Mr. Karel R. Wybrands

Foil: 27 Panel: 2 Column: 1 Line: 25

Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Sponsor

Honored by:

I saw my first airplane (exhibited in Batavia, Isle of Java in 1911. I was four years old! The pilot? Mr. Brongeest did not dare to fly it, scared.

My Mother got her “Bapteme de L’Air” in 1916 in a “Gnome Rhone” rotary engine. I was there! My father made his first flight in 1919 (from LeBourget, Paris to Schiphol Amsterdam) seated on the mailbag. No restraining belts. It was an open cockpit two seat German war plane. I had my first flight (from Paris to Amsterdam and back) in a converted French Bomber “Goliath Farman” Approx. 1920. My French Pilot License #22076 (glider and light plane) 1949. Aeronautical studies at St. Cyr (wind tunnel, etc.).

USA license dated 9/30/1961. Later: Civil Air Patrol (CAP) (2nd Lt).

I am now 96-1/2 and my days of piloting are past. Alas, my last light plane (Cessna 152) was on 9/24/1987 (80 years old!). I am member of American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) – Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) - Planetary Soc., etc. French AAA.