Hans has had an interest in aviation from a very young age. Visited Schiphol Airport as a 3-year-old boy with his parents and made his first flight there. From that day on he was fascinated by flying. Started gliding at the age of 15. During a job at an aero club, he obtained his professional certificate through self-study. Worked in the “general aviation” from 1982 to 1986. Towed many hours of advertising, made photo flights and flew sightseeing flights. Also flown through Europe on a twin-engine business jet. Hired at Transavia Airlines in 1986 and flew Boeing 737s there for a year. Started at KLM in 1987 and was co-pilot on the B737 and B747-400. Became captain of B737 in 1994 and B767 in 2001. Been an instructor at KLM for a total of nine years, of which two years basic instructor B747-400 and seven years route instructor / inspector B737. From 2006 captain Boeing 747-400. Part-owned a Boeing Stearman before purchasing the Yak-52 in 2006. Flies airshows as of 2009.
