EXPLORE THE SKIES
FREEDOM OF FLYING AND DISCOVERING
Would you like to take a scenic flight over for example Switzerland, view your house from the air, or other great ideas?
I like to share my enthusiasm in aviation and can support you on flying adventure with a maximum of 3 passengers, in an airplane from Les Eplatures (LSGC), La Chaux-de-Fonds, NE or other airports nearby.
​
If you are interested read further on my website and discover how this works.

ABOUT ME
My name is Richard van Ewijk, Dutch from origin, 54 years old and interested in aviation from an early age. Nowadays I hold a Private Pilot License and flying is my hobby. It is lovely to have the freedom of moving through the sky and enjoy the beautiful landscapes.
My goal is to share my passion with others and maintain proficient as a pilot on the Piper PA28A/B, and gain even more fun flying experiences with others. To keep proficient I have to make a good number of flying hours per year and why not share this with others who wanted to explore the world from another angle like me.
With my current license I am allowed to fly passengers and share the costs of the flight. This is non-profit and I am not earning any money on these flights. Feel free to contact me to explore the options.
​

HOW IT WORKS
AND CONSIDERATIONS
GEOGRAPHICAL RESTRICTIONS
It is not allowed to fly just anywhere in the airspace. City center of Zurich, for example, is difficult due to dense air traffic around the airport, or restricted area due to military activities. There are possibilities, but sometimes a flight plan must be submitted in advance and there are no guarantees that it will actually work. We can always evaluate the possibilities together.
​

WEIGHT AND BALANCE
The maximum flying weight is important for takeoff, stability and balance off the plane.  If you want to fly with 4 people, it is important to know the weight of all passengers and the luggage. Small luggage is possible as there is a luggage compartment, it still must be kept to a minimum in size and weight, especially with 3 passengers and a pilot. Based on this information I will make calculations on the seating and hand luggage weight allowance.

WEATHER
The main limitation in flying with small airplane is the weather condition.
It is not known in advance whether it is possible to fly. If you make an appointment with me, I will decide no later than the day itself whether the weather conditions allow to fly, and I often know 1-2 days in advance whether it will not be possible due to the weather. That is why I usually plan multiple appointments, and this can be done in consultation.

PRICES - PLANE
Plane Rental
Cost for plane rental is based on the engine running time during flight and landing fee.
​
Engine running time will be calculated per minute. Taxi, and waiting times on the ground with running engine are not considered as engine running time. The cost is 4.33CHF/min which includes taxes, fuel, oil, etc. A sightseeing flight of one hour is therefore 260CHF (60x 4.33 CHF/min). This cost can be divided per passenger, i.e. 3 passenger and the pilot 65CHF/person per hour excluding landing fee. It is also possible to rent a smaller plane for max. 2 passengers for the cost of 3.33 CHF/min.
​
Keep in mind, this is non-profit for the pilot and he pays an equal share of the total operating costs.
​

PRICES - AIRPORT
Landing Fee
Airports charge landing fee for runway use, safety and air traffic control where applicable. These costs depend on the airport, the weight of the aircraft, the time and if it is a local-, national- or international flight. Landing at Les Eplatures airport is therefore more expensive if you have been to Colmar, France, for example, than if you only made a sightseeing flight from the airport.
Landing fee are usually listed on the website of the relevant airport. Typical landing fee is around the 30 CHF per landing.
​

TOTAL PRICE
Calculation
The table provides an example on how you can calculate the total price.

CONTACT
Are you interested, get in touch with
Richard van Ewijk
to learn more about the possibilities.
+41 78 647 3263
