Airport Deventer / Teuge (EHTE) IFR

Just used this airfield for the recent PPL/IR “Over-Nighter” ARNHEM 80TH COMMEMORATIONS 20th – 22nd September 2024 Trip.

Welcome & Administration: Those who have organised Flying Trips will know that pilots/planes are a fluctuating. Yet throughout all these changes - from arranging customs; landing slots; reserved parking for such a large (possible) numbers; the airport was fully cooperative and welcoming even though they were busy controlling/refuelling Dakota’s full of paratroopers for the Arnhem celebrations.

Costs: Landing & Parking over 2 days for a Cirrus was €30. As always, do remember that Noise Certificate. [What the ‘extra’ for the Dakota was - who I suspect don’t know what a ‘Noise Certificate’ is - I dare not ask!].

IFR/VFR: Although the field has a RNP procedure for Rwy 26, it was Notamed inoperative during our visit and all movements had to be done VFR arriving from the south. Likewise, there was some confusion with autorouter not accepting Y and Z plans in the Netherlands which produced some forum discussion but was happily resolved.

Customs: Deventer/Teuge conveniently offers Customs/Immigration during Operational hours; but for our departure the official arrived 90 minutes late which meant frequent ‘delays’ to our Flight Plans. Even when he had arrived, the Stamp was missing/lost and he had to laboriously ’doodle’ by hand a Departure Stamp (21st technology?) into all our passports!

Refreshments: Normally there is the good Restaurant 'The Hangar' by the Control Tower https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g2184494-d4065521-Reviews-The_Hangar-Teuge_Gelderland_Province.html; but it was (temporarily?) closed during our visit. There is, though, a very friendly alternative further down the airfield, 'Take Off' https://www.restauranttakeoff.nl/ belonging to Sky Diving Club - the largest Parachuting Club in the Netherlands https://teuge-airport.nl/bezoekers/parachutespringen/ - where GA pilots & passengers are made most welcome to enjoy simple snacks among a bustle of activity.

Taxis: Again the very helpful ATC ordered us taxis into Deventer (€20); while one of our party used his Uber app.

Accommodation: If one wanted to stay at the Airport there is, conveniently, Hotel de Slaapfabriek, 12 rooms, very nearby https://deslaapfabriek.nl/. Bizarrely, two of you can also actually stay in a DC10 VleigtuigSuite**** *https://www.vliegtuighotel.nl/NL/ with bubble bath and breakfast served in bed right by the Control Tower!

Because our object was to visit Arnhem (and because all the beds there had been pre-booked a year in advance) we arranged to stay In Deventer at Hotel Finch Boutique** * https://hotelfinch.nl/contact/?lang=en- a rather bijou place, popular for its cocktails(!), but served a good breakfast and was right by the Railway Station where the ever efficient train service could whisk us into Arnhem. Nearby were a whole host of good restaurants.

Arnhem: This is a vibrant city with much to see and do.https://www.planetware.com/tourist-attractions-/arnhem-nl-gld-arn.htm. Even without the celebrations, ‘the Bridge too far’ with its historic museums and memorials is a very rewarding experience.

For us, the highlight, was being with 100,000 others in glorious sunshine enjoying the 80th Celebration.