PRAGUE

Details CREW
Text by Ilze Pole
Photos courtesy of
Antonius Linden
This is your
captain
speaking
Baltic Outlook introduces you to some of
the most important people at airBaltic –
its flight crew members.
Antonius Linden (50),
How it all began
It’s a classic story, as airplanes fascinated me already
in my childhood. When I was 15, I built my first radiocontrolled
model airplane, and many other models
followed in the years to come.
At the age of 25, I got a private pilot’s licence, and,
together with two of my friends, I bought my very
own VLA (Very Light Aircraft). I spent many hours
flying that airplane in the area of Budel Airport (the
Netherlands). The fact that I enjoyed this hobby a lot
increased my will to become a professional pilot.
Three years later, I said goodbye to my job as
an orthotist and started an education to fulfil my
childhood dream. I first went to Texas (USA), where
I got an American commercial pilot’s licence and a
multi-engine rating, gaining some valuable flight time
in the process. Then I returned to the Netherlands
and enrolled in the Dutch National Aviation School.
In 1998, I got my first pilot job with a Dutch
company and spent a lot of time flying in Spain,
France, Italy and Nigeria. After the company went
bankrupt in 2010, I joined airBaltic.
Favourite restaurant
One of my favourites is 1221 in Riga’s Old Town for
a nice romantic dinner on the rooftop terrace. For a
cup of coffee and a tasty piece of cake, I often go to
the Rigensis pastry shop on Tirgoņu iela, also in the
Old Town. But most of all, I enjoy Spanish cuisine
with its seafood and tapas.
Hobbies
I spend most
of my free time
with my family. I
also like to cycle
with both road
and mountain
bikes, and I
enjoy watching
good movies.
from the Netherlands, captain of Dash 8 Q400 aircraft,
Approved Training Organization (ATO), type rating and
ground instructor for Dash 8 Q400 airplanes
Hours flown: 10,050
Best thing
about being
an instructor
The satisfaction of seeing my
students pass their ground
school and simulator exams
with excellent results.
Best thing
about being
a pilot
Enjoying the freedom of
flying high in the sky and the
beautiful panoramas that one
can see from time to time.
It is a dynamic job, and I’m
glad that I managed to turn
my hobby into my profession.
Plus, the work is never boring.
Favourite
runway
My favourite runway is at Bilbao
Airport in northern Spain. That’s
where I started my career as a
professional pilot and where I
met my girlfriend. I hope that
maybe one day Bilbao will
become an airBaltic destination
as well!
Three things
that I never
leave home
without
My sunglasses, wallet and keys.
Favourite book
I mostly read magazines related to
aviation and cars.
Last
destination
flown to as
a passenger
Via Amsterdam to Bilbao in
northern Spain.
Snapshot to share
A beautiful panorama close to Oslo Airport in
Norway. This picture was taken on a flight from
Riga to the Norwegian capital last summer.
Things that might surprise
a passenger who steps into
the cockpit of a commercial
aircraft
The Dash 8 Q400 is a propeller aircraft and might give the
impression of being old-fashioned. However, those who step
onto the flight deck might be surprised to see a very modern
digital cockpit.
38 | AIRBALTIC.COM