View source for Rudi Kappel

{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2022}}
{{short description|Surinamese aviator and business owner}}
{{Infobox person
| name          = Rudi Kappel
| image         = File:Rudi Kappel.jpg
| image_size    =
| caption       = Rudi Kappel in front of his Aero Commander 520
| birth_name    = Ronald Elwin Kappel
| birth_date    = {{Birth date|1926|11|8|df=y}}
| birth_place   = [[Port of Spain]], [[Trinidad and Tobago]]
| death_date    = {{Death date and age|1959|10|06|1926|11|8|df=y}}
| death_place   = [[Paloemeu]], [[Surinam (Dutch colony)|Surinam]]
| death_cause   =
| other_names   = Sonny Kappel<ref name="nu"/>
| known_for     = Co-founder of [[Surinam Airways]], [[Zorg en Hoop Airport]] and [[Rudi Kappel Airstrip]]
| education     =
| employer      =
| occupation    = Pilot, business owner
| nationality   =
}}
'''Ronald "Rudi" Elwin Kappel''' (8 November 1926 – 6 October 1959) was a [[Suriname]]se pilot. He was one of the founders of ''Luchtvaartbedrijf Kappel-Van Eyck'' which is now called [[Surinam Airways]], the first airline in Suriname.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.dbsuriname.com/2020/09/28/nickeries-majoor-henk-fernandes-vliegveld-voor-de-zoveelste-keer-grote-plannen/ |title=Nickerie's Majoor Henk Fernandes vliegveld voor de zoveelste keer grote plannen|website=Dagblad Suriname|access-date=14 January 2022|language=nl}}</ref> He also helped construct the [[Zorg en Hoop Airport]], and the [[Rudi Kappel Airstrip]]. Kappel died in an air crash near [[Paloemeu]].
==Biography==
Kappel was born on 8 November 1926 in [[Port of Spain]], [[Trinidad]].<ref name="nu">{{cite web|url=https://www.suriname.nu/701vips/belangrijke65.html |title=Ronald Kappel|website=Suriname.nu|access-date=13 January 2022|language=nl}}</ref> Both his parents were from Suriname.<ref name="toespraak"/> He went to the United States and obtained his [[pilot licence]]<ref name="jagers"/> in 1948.<ref name="star"/>
In 1950, Kappel met Leendert Jägers, director of [[Ypenburg Airport]] near [[the Hague]], with whom he had wanted to establish the first Surinamese airline company.<ref name="jagers"/><ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.luchtvaartkennis.net/inhoud.html |title=Inhoud |magazine=Luchtvaartkennnis |volume=4|year=2015|quote=ref is for the full name of Jägers|language=nl}}</ref> They had planned to begin operations in February 1951.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.delpher.nl/nl/kranten/view?query=Rudi+Kappel&facets%5Bperiode%5D%5B%5D=2%7C20e_eeuw%7C1950-1959%7C1951%7C&page=1&coll=ddd&identifier=ddd:010665704:mpeg21:a0021&resultsidentifier=ddd:010665704:mpeg21:a0021&rowid=5 |title=Eerst Surinaams vliegtuig|website=Het nieuws : algemeen dagblad |date=16 January 1951|access-date=13 January 2022|language=nl}}</ref> A second-hand [[Cessna AT-17 Bobcat]] was purchased.<ref name="jagers"/> On 5 February, one engine failed near Aruba, and then the other stopped as well. Kappel was forced to make an emergency landing at [[Bubali]]. Both Kappel and Maurice Young, his passenger, escaped with minor injuries.  However, the plane was lost,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://ufdcimages.uflib.ufl.edu/CA/03/40/00/01/00307/CA03400001_00307.pdf |title=Two Escape as Plane Crashes|website=Aruba Esso News via University of Florida|date=16 February 1951|access-date=13 January 2022}}</ref> and not insured.<ref name="jagers">{{cite news|url=https://www.delpher.nl/nl/kranten/view?query=Rudi+Kappel&facets%5Bperiode%5D%5B%5D=2%7C20e_eeuw%7C1950-1959%7C1951%7C&page=1&coll=ddd&identifier=ddd:110637667:mpeg21:a0020&resultsidentifier=ddd:110637667:mpeg21:a0020&rowid=2 |title=Suriname en luchtvaart|website=De West|date=18 April 1951|access-date=13 January 2022|language=nl}}</ref>
In 1952, Kappel and {{ill|Herman van Eyck|nl}}, owner of the [[7 Up]] factory in Suriname, founded ''Luchtvaartbedrijf Kappel-Van Eyck'', and received permission to start a [[cargo airline]] in Suriname.  They were not allowed to transport passengers,<ref name="star"/> because the government wanted to start a national airline.<ref name="wings"/>{{rp|20}} Kappel and van Eyck possessed only one airplane based in [[Johan Adolf Pengel International Airport|Zanderij Airport]]. In order to expand operations, van Eyck sold his factory, and the [[Zorg en Hoop Airport]] in Paramaribo was constructed.<ref name="star">{{cite news|url=https://www.starnieuws.com/index.php/welcome/index/nieuwsitem/39822 |title=Monument Kappel onthuld bij vertrekhal op luchthaven |website=Star Nieuws|access-date=13 January 2022|language=nl}}</ref>
On 1 October 1952, Luchtvaartbedrijf Kappel-Van Eyck received permission to transport passengers.<ref name="wings">{{cite book|url=https://issuu.com/kitpublishers/docs/flying_on_trusted_wings_english_version/20 |title=Flying on trusted wings |publisher=LM Publishers|author=Peter Sanches|year=2012|isbn=9789460222153}}</ref>{{rp|20}} On 13 October,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.delpher.nl/nl/kranten/view?query=kappel+cuba&coll=ddd&page=1&facets%5Bperiode%5D%5B%5D=0%7C20e_eeuw%7C&identifier=ddd:010481271:mpeg21:a0037&resultsidentifier=ddd:010481271:mpeg21:a0037&rowid=2 |title=Kappel nog steeds in Cuba|website=Het nieuws : algemeen dagblad |date=15 October 1952|access-date=13 January 2022|language=nl}}</ref> Kappel flew to [[Ignacio Agramonte International Airport|Camaguey Air Base]], Cuba, and wanted to fly on to [[Santiago de Cuba]] using a [[letter of recommendation]] of the mayor of [[Paramaribo]].<ref name="cuba_curacao"/> Upon landing in Santiago, he was arrested. After contacting the Dutch embassy, he was released; however, he was arrested again when he tried to leave Santiago. With the aid of the embassy, he was released for a second time.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.delpher.nl/nl/kranten/view?query=Kappel+Cuba&coll=ddd&identifier=ddd:010481275:mpeg21:a0020&resultsidentifier=ddd:010481275:mpeg21:a0020&rowid=1 |title=Het avontuur op Cuba|website=Het nieuws : algemeen dagblad |date=20 October 1952|access-date=13 January 2022|language=nl}}</ref><ref name="cuba_curacao">{{cite news|url=https://www.delpher.nl/nl/kranten/view?query=Kappel+Cuba&coll=ddd&identifier=ddd:010403986:mpeg21:a0031&resultsidentifier=ddd:010403986:mpeg21:a0031&rowid=6 |title=Sensationele reis van Rudi Kappel en gezellen|website=Amigoe di Curacao |date=18 October 1952|language=nl|access-date=15 January 2022}}</ref> The negotiations with the Surinamese government to establish a national airline were difficult.<ref name="star"/> In 1954, Kappel closed the company and started flying in [[British Guiana]].<ref name="wings"/>{{rp|25}}
On 1 January 1955, the ''Surinaamse Luchtvaart Maatschappij'' (SLM) was founded as the national airline. Kappel and van Eyck were reimbursed for their investments,<ref name="wings"/>{{rp|25}} and Kappel became chief pilot for the SLM.<ref name="star"/>
== Grasshopper ==
{{Location map+|Suriname|width=240|caption=The Operation Grasshopper airstrips with Zorg en Hoop|places=
{{Location map~|Suriname|lat_deg=5|lat_min=48|lat_sec=40|lat_dir=N|lon_deg=55|lon_min=11|lon_sec=25|lon_dir=W| position=bottom|mark=Airplane-logo.png|marksize=18|label=[[Zorg en Hoop Airport|Zorg en Hoop]]}}
{{Location map~|Suriname|lat_deg=4|lat_min=24|lat_sec=22|lat_dir=N|lon_deg=57|lon_min=13|lon_sec=23|lon_dir=W| position=bottom|mark=Airplane-logo.png|marksize=18|label=[[Kabalebo Airstrip|Kabalebo]]}}
{{Location map~|Suriname|lat_deg=3|lat_min=6|lat_sec=0|lat_dir=N|lon_deg=56|lon_min=28|lon_sec=59|lon_dir=W| position=bottom|mark=Airplane-logo.png|marksize=18|label=[[Kayser Airstrip|Kayser]]}}
{{Location map~|Suriname|lat_deg=3|lat_min=6|lat_sec=19|lat_dir=N|lon_deg=54|lon_min=32|lon_sec=29|lon_dir=W| position=bottom|mark=Airplane-logo.png|marksize=18|label=[[Oelemari Airstrip|Oelemari]]}}
{{Location map~|Suriname|lat_deg=2|lat_min=1|lat_sec=59|lat_dir=N|lon_deg=56|lon_min=6|lon_sec=55|lon_dir=W| position=bottom|mark=Airplane-logo.png|marksize=18|label=[[Sipaliwini Airstrip|Sipaliwini]]}}
{{Location map~|Suriname|lat_deg=3|lat_min=20|lat_sec=46|lat_dir=N|lon_deg=55|lon_min=26|lon_sec=30|lon_dir=W| position=bottom|mark=Airplane-logo.png|marksize=18|label=[[Vincent Fayks Airstrip|Paloemeu]]}}
{{Location map~|Suriname|lat_deg=3|lat_min=47|lat_sec=0|lat_dir=N|lon_deg=56|lon_min=9|lon_sec=0|lon_dir=W| position=bottom|mark=Airplane-logo.png|marksize=18|label=[[Rudi Kappel Airstrip|Tafelberg]]}}
{{Location map~|Suriname|lat_deg=3|lat_min=22|lat_sec=0|lat_dir=N|lon_deg=57|lon_min=20|lon_sec=0|lon_dir=W| position=bottom|mark=Airplane-logo.png|marksize=18|label=[[Coeroenie Airstrip|Coeroenie]]}}
}}
The [[Dirk Cornelis Geijskes|Geijskes]] expedition to the [[Tafelberg, Suriname|Tafelberg]] began on 3 March 1958. The goal of the expedition was to examine the flora and fauna of the [[savanna]] around the mountain, and whether an airstrip could be built there. Kappel was assigned the latter task.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.delpher.nl/nl/kranten/view?query=Geijskes+expeditie&coll=ddd&identifier=ddd:010473472:mpeg21:a0005&resultsidentifier=ddd:010473472:mpeg21:a0005&rowid=1 |title=Expeditie naar de Tafelberg|website=Het nieuws|date=4 March 1958|language=nl|access-date=14 January 2022}}</ref> On 16 March, Kappel, H. Massink, and 18 [[Amerindian]]s started clearing the savanna, and on 24 March, the first plane landed on the [[Rudi Kappel Airstrip|airstrip]]. Geijskes decided to name the savanna "Kappel Savanna".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://landewers.net/Geijskes-expedities-internet.pdf |title=Wetenschappelijke verkenningsvluchten boven Suriname 1938-1958|author=Arno Landewers|pages=2–3|access-date=14 January 2022|language=nl}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.delpher.nl/nl/kranten/view?query=Kappel+savanna&coll=ddd&identifier=ddd:010473503:mpeg21:a0005&resultsidentifier=ddd:010473503:mpeg21:a0005&rowid=4 |title=Vijf Gure dagen op Tafelberg|website=Het nieuws : algemeen dagblad |date=11 April 1958|access-date=14 January 2022|language=nl}}</ref>
In February 1959, [[Operation Grasshopper]] was announced which intended to map the natural resources in the [[Sipaliwini District|interior]] of Suriname. As part of the operation, six more airstrips were to be constructed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://landewers.net/grasshopper.pdf|title=Operatie sprinkhaan|author=Arno Landewers|pages=2–3|language=nl|access-date=13 January 2022|website=Landewers|archive-date=8 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220808125605/http://www.landewers.net/grasshopper.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>
== Death ==
{{anchor|Fajks}}
Wicenty "Vincent" Fajks was born in [[Chełm]], [[Poland]] on 22 May 1914. He was a [[World War II]] veteran who had served in the [[No. 317 Polish Fighter Squadron]] of the [[Polish Air Forces in France and Great Britain|Polish Air Force in Great Britain]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://listakrzystka.pl/en/fajks-wincenty/ |title=Fajks Wincenty|website=List of personnel of the Polish Air Force in Great Britain|date=March 2014|access-date=14 January 2022}}</ref> In 1957, he started flying in Suriname.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://werkgroepcaraibischeletteren.nl/het-leven-en-werk-van-de-poolse-piloot-vincent-fajks/ |title=Het leven en werk van de Poolse piloot Vincent Fajks|website=Werkgroep Caraibische Letteren|access-date=14 January 2022|language=nl}}</ref>
On 6 October 1959, Fajks and Kappel set off from Tafelberg to Paloemeu in an [[Aero Commander 520]] with registration "PZ-TAG" to deliver cargo for Operation Grasshopper. In the fog, one of the engines failed, causing the aircraft to crash into a hill several kilometres from [[Vincent Fayks Airstrip|Paloemeu Airstrip]]. Both pilots were killed.<ref name="safety">{{cite web|url=https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=163559 |title=ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 163559 |website=Aviation Safety|access-date=13 January 2022}}</ref><ref name="star"/><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.delpher.nl/nl/kranten/view?query=Rudi+Kappel&facets%5Bperiode%5D%5B%5D=1%7C20e_eeuw%7C1950-1959%7C&page=1&coll=ddd&identifier=ddd:010405908:mpeg21:a0010&resultsidentifier=ddd:010405908:mpeg21:a0010&rowid=10 |title=Rudi Kappel verongelukt|website=Amigoe di Curacao|date=8 October 1959|language=nl|access-date=13 January 2022}}</ref>
On 11 October, Kappel and Fajks received a [[state funeral]] with speeches by Prime Minister [[Severinus Desiré Emanuels]] of Suriname and Prime Minister [[Efraïn Jonckheer]] of the [[Netherlands Antilles]].<ref name="toespraak">{{cite news|url=https://www.delpher.nl/nl/kranten/view?query=Rudi+Kappel&facets%5Bperiode%5D%5B%5D=2%7C20e_eeuw%7C1950-1959%7C1959%7C&page=1&coll=ddd&identifier=MMKB23:001773086:mpeg21:a00023&resultsidentifier=MMKB23:001773086:mpeg21:a00023&rowid=9|title=De toespraken|website=Het nieuws |date=12 October 1959|language=nl}}</ref><ref name="safety"/>
==Legacy==
On 10 October 1959, Prime Minister [[Severinus Desiré Emanuels|Emanuels]] announced that the airstrip at Paloemeu would be named "Vincent Fayks Airstrip," and the airstrip on the Kappel Savanna near Tafelberg, "Rudi Kappel Airstrip."<ref name="safety"/><ref name="nagedachtenis"/> Also the mountain discovered by Fajks would be named Bonita after his daughter.<ref name="nagedachtenis">{{cite news|url=https://www.delpher.nl/nl/kranten/view?query=Rudi+Kappel&facets%5Bperiode%5D%5B%5D=2%7C20e_eeuw%7C1950-1959%7C1959%7C&page=1&coll=ddd&identifier=MMKB23:001773086:mpeg21:a00026&resultsidentifier=MMKB23:001773086:mpeg21:a00026&rowid=2 |title=Nagedachtenis van pioneers zal worden ge-eerd|website=Het nieuws |date=12 October 2022|language=nl}}</ref>
On 11 August 2004, the first [[Boeing 747]] of [[Surinam Airways]] was named "Ronald Elwin Kappel".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.airhistory.net/aircraft-name/84/Ronald-Elwin-Kappel |title=Ronald-Elwin-Kappel|website=Air History|access-date=13 January 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041122234016/http://www.dbsuriname.com/archief/nat/2004/aug04/12-08-04/Nat_SLM%20Boeing%20vernoemd%20naar%20Ronald%20Elwin%20Kappel.asp |title=SLM Boeing vernoemd naar Ronald Elwin Kappel|url=http://www.dbsuriname.com/archief/nat/2004/aug04/12-08-04/Nat_SLM%20Boeing%20vernoemd%20naar%20Ronald%20Elwin%20Kappel.asp |archive-date=22 November 2004|website=Dagblad Suriname|access-date=13 January 2022|language=nl}}</ref> On 11 February 2017, a [[Bust (sculpture)|bust]] of Kappel which was sculpted by [[Erwin de Vries]] was placed near the terminal of [[Johan Adolf Pengel International Airport]].<ref name="star"/>
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kappel, Rudi}}
[[Category:1926 births]]
[[Category:1959 deaths]]
[[Category:Aviators killed in aviation accidents or incidents]]
[[Category:People from Port of Spain]]
[[Category:Surinamese aviators]]
[[Category:20th-century Surinamese businesspeople]]
[[Category:Victims of aviation accidents or incidents in 1959]]
[[Category:Victims of aviation accidents or incidents in Suriname]]