Dutch Dakota Association
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The Dutch Dakota Association or DDA Classic Airlines, known by many just as the DDA, is a small foundation dedicated to the preservation and operation of classic aircraft, especially the Douglas DC-3 Dakota. They are located on the east side of Amsterdam Schiphol Airport in the Netherlands.
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[edit] History
The DDA was founded in 1982 and acquired its first aircraft, a Douglas DC-3 from Finland, in 1983. A second DC-3 was purchased in 1987 and in 1995 two Douglas DC-4 aircraft were added to the fleet. On 25 September 1996, one of their DC-3 aircraft was lost in an accident. It was on its way from Texel International Airport to de Kooy airport at Den Helder when one of the engines failed and the crew was unable to feather the propellor. The aircraft crashed in shallow water near the town Den Oever. None of the 32 people onboard survived the crash. In 1998, a former Dutch government Dakota was donated to the DDA. In 2005, the Dutch Dakota Association changed its named to DDA Classic Airlines.
[edit] Current fleet
[edit] Airworthy
The following aircraft are owned by the DDA and still airworthy and flying:
- Douglas DC-3 Dakota, registration PH-DDZ
- Douglas DC-3 Dakota, registration PH-PBA (former Dutch government aircraft)
- Douglas DC-4 Skymaster, registration ZS-AUA (currently doing luxury safari flights in Africa)
- Stinson L-5 Sentinel, registration PH-PBB
[edit] Not airworthy
The following aircraft are owned by the DDA but no longer airworthy:
- Douglas DC-2, last known registration VH-CRH (currently at the Aviodrome museum)
- Douglas DC-4 Skymaster, registration PH-DDY (currently at the Aviodrome museum)
It should be noted that neither aircraft will be restored to an airworthy condition.
[edit] Operations
Flights with the Douglas DC-3 PH-DDZ can be booked, which is often making sight seeing flights or short trips to locations or cities both in the Netherlands and abroad. Trips to airshows can also be booked and DDA aircraft are occasionally on display as well. Their single airworthy Douglas DC-4 is currently being leased to SkyClass to provide luxury safari flights in Africa and trips to Europe.
