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 tugdriver at KLM
Aircraft Towing Department. Drivinglicence CE was required and with handing out the ‘Bokito Cheque’ and more donations it was financially possible.
A wonderful happening directed from Heaven.
With flight KL705, AMS-GIG, I operated/filmed his push&pull on special request.
Stand G7 with a push&pull abeam G9 with a phenomenal ‘all clear signal’ showing respect to this wonderful person.
Eric’s final flight at Amsterdam Airport is loaded by TLO’er Harry Hoffschlag and his groundcrew.
This flight got operated with the B777-200 reg PHBQC. Backflight KL706 got a smooth crosswindlanding on RWY18R,
vacating Victor 3 and taxying to final stand F3.
His final flight got operated with a B789 Dreamliner reg PHBHP.
Also filmed the one and a last flight of Captain Eric to BKK-Bangkok………..
Videostills retirementflight GIG-Rio de Janeiro
Written by RalphValkenier in Last Flights - 2023