25th Old-Timer Flyin – Schaffen/Diest (EBDT)
15 August 2008
by Robert Rombouts, BelgiumThis year we had a perfect weather for the Fly-In at Diest-Schaffen EBDT in Belgium.
This famous Old Timers happening is always a very big success; especially a lot of German, Dutch, French and English planes are attending it. Last year I just missed Ernst Viehweger; he took some pictures just when I was taking off back to Ostend. This year I was again not lucky, he landed with his D-EHIR when I was already back in Ostend. Unfortunately I could not fly the next day to Diest because I had some family obligations.For me it is only an 83NM distance and 1Hr25 fly time. Because I had to avoid the Brussels CTR and cross the Antwerp CTR, the GPS is very useful. The airfield is a grass strip Runway 06/24 of 800m long and 40m large. The Runway 24 has an ascending slope from 3,6%.
In Diest I met Harald Schmidt, a German owner of the D-EHCG and a closed friend of Ernst Viehweger. We chat during a few hours and find out that Harald, a fabulous mechanic, improved his ex military 1947 Ercoupe sernr. 4697, with a sliding canopy like an Alon. Unfortunately he lost his medical and keeps his Coupe in his garage. I understand it is difficult for him to separate from his plane; I will have the same feelings when I could not fly anymore. I met also a Dutchman who is interested to buy an Ercoupe but cannot find one that is suitable his expectations. I realize that the Ercoupe is starting to be a demanding plane in Europe.
Willem Rongé, my friend who made also my website, took some photos of the arrival of the D-EHIR and Ernst Viehweger that I mailed to Ernst. I hope he had a good fly back to Merseburg because I didn’t receive any news from him.
You can see all the photos of the Fly-In which where attend by enormous amount of planes.
http://www.q-ictos.be/flyin2008Friday/index.htmAgain it was a nice flying day and happy that I meet Harald from Germany, an other real Ercoupe in heart and soul.
Regards, Robert
