Sports pilots from all over the Netherlands want to surprise Texel Airport harbor master Ed de Bruijn with a special birthday visit on Monday 6 June. De Bruijn turns 70 that day. Initiator Frank de Jong hopes to treat the birthday boy to at least 70 aircraft that should all come to Texel.
According to pilot De Jong, Ed de Bruijn is seen in the sport flying world as a ‘hero’ and he more than deserves the special gift. He hopes that at least 70 pilots will heed his call and come to Texel Airport by plane on June 6 (Whit Monday). De Bruijn is praised for his hospitality and has been the face of the Texel airport for decades.
‘Surprise’
De Jong has created a page on a Facebook group for sport pilots where pilots can register. In addition, he has approached several flying clubs in the Netherlands to come. At least 30 pilots from De Jong’s own circle have already promised to attend.
According to De Jong, the fact that the ‘surprise visit’ is on a Facebook page of which Ed de Bruijn is also a member should not spoil the fun. “This way we know for sure that Ed will be there on his own birthday,” he tells NH Nieuws.
Pension
Formally, De Bruijn has already retired and his son Mike has since succeeded him as director of Texel Airport. Yet father De Bruijn can still be found in the control tower on a regular basis to guide pilots in or to help them leave.
The De Bruijn family was interviewed in 2020 for the NH program ‘Our Man On Texel’