Frank Versteegh at Helsinki-Malmi Airport EFHF / HEM
Frank Versteegh (Oosterbeek, September 19, 1954) is a Dutch pilot and flyer. He is also an organizer of fly shows, a "safe fly" commissioner and a FAI jury member.
Versteegh began his flight career in 1972 when he was 18 years old. Between 1982 and 1994 he participated in the European and World Art Flying Championships. During his career, he flew in more than 1250 aircraft in activities around the world, in 160 different aircraft types.
His first own plane was a Cessna 150 in 1983. Between 1987 and 1989, he flew into a Pitts S-2S G-SOLO, which he also flew into a team. In 1989, the Pitts was sold to Germany. He flew back into his new plane, the Zlin 50 LS, which he acquired from Manfred Strossenreuther, who died earlier on his Speichersdorf home ground. In this plane Versteegh won the Open Dutch National Unlimited Aerobatic Championship in the same year.
His sponsor Shake 20 made it possible to buy his new Extra 300, a mid-wing mono plane. He flew for three years in this plane under a license from Shake 20, but changed from 1995 to sponsor Volny. In 1996 he was able to buy a new aircraft, the Extra 300L, using Volny. In July 1997 he became the first pilot to make a "touch and go" with an Extra 300L (D-EZOZ) on a 70 meter long river ship on the Rhine near Rhenen. Versteegh only had 1.5 seconds to land on the boat at the speed of 80 knots. The stunt took place during a fly show that was visited by 50,000 people.
After taking part in the Breitling World Cup or Aerobatics for three years, he specialized in freestyle flying and skydancing. Between 2004 and 2007 he was one of the selected drivers who participated in the Red Bull Air Race World Series. Both in 2004 and 2007 he scored 3 points, finishing at 6th and 11th, respectively. In 2005 and 2006 he did not get points and ended as 8th and 11th.
On December 17, 2003, Frank made a successful attempt to launch all 25 airports in the Netherlands on one day with his plane. This record attempt was in the context of 100 years of aviation, his call name was "Flight One Zero Zero" and included in the Guinness Book of Records.
Versteegh gives lectures on safety, risk management and personal responsibility.
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