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I come from a family of aviation enthusiasts. As a kid, I spent a lot of time at the observation platform of Subang Airport in Kuala Lumpur, watching and chattering excitedly as planes landed and took off. My Mum would try to tear me away to go home and I would say, “just one more plane… one more!”… and she would sigh (and give in). I didn’t become a pilot (everyone thought I would) but my brother did – I just didn’t find the idea of being cooped up in a cockpit for hours on end quite appealing. That didn’t diminish my enthusiasm for airplanes though. When I’m not in them, I’m watching them from my backyard (I live under one of Amsterdam Schiphol Airport’s flight paths), armed with the FlightRadar24 app on my iPhone. They never cease to amaze me.

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Posing with the pilot of the KLM DC3 Dakota.

A nostalgic flight on a Dakota DC-3

When I received an invitation from KLM Royal Dutch Airlines to experience a flight on a historic Dakota DC-3, I literally jumped in excitement!

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The Dakota DC-3 in retro KLM livery.

The flight, from Amsterdam across the North Sea to Newcastle, turned out to be one of my most memorable flight experiences ever! I flew with a small group of bloggers and we were all heady with excitement when we arrived at the private jet terminal of Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. We were welcomed by volunteers from the Dutch Dakota Association – the association maintains a small fleet of Dakota DC3 planes and carries out regular scenic flights around the Netherlands. Everyone, from the pilots to the engineers, flight attendants and ground staff work on a voluntary basis, a true testament to their love for the Dakota DC3.

History of the Dakota DC-3 I flew on

We were briefed about the history of the plane we were flying on and I was amazed. The plane, with serial number PH-PBA, is truly historic. Built in 1944, the plane first served in the US Air Force and was used during D-Day operations in Normandy and Operation Market Garden (to liberate the south of the Netherlands from the Nazis). After the war, the plane was presented as a gift to Prince Bernhard, the husband of Queen Juliana of the Netherlands. He used it as a private plane, flying himself and his family around for many years before passing the plane on to the Dutch state.

The plane eventually ended up at the Aviodome, the aviation museum at Schiphol Airport. In 1998, after a lengthy process of restoration, the plane was once more ready to take to the skies. Painted in the livery of KLM (the association’s sponsor and one of the first airlines to add the DC3 to its fleet in 1936), the plane was used for special events and tours, including the recent 70th anniversary of D-Day in Normandy.

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The Dakota DC3.

During the briefing, we were awed by stories of flying in a KLM DC3 in the 1930’s. The plane was deployed on routes from Amsterdam to Batavia (present-day Jakarta in Indonesia), a flight that took several days with multiple stops in the most exotic places. We couldn’t wait to board the plane!

On board the DC-3

We received our boarding passes and hopped into a van that brought us to the PH-PBA. Our captain, Ruud Schoenmakers, guided us around and after countless rounds of photos, we finally boarded the plane. I noticed that we weren’t the only ones who were excited – around the tarmac and the hangars, engineers and other aircraft personnel had gathered to watch us board the plane. It felt like a true honour.

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Sonja welcomes us on board.
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Super excited!

We were welcomed onboard by Sonja, our flight attendant, with a glass of champagne. The first thing that tickled me was the slope I had to ‘climb’ to get to my seat (1K) in the front of the plane. The interior, fitted with plush KLM seats, was surprisingly spacious. The door was soon pulled shut and we taxied to the runway. Sonja gave us a safety demonstration and added that the cabin is not pressurised. If we felt too warm or cold, we could let her know; the temperature would be ‘regulated’ by simply opening/closing a window! It was too funny!

Dakota DC-3 flight across the North Sea

The engines roared and after a short run, we lifted off like a feather, flying low across Schiphol Airport before heading for the Dutch coast.

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Here we go!!! #retroklm

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We climbed to a cruising altitude of about 1,500m, passing ships and oil rigs in the North Sea. Despite the non-pressurised cabin and noise from the engines, it was surprisingly easy to conduct a conversation and hear each other. It also felt more comfortable than the pressurised cabins on modern aircraft. We were free to walk around the plane and visit the cockpit. I watched the captain and co-pilot as they poured over their maps – there was of course no navigation systems! It was a humbling experience to be on board this historic plane, flying across the North Sea; an incredible flight back in time!

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Watching the pilots navigate across the North Sea.

Newcastle

It was a huge thrill to fly low above the English countryside. There were stunning views of the rocky coastline, cliffs, beaches, towns, villages and several castles. After about 2.5 hours, we reached Newcastle where we swooped above the city in a broad arc before making a smooth landing.

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Swooping low above Newcastle!
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Enjoying the view of Newcastle through the DC3’s big windows.

We exited the plane and had one last walk around this grand dame. I touched her shiny surface and felt a mixture of humility and awe. I’ve made countless flights but this is one I’ll certainly never forget!

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One last look at the grand dame.
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And I received a certificate as proof of my flight on board this historic plane!

The Dakota Association of the Netherlands conducts regular flights with the Dakota DC3, offering a historic flight experience as well as fabulous views of, amongst others, Amsterdam and the tulip fields due to the low cruising altitude. For the aviation geeks out there, this is surely something for your bucket list!

Read about other day trips from Amsterdam.

Note: a big thank you goes to KLM UK for inviting me on this unforgettable trip!

11 Responses

  • Hi James,
    I suggest you get in touch with the operator (DDA Classic Airlines) of the DC3 Dakota flights. You can phone them on +31 6 5770 2225 (Tuesday to Thursday during office hours) or email them at [email protected]. I hope this helps!

    Cheers,
    Keith

  • Please My name is James finlay of Princes Risborough HP27 0DR . A member of our church ⛪ is an world war 2 veteran pilot who flew the Dc3 Dakota in Burma,he is 98 years old and I would love to arrange a flight in your Dc3 Dakota for a surprise for him . please can you help with this my phone number is +4407479942594.

  • Love to hear all about it I have models of the dc3 and want to fly in it

  • How can I get a flight in a Dakota? I live in north west London, not too far from Heathrow. My first ever flight was in a Dakota in the mid nineteen fifties.

  • Hi. I have recently purchased a new to me car with the plate number DC04KTA and have been told by a ex RAF friend that this may be a interest to an enthusiast, but am struggling to find the Dakota members club or similar, any chance you can put me in the right direction. Many thanks. Paul Walker

  • Hi folks, if you are ever coming down to New Zealand (where there are lots of nederlander folk living by the way) you must try also a flight in the restored DC3 of Air Chathams’ (ZK-AWP). It was built in 1945 and was delivered straight to New Zealand where it has remained ever since.

    I, too, just had my first ever DC3 flight about 12 hours ago and I am still in wonder of the experience.

    The DC3 is a thoroughbred of an aircraft. They are SMOOTH and QUIET and superbly COMFORTABLE and fill you with confidence in the aircraft. You ENJOY every second of flying in it! There is no ‘modern’ aircraft that seems to have this same quality which is hard to describe and quantify. I guess you could say the DC3 is quite simply the Rolls Royce of the skies, of all time.

    Craig (from Thames – New Zealand)

  • Hi Penny,
    Yes, it was a prop plane. As mentioned in my post, it was surprisingly ‘quiet’; it was easy enough to have a normal conversation in the plane without having to raise our voices.

    Cheers,
    Keith

  • This harkens back to the golden age of air travel. I noticed that it was a prop plane though … was it really loud for you, or was it manageable? I was on a prop plane once, and I was left wishing I took earplugs!

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