May 29, 2024 | From the moment we meet, it’s immediately clear: we are warmly welcomed at Blu Bird! Arie Nijman takes us into the world of aviation, particularly the theory involved in obtaining your pilot’s license. An important prerequisite for good education is clear explanation and storytelling, and this is a trait we immediately recognize in Arie.
Arie’s teaching career began in the 1960s. At that time, his heart didn’t beat faster for it; his mother was a teacher, so it was more or less logical to follow in her footsteps. Although it wasn’t his preference then, it turns out it was meant to be. Nowadays, he combines his passion for aviation with teaching.
From the Blu Bird building, Arie looks out on the dream of every pilot: a Boeing 747, parked at the neighbors, the Aviodrome. He would have loved to fly it, but his aviation adventure started just too late for that career. Therefore, he decided to become an instructor to train both private and professional pilots at Lelystad Airport. He obtained the necessary licenses and started giving practical lessons about 25 years ago. He has also been a practical examiner for over 20 years.
Blu Bird started as a flight school but is now a specialized theory school. “Being able to fly yourself helps in teaching the theory. It helps people understand how aviation works, and that knowledge makes aviation safer,” says Arie. He also introduces us to the term ‘PPL-Brainwash,’ BluBird’s teaching method that uses modern educational tools focused on the visual aspect of learning. Despite the unique teaching method, the curriculum is fully based on the mandatory material of EASA. The theory classes are held for several consecutive days at the BluBird location, so the material sticks better. Attending a theory class once a week is less effective than two weeks of consecutive lessons. Arie drew inspiration for this teaching method from America.
What’s also special is that the theory can be applied on-site in the simulator, a unique full-motion simulator with a choice of the Cessna 172, Diamond DA42, or Piper PA-34. Today, we also step in and get to land on Texel. A unique experience at a unique company at Lelystad Airport!
