18 Dec

Last Flight of Captain Jeroen van der Pauw Kraan @ KLM

Captain Jeroen van der Pauw kraan made his last flight due to retirement at KLM. After a huge career as commercial pilot,started in 1987, a flight heading for Capetown and back to Amsterdam was his last retourflight at KLM. Captain Vojta Wagner and Second Officer Ben Prummel assisted on this flight as his ‘Wingmen’. Flight KL597, callsign KLM 103, stand F4 , got pushed by me ‘Tugdriver Bokito’ as surprise. First clearance was a pushback into Alpha 14 and standby for pullout into Alpha 16. After waiting for a specific time Air Traffic Control gave a re-clearance with continue the […]

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14 Dec

Last Flight of Captain Thijs Jongsma @ KLM

After a career of 31 years and 10 months Captain Thijs Jongsma got his last flight due to retirement at KLM. JFK was his first and his last destination !!! How wonderful. Flight KL641 , stand F7, got a RWY24 departure and was operated with the B787-10 Dreamliner reg PHBKC. First Officer Vincent Aupers was his ‘Wingman’ and big friend Captain Dimitri van der Vieren in behind and joining this flight as well. Captain Thijs was his first instructor and good friend. Backflight KL642 with an quite early arrival with Thijs’ final touchdown at 6:08LT on RWY18R and taxying to […]

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05 Dec

Last Flight of Captain Philip Almgren @ KLM

Captain Philip Almgren got his last flight due to retirement at KLM. Flight KL635 heading for Las Vegas with the B789 Dreamliner reg PHBHP. Tugdriver Bokito operated/filmed the push & pull on Echo24 abeam Echo77 Backflight KL636 , operated with a B789 Dreamliner reg PHBHC , got a final landing on RWY 18R and taxying to stand Delta 57 Captain Philip got assisted by First Officer Vincent and Second Officer Jasper Vreenegoor as his ‘Wingmen’ Videostills……..

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04 Dec

Last Flight of Captain B737 Noud Rutte @ KLM

Captain B737 Noud Rutte got his last flight due to retirement at KLM. Noud experienced an enormous career of 37 years and one month. Started in December 1986 as Flight engineer B747/200-300 and as Captain Noud did fly all types of the B737. His retirementflight should have been a retourflight to Israël – Tel Aviv but changed to Lissabon due to the current war between Israël and Hamas. Nouds wife Helena is Portugese from origin. Flight KL1695 planned for RWY36C. I was positioned with a great look at the runway next to taxiway Yankee 2. Unfortunately Noud got recleared to […]

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28 Oct

Last Flight of Captain Andy Zurhaar @ KLM

After a huge career of about 32 years Captain Andy Zurhaar made his retirementflight at KLM. Together with First Officer Onno Veltkamp as his ‘Wingman’ he departed for Johannesburg as final destination/retourflight. During 747 timeperiode it was called a ‘Joburgje’ when they did fly to JNB. Flight KL591,stand F7 , departed during heavy fog. When filming I only could hear them passing in takeoff and not see at all. This flight was operated with our ‘Orange Pride’ , a B777-300ER reg PHBVA. Backflight KL592 became a visible landing , happily. With wet circumstances Andy got a smooth landing on RWY18R […]

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26 Oct

Last Flight of Captain B747F Bart Rademakers @ Martinair Cargo

Captain Bart Rademakers made his last flight, due to retirement at Martinair Cargo, after 33 years and 10 months. Actually he was pilot since 1986. A huge career. Awesome detail are the departing and landing KLC Embraer in the video. Bart’s son , Milan , is a KLC Embraer pilot and was also capturing his fathers last flight. Flight MP6141 heading for Miami via Bogota. RWY36L for departure and got operated with the B747F reg PHMPS. Backflight MP6912 , MIA-AMS, with final landing on RWY06 and operated with the B747F reg PHCKB. Videostills……………

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06 Oct

Last Flight of Captain GJ van Teeffelen @ KLM

Captain GJ van Teeffelen made his last flight due to retirement at KLM. Together with First Officers Bas van Wetten & Jan Thibau as his ‘Wingmen’ heading for Aruba-Bonaire. Flight KL767 , stand E2 and operated with the A330-300 reg PHAKE. After a techinal issue occurred they went back to stand G73. The problem got solved and they finally departed on RWY24. Backflight KL767 BON-AMS got a special approach. Flying across the airport for a left downwind and landing RWY18R. This last flight got operated with the A330-300 reg PHAKD Videostills……

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06 Oct

Last Flight of Captain Harold van den Pol @ KLM

After 18,5 years Captain Harold van den Pol got his last flight due to retirement at KLM. On his retirementflight to Johannesburg , a ‘Joburg’ , he got assisted by First Officer Michiel Schrier and Captain//Senior Instructor Marc Douglas as his ‘Wingmen’. KL591 , stand F5 and a RWY18L departure operated with a B777-300Er reg PHBVK. Backflight KL592 got a RWY18R landing and taxying for final stand F5. This last flight got operated with a B777-200 reg PHBQF Career of Harold; KLM Royal Dutch Airlines 18 jaar 5 maanden Human Factor/ Competence trainer jan. 2020 – heden · 3 jr […]

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23 Aug

Last Flight of Captain Bas Seijffert @ KLM

After 27 years and 6 months Captain Bas Seijffert got his last flight due to retirement at KLM. His final destination was Capetown and back Amsterdam assisted by First Officer Niek Dillen as his ‘Wingman’. Flight KL597, AMS-CPT, with callsign KLM119 , stand F9 and departure on RWY36C. This flight got operated with a B777-300ER reg PHBVI. Backflight KL598, Capetown-Amsterdam, with callsign KLM104 got a nice landing on RWY18R and taxying for final stand Echo 17. Bas operated his last landing with another B777-300ER reg PHBVB

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17 Aug

Last Flight of Captain Bas Lindenkamp @ KLM

After 31 years and 8 months Captain Bas Lindenkamp got his last flight due to retirement at KLM. Unfortunately he could’nt operate a last takeoff at homebase Amsterdam. KLM did send him to Boston as passenger with a Triple Seven. But…………. his final flight ended with a beautiful landing at RWY 06 ,assited by First Officer Jes Nissen as his ‘Wingman’. Flight KL618 got operated with a A330-300 reg PHAKF and final stand Echo 2. Filming this last flight of Captain Bas was orchestrated by First Officer Sebastiaan Kesseler (KLC) Career at KLM KLM 31 jaar 8 maanden -Captain A330-200/300 […]

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17 Aug

Last Flight of Captain Alex den Hartog @ KLM

After 31 years Captain Alex den Hartog got his last flight due to retirement at KLM. Heading for destination Curacao and back Amsterdam with First Officer Rogier van de Vijver and Second Officer Pim de Wolf. Flight KL733, stand D47 and a departure on RWY36L, operated with a B777-200 reg PHBQC Backflight KL734 CUR-AMS got same runway for landing , RWY18R, After vacating taxying for final stand Echo19. His final flight got operated with a B777-300ER reg PHBVF. Videostills………..

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05 Aug

Last Flight of Captain Eric Balkema @ KLM

After an enormous flightcareer of 34 years and 7 months, Captain Eric got his last flight due to retirement at KLM. (Air Holland 2-1988//2-1991 and KLM 2-1992//7-2023) His final destination was GIG-Rio de Janeiro and back Amsterdam. Eric got assisted by First Officer Marck Janssen and Second Officer Yannick Masseus as his ‘Wingmen’. And the most special cabincrew, Eric’s wife CA II Pauline Mauritz and Senior Purser Anoushka Wilthagen. In 2019 Eric started a crowdfunding (met de pet rond) with Cpt Ruud Jurgens and Cpt Bas van Leeuwen. So I//Bokito was able to achieve the goal to become an allround […]

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03 Aug

Captain Herman Hello says Goodbye @ KLM

Captain Herman got his last flight due to retirement at KLM. Heading for Curacao and back Amsterdam with First Officer Willem Luijten and Captain Arnoud Welhüner as his Wingmen. Flight KL735, callsign KLM171 , stand Echo 22, got a RWY 24 departure and operated with the B777-300ER reg PHBVC. Backflight KL736, CUR-AMS, with Herman’s last landing on RWY18R and taxying for final stand F9. Videostills………..

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01 Aug

Last KLM FLight to MAF Bushpilot @ Cpt Joost de Wit

Captain B737 at KLM, Missionairy bush-pilot in training for Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) Kenya , Captain Joost made his last flight after 22 years of being commercial pilot for KLM. Flight KL1279 heading for Edinburgh and back Amsterdam. Flight KL1279,stand D14, and a Siera5 RWY 24 departure. Backflight KL1280 got a landing on RWY 18R. Due to my duty at KLM Aircraft Towing Department we decided to film the arrival/docking at final stand D44. This final flight got operated with a B737-700 reg PHBGI Joost de Wit and Ruth de Wit – van der Ploeg are both airline pilots […]

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25 Jul

Last KLM Flight to MAF Bushpilot @ FO Ruth de Wit-van der Ploeg

Last KLM Flight to MAF Bushpilot @ FO Ruth De Wit-van Der Ploeg First Officer Ruth de Wit-vd Ploeg got her last KLM flight due to a very special reason, guided by our Almighty God of Israël. After 15 years working for KLM, Ruth and her husband Joost quit their jobs as airline pilots for KLM. Within a few months they will become bush pilots for Mission Aviation Fellowship in Kenya. Instead of flying Boeings, they will be flying Cessna Caravans to remote places to bring help and hope to people in need. Their Youtubechannel; https://www.youtube.com/@mafdewit If you would like […]

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21 Jul

Last Flight of Captain Klaas van Veen @ KLM

Captain Klaas van Veen got his last flight due to retirement at KLM. Final destination was Hong Kong and back Amsterdam. Heading for Hong Kong and assisted by First Officer Arjen Schwartz as his ‘Wingman’. Flight KL887 , stand Echo 6 , and a runway 18L departure operated with the B777-200 Reg PHBQB. Backflight KL888 with the lovely callsign ‘Triple Eight’ got runway 27 to land and after vacating the follow-me cars were waiting. An awesome final part guided to final stand Fox 9. KL888 was operated with the B777-200 Reg PHBQD Filming the last flight of Captain Klaas was […]

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10 Jul

Last Flight of Captain Roef Dieters @ KLM

After 30 years and 8 months Captain Roef Dieters got his last flight due to retirement at KLM. Captain Roef, heading for Kuala Lumpur- Manilla and back Amsterdam, got assisted by 5 ‘Wingmen’. First Officers Onno Veltkamp (KL805-KL806), Camiel Baneman (KL805) and Alex Buitenhuis (KL806) Second Officers Bas Groenveld (KL805) and Paul Reijnen (KL806) Flight KL805 , AMS-KUL , stand Echo 17 and runway 24 Siera 7 for departure. Backflight KL806, KUL-AMS, just arrived before ‘Storm Poly’ fully exploded. First the flight got planned for runway 22 , but when entering the Dutch border Roef got runway 18R for his […]

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10 Jul

Last Flight of Captain B747F Peter Horstink @ Martinair Cargo

Captain Peter Horstink made his last flight due to retirement at Martinair Cargo. Retiring at his beloved 747 Freighter. Flight MP7121 , assisted by First Officer Robert Posman , and heading for the routine Amsterdam-Campinas-Quito-Miami-Amsterdam. This routine got operated with the B747-400ERF reg PHCKA. Runway 24 for departure. Nice detail his son started flight KL1539 a couple of minutes later. Last flight MP7122, MIA-AMS, arrived a day later than sheduled. Final landing on RWY18R after a huge career. Videostills……………

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30 Jun

Last Flight of Captain Richard de Waard @ KLM

Captain Richard de Waard made his last flight due to retirement at KLM. Richard got assisted by First Officers Nick Verplak and Brian Vreugdenhil as his ‘Wingmen’. Also surprised by the pushback operated and filmed by Bokito. Flight KL765 , AUA-BON // Aruba-Bonaire, stand Delta 49 and operated with the A330-200 reg PHAOA. The pushback got operated with the largest pushbacktruck AM500 reg KK // Kilo-Kilo. This is a real V8 16L truck. Backflight KL767 BON-AMS, with callsign KLM-DeWaard-767, got a RWY18R arrival and operated with a A330-300 reg PH-AKE. Vacating runway 18R and taxying to final stand Echo 17. […]

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22 Jun

Last Flight of Duco vd Werf @ KLM

KLM Pilot Duco van der Werf got his last flight due to retirement at KLM Together with Captain Joost van Gerwen as his ‘Wingman’ and his wife Senior Purser Andrea Sleutel (non working on this flight) , heading for Boston and back Amsterdam. Flight KL617 ,stand Echo19, got a pushack operated by my colleague KLM ATD Marcel van Tiel. Thereafter taxying to Siera 6 RWY24 and operated with the A330-300 reg PHAKE. Backflight KL618 was operated with the A330-300 reg PHAKD. Turning right to intercept localizer RWY18R and after a ‘Bokito Call’ operating a smooth landing. Final stand was Delta […]

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19 Jun

Last Flight of Captain Jan vd Schuur @ KLM

Captain Jan van der Schuur made his last flight due to retirement at KLM. Together with his wife Purser Sandra Haeck and First Officer Bart Romkens as his ‘Wingman’ heading for Johannesburg and back Amsterdam. As both are ex B747 pilots, in the past they called ‘gonna make a Joburg’. Flight KL591 ,AMS-JNB, stand F5, departure on RWY36L and a awesome wingroll salute !!! This flight got operated with a B777-300ER reg PHBVS Backflight KL592 got RWY36R for his final landing and vacated for stand Echo 17. Jan’s final flight got operated with a B777-300ER again and reg PHBVK […]

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18 Jun

Last Flight of Captain Marc Litjens @ KLM

Captain Marc Litjens made his last flight due to retirement at KLM. Happily I was able to operate and film his departure to Tokyo Narita on the last moment, with thanks to our department , KLM AIrcraft Towing Department. KL863 , operated with B789 Dreamliner reg PHBHG, stand F5, with a alternative pushback on taxiway Alpha abeam G8. After the pushback we could reach bufferposition P10 and film also Marc’s takeoff at runway 36C. Backflight KL864 got a RWY06 arrival and after a slight wingroll a smooth landing. The most wonderful experience was after his retirementlanding. At the Crewcentre Marc […]

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09 Jun

Last Flight of Captain Kurt Geilert @ KLM

Captain Kurt Geilert made his last flight due to retirement at KLM. Together with First Officer Anil de Nie and Second Officer Ramon Dormans as his ‘Wingmen’, heading for Panama City and back Amsterdam. Flight KL757 with a RWY36L departure and operated with the B777-300ER reg PHBVR. Backflight KL758 got a RWY 06 arrival and was operated with the PHBVK. Vacating runway 06 and taxying to final stand Foxtrot 7. Since October 1989 with KLM SF340A/B // FO and Captain // Route instructor B767-300 // First Officer B747-400 […]

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19 May

Last Flight of Captain Arnold Crone @ KLM Final

Captain Arnold Crone made his last flight due to retirement at KLM. Together with First Officer Rogier vd Vijver as his ‘Wingman’ heading for Toronto and back Amsterdam. Flight KL695 on stand G4 and operated with the B787-10 Dreamliner reg PHBKI. I (Bokito) was operating his final push&pull at homebase Amsterdam Airport) Push & Pull abeam G6 and enginestart approved. Backflight KL696, callsign KLM122-Heavy, got a RWY06 arrival ,operated wth the B777-200 reg PHBQI. Final stand for docking and shut down the engines for the last time in career was G6. Videostills and pictures…………

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17 May

Last Flight of Captain Ruud Schoenmakers @ KLM

Captain Ruud , the last Pilot of his RLS class , got his retirementflight to Curacao, and also assisted his wife Manon Babtist as Senior Purser. On this flight First Officer Yvonne Erben (former 747 pilot) as his ‘Wingwoman’. Final flight , KL736, got an RWY06 landing and operated with the B777-300ER reg PHBVO Videostills…….

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