In 1989 I started to get more interested into military aircraft. My birth place of Grave, were I still lived, was positioned right under the take off route of Volkel AB when RWY 06 was in use. I often witnessed F16 waves of around 24 aircraft taking off and passing my house low level. In this period I started to read more about military aircraft, concluding English written magazines gave the most information.

The air show at Volkel was the only event I attended. At my ouse in Grave almost daily Allouette III's of the GpLV (Groep Lichte Vliegtuigen) passed my house to and from Volkel AB/ Deelen AB. P3C Orions and Bo105's were a common sight. These were all among the first aircraft types I came to recognize.