The First Flying Week in Antwerp...



Following the example of other cities (Hasselt, Spa, Ostend), Antwerp also held its 'flying week'. However, the chosen period (23/10 - 02/11/1909), prompted by time constraints and lack of experience, resulted in a lot of rain and little flying weather. However, that did not prevent Baron de Caters (born from Berchem and Belgium's first pilot) and Jan Olieslagers, “the Antwerp Devil” from putting their best foot forward, albeit not always with equal success...

The people of Antwerp responded en masse. After all everyone wanted to see these flying daredevils at work. Jan Olieslagers, 'the Antwerp Devil', had quickly bought a plane from Louis Blériot (the Frenchman who was the first to cross 'the Channel' on July 25, 1909).

After two short 'flying lessons', Jan appeared on the field with great courage, only to soon discover that flying was not that simple after all: he already had an accident during his first flight.

Pierre Baron de Caters, who already had some flying experience, also came into contact with trees in an unpleasant way and had to look for a carpenter. The Bollekens brothers - roller shutter makers - knew more than a thing or two about wood and quickly got the job done: aircraft construction in Antwerp was born.

There was also royal interest in those days: Crown prince Albert, the later King Albert I, made a flight aboard a gas balloon, the 'Zodiac', which promptly earned him chamber arrest from King Leopold II.

The great winner and star of this event was the Frenchman Rougier. Tips, a bicycle mechanic from Temse, brought his own design to the flying week, but failed to get the thing off the ground, while Wilford was able to make a short flight with his Wright Flyer. However, the weather conditions were so bad that little or no flying was possible and several times, the public had to return home dissatisfied. Fortunately, the organisers could still count on some understanding at the time, although Jan Olieslagers had to make a flight against his better judgment to calm things down. However, his youthful hubris cost him a lot of money, as an unfortunate landing caused further damage to his aircraft.