Interview with Frank Versteegh and Ralph "Sheik" Aarts
Written by M.C. Kruiper
Saturday, 24 July 2010 21:06
Most of you know Frank Versteegh, most of you know Ralph "Sheik" Aarts. I met both of them on a saturday at Teuge airport. (BE SURE TO CHECK OUT THE YOUTUBE VIDEO IN THIS SECTION, SCROLL DOWN)
Frank is best known for his participation in the Red Bull Airrace World Series. Frank flew from 2003 till 2007, his best overall position was the No. 4 spot. . Ofcourse all of that flying had to start somewhere, Frank caught the "bug" when he first flew in a glider back in 1973, after that flight he knew, this is what I want to do, to fly. Frank moved to aerobatics flying fairly quickly. He participated in aerobatics championships all over the world and won several prizes.
Ralph has been the RNLAF F-16 Demoteam display pilot from 2007 till 2009. First in the J-055, later in the J-015. Ralph did an excellent job of showing the capabilities of the F-16 jet fighter. Besides still being an active airforce pilot he has some more free time. In that time he now flies the Extra-300L
The day I arrived it was hot, VERY hot, about 36 degrees Celsius. Sweat poured from your face without even doing anything. The two Extra-300L's were just being cleaned by Ralph and Frank. I must say the color scheme on the second Extra is excellent. The day was used both as training for formation flying and for letting a number of people experience the thrills of aerobatics and formation flying.
The first passenger arrived to take to the skies. After a briefing done by Ralph, about the Extra-300L, safety and what they would do in the air, it was time to strap in. The passenger was strapped in the Extra. Checks were done and the engines were started simultaneously. After the canopies closed the two Extras taxieed to runway 27 and did a formation take-off.
Unfortunately all the formation flying and aerobatics couldn't be flown over the airport itself, Teuge airport is small, but with plenty of activity, such as para's, gliders and other general aviation traffic. After a while the planes returned. While not even having stopped completely there was a huge, and I do mean HUGE, smile on his face. The canopy opened and all he could say was WOW, WOW, WOW. 3 sorties were flown that day with a total of 5 passengers. None of the passengers got out sick or hated it. Reactions varried from WOW, super, great, awesome, I'm totally flabbergasted. When I asked if this experience could be compared to anything else, each of them said, it's not comparable to anything else, this is totally unique. This included a passenger that flies in a helicopter on a regular basis.
There is a slight disadvantage however after aerobatics flying, everything else you do after it is pretty boring.
All in all I can say, based on the reactions of the passengers and the excitement and enthousiasm of the two pilots, Frank and Ralph that this is one of those things that you just have to have done in your life. I haven't shared this experience yet, but I most certainly will in the near future. Do book this experience, not only for the thrills, but also to have the unique chance to fly with an aerobatics champion and Red Bull Air Race pilot or a F-16 display pilot.
A special thanks to Frank and Ralph for this great and especially fun day.
