The government F70 was sold and is shortly to be replaced by a 737 BBJ. That's why he's doing his 737 type rating.

First thing I thought of when I saw it on Twitter - wonder what his username is on PPRuNe :D

It's cool to be King!

How does the Capt address him on the flight deck? What happens if he needs the loo? Someone will recognise him!

hmmmm, wonder if he had to go through the regular pilot selection like us "normal people" :rolleyes:

Refreshing to see a 'Royal' out in the real world.

How's that for a story full of sunshine. All those years flying incognito, and nobody at KL has spilled the beans.

It seems he flies mainly with the same skipper, which implies they know each other rather well. HRH does not seem like a bloke with royal airs, and NL is a rather eglagitarian nation. With that in mind, I suppose they refer to each other as 'Maarten' and 'Willem', as in 'Floor it Willy, we have a slot to meet!'

Needing the loo is not likely to be an issue, most NLM flights are only around an hour.

Ah that makes more sense. The Press Release is making it seem like Fokker 70's are being replaced by B737's!

The F70 is not sold yet - that will be early June. BBJ will not enter service until Q1 2019. For those that are interested.

The press release also implies that it was a secret, but the fact that he regularly flies for KLM has been well known for years.

Now we know who is #1 in seniority list

Wonder if he has to go through security like everyone else....?

That crown beeps every time.

"captain would you like me to start the apu?"

"yes your highness"

Jet-qualified royals and heads of state aren't all that rare, when you look at it; Hussein (Jordan), Mubarak (Egypt), Hafiz Al Assad (Syria), Prince Charles (England), probably others.

Prince William Wales, Duke of Cambridge (rotary at least, though probably Tucano and, maybe, Hawk, too).

His captain should compare notes with Robert L. Scott.

Prince Charles never flew any commercial Aircraft. He did "try" and fly the Royal flight BAE146 I believe, to limited success.

And that is why our king is also passionate about flying.