Frank Versteegh
Encyclopedia
Frank Versteegh is a Dutch
aerobatics
pilot
. He is also an airshow organiser, a flight safety committee member, a FAI
judge and a freestyle aerobatics competitor.
Versteegh was born in Oosterbeek
, the Netherlands
and started his flying career in 1972 at the age of 18. Between 1982 and 1994, he competed in European and World Championships. During his career, he flew in over 1,250 aerobatic displays at major aviation events all over the world, using over 160 different types of aircraft.
He flew his first display in a Cessna 150
aerobat in 1983. Between 1987 and 1989, he flew in the Pitts S-2S G-SOLO
, which also flew in the Rothmanns team as a solo aircraft. In 1989, the Pitts was sold to Germany
. He flew back in his new aircraft, the Zlin 50 LS, which he overtook from Manfred Strossenreuther, who died in earlier that year towards Teuge
in the Netherlands. In this aircraft, Versteegh managed to win the Open Dutch National Unlimited Aerobatic Championship in that same year.
His sponsor "Shake 20" made it possible to purchase his new Extra 300, a mid-wing composite mono-plane. Versteegh flew three years in this plane under a Shake 20 license, but changed to a new sponsor "Volny" in 1995. During 1996, Volny made it possible to purchase his current airplane, the Extra 300L. In July 1997, he was the first pilot ever making a touch and go with an Extra 300L (D-EZOZ) on a 70 meter long river freighter in the Rhine at Rhenen
in his home country. This was unique because during the landing in the Extra 300L, the pilot is unable to see the landing gear and therefor unable to see the ship, while flying over with 150 km/h. Versteegh only had 1.5 seconds to land the aircraft on the boat due to the approaching speed of 80 knots. The stunt took place during an airshow which was attended by 50,000 spectators.
After participating in the FAI World Cup of Aerobatics for three years, he specialized in freestyle aerobatics
and skydancing. Currently, Versteegh is one of the selected pilots in the Red Bull Air Race World Series
, already participating since the event started in 2003. He was however unable to score any points in the 2005 and 2006 series finishing in 8th and 11th position.
Versteegh has a Jack Russell Terrier
called "Joe the Co", who is known as his mascotte and co-pilot. Joe the Co was born on 12 July 1996 and has been flying alongside Versteegh in the Extra 300L, the Bücker "Jungmann"
, Robinson R44
, A-26 Invader
and many other aircraft. The dog joins Versteegh in most of his airshows.
1985:
1987:
1989:
1990:
1991:
1992:
1993:
Contest director World Glider Aerobatic Championship, Venlo
, Netherlands
1998:
2000:
2002:
2003:
2006:
Legend:
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
aerobatics
Aerobatics
Aerobatics is the practice of flying maneuvers involving aircraft attitudes that are not used in normal flight. Aerobatics are performed in airplanes and gliders for training, recreation, entertainment and sport...
pilot
Aviator
An aviator is a person who flies an aircraft. The first recorded use of the term was in 1887, as a variation of 'aviation', from the Latin avis , coined in 1863 by G. de la Landelle in Aviation Ou Navigation Aérienne...
. He is also an airshow organiser, a flight safety committee member, a FAI
Fédération Aéronautique Internationale
The Fédération Aéronautique Internationale is the world governing body for air sports and aeronautics and astronautics world records. Its head office is in Lausanne, Switzerland. This includes man-carrying aerospace vehicles from balloons to spacecraft, and unmanned aerial vehicles...
judge and a freestyle aerobatics competitor.
Versteegh was born in Oosterbeek
Oosterbeek
Oosterbeek is a village in the Dutch province of Gelderland. It is located in the municipality of Renkum, about 5 km west of Arnhem.The oldest part of the village of Oosterbeek is the Benedendorp , on the northern bank of the river Rhine...
, the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
and started his flying career in 1972 at the age of 18. Between 1982 and 1994, he competed in European and World Championships. During his career, he flew in over 1,250 aerobatic displays at major aviation events all over the world, using over 160 different types of aircraft.
He flew his first display in a Cessna 150
Cessna 150
The Cessna 150 is a two-seat tricycle gear general aviation airplane, that was designed for flight training, touring and personal use.The Cessna 150 is the seventh most produced civilian plane ever, with 23,839 aircraft produced...
aerobat in 1983. Between 1987 and 1989, he flew in the Pitts S-2S G-SOLO
Pitts
-People:* Allen Pitts, an American born Canadian football player* Antony Pitts , a British composer* Boozer Pitts, an American college football coach* Byron Pitts, an American reporter for CBS* Chester Pitts, an American football player...
, which also flew in the Rothmanns team as a solo aircraft. In 1989, the Pitts was sold to Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
. He flew back in his new aircraft, the Zlin 50 LS, which he overtook from Manfred Strossenreuther, who died in earlier that year towards Teuge
Teuge
Teuge is a village in the Dutch province of Gelderland. It is best known for its small airport, Teuge International Airport. Population: 800. Recreation and tourism are key. Its main access road is the N344.Teuge is part of the municipality of Voorst....
in the Netherlands. In this aircraft, Versteegh managed to win the Open Dutch National Unlimited Aerobatic Championship in that same year.
His sponsor "Shake 20" made it possible to purchase his new Extra 300, a mid-wing composite mono-plane. Versteegh flew three years in this plane under a Shake 20 license, but changed to a new sponsor "Volny" in 1995. During 1996, Volny made it possible to purchase his current airplane, the Extra 300L. In July 1997, he was the first pilot ever making a touch and go with an Extra 300L (D-EZOZ) on a 70 meter long river freighter in the Rhine at Rhenen
Rhenen
Rhenen is a municipality and a city in the central Netherlands.The municipality also includes the villages of Achterberg, Remmerden, Elst and Laareind. The town lies at a geographically interesting location, namely on the southernmost part of the chain of hills known as the Utrecht Hill Ridge ,...
in his home country. This was unique because during the landing in the Extra 300L, the pilot is unable to see the landing gear and therefor unable to see the ship, while flying over with 150 km/h. Versteegh only had 1.5 seconds to land the aircraft on the boat due to the approaching speed of 80 knots. The stunt took place during an airshow which was attended by 50,000 spectators.
After participating in the FAI World Cup of Aerobatics for three years, he specialized in freestyle aerobatics
Aerobatics
Aerobatics is the practice of flying maneuvers involving aircraft attitudes that are not used in normal flight. Aerobatics are performed in airplanes and gliders for training, recreation, entertainment and sport...
and skydancing. Currently, Versteegh is one of the selected pilots in the Red Bull Air Race World Series
Red Bull Air Race World Series
The Red Bull Air Race, established in 2003 and created by Red Bull, is an international series of air races in which competitors have to navigate a challenging obstacle course in the fastest time. Pilots fly individually against the clock and have to complete tight turns through a slalom course...
, already participating since the event started in 2003. He was however unable to score any points in the 2005 and 2006 series finishing in 8th and 11th position.
Versteegh has a Jack Russell Terrier
Jack Russell Terrier
The Jack Russell terrier is a small terrier that has its origins in fox hunting. It is principally white-bodied smooth, rough or broken-coated which is commonly confused with the Parson Russell terrier and the Russell terrier with the term "Jack Russell" commonly misapplied to other small white...
called "Joe the Co", who is known as his mascotte and co-pilot. Joe the Co was born on 12 July 1996 and has been flying alongside Versteegh in the Extra 300L, the Bücker "Jungmann"
Bücker Bü 131
|-See also:-References:NotesBibliography* Bridgeman, Leonard. “The Bücker Bü 131B “Jungmann”.” Jane's Fighting Aircraft of World War II. London: Studio, 1946. ISBN 1-85170-493-0....
, Robinson R44
Robinson R44
|-See also:-External links:* * * * * *...
, A-26 Invader
A-26 Invader
The Douglas A-26 Invader was a United States twin-engined light attack bomber built by the Douglas Aircraft Co. during World War II that also saw service during several of the Cold War's major conflicts...
and many other aircraft. The dog joins Versteegh in most of his airshows.
Competitions and tournaments
1982-1994:- Dutch Aerobatic Champion
1985:
- South African Masters La Mercy, DurbanDurbanDurban is the largest city in the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal and the third largest city in South Africa. It forms part of the eThekwini metropolitan municipality. Durban is famous for being the busiest port in South Africa. It is also seen as one of the major centres of tourism...
, South AfricaSouth AfricaThe Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
1987:
- Eurobatics Speichersdorf, GermanyGermanyGermany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
1989:
- Masters Palaborwa, South AfricaSouth AfricaThe Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
- Eurobatics Becescaba, HungaryHungaryHungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
1990:
- Masters Ocaña, SpainOcaña, SpainOcaña, a town and municipality of central Spain, in the province of Toledo. It is located on the extreme north of the tableland known as the Mesa de Ocaña, and has a station on the railway from Aranjuez to Cuenca.-History:...
- World Championship, Yverdon, SwitzerlandSwitzerlandSwitzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
1991:
- International Masters of Aerobatics, ArgentinaArgentinaArgentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
- Eurobatics, ToulouseToulouseToulouse is a city in the Haute-Garonne department in southwestern FranceIt lies on the banks of the River Garonne, 590 km away from Paris and half-way between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea...
, FranceFranceThe French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
1992:
- World Championship, Le HavreLe HavreLe Havre is a city in the Seine-Maritime department of the Haute-Normandie region in France. It is situated in north-western France, on the right bank of the mouth of the river Seine on the English Channel. Le Havre is the most populous commune in the Haute-Normandie region, although the total...
, FranceFranceThe French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
1993:
Contest director World Glider Aerobatic Championship, Venlo
Venlo
Venlo is a municipality and a city in the southeastern Netherlands, next to the German border. It is situated in the province of Limburg.In 2001, the municipalities of Belfeld and Tegelen were merged into the municipality of Venlo. Tegelen was originally part of the Duchy of Jülich centuries ago,...
, Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
- Breitling World Cup of Aerobatics
1998:
- Freestyle Cup SassuoloSassuoloSassuolo is an important industrial centre of the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy. The town stands on the right bank of the river Secchia some 17 km south-west of Modena.-History :...
, Italy (Winner of the Reggiani Freestyle Cup)
2000:
- Freestyle Cup Milano Bresso, Italy (Silver medal)
2002:
- Italian Free Style Championship SassuoloSassuoloSassuolo is an important industrial centre of the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy. The town stands on the right bank of the river Secchia some 17 km south-west of Modena.-History :...
(Second position)
2003:
- Melilla Masters, SpainSpainSpain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
and MoroccoMoroccoMorocco , officially the Kingdom of Morocco , is a country located in North Africa. It has a population of more than 32 million and an area of 710,850 km², and also primarily administers the disputed region of the Western Sahara... - Italy Reggiani Trophy (Fourth position)
2006:
- Italian Freestyle championships (First position)
 Frank Versteeghat the Red Bull Air Race World Series Red Bull Air Race World Series The Red Bull Air Race, established in 2003 and created by Red Bull, is an international series of air races in which competitors have to navigate a challenging obstacle course in the fastest time. Pilots fly individually against the clock and have to complete tight turns through a slalom course... |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | Points | Wins | Rank |
| 2004 2004 Red Bull Air Race World Series season The 2004 Red Bull Air Race World Series season was the 2nd Red Bull Air Race World Series season. It debuted on June 20, 2004 and ended on September 18.In the 2004 season, the number of air race venues increased from 2 to 3 locations... |
 5th |
 6th |
 DNS |
3 | 0 | 6th | |||||||||
| 2005 2005 Red Bull Air Race World Series season The 2005 Red Bull Air Race World Series season was the 3rd Red Bull Air Race World Series season. It began on April 8, 2005 and ended on October 8.... |
 8th |
8th |
 8th |
 7th |
8th |
DNS |
8th |
0 | 0 | 8th | |||||
| 2006 2006 Red Bull Air Race World Series season The 2006 Red Bull Air Race World Series season was the fourth Red Bull Air Race World Series season. It began on March 18, 2006 and ended on November 19.... |
10th |
 11th |
 10th |
 CAN |
 10th |
DQ |
10th |
DQ |
 11th |
0 | 0 | 11th | |||
| 2007 2007 Red Bull Air Race World Series season The 2007 Red Bull Air Race World Series season was the fifth Red Bull Air Race World Series season.-New pilots:Sergei Rakhmanin of Russia and Austrian Hannes Arch were chosen to join the 2007 series after completing a qualification course in October 2006, held in Arizona, USA... |
6th |
 10th |
6th |
6th |
CAN |
 9th |
8th |
8th |
 11th |
12th |
 CAN |
12th |
3 | 0 | 11th |
Legend:
- CAN: Cancelled
- DNP: Did not participate
- DNS: Did not show
- DQ: Disqualified
- NC: Not classified