First Belgian NH90 Pilot Qualified For Landing On Frigates

The first Belgian NH90 Caiman pilot was qualified Feb. 11 to land on the deck of a frigate. Accompanied by a Dutch instructor, the pilot made 10 landings with the Belgian navy's Caiman RN03 on the flight deck of the Royal Netherlands Navy frigate Zr. Ms. Zeeland.

The landings took place in stormy weather as well as at night. A Dutch pilot also landed an NH90 on the frigate and was qualified for frigate deck landings. The NH90 is heavier than the Alouette III, which Belgium operates from frigates, but is nevertheless sensitive to the wind.

The Belgian and Royal Netherlands navies both operate M-frigates under the joint command of Admiral Benelux. The Netherlands received its first NH90 frigate helicopter in 2010 and Belgium three years later.