Aviation Academy
Maxine de Vries as Sustainable aviation campaigner @Safe Landing
Testimonial
In 2013, Maxine graduated from the Aviation Engineering track. Maxine works as a Sustainable aviation campaigner, more specific: Project & team lead, co-founder. She will tell us something about her experiences after graduation and her outlook on the future.
Project & team lead, co-founder , fun fact: I’m co-founding a non-profit together with another aviation academy alumni!
Maxine de Vries - Graduated in 2013 from the Aviation Engineering track, Honours Programme Aviation Management
If this isn’t your first job since graduation: what were your other jobs and at which companies?
After graduating in the wake of the financial crisis, finding a job in aviation wasn’t easy. Determined to stay in the industry, I resisted the temptation to pivot to roles like technical project management and instead joined ArkeFly (now TUI) as a cabin attendant, flying on the B737 and B767.
The following season, I became an operations manager at a flight school in Teuge, with the goal of working at Schiphol Group. I eventually joined Schiphol in the baggage control center and later became an apron controller at the air traffic control tower—what I thought would be my dream job. Though it wasn’t what I expected, I earned my Private Pilot License (PPL) alongside my work and joined the Air Combat EU demo team, visiting airshows across Europe.
I then returned to Teuge as an assistant airport manager at the control tower before radically changing the course of my career.
How did you end up in your current job?
When moving to Teuge, I came to live on an active dairy farm and made me reconsider how we treat animals, people, and the planet. It made me highly aware of the need to live sustainable. Around the same time, the world’s first electric flight school opened at Teuge Airport. Inspired, I set a goal to become the first woman in the Netherlands to pilot a fully electric aircraft, which I achieved in 2021, and I became one of their ambassadors as a female role model.
However, soon it felt I wasn’t doing enough, especially considering the enormous transition that aviation needs to go through to become more sustainable. I felt quite isolated in my passion for aviation and my love for the planet. That’s when I found like-minded people at Safe Landing, a non-profit organization and global community of aviation workers dedicated to rapidly reducing the climate impact of aviation.
What are your daily operations?
Currently, I’m the team/project lead at Safe Landing. I also founded the Dutch branch, Safe Landing NL, where I build the community, network, and take on various roles. Additionally, I’m establishing a non-profit organisation to accelerate the sustainable aviation transition by informing people about the harmful impacts of flying and inspiring them by showing that it can be done differently. The AIRBOS project involves planting trees in the world’s first aviation impact forest. The diversity and freedom in my roles are truly rewarding.
What do you like most at your job?
The fact that I can channel my moral ambition into my work. Every day, I contribute to the aviation industry’s biggest challenge: addressing its existential climate crisis. There’s no time left—the time to act is now.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
In five years, I aim to amplify the alternative narrative about the sustainable future of aviation. It’s my mission to spread this message and accelerate the transition—something that’s in the best interest of all students and alumni.
What did you like most in your education that helps you out nowadays in your work?
The broad understanding of different aviation topics from my education helps me daily. While only the engineering track was available when I was a student, I crafted internships focused on operations to suit my interests. I also remember the valuable lessons from Tilly Wentzel on report writing and the endless ‘beamer sessions’ to finalize projects.
Are you still connected to the Aviation Academy?
I’m not directly connected, but the Aviation Academy remains a significant part of my life. It’s where I met my life partner and the father of my child. I often wonder how many other Aviation Academy babies exist! Our shared passion for aviation is clear—our son is even named Merlin, after the Rolls-Royce aircraft engine.
I’d love to stay connected with the academy and would be happy to contribute in any way I can. Feel free to reach out anytime!
Have you been a member of the SVAAA?
Yes! I had the privilege of signing the official founding documents for the association as interim secretary in 2012.