Gerrit Johannes Geysendorffer
Dutch aviation pioneer / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Gerrit Johannes "Geys"[1] Geysendorffer[lower-alpha 1] (1 April 1892, Sliedrecht ā 26 January 1947, Copenhagen Airport, Kastrup) was a Dutch aviation pioneer, knight in the Order of Orange-Nassau, and recipient of the 1926 Harmon National Trophy for the Netherlands.
Quick Facts Born, Died ...
Gerrit Johannes Geysendorffer | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Born | (1892-04-01)April 1, 1892 |
Died | January 26, 1947(1947-01-26) (aged 54) |
Nationality | Dutch |
Occupation(s) | Military pilot, airline transport pilot for KLM |
Close
Originally a military pilot, he was the first Dutch aviator to become a licensed airline transport pilot and one of the first two Dutch pilots employed by KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. He was the captain of the first intercontinental charter flight in 1927, a participant in the 1934 MacRobertson Air Race, and the captain of the fatal 1947 KLM PH-TCR flight. At the time of his death, Geysendorffer was the oldest pilot in KLM's employ and had accumulated over 25000 flight hours.