MART VAN DRUENEN AS BUS DRIVER AND EPST STUDENT

Testimonial

In 2017, Mart graduated from the Flight Operations Engineering track. After that, Mart has had several functions within KLM. He also started his ATPL training which unfortunately came to a stop. He will tell us something about his experiences after graduation and his outlook on the future.

I’m the boss in my bus, I’m on the road, I steer a 18.1m long vehicle with passengers and all that with irregular times
Mart van Druenen - Graduated in 2017 from the Aviation Flight Operations Engineering track

If this isn’t your first job since graduation: what were your others jobs at which companies?

I studied Flight Operations Engineering and wrote my thesis at KLM Ground Services in 2017. After that I started working at KLM De-Icing, in my opinion a really nice department for an Aviation student. Here I worked as an Iceman and PAD Controller, after a while I also started as Load Controller (B737 family and Embraer) at KLM Load Control in the OCC. I left here in August 2018 to follow my ATPL(A) at LAT in Bremen. After a year of theory I flew for 6 months in Goodyear, after which I started last February in Rostock-Laage on the DA42. Mid March the training was unfortunately stopped by COVID-19. Because there are no jobs in aviation, I fell back on my old side job as a bus driver in public transport. Now I will continue at EPST, as I left LAT, in Locarno and then Utrecht.

How did you get your current job?

I used to drive rental and lease cars around the country, however I wanted to work on the weekends as well and not just between office hours. I love to travel and busdriver was the best option (and paying as well).

What are your daily operations?

The last months I have been driving around Schiphol (Schiphol Sternet).

What do you like the most at your job?

I’m the boss in my bus, I’m on the road, I steer a 18.1m long vehicle with passengers and all that with irregular times.. Even though around Schiphol there is not much variety with people and scenery, I can now watch planes all day :)

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

In five years time, therefore, I will certainly see myself as an active pilot, either to the left or to the right!

What did you like the most from your education that helps you out nowadays in your work?

While studying for my ATPL theory, a lot was already clear to me. Some subjects were easy, because at the HvA we sometimes went much deeper than the basics. And with Aircraft Performance, if you learned from Bernard van Dijk, Aircraft Performance is too easy ;)

Are you still connected with the Aviation Academy?

Not really anymore.