Airfields near Den Haag, Netherlands

[LowNSlow]

I've just transferred to our offices in Den Haag and will probably be here through the summer. Are there any GA airfields around here that anyone could recommend?

[ChampChump]

Based only on touring visits, I'd recommend these three:
Midden Zeeland EHMZ (www.zeeland-airport.nl) is friendly and has both Mogas and Avgas pumps, Seppe EHSE (www.vliegclubseppe.nl) and Hoogeveen EHHO (www.vliegveldhoogeveen.nl) are also very welcoming to visitors, so I would think more resident types should be ok!
Not sure how far 'around here' stretches....

[BackPacker]

Are you looking for a place to park your own aircraft or are you going to hire?

Rotterdam Airport is definitely the closest to Den Haag (discounting Schiphol for now - it is GA-friendly but very expensive). It has three flying clubs with a combined total of 22 planes (Cessna, Piper, Diamond, Robin) and at least one commercial outfit that rents out planes.

Valkenburg (EHVB) is even closer to Den Haag, but it is in the process of being closed down. I think there's only a sailplane club left there.

[LowNSlow]

Thanks chaps, that's given me something to check out.

[Whiskey Kilo Wanderer]

As Champ Chump mentioned, there are some interesting fields around the border with Belgium (Midden Zeeland & Seppe). There is also Hilversum (EHHV), which is notched in to the corner of the Soesterberg MATZ/control zone. They are predictably careful about PPR/circuits, based on what I've heard on the radio in passing, never having landed there. Rotterdam used to be relatively cheap but they now require handling etc and wanted about 25 Euros last time I enquired.
There was/is a microlight site at Maasvlakte on the south bank of the Maas River where it empties in to the North Sea, it's somewhere near the Hull - Rotterdam ferry terminal. I'm not sure how official it is, but seem to recall having seen a flight plan giving that as a destination from Headcorn. I've also seen people para-motoring from the beach near Ijmuiden, up the coast from Den Haag.
Safe Flying.
Richard W.

[BackPacker]

You don't need handling at Rotterdam if you're based there. Like the flying clubs are and the rental place is. But the landing + ATC fee will still set you back about 20 euros. You do get full-time and friendly ATC for that price, slotting you in nicely between Mr. VLM and Ms. Transavia.

As WKW mentioned, if you're in the real small stuff, paragliding, sailplanes or ULM, then there are a few more places you can go to. But for mainstream GA, closest fields are EHAM (expensive but at least you're allowed in, unlike Heathrow) and EHRD (controlled), with the uncontrolled fields EHHV, EHSE and EHMZ all a little bit further away. EHHO is a good 1.5 hours drive from Den Haag. Even EHLE is closer.

As far as destinations go, EHTX is a must.

[Mixed Up]

But for mainstream GA, closest fields are EHAM (expensive but at least you're allowed in, unlike Heathrow) and EHRD (controlled), with the uncontrolled fields EHHV, EHSE and EHMZ all a little bit further away. EHHO is a good 1.5 hours drive from Den Haag. Even EHLE is closer.

As far as destinations go, EHTX is a must.

So that's made that clear!

[BackPacker]

All right.

EHAM = SPL = Amsterdam Schiphol International Airport
EHRD = RTM = Rotterdam International airport, formerly known as Zestienhoven
EHHV = Hilversum
EHSE = Seppe (Hoeven)
EHMZ = Midden Zeeland
EHLE = Lelystad
EHHO = Hoogeveen
EHTX = Texel

More information and all the details on the AIS Netherlands website: http://www.ais-netherlands.nl/

[eyeinthesky]

Slightly off topic, but EHAL (Ameland) is far better than Texel. Grass strip within walking distance (20 mins) of sandy beach, or 5 mins into the village and hire bikes.
Try lunch at Hotel Nobel (proper menu, not the snack one) and then (dutch military activity permitting) route back via Terschelling Vlieland and Texel and practice your strafing technique on the tank targets used by the air force.

[refso]

Also don't forget to ask EHAM (Schiphol) for permission to cross the ctr, if you filed a flightplan. In 90% of the cases you can overfly the airport at 500ft and sometimes you will be allowed to circle the tower and they enjoy it as much as you do

[BackPacker]

If you want to cross the Schiphol CTR, make sure you listen to the ATIS first so you have an idea about the runways in use, and if you're not very, very familiar with the area have a good detailed streetmap available in addition to the aeronautical ones. Then choose a route which does not interfere with the approach/departures. Sound obvious but a lot of people don't and ask for a route which is clearly impossible (overhead the Arena when 27 is in use for landing...) Going east to west via Zandvoort-Heemstede-Hoofddorp-Schiphol-Vinkeveen (or vice versa) is a route which almost never interferes. And make sure you know the local landmarks and can pronounce their names with confidence. They really do not want you to get lost within the CTR!

And I agree with refso. They really are a nice bunch in the tower. When I was above Schiphol tower, they asked me, against any protocol, "Nice view, isn't it?" "Absolutely beautiful!" And that was not on a very quiet frequency, but on the main tower frequency which, at that moment, handled departures on one runway and landings on the other simultaneously.

Don't forget to say thank you!

[Chuck Ellsworth]

Did the Schiphol tower fly by many times ( Both towers ) in the PBY and the DC3.

Quite the view flying that low over the main terminal.

Chuck E.

[Blue Albatross]

Overflying Schiphol Tower

I live in Hoofddorp and HAVE to try overflying Schiphol tower the next time I go flying. Sounds like fun.

If it helps, I fly out of Lelystad. It's not got ATC but rather a RFO in the tower. And the chaps I fly with are Polder Aviation, really nice guys.

It's only about 1.5hrs drive from Den Haag, so easily doable at the weekends.

Feel free to give me a shot when you move over, would love to help show you around.

Claython

[keenpilot]

Valkenburg, Den Haag

I have business in Den Hague, looking for an excuse to fly there. Valkenburg looks very close, is that open for GA still?

[Jan Olieslagers]

Negative. Rotterdam EHRD is your best bet, I should think. Rumour has it you can avoid the mandatory commercial handling through the aeroclub(s).

[flyme273]

concur with Rotterdam EHRD. Also consider Seppe EHSE - a lot cheaper.

Flyme.

[Privatecaptain]

Since 20 October 2014:
Vliegclub Rotterdam (Rotterdam Flying Club) is official handler for recreational small GA. Visit www.vliegclubrotterdam.nl and check for VISIT EHRD/Handling Request. We have been trying to bring the costs down for visiting aircraft, within the boundaries of the airport fees.

[LowNSlow]

What a surprise to see this thread pop up again.
Work has taken me to Kazakhstan (Caspian Coast) , London, Kazakhstan (North), London, Australia and back to the UK since the original post!!