Our Fokkers – A Fleet Full of Memories
What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the name Fokker? Terrible puns? (Admit it.) Terribly funny comedies starring Robert de Niro? Or a brand of reliable aircraft that proudly sported the KLM livery for 97 years? Some of you will know that this weekend marked the end of a 97-year partnership between KLM and Fokker. That’s 97 years’ worth of passengers, maintenance, flight hours, and lots of ups and downs. In short: 97 years’ worth of memories. I spoke to eight former and current KLM employees whose working lives were entwined with this cool aircraft. What do they think of when they hear the name Fokker?
Nicole, cabin attendant at KLM since 1993
“I’ve always really enjoyed working aboard the Fokker. It’s a great plane. I was a stewardess on the very first commercial Fokker 70 flight in 1996. And soon, 21 years on, I’ll be a crewmember on its very last flight from London to Amsterdam. It’s very special to have worked aboard the very first and very last flight of the Fokker 70.”
Stefan, worked with Fokkers for almost 20 years and is currently Fokker 70 Fleet Manager
“Fokker connects people. At KLM Cityhopper, so many different divisions have cooperated closely with Fokker. They really are a brilliant team. It’s very special that we’ll be ringing down the curtain on 97 years of history. That’s truly unique. When I started out as fleet manager back in 2011, we had 31 Fokkers. We now only have seven left. I now supervise the phase-out of all Fokkers currently being sold and have been working with these birds for 20 years. You really develop a bond with these machines. Every time one leaves, it’s like a little part of me goes with it.”
Reinout, pilot at KLM since 2006, flew Fokkers for 11 years and now operates the Embraer
“I started as a co-co-pilot on the Boeing 747 and ten months later I started flying on the Fokker 70 and 100. I vividly recall flying the first time I flew the Fokker myself. After ground school and simulator training, it was wonderful to fly solo for the first time, practising take-offs and landings in an empty aircraft alongside an instructor. We flew to France and spent two days practicing touch-and-goes with a great group of people. Flying a jet for the first time really is fantastic!”
Waldo, an ex-KLM Cityhopper pilot from 1986 till 2006 and flew Fokkers for other operators till 2010
“I flew the Fokker 27, 28, 50, 70 and 100. Back in the day, the Fokker 70 was a modern aircraft. She was my favourite. Flew like a lady – very pleasant, everything in perfect order, a great piece of machinery. The others were more like workhorses, especially the F27 and F28. But the F70 was lovely. I’ve always said: The Fokker 70 really is a pilot’s plane.”
Bas, head of Flight Operations at KLM Cityhopper
“Fokker is a Dutch-made plane, which is why we’re all so fond of it. A Dutch plane operating for a Dutch airline, all over the world. That makes us proud and it evokes emotions, especially because we enjoyed working with these planes and because they carried lots and lots of passengers. I vividly recall flying to London City in glorious weather aboard a Fokker 50, with a magnificent view of the city. And then landing on that very special runway, in the heart of that great metropolis, with a propeller-driven plane. Fantastic.”
Agnes, flying as a cabin attendant aboard Fokkers at KLM Cityhopper for 4.5 years
“I always call the Fokker 70 “my little dolphin”, because of its lovable, little nose. When I board a Fokker it’s like coming home. Such a comfy, welcoming feeling. Very pleasant indeed. I’ll never forget it. A piece of Dutch heritage.”
Jeroen, joined KLM in 1998, project manager of the fleet renewal programme (GREAT) at KLM Cityhopper since 2015
“It’s the aircraft that always brought me home. I grew up in Italy. When my parents still lived there and I was studying, there was a Fokker 100 service between Amsterdam and Milan Malpensa. I often took that flight back and forth to Italy, which meant I regularly flew aboard the Fokker 100. I always liked the fact that during landing, it looked like a big plane, with the landing lights flipping up out of the wingtips, when it’s actually quite a small plane. I always found that charming.”
Alex, pilot since 2007, flew Fokker 70s for nearly 10 years and will start on the Boeing 777 this December
“In 2015, I piloted the inaugural flight to Southampton. We were welcomed by the fire brigade and a festive committee, which was a great photo opportunity. I’ll never forget that day. But I think the farewell will be my favourite memory. It feels like a highlight in my career. We worked really hard and there has been such a warm response from the community and passengers. It really is a crown on ten years’ work.”