without skipping anything. As a result, we are quickly ‘airborne’ again en route to our next destination: Eelde Airport. After a number of flights from uncontrolled airports, we are now heading back to a controlled port.
Departing Oostwold, we follow the standard departure route north before setting a westerly course to Groningen. We quickly listen to the ATIS to know what the weather is and which runway is in use, then call the controller to ask if we may go directly to the runway. We get a fairly immediate clearance which minimizes wasted time.
After a smooth landing, we leave the runway and are allowed to park in front of the tower, where two representatives of Stichting Hoogvliegers are enthusiastically waiting for us. Also waiting for us is a representative of our Groningen main sponsor Kavel 10. After the usual photos and a look at one of Lot 10's special aircraft, it was time to board again.
Leg 9 Groningen to Drachten
After spending a little too much time on the ground in Eelde (15 minutes), it was time again to leave for the next airfield where both pilots had never been: Drachten airfield.
After a short bit of taxiing and doing all the checks all the lights were back on green, however, something unexpected had happened, right next to the runway a fire started. The dry grass became so hot that it ignited. As a result, all traffic was stopped. It eventually took the fire department 12 minutes to reach the fire after which it was quickly extinguished. Thus, this is already the second fire we encountered today!
After serving our longest ground time (16 minutes) it was time to leave for Drachten, the flight lasted a good 13 minutes. We made a landing on runway 07 which is the only runway in the Netherlands that has an experience requirement for the pilot, you must have flown 100 hours as captain. After landing we were able to park at the end of runway 07 to take a quick picture ourselves.
Leg 10 Drachten to Ameland
Because of the delay in Groningen, we didn't mind that no one was waiting for us in Drachten. This allowed us to quickly take our own picture before continuing on to Ameland.
In Drachten it was windless, this allowed us to use runway 25 to take off. This was very convenient because we were parked next to the start of runway 25! For this reason we managed to set our fastest turn-around time at Drachten. 4 minutes after our engine was turned off we were already take-off, we started flying like a well-oiled ROTAX engine!
After an 18-minute flight through the airspace of Leeuwarden Airbase, we were able to put our feet down on our first Wadden Island. On Ameland, we met an acquaintance who was kind enough to take a picture of us.
Leg 11 Ameland to Texel
For the eleventh time today we turn on the engine. We have to cab over the bumpy taxiway of Ameland. Pim puts on some extra gas, but this makes it very difficult for Olivier to fill in the next flight plan, which they need from texel to den helder. This is because they bounce quite a bit over the bumps of the taxiway. Just before runway 08 the engine test is performed and after no madness occurs we go take-off, the time is 1433.
This is a very beautiful flight. In fact, it takes us over 4 Wadden Islands. Ameland, Terschelling, Vlieland and Texel. Above Vlieland is a reserved piece of airspace. The “ romeo four ” this can be active when fighter planes are busy on a large piece of shooting range to the west of Ameland. Fortunately, the flight information region tells us it is not active.
On Texel, runway 03 is in use. We fly from the east directly on the downwind and landed at 1500. Olivier is very familiar with Texel Airport. He worked there for 2 seasons and flew sightseeing flights. We are welcomed with open arms by Ed and Stephanie de Bruijn. They have a nice chat ready as always and take a picture for us here. After telling them all about our day, we get ready to continue the trip. Next destination: de Kooy Airport.
Leg 12 Texel to De Kooy
While waving, we taxied out to runway 03 on Texel. Here, since our turn to final, is another coffin. This one said earlier on the radio that he was having problems with his GPS. It would show an error message that would not disappear. Just before we want to line up he taxied across the runway back to the apron of Texel Airport because the problems cannot be elevated. Shortly thereafter we take off and then it's 1517.
The route to Den Helder is short. We fly southwest, crossing the Wadden Sea. Even before we leave Texel we enter the control area of the Kooy Tower. Despite our request for a direct route to the runway, we have to use the standard route. This takes us to runway 03 where we land at 1528.
It is quiet at the Kooy. So quiet that there is no one there but us. That's why the tower allows us to stop in the middle of the taxiway. Where we get out and quickly take our picture. This allowed us to save some nice time by staying close to the runway.
Leg 13 De Kooy to Middenmeer
Quickly get back in and move on! We climb back into the box. Request to take off. Cab out to intersection delta 3. Where another engine test is performed and we take off at 1540.
Once again, we have to leave the field via a standard route. Fortunately, the departure Echo is on the right road to our next destination, Middenmeer Airport. Middenmeer is a new airfield. Until recently it was only open to Micro Light Aircraft. Now planes up to a maximum weight of 890kg are also allowed to land. What makes Middenmeer unique is not only its age. Also that it is located right under a windmill! Pretty easy to spot, such a windmill. Although, in a sea of windmills surrounding the village of Middenmeer in North Holland, it still becomes a challenge experienced the men. They look carefully for the field but cannot find it right away. They decide to take a big turn around and try again to find a reference point via the map.
This succeeds and they see two windmills with a road between them. There lies the field! From the south the field is approached. They report to the field over large greenhouses via radio and fly up the downwind. After a mixed base and final leg, they landed at 1553. Here the gentlemen met occupants of a coffin they saw earlier on Texel. One of the gentlemen is asked if they can take a picture of us. After which we continue on our way.
Leg 14 Middenmeer to Lelystad
At 1609 we take off from runway 05. Our next destination Lelystad Airport is in high demand. Because we need new fuel. In fact, the tanks are completely capped before departure in Eindhoven, but when we land in Lelystad we have 20 liters left. This is within minimums for this flight. But if we want to continue, we will need to refuel some here at Lelystad. This we will certainly do. You see, we have been sponsored by Check Six, a supplier of fuel to the aviation industry. At Lelystad they are waiting to fill up our tanks and get us on our way with the rest of our trip.
The route this leg goes from Middenmeer to Enkhuizen. After which we follow the dike to Lelystad. The dike between Enkhuizen and Lelystad, also called the Houtribdijk or Markerwaarddijk, is a dam separating the IJsselmeer from the Markermeer. Lelystad is approached via reporting point Mike. This is where the A9 highway intersects with the N-road 307. From Mike we join the circuit and land at 1632 on runway 05.
Turning down the runway we cab out to the fueling station east of the tower. Here we are helped to refill our fuel tanks with UL94 courtesy of CheckSix. We are kindly helped and this man also helps us take our picture. With 100.1 liters of fresh fuel, we can finish the day!
Leg 15 Lelystad to Hilversum
With a full tank and fresh zest once again, we cab out to runway 05 for take-off. The time strikes 1651 and we leave the surface of earth and set course for Hilversum!
To save some time we ask if we can fly directly to Hilversum after reporting point Yankee. In the flevopolder people can fly model airplanes that's why we try to stay above here in view of the TMAs hanging above us and like a ceiling keep us from going even higher.
In the distance we see the end of the forest and the beginning of the polders with the loosdrecht lakes on the right. That must be where the field is. Lane 12 is in use. Fortunately, it is not too crowded. There are currently 2 coffins leaving the circuit. Behind this we join the circuit and land at 1707. Besides its beauty, Hilversum is extra special today. For we are about to hand over here the check in which the amount raised with our action will be shown.
Peter Bakker of Stichting Hoogvliegers has come to Hilversum especially for this. We stop the coffin after taxiing, the engine turns off. There is the moment we have been living for all this time. What was the final amount? Slowly Peter pulls out the check. It was meant to be. At the last minute, we managed to raise more than ten thousand euros with our action! An amount that we had never expected but we are very proud that we managed to do this.
Thanks again to everyone who was able to make this possible! Without all of your support, this would not have been possible.
Leg 16 Hilversum to Schiphol
Fortunately, we don't have too much time for tears because we have to move on again. Hop into that box because we still have 5 legs ahead of us. This leg was the most uncertain during our entire preparation. Indeed, it wasn't until Middenmeer that we were sure we had a lock. After which we only had an hour and a half to get to Lelystad, refuel there and fly to Hilversum to hand over the check and get from Hilversum to Schiphol. This meant we had some time pressure. Fortunately, we kept our cool and did not spend too much unnecessary time.
At 1716 we take off from runway 12 at Hilversum. The flight takes about 10 minutes. This is perfect because we are expected by the tower of Amsterdam at 1725. After a short flight to the northwest we report to point Victor. After which we fly to Bravo and join the circuit for runway 04. First we have to fly a Threshold Base but because we are slower than expected there is more space and we can fly a normal circuit. The plane is neatly set down on the big white markers and we gently roll out. The time is 1728.
We switch to ground frequency and cab to apron Kilo's holding-point. After which we switched frequencies again, we are given permission to park. Herewith is a marshaller who assists us and can help take a picture.
We told the marshal about our action and got back into the plane. He wished us well and left. Just before we cranked the engine, he returned. We had arranged for a free landing but the handler knew nothing about it and we had to get on the mat. Unfortunately, we were delayed almost 45 minutes here. Several phone calls later and on the good will of the gentleman behind the counter we were allowed to continue our way.
Leg 17 Schiphol to Rotterdam
We ask at Schiphol Airport if we can start the engine. After which we ask for Taxi clearance and have to cab to the far end of runway 04. After switching to the tower we get clearance to take off, time is 1818, and continue on our way via the standard route. Once above point Victor switch from the tower to the flight information region and we set course for Rotterdam!
We already see another aircraft as we change frequencies and get to hear it immediately over the radio. Flying over the polders we approach reporting point Mike. After which we follow the railroad line. Runway 06 is in use and we get a right-hand downwind. We land at 1841.
After landing we cab through the taxiway to V1 where we are escorted by a marshaller to Vliegclub Rotterdam. Here a nice guy is waiting for us, already a while since we have been delayed a bit, and welcomes us nicely. We chat a bit, refill our water during a short tour of the clubhouse.
Leg 18 Rotterdam to Midden Zeeland
It is 1902 when we take off from Rotterdam The Hague Airport with final destination Midden Zeeland Airport. First we fly to point Tango for a hotel departure. But when we ask if we can fly directly from Tango to Midden Zeeland, we are approved and gladly do so to make up some time.
Along the way, the urban landscape with its buildings and large infrastructure exchanges for islands filled with nature surrounded by water. Meanwhile, the diminishing intensity of the sun has reduced the thermals and we fly straight ahead with no bubbles to disturb us. It feels, despite having a large windmill in front of us, serene.
We join a left-hand downwind for runway 09. On final we see that the whole field is full of planes. We are not the only ones taking advantage of the sunset fly-in. When we land it is 1927.
Here Paula is waiting for the team from Wings for Smiles. She has a delicious surprise for us: boluses! Paula shoots nice pictures for us and a helper also takes her picture with us, very nice!
Leg 19 Midden Zeeland to Seppe
After a brief stopover, we will continue on. For pilot Pim this will be the last leg he flies. It is very busy at Midden Zeeland during departure so we have to be patient before it is our turn, but at 1945 the wheels are off the ground and we are in the air again, for the 19th flight of the day.
Since it is already after 5 o'clock we can take a fairly straight line to Seppe, as all military airports are already closed. The air is now becoming nice and stable. The two gyrocopters from Pal-V that took off before us are also on their way to Seppe, they fly a little slower than we do so we slowly catch up with them during the flight. There is also a Cessna 172 flying towards Seppe, so it will be busy at the landing there as well!
Because we are flying in a straight line to Seppe we will be the first to arrive, it is still quiet now and we make good use of that, as we make a straight in on runway 08. At 2007 we put the wheels down again and go off the runway, here we are welcomed so 4 club members of the Eindhovense Aeroclub Motorvliegen. They have brought the two other Bristell BR23's from the flying club and together with them we go back to Eindhoven in a 3 man formation. Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
Leg 20 Seppe to Eindhoven
Flight 20, the time has come, the last flight of this spectacular day. We ate some fresh fruit and had an extensive briefing about this flight, as this will be a very special flight. We will return to Eindhoven together with two other Bristell BR23s in formation.
The air has become very stable, the wind has died down, the conditions for a formation flight are perfect. We will lead the formation. At 2042 we take to the air in short succession. Shortly after take-off, the other two Bristells join us flying in Echelon formation. After we are at cruising altitude, we set course for point Whiskey, the standard approach route from the west for Eindhoven. We fly in various formations to Eindhoven. Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
In Eindhoven we make a low pass over the runway in an Echelon formation with a break-off over the clubhouse to then join and land in sequence on Downwind, at 2112 we put the wheels on the ground for the last time, at 2115 the engine stops after a long day of hard work.
At the flying club we are welcomed by family, friends and club members. What a wonderful end to a great day. We could not believe that we managed, 20 flights and 20 airfields in one day, full stop landings everywhere to take a picture. It was a very long day and now that it is over we are really starting to feel the fatigue, while the biggest challenge still awaits us; making sure all the paperwork is correct later!
We would like to thank everyone again for their support to make this day possible and contribute to the mission of Stichting Hoogvliegers! The Wings for Smiles action of 2025 has been a resounding success!
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