The Royal Antwerp Aviation Club (RAAC), the oldest flying club and flight school in Belgium, is expanding its fleet with a quieter and more fuel-efficient aircraft. With the purchase of a Robin DR400 155CDI (built in 2021), the RAAC is continuing to modernize its operations. By doing so, the club is responding directly to the growing focus on noise standards and sustainability within general aviation.

A Young and Quieter Fleet

With the arrival of this fifth aircraft, the RAAC now boasts a highly modern fleet, with three out of the five aircraft being less than five years old. “Over the past few years, we have thoroughly renewed our fleet,” explains Chairman Dirk Spitaels. “All of our older Piper aircraft have now made way for more modern Robin-brand planes. The new aircraft has a noise emission level of 70.7 dB, which is 5.2 dB less than the Pipers. For residents living around the airport, this will provide a clearly noticeable relief.”

A Pioneer in Aviation

The RAAC has been active at Antwerp Airport for 99 years and has a rich history of innovation. “For instance, back in 2006, the club was the very first flight school in Belgium to invest in a brand-new training aircraft that doesn’t run on Avgas fuel, but on JET A1”, says Spitaels.

Today, the club is more popular than ever. The RAAC currently has over 200 members, with 25 students currently in training for their Private Pilot License (PPL).

A Look toward the Future: Electric Flight

“We have been active at the airport for 99 years now, and in that time, we have seen the sector evolve tremendously to where we stand today,” says Dirk Spitaels. “We closely follow new technological developments and are also looking toward electric flight.” According to the club, the breakthrough for electric flight training currently still depends on factors such as battery weight, range, and weight limitations. “As soon as aircraft can remain operational for at least two hours, electric flying will become a realistic next step for us.”

Nathan De Valck, CEO of Antwerp Airport, welcomes the flying club’s initiative: “Together with our partners, we are building a future that is both sustainable and high in quality. By investing in modern, quieter aircraft, the RAAC demonstrates that these sustainable ambitions are effectively achievable. Their vision aligns perfectly with our own course. Parallel to our existing segments, we are preparing the airport for the coming decades by fully committing to innovation. There is already an electric training aircraft active at our airport today, and last week we welcomed the first electric cargo plane to our regional airports. We expect this to evolve further in the coming years. Regional airports possess the necessary space and operational flexibility required to thoroughly test and further scale up new technologies like electric flight.”