Category Archives: Transport

NLR tests at Twente Airport

Gallery 2 October 2016 Niek van der Zande 2 Comments

The Netherlands Aerospace Centre (NLR) has chosen Twente Airport as the location of several tests with it’s airplane, a Cessna Citation businessjet.

The NLR flight crew, ready for another mission.

On the 13th of September brake tests were held, whereby the runway was artificially soaked. The tests will continue on 15 and 16 September, but now brake tests will be performed in a water basin, which will be purposely built on a section of the runway. The NLR was looking for a location where some special tests could be executed; plenty of space and a runway with a special coating were required.

The top layer, Antiskid from the Possehl company, increases security when landing on a wet runway. These tests are held to measure exactly what the friction of the runway is in rainy conditions. The runway will be soaked with the use of six large tanker trailers that will spray a large amount of water on the runway. The testplane will then land shortly after.

On 15 and 16 September another set of braking tests were performed but now in a so-called waterbasin, that will be constructed on a part of the runway.

Preparation of the water basin on the runway

The amount of water in this basin represents the amount of water that can accumulate on the runway during a heavy downpour. The purpose of these tests is to see how the aircraft brakes perform in these extreme conditions. The knowledge that is gained will be used to adapt rules and regulations, which will then in turn increase flight safety. The tests on 15 and 16 September were performed in the light of a European study to increase flight safety.

Aviation, Emergency Services, Events, Transport

President Obama visits Hannover

Gallery 28 April 2016 Niek van der Zande

On 24 and 25 April 2016 the U.S. President Barack Obama visited Hannover, Germany. The main purpose of his visit was to open the Hannover Messe but next to that he also had meetings with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, as well as with the Prime Ministers of France, Italy and the United Kingdom.

President Obama greets the crowd at Hannover Airport

The pictures on this page were taken during President Obama’s arrival at Hannover Airport on 24 April and his departure on 25 April. Obviously there was a large number of security staff from both German and US authorities.

Security Forces

The Beast

Airforce One

Leaving Germany

Other visitors

Prime Minister Mark Rutte of The Netherlands leaving Hannover

Transport

Twenterally 2015

Gallery 5 November 2015 Niek van der Zande

On the 1st of November 2015, the annual Twenterally was held in the surroundings of Hengelo, The Netherlands.

The rear-wheel driven classics were a spectacular sight with plenty of "tail waggling" — The rear-wheel driven classics were a spectacular sight with plenty of “tail waggling”

Not all the cars survived unscaved, as can bee seen on this Citroen. At least it could still drive.

During this day the rally teams competed on 9 KPs, of which 3 were organized on an industrial area in Hengelo. This was also the place where most spectators could watch the rally, as an arena was layed out through which the cars passed three times.

Ford Escorts were still going strong during the Classic Rally

Next to modern World Rally Cars, classic cars could be seen as well, since a Classic Rally followed the main Twente Rally. These classics could be almost everything, ranging from a Wartburg to a Citroen DS.

Transport

World Harbour Days Rotterdam 2015

Gallery 5 September 2015 Niek van der Zande

During the first weekend of September 2015 hosted the World Harbour Days. Every year hundredthousands of people take the chance to get a glimps behind the scenes of Europe’s largest port. The visitors can pay a visit to several ships, admire demonstrations on the water and watch presentations from the many companies that use the Port of Rotterdam. The main stage is next to the Erasmusbridge.

A tug shows its power and tight turning radius

One of the demonstrations was hosted by the Royal Netherlands Navy. In this display, a vessel was attacked by “pirates” in small motorboats. Once the ship was captured, they hoisted their piratesflag in the mast.

The captured vessel with the FRISC and NH90

In order to recapture the ship, the Royal Netherlands Navy came into action. First a FRISC with 6 marines aboard was deployed to capture the ship again. At the same moment a NH-90 from the Defence Helicopter Command (DHC) entered the scene and dropped marines, via the fast-roping technique, right onto the deck of the pirated vessel. The ship was consequently liberated.

Marines are fast-roping from the NH-90 helicopter onto the deck of the captured vessel

Several large buildings caused an unusual backdrop for this NH-90, which would normally operate over sea

At this point the demonstration was cut short. The reason was that a body was seen in the river, close to the display area. Next to police, fire brigade and ambulance services, all available boats from the display as well as the NH-90 moved to the scene to assist in the search operation. Shortly after, the remains of a person were recovered in the waters near the Koninginnebrug. More information (in Dutch) can be found HERE.

The NH-90 and Port Authority vessels were used to search for the missing person

After the first of many rain showers, a rescue operation was displayed. In this scenario a fire had started aboard a tanker vessel, causing injuries to the crew. This meant that assistance was needed to extinghuish the fire and to evacuate the wounded. First on the scene was the KNRM Jeanine Parqui lifeboat, normally based in Hoek van Holland. This lifeboat was followed by one of the Port Authority’s tugs, which used its massive watercanons to stop the fire. Finally a Noordzee Helikopters Vlaanderen (NHV) SA.365 Dauphin helicopter arrived to rescue the people from the burning tanker. NHV performs Pilot and SAR duties on behalf of the Dutch government from their heliport in the Pistoolhaven on the Maasvlakte.

A medic is dropped onto the deck of the "burning" tanker. — A medic is dropped onto the deck of the “burning” tanker.

NvdZ_RTM_04092015-33 — The Search and Rescue Dauphin flies between Rotterdam’s high-rise buildings

Transport

Sail In 2015

Gallery 21 August 2015 Niek van der Zande

Every 5 years the Sail Amsterdam is organized in the Port of Amsterdam. During this event, some 50 tall ships sail to Amsterdam and spectators can visit these ships.

The Götheborg is also used by the NPO for all the TV braodcasts during Sail 2015 — The Götheborg is also used by the NPO for all the TV broadcasts during Sail 2015

The event was organised for the first time in 1975 to celebrate the 700th anniversary of Amsterdam, under the name ‘Sail Amsterdam 700’. At that time, interest in tall ships, which had sunk to a low since the 1930s when the last commercial tall ships had been built, was starting to rise. The success of Sail Amsterdam 700 led to the establishment of the Stichting Sail Amsterdam (SSA, Foundation Sail Amsterdam).

The Kruzenshtern surrounded by many small boats.

Sail is one of the largest maritime manifestations in the world, and the largest event of any kind in the Netherlands. Tens of tall ships and hundreds of other historical ships are involved. Numerous other ships and boats are present besides the participating ships, amounting to 8000 boats in the 2000 edition. Lesser events take place during the festival, involving small sailboats, sailor choirs or re-enactments of naval battles. The Sail In or Parade of Sail on the first day attracts many other small ships, including creations like a sailing organ (with trumpet accompaniment) or a train converted to a ship. On the next to last day there is a naval pageant and on the last day the ‘Sail Out’.

The Colombian ARC Gloria sails through the Noordzee Kanaal in all its glory.

This year, the Sail In parade took place on the 19th of August. During this parade the participatings ships, headed by the flagship Stad Amsterdam, sail through the Noordzee Kanaal from the IJmuiden locks to the IJhaven in Amsterdam. This parade attrackts thousands of small boats, as well as hundredthousands of spectators on the shores of the canal.