T H E R E G I O N A L A I R P O R T O F N O R T H - H O L L A N D - N O R T H

1

FOREWORDFOREWORD

19OCTOBER 2014 | VOLUME 17

EDIT

ION

Den Helder Airport is constantly in motion of dynamicflux. For example, existing hangar space was purchasedrecently and the government decided to award a 5-yearcontract for SAR operations to one of the helicopteroperators based at Den Helder Airport. In addition, ourairport has been granted exemption for 27,000 flightmovements each year from 1 September 2014. This is onetangible result of the framework agreement that wassigned in 2011 by the Ministers of Defence and Finance, theMunicipality of Den Helder and Den Helder Airport.Among other things, that agreement contains stipulationsrelating to initiating the procedure for expanding capacityto 27,000 flight movements a year. This has now been putinto effect so that Den Helder Airport can develop further.One of the articles in this edition of our newsletterspotlights Swift Drilling, the only Dutch drillingcontractor in existence, which recently opened its headoffice at Den Helder Airport. Interviews were also arrangedwith the former Commissioner of Den Helder Airport,Nico Bais, the Head of Air Traffic Control of De Kooy NavalAir Station, Major Jan Verest, and team leader Joop Roeloffsof Biardo Survial Suits. In addition, Esther Röge-Hoogendijktells us about her work at Den Helder Airport's restaurant,Vice Versa, in the 'Women in the offshore world' section andMiranda de Groot-Mastenbroek, Asset Liaison for NAMONEgas East, talks about a challengingly rapidintroduction of a new rebreather type of life jacket forShell/NAM. The Civil Aviation Authority made the use ofthis type of life jacket mandatory in the British sector ofthe North Sea on 1 September 2014.If you would like more information about our companyafter reading this newsletter, I cordially invite you toarrange a visit to Den Helder Airport. Obviously all of theinformation and news will also be published on ourupdated and restyled website, which went live on 11 September: www.denhelderairport.nlFinally, we would like to invite you to visit us on our stand((nnuummbbeerr 1111..005544,, hhaallll 1111)) at the OOffffsshhoorree EEnneerrggyy 22001144exhibition, which will be held on 2288 and 2299 OOccttoobbeerr in theRAI complex in Amsterdam. We will be delighted to sendyou a registration card entitling you to visit the exhibitionfree of charge.

CCoonnnnyy vvaann ddeenn HHooffffManaging Director

www.facebook.com/denhelderairport

@DHAirport

Luchthavenweg 10A, 1786 PP Den Helder, The Netherlands

Phone: +31 223 63 56 66

Internet: www.denhelderairport.nl

E-mail: info@denhelderairport.nl

This investment is one of the

initiatives identified in Den

Helder Airport's business plan,

which focuses on

strengthening the airport's

economic position and

ensuring continuity. This will

be achieved through a range of

measures, one of which is

expanding the amount of

hangar space available to the

oil and gas industry, the

offshore wind power industry,

and for storing aircraft for one

or more scheduled flight

services and other aviation-

related activities. At the same

time, Den Helder Airport fulfils

an important social function,

largely by retaining jobs in the

area and expanding

employment opportunities.

The two hangars, located at

the Luchthavenweg, offer a

total floor surface area of

approximately 2800 square

meters and 900 square

meters of office space. Until

recently, both hangars were

owned by Van der Wal Beheer

b.v. from Den Helder, which

also owns the “Luchthaven-

kantoor” office building at the

airport. In response to various

recent developments and the

many requests that Den

den helderairportinvests in its future

Helder Airport has received in

recent months, the Managing

Director entered into

negotiations with Van der Wal

Beheer. As result of those

discussions, the latter

company has now agreed to

sell the hangars to Den Helder

Airport.

Managing and exploiting

hangar space are among the

activities that comprise

Den Helder Airport's core

business and offer

opportunities for strength-

ening the civilian airport's

economic position.

Following the purchase of existing hangar space at the civilian airport,

Den Helder Airport is now able to offer its current and future users room for

expansion, which will boost economic development in Den Helder and the

region.

2

Regular visitors to Den Helder Airport will doubtless have already noticed the portocabins that have been placed on the

left-hand side of the terminal. According to Team Leader Joop Roeloffs of Biardo Survival Suits, these units were occupied on

1 July of this year. A shortage of space in the terminal made it necessary for this company to create extra accommodation outside.

The head office of Biardo,

established in 1986 by Frans

Meeuwissen, is located in

Heemskerk. The company has

also been active at Den Helder

Airport since 1998. At Den

Helder Airport, the staff are

responsible for issuing survival

suits to people who fly by

helicopter to and from their

work offshore, and to the

helicopter crews. Joop Roeloffs

joined Biardo on 1 February

2007. He is now responsible for

managing seven colleagues, of

whom two part-timers, at Den

Helder Airport. "This branch

has grown substantially during

the past few years. We now

regularly issue up to 1900 suits

compared to the approximately

800 suits we achieved in 2007.

Our total range comprises 2800

suits." Since 2007, Biardo has

operated its own issue station in

the departure hall of the airport,

and the suits are then retrieved

in the arrival hall. Joop Roeloffs

continues: "After their return,

we check the suits, spray them

expansion of biardo´s facilitiesat den helder airport

The new accommodation of Biardo Survival SuitS at Den Helder Airport

with a disinfectant and then

hang them for 24 hours. After

that, they are ready to be used

again. After being worn for six

times, they go to our head office

in Heemskerk where they are

washed, repaired if necessary

and inspected. Then they come

back to Den Helder." Extra

space was required for hanging

the suits. This was solved by

installing portocabins next to

the terminal. A modern facility

with a floor area of 113 square

meters.

Certification

According to Joop Roeloffs, the

airport is particularly busy at

this time due to a significant

increase in offshore drilling

activities on behalf of various

drilling companies. He easily

turns up the names of more

than 10 drilling rigs that are

currently active in the Dutch

sector of the North Sea. "This all

means extra work for us, which

we obviously welcome." In

addition to the high level of

activity in the Netherlands,

Biardo will soon also be very

busy in Italy. The company has

received an order for issuing

survival suits to employees of

ENI Italy at six different

locations. ENI is currently

active at 80 offshore locations

in the Adriatic Sea. A further

item of news is that Biardo, as

the only Dutch supplier to do

so, has successfully obtained

EASA-145 certification from

the European Aviation Safety

Agency for 'Helicopter &

Transportation Immersion

Suits & Life Jackets'. Joop

Roeloffs explains: "We are now

certified to maintain and

repair survival suits and then

certify them again as aviation

safe. As a result, we now work

in accordance with European

regulations in this area."

Biardo had previously

obtained ISO9001

certification. The company

has collaborated

commercially for some time

with Norwegian manufacturer

Hansen Protection AS with

regard to supplying the type

PTS003 and PTS004 survival

suits. Both are ETSO/EASA-

approved (ETSO stands for

European Technical Standard

Order). In addition, Biardo has

worked actively for a number

of years on developing a new

version of the LRS001

Rebreather life jacket. This is

currently one of the best and

most modern life jackets

equipped with a rebreather

system that complies with

ETSO/EASA regulations. This

type of life jacket has been

improved in various areas in

comparison to the Life Jacket

Airpocket Plus system. But an

even more innovative system

is due to be made available in

the near future: the LRS002

Rebreather. The life jackets

can be either purchased or

rented from Biardo Survival

Suits.

Team Leader Joop Roeloffs

(advertisement)

43

At the beginning of this year, the only Dutch drilling company, Swift Drilling, has established at Den

Helder Airport. And even sought out a premium location; on the top (third) floor of the former Elf

Petroland/Total building at Luchthavenweg 16. The drilling company's innovative jack-up rig, Swift 10,

has been actively drilling in the southern part of the North Sea on behalf of the Nederlandse Aardolie

Maatschappij (NAM) since May 2011 .

Swift Drilling is an alliance

between the Van Es Groep and

Cofely-Fabricom Oil, Gas &

Power (GDF SUEZ). These

companies jointly picked up a

challenge that no other

traditional drilling company

would even dare consider. That

of designing, building and

operating a small, technically

advanced jack-up drilling rig, -

equipped with a lightweight

derrick of 250 tonnes and an

automated handling system for

drill pipes. A jack-up platform

that would be capable of

halving the operational costs

in comparison to existing jack-

up platforms. The choice fell

on a four-leg jack-up platform

that was already under

construction at the time at the

Labroy shipyard on the

Indonesian island of Batam.

The hull of the Swift 10 is 67

meters long, 40 meters wide

and 5.5 meters high. The four

legs each measure 3.5 meters

in diameter and are 92 meters

long. The rig can drill to a

maximum depth of 6,500

meters in a maximum water

depth of 45 meters. In addition,

the rig is equipped with only

one crane instead of the three

or four cranes fitted to other

drilling rigs. This rig is capable

of drilling Slim Well Design

shafts which are much smaller

in diameter than conventional

shafts. This results in an

immediate and substantial

saving in terms of the use of

well casings, drilling fluid

(mud) and equipment.

Furthermore, the use of an

automated handling system for

drill pipes eliminates the

requirement for human labour

when assembling the drill

string. The entire process only

requires a single operator who

can oversee and control

everything from the drilling

control centre. Because the

drill pipes are supplied in

baskets, far fewer crane lifts

are required. Each basket

contains 48 drill pipes which

are placed on board in a

closed compartment. This

advanced level of automation

not only makes drilling safer,

it also significantly reduces

the number of people

required. The standard crew

on Swift 10 comprises 50

people. Some of them work

two weeks on and two weeks

off, while others work two

weeks on and three weeks off.

They are transported to and

from their work by

helicopters based at Den

Helder Airport.

Projects

During the period since May

2011, the Swift 10 has already

swift drilling sets down atden helder airport

The Swift 10 at work testing a gas well in the British sector of the North Sea.

completed a whole series of

projects in the southern part of

the North Sea. Firstly, a

production well was sealed in

the L13 block in the Dutch

sector, approximately 50

kilometers to the west of Den

Helder. Next, wells were drilled

in the K8 block in the Dutch

sector, and in the Denver,

Carrack West and Carrack East

fields in the British sector. This

brought a number of gas

reservoirs on line. Production

from the well in the Carrack

East field in particular far

exceeds expectations. Shell is the

operator in the British fields.

After this task, the Swift 10

returned to the Dutch sector to

drill in the K8 and K7 blocks. At

present, the rig is operating in

the L9 block. The rig has

achieved various milestones in

terms of safe working on board

while completing these projects.

Thanks to much lower

operational costs, the Swift 10

has amply demonstrated its

suitability for drilling into and

developing smaller oil and gas

reservoirs, which are often

referred to as marginal fields.

This fits in well with the so-

called small field policy that the

government applies in order to

limit operations at the large

Groningen gas field as much as

possible. NAM is delighted by

the operational advantages of

the jack-up rig for which Swift

Drilling was able to conclude a

contract with this company for a

period of five years, plus options

to extend by one year on a

further five occasions. Swift

Drilling has 42 direct

employees, 7 of whom are active

at Den Helder Airport.

(advertisement)

“The standard crew on Swift 10 comprises 50 people. ”

4

(advertisement)

During the months of August and September, an

intensive training course schedule was set up and

completed to familiarise everybody who goes

offshore for Shell/NAM with a new type of life

jacket. In industry jargon, the new life jacket is

referred to as a Category-A Emergency Breathing

System (CAT-A EBS). A system that contributes to

raising safety offshore to a higher level and whose

use has been made compulsory for the British

sector of the North Sea by the Civil Aviation

Authority (CAA) from 1 September 2014.

The introduction of the new

system is a response to a

number of unfortunate

incidents according to Miranda

de Groot-Mastenbroek, whose

position is Asset Liaison NAM

ONEgas East. "Following several

helicopter accidents in the

North Sea, the Civil Aviation

Authority in England drew up a

list of more than 50 measures

for raising safety in the offshore

sector to a higher level. One of

those measures calls for

replacement of the familiar Cat-

B Airpocket Plus system by the

Cat-A EBS system. The main

advantage of the new system is

that you can operate it with one

hand and use it to supply air

within 12 seconds. The

instruction from the CAA,

stating that the new system had

to be introduced as of 1 June,

introduction of newlife jackets

only reached us in April this year.

A very challenging task in view of

the fact that the system still had

to be produced and certified at

the time, and all of the users still

had to be trained. Finally, the CAA

decided to change the

introduction date to 1 September.

In addition, the CAT-B system

could still be used temporarily if

the person concerned occupied a

seat directly next to an emer-

gency exit in the helicopter."

Training at Den Helder Airport

After the CAA published the

announcement, Survivex in

Aberdeen immediately started

work on producing the CAT-A

EBS life jackets. A time of quite

some uncertainty, as the CAA's

certification process was still

ongoing and the EASA (European

Aviation Safety Agency) still had

to approve the design. "There was

a great deal of communication

back and forth, but finally

everything turned out

satisfactorily. Another problem

was that the users still had to be

trained during the few weeks

that remained. This also applied

to the NAM/Shell employees in

the Netherlands because they

regularly fly cross-border

missions to locations in the

British sector. At the beginning of

July, we were told that 20 training

units would be made available

for the Netherlands. We drew up

A Category A life jacket with Emergency Breathing System, whose use wasmade mandatory by the CAA in the British offshore sector from 1 September2014.

race against the clock:

a training schedule in

collaboration with FalckNutec,

an OPITO-certified training

institute. The best option was for

our people to attend the one-and-

a-half hour training course at

Den Helder Airport. The only

problem was that no suitable

rooms were available. Everything

was fully booked. Until

somebody came up with the idea

of using the glass office in the

central hall. With the help of One

Peterson, this transformation was

successful and the first training

sessions, four per day, were held

on 30 July. Numerous people were

trained one after the other in an

intensive training schedule

during the weeks that followed.

And the reactions to using the

new life jacket are very positive",

says Miranda de Groot-

Mastenbroek in conclusion.

The training course will be

offered as an extra module in the

normal NOGEPA survival

training course programme from

October onward. The use of the

new CAT-A EBS life jacket is not

(yet) compulsory for other oil

companies in the Dutch sector.

Twin inflatablechamberdesign offeringbuoyancyof 275 Newtons

Integral survivalitems includinglight, whistle,GPS and PLBsystems

Durable and lightweight materialfor maximumcomfort

Unique modulardesign permits fullcustomisation tooperating requirements

New slimand ergonomicdesign foroptimum fit

Fully integratedfor a range of shortterm air supplysystems (STASS)

45

He can still regularly be found in the tower at De Kooy Naval Air Station where he continues to hone his skills as an air traffic

controller and keeps in touch with the grass roots. But actually, Major Jan Verest has held the position of Head of Air Traffic

Control since 1 July 2013. He took over the post from Henk Louw on that date. He is now in charge of 'everything that occurs

between the yellow lines of the Airbase', as he calls it.

Jan Verest was born in Heeze,

not far from Eindhoven. At the

age of 17, he started his career

with the Royal Netherlands

Navy as an able seaman assigned

to seagoing duty. "From 20

August 1979 to December 1981,

I served on board the frigate

Hr.Ms. Kortenaer. I was the air

surveillance radar operator on

board the ship, a position that

brought me into contact with

aircraft. I found that quite

fascinating. When an

announcement requesting

applications for the position of

flight operations assistant was

posted, I decided to apply. I felt

that the job would suit me down

to the ground." Jan's application

for the position was successful

and he was posted to Gilze-Rijen

Airbase to train as a flight

operations assistant. After

completing his training, he was

posted to De Kooy, which was a

naval air Station at the time, to

work as a flight operations

assistant. In 1984, he was given

the opportunity of further

training at Gilze-Rijen as an air

traffic controller, and returned

to De Kooy as a fully fledged air

traffic controller with the rank

of corporal. "As time passed,

I progressed through all of the

ranks in air traffic control and

was appointed officer and

supervisor in 2001. One year

later, I was promoted to Deputy

Head of Air Traffic Control and

became the Head of Air Traffic

Control in 2013. All in all, a

challenging and enjoyable

career that I never even dreamt

of when I became a serviceman

in 1979."

Management and policy

Since 2010, Jan Verest has

exchanged his Navy uniform for

that of the Royal Netherlands Air

Force. His office is located on the

second floor of the air traffic

control tower. "I focus on

management and policy within

air traffic control and ensure

that everything operates

smoothly at the airfield. For

example, one of my current

responsibilities is coordinating

the refurbishment work for the

military platform. I act as the

point of contact for the building

contractor on the one hand and

the Dutch Defence Ministry's

real estate organisation on the

other hand. In addition, I am

responsible for 18 air traffic

control workers, 5

meteorological officers

(observers) and 2 bird-watchers.

A highly competent group of

from able seaman to major

Major Jan Verest: Head of Air Traffic Control of De Kooy Naval Air Station.

people who are all fully aware of

their responsibilities. That

makes my job as their

commander a lot easier."

Jan Verest has experienced the

development of Den Helder

Airport at first hand. "When I

arrived here in 1981, the civilian

airport had just opened. At the

time, there were only three spots

and just one small building. The

helicopters flew from Schiphol-

Oost to Den Helder each

morning and then back to

Amsterdam in the evenings. I

looked after the administration

of the number of helicopter

landings for Den Helder Airport.

Threat of closure

As the years passed, the

relationship with the

management of Den Helder

Airport became ever closer. "The

civilian airport organised an

Open Day every two years and, in

2007, we had the idea of

organising a joint Open Day to

mark the 90th anniversary of the

Naval Air Service (Marine

Luchtvaart Dienst/MLD). This

ultimately resulted in Heldair

Show Maritiem. I was part of the

Ground Working Party for the

first edition and took on the role

of project leader for the following

editions in 2009 and 2012.

Unfortunately, we will only be

able to organise this successful

event every five years in the

future."

With regard to the continued

existence of De Kooy Naval Air

Station, Jan Verest says: "During

the 33 years that I have worked

here, the airport threatened to

close down on four or five

occasions. The last occasion in

particular, in 2011, was quite

stressful. Fortunately, funding was

made available and, in 2012, it

was agreed to continue the

military and civilian

collaboration until 2022. One

positive knock-on effect of the

fact that we are now part of the

Royal Netherlands Air Force is

that flying has become our core

business. As a result, the

infrastructure at De Kooy has

improved significantly."

Furthermore, a number of

further projects will be

implemented in this area in the

near future. "A plot of land was

bought on the edge of the

southern side a few years ago, and

we intend to incorporate it in the

airfield at the end of this year.

When everything has been

approved, we will start work on

laying out this area. Our plan is to

create an engine run-up station

and munitions loading station

here. An embankment will be

built around the periphery to act

as a sound barrier. In addition, a

dual-spot dummy deck will also be

created at the southern point. Very

similar to the helicopter decks

that you see on board the

amphibian transport vessels Zr.Ms.

Rotterdam and Zr.Ms. Johan de

Witt and the new joint logistic

support ship Karel Doorman.

Then we will be able to practice

deck landings with two

helicopters. There is a specific

requirement for that."

Teething problems

Finally, the Head of Air Traffic

Control turns to the subject of the

new NH90 helicopters: "We have

thirteen now at De Kooy.

Unfortunately, we have expe-

rienced some teething problems.

But that is just a temporary

setback. The pilots who have

already flown this aircraft are very

enthusiastic about its capabilities.

In addition, the NH90 has already

proven its ability to live up to the

high expectations of the Air Force

in Somalia and in the West. In

February this year, it was decided

to install the NH90 simulator for

training helicopter crews at De

Kooy. This training facility will be

set up in the same building where

the Lynx helicopter simulator was

located previously. We will have to

modify the building first though",

says Jan Verest, who is now

accustomed to being addressed as

Major rather than Mr since his

transfer to the Air Force.

Den Helder Airport will again be represented at the Offshore Energy exhibition,

which will be held on 2288 and 2299 OOccttoobbeerr in the RAI complex in Amsterdam.

Together with NOORDWEST Services & Security, we will be present as part of the

Den Helder Pavilion, a successful joint presentation of a large number of offshore-

related companies from Den Helder and the region. You can find us in HHaallll 1111 on

ssttaanndd 1111..005544. More information about the Den Helder Pavilion can be found here:

wwwwww..ddeennhheellddeerrppaavviilljjooeenn..eeuu..

head of air traffic control, jan verest:

participation in the 2014 offshore energy exhibition

36

In October 2001, Nico Bais took

over where former Alderman,

Mervyn Stegers, left off after being

appointed to the position of Mayor

of Tubbergen. This meant that the

new Alderman also had a seat on

the Supervisory Board of Den

Helder Airport. Before accepting

this position, Nico Bais ran his

own insurance brokerage business

in Den Helder and, because he

likes to play a useful role in

society, was a member of various

society and association boards.

After he had worked for four years

as the Alderman for Economic

Affairs, with responsibility for

both the airport and the seaport in

his portfolio, the former

Municipal Executive stepped

down. Strikingly enough, Nico

retained his position as

Commissioner of Den Helder

Airport. Looking back, he says:

"During my period of office as

Alderman, the Municipal

Executive had already decided to

distance itself from positions of

the maximum permitted number

of flight movements towards the

end of the year. Fortunately, we

successfully overcame these

threats to our continuity on each

occasion. I still think that the

construction of the new terminal,

for which I had the privilege of

knocking in the first post, is an

absolute highlight. I put a one

euro coin on top of the post at the

time and it is still there, under the

building. The lack of hotel

accommodation close to the

airport is something that should

be addressed in my opinion. There

is a proven practical need for a

short-stay hotel."

Team of redoubtable ladies

As a member of the Supervisory

Board, Nico Bais has seen the

number of flight movements

steadily grow from 20,000 a year to

27,000 at present. "Den Helder

For more than twelve years, he held the position of Commissioner of Den Helder Airport on behalf of

the municipality of Den Helder. He officially took his leave from the company and his colleagues on

Friday 5 September 2014. Nico Bais can look back on an exciting period during which the civilian

airport grew strongly to form today's unshakeably strong combination for the offshore industry

together with the seaport of Den Helder.

former commissioner nico bais: Airport is a fast-growing, but

healthy business. The small

airports in the Netherlands are

finding it difficult to keep their

heads above water, but Den

Helder Airport is solid and has

excellent prospects. Each year,

more than 137,000 passengers pass

through the airport and over 500

people work for the 29 companies

based here, with a spin-off of

several thousand additional

employees elsewhere. This makes

Den Helder Airport one of the

region's economic mainstays. I am

proud of the fact that a female

Managing Director is doing such

an excellent job here with her

almost exclusively feminine team.

In view of the developments in the

offshore industry, I believe that

this airport can look forward to a

very promising future. So it is with

some regret that I take my leave

after 12 years. Years in which I

have collaborated very enjoyably

with my fellow member of the

Supervisory Board, Ernst Kip,and

with the airport's Managing

Directors, Roel Hijmans and

Conny van den Hoff. After

resigning from my position as

Commissioner, I will still be kept

busy by seven other board

positions. In addition, I enjoy

tinkering at home, reading and

playing sports and I am also

interested in birds. There is so

much for me to do still in Den

Helder that I definitely won't have

time to get bored."

this type and attract external

parties. When I stepped down

from my position as Alderman,

the new Municipal Executive

asked me to stay on as a member

of the airport's Supervisory Board

on behalf of the municipality. I

was prepared to do so and

formally held that position until

the end of 2013. When Jan van der

Zouw replaced Ernst Kip as

Chairman of the Supervisory

Board, he wanted to familiarise

himself with the job as thoroughly

as possible. So he asked me if I

wanted to take on this task for a

period of one year. Shortly

afterwards, I deputised for him

when he was unable to work due

to illness during a period of four

months. In all those years, I have

been able to use my knowledge

and experience both as an

administrator and as a business-

man. The years of 2004 and 2011

were particularly memorable

because there were serious doubts

as to whether the airport would

remain open. But there was also a

threat of closure on several other

occasions when we approachedNico Bais knocks in the first post.

Nico Bais was a member of the Supervisory Board at Den Helder Airport for more than 12 years.

(advertisement)

i leave den helderairport with pride

“I am proud of the fact that a female Managing Director is doing such an excellent job here with her almost

exclusively feminine team.”

,,,,

47

W O M E N I N T H E O F F S H O R E

She is probably one of the most well-known women in the offshore industry.

Esther Röge-Hoogendijk, who works every day in Restaurant Vice Versa at

Den Helder Airport. She definitely is for the people who are regular

passengers on helicopter flights to and from offshore platforms via this

airport.

esther roge face of vice versa

Esther, who is one of the most

cheerful people you will ever

meet, works tirelessly for her

employer at Den Helder Airport

every day. And, work allowing,

she always enjoys a chat or a

joke. Before she started working

Because I didn't want to sit

around at home during that

period, I started doing catering

work for a bakery. And at the

weekends, I did the same work

at an event location. After living

in Arnhem for six years, we

at the airport nearly 10 years

ago, she had already gained

extensive experience in

catering. "I was born and raised

in Den Helder, but also lived

together with my husband for a

number of years in Arnhem.

Esther Röge, one of the familiar faces of restaurant Vice Versa.

moved back to Den Helder. First

of all, I worked in Schagen for a

brief period and then found a

job in the kitchen at a nursing

home. It was my husband who

introduced me to Niels Gödden,

the owner of Vice Versa. He

asked me whether I wanted to

come and help him occasionally

in the afternoons and I

apparently impressed him so

much that he offered me a full-

time job."

No idea

Esther Röge really enjoys her

work. "Working in catering is a

passion for me. I know this

doesn't sound healthy but my

work is my life and comes first.

Fortunately my husband is a

workaholic just like me, and

understands me completely. On

average, I work 30 hours a week,

but particularly in foggy

weather, when the helicopters

are grounded, I occasionally

work more hours. I start at a

quarter to five in the morning

on two days a week, and at eight

o'clock on the other days. In

general, I work until two or

three o'clock in the afternoon.

Most people have no idea of all

of the other things we do

besides serving meals in the

restaurant. For example, during

the period when the flower bulb

growers employ large numbers

of Polish workers, we prepare

approximately 350 hot meals a

day. But we also supply hot

meals for companies such as

Peterson, Wintershall, GDF

SUEZ and Rabobank. In

addition, we make several

hundred bread rolls with

various fillings for the

businesses that are active at the

airport and on the Kooypunt

(advertisement)

industrial estate, and for

companies elsewhere in the

region. Our two drivers deliver

all of the orders to our

customers from 11am to 1pm."

Fortunately, Esther is not alone

in the kitchen, but ably assisted

by Daniëlle van der Sluis. "I am

delighted with her support. I

wouldn't be able to manage

without Daan, I always say."

Tireless

In spite of being very busy,

Esther always seems totally

tireless. "Working in catering

gives me a great deal of energy.

In addition, we form a close-knit

team with all of the other

colleagues, and everybody helps

each other. Both when people

are off sick and during

holidays." On the subject of

working in the largely male-

dominated offshore world,

Esther says: "You hear all kinds

of language during the day, but I

always enjoy a joke or a bit of

fun. And, if work allows, I like to

have a chat as well. I know many

of the lads who work offshore.

That has a downside as well; I

was completely shattered for a

couple of days not so long ago

when a fatal accident occurred

offshore. I'd like to visit a

production platform and have a

look around though. In fact, I'd

even be willing to work on a

platform for a few weeks. I'd love

to see how things are done there

and how the catering is

organised." This mother of two

boys, aged 16 and 19, is now in

her 40s. Even so, she hopes to

continue working at the airport

for many more years.

"Until I retire, I hope, and

maybe for longer. I'll only stop

when I need a wheeled walker."

..

catering is what ienjoy most

8

• Work on renovating spots 7, 8 and 9 for helicopters and

fixed-wing aircraft has started in October. The tarmac

apron for the spots will be resurfaced and concrete,

impermeable floors installed at the spots. New lines

will be painted on the entire airport site in completion

of the project. The work is carried out by Ballast

Nedam.

• Construction company Heijmans has been carrying

out refurbishment work for the staging platform for

helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft at De Kooy Naval Air

Station since June this year. The work is due to be

completed by 1 December 2014 at the latest.

• On Saturday 7 June, approximately 40 aircraft from all

corners of the Netherlands took part in a so-called Fly-

In at De Kooy Naval Airbase. The event was organised

by Aeroclub Maritiem, which is based at the military

airport.

• Helicopter company NHV from Oostende in Belgium,

which also has a large subsidiary operation at Den

Helder Airport, recently announced plans to merge

with Blueway. The result will be a leading player in the

helicopter flying services industry, with 650 employees,

approximately 60 helicopters and a turnover of 270

million dollars in 2013. The Danish helicopter

company, DanCopter, which flies regular services from

Den Helder Airport, is also part of Blueway and will be

involved in this merger. A total of 19 new helicopters

are currently being built for the new company.

• Den Helder Airport will be present at EWEA

OFFSHORE 2015 on a joint stand with Port of Den

Helder. This major offshore wind energy conference

and exhibition will take place on 10-12 March in

Copenhagen.

COLOPHONThe Den Helder AirportNewsletter is distributed in abroad circulation and is meant toinform interested parties aboutthe activities at and around DenHelder Airport.Reproducing of parts of thecontent is only authorized withsource indication.The content has been compiledat information. No rights can bedrawn upon the content in fact.

DDeenn HHeellddeerr AAiirrppoorrttLuchthavenweg 10A1786 PP Den HelderTelephone: +31 (0)223 63 56 66www.denhelderairport.nlinfo@denhelderairport.nl

EEddiittoorrPAS PublicatiesPostbus 471760 AA Anna Paulowna

EEddiittoorriiaall ssttaaffffPaul SchaapConny van den HoffDebbie IJlstraYvonne Rouwhorst

PPrroodduuccttiioonnPAS Publicaties, Anna Paulowna

CCrreeaattoorrNeverSeen, GRAPHIC ART & DESIGN

PPrriinnttBurghout Design & Druk

rare birdOn Friday 11 July, another rare bird landed at Den Helder

Airport for a short stop on its journey from Esbjerg in

Denmark to Duxford in England, where it was to

participate in the annual Flying Legends Air Display. In the

first instance, it seemed to be a DC-3 Dakota. Closer

examination, however, revealed that it was the Norwegian-

registered C-53D LN-WND. A military version of the DC-3,

which was used to transport American airborne troops

during the Second World War. After the war, a Finnish

airline called Aero O/y, later to become Finnair, put the

aircraft into service from 1946. In 1986, the beautifully

streamlined aircraft was acquired by the Norwegian Dakota

Foundation, an organisation that is similar to its Dutch

counterpart, the DDA. The aircraft is maintained and flown

by and for the foundation's members.

(Thanks to Coert Munk for this information)

Our completely restyled website,

wwwwww..ddeennhheellddeerraaiirrppoorrtt..nnll, was put online

on 11 September. The new site is even

easier to use and more clearly structured

than our previous site, partly thanks to

the use of fresh colours for a more

modern appearance. The site presents

large amounts of general information,

specific information for pilots and

passengers, press releases and an overview

of the companies that operate out of Den

Helder Airport.

Our new website uses responsive design

principles to ensure that the information

can also be displayed clearly on

smartphones and tablets. We intend to

add new pages on topical issues to the

website on a regular basis. Frequent visits

to our website will keep you up-to-date

with all of the latest developments at our

airport.

restyled website on line