A cockpit is a worthless classroom' Interview with Arie Nijman from Blu Bird, theory partner E-Flight
Arie is the driving force behind Blu Bird, the leading aviation theory school in the Netherlands and also the theory partner of E-Flight. For decades, Arie has been giving passionate theory lessons in bite-sized portions in his own unique way. More and more E-Flight students are joining his (often digital) classroom, so it's time for an in-depth interview with Arie. Are there differences in students? Will electric flying also change the theory? Why is there so much theory? And what does he actually think of electric flying himself? Fasten your seatbelts. Full throttle on those kilowatts!
Arie, one of your characteristics is that you are good at and enjoy telling stories. But imagine, if you had to describe yourself in 5 words, what would they be?
- Flying creature
- Passionate
- Coach
- Trainer
- Visual animal
In the aviation world, you are of course very well known. But at E-Flight Academy, we have many people who are not from the aviation world. Can you explain to them who you are and what you do?
My mother was a school teacher and she thought I should become a schoolmaster. And at that time (the 60s) you simply didn't have that much choice. I would have liked technology myself, but she didn't approve of that. So I became a schoolmaster.
You don't become something at school. You already are something.
What I found out: You don't become something at school. You already are something. And if you're lucky - and I've been lucky - you find out in time what you are. So I became who I was. And I was already 35 then. At 35, I started flying. I don't know exactly what it was, but it must be something that had been inside me for a long time. When I was about 8 years old, I once won the 2nd prize on Queen's Day with a plane built by my father in which I was sitting. That is now my Whatsapp profile picture. Maybe that's where it all started...
(Watch a video about 'learning' from Arie here.)
I didn't hate learning, but I did hate school. The thought of having to spend the rest of my life in a school was very daunting to me. But now I am very proud of my own little school where I can combine teaching with what I love. I can be so passionate about helping people understand aviation. Because when people understand it, it becomes safer. You can 'play a little billiards', 'play a little piano', but you can't 'fly a little'. In my opinion, a pilot's license is not comparable to a driver's license.
You can 'play a little billiards', 'play a little piano', but you can't 'fly a little'.
To finish my own story, I started taking flying lessons at Martinair when I was 35. They quickly noticed my teaching skills and I soon started giving theory lessons there as well. In 1988, I started my own business at Schiphol and I have never stopped since. Meanwhile, I continued flying and by the time I was 40, I had pretty much everything one could have. If I were younger, I would have found the 'airline' industry interesting, but I had started too late for that.
I am happy that E-Flight has found me. I really enjoy this collaboration.
Blu Bird started as a full-fledged flight school. So also with flying lessons in the air. But now we are purely a theory school. That's kind of my thing and also a bit my niche. I am also very happy that E-Flight has found me. I really like that collaboration. I've been in it for a long time. I actually thought that all flight schools in the Netherlands should send their students to us. Because we can just do this. And so we are also not a competitor of flight schools.
Sometimes I cringe just talking about such a combustion engine.
Recently, there are also E-Flight students sitting in your classrooms who only fly electrically. Do you notice a difference?
Yes, to myself. That I occasionally say something about electric flying. Otherwise, it wouldn't have crossed my mind. Sometimes I already cringe talking about a combustion engine. But well, regulations often lag behind reality and I hope that will be quickly updated.
(Check out useful tutorial videos from Arie here.)
What do you think of the rise of electric flying?
I think that's absolutely fantastic. All good! I also consider it a 'natural thing'. And I can't wait to see where it all leads. I'm so curious to see who will also get involved in the larger aviation industry. I think it's great. Absolutely nothing wrong with that. Because we need to do something, so please do!
In our opinion, electric flying is going to shake up the aviation world quite a bit. How do you think this will affect the theory?
Not. Well, 'not' is really a strong no. But the theory of flying, that involves so many things. Aerodynamically there is no difference. Regulations, will not change. At least not in broad lines. The infrastructure will change with charging stations etc. But the theory will change little.
Regulations, will not change.
At least not in broad strokes.
And what about legislation? Much of the legislation in aviation is based on traditional aviation. Do you expect that to change in the short term due to electric flying?
I don't expect that. I see in practice that it does have some value. So apparently what was written back then about aviation is still relevant. And besides, you can be innovative with an electric airplane, but you are still flying among the established order.
If you want to fly, you are more than welcome to, but then you will have to work for it.
Many of our students find it 'quite challenging' that the theory is so extensive. What would you like to say to these students?
That's just as well! If you want to fly, you have my full support, but you will have to work for it. Because I want you to understand that. Some flight schools act like it's easy. But that's simply not true.
The impact of flying is so much more than just getting in a plane and enjoying a little flight. There is a lot involved. You also learn a lot about yourself when you learn to fly. Whether you fly electric or traditional, it is too complex to 'just do'. But that's exactly why it's so much fun. You never stop learning!
You also learn a lot about yourself when you learn to fly. Whether you fly electric or traditional.
Many of our students experience theory as quite a maze of options and possibilities. What could the new generation of flight schools do to improve this?
Flying schools need to look for instructors who integrate theory into their flying lessons. That's when it counts. A cockpit is a worthless classroom. If flying schools would have that insight a bit more, that would already be a great improvement.
(Check out useful tutorial videos from Arie here.)
I also find it not unthinkable that we will provide theory lessons at a flight school on site. For example at E-Flight! Because from the student's perspective, I understand that people would actually prefer to learn at their own flight school.
Just do it, then we're done with it.
And of course I can help you with that!
Do you think (perhaps due to electric flying) obtaining your pilot's license will become more accessible and therefore the theory will also become simpler?
No. This is what it is. We can't change it 1-2-3. Don't fight the system. Just do it, then we're done with it. And of course, I can help you with that. I'd be happy to!
--- End of interview -----
When you do your flight training at E-Flight Academy, there are a few other things besides the theory from Blu Bird that you need to do regarding your license. this brochure We will guide you step by step in what you need to do and what everything entails in general. Good luck!
