Vilhelmsen, Max

“Entered the Royal Danish Air Force (RDAF) in August 1968. Boot Camp followed by passing the requirements for the Basic Flying School. Undergraduate Pilot Training at Moody Air Force Base July 1969 – July 1970. August 1970 Academy and Flying transition to Denmark, i.e bad weather flying the T-33 (60 hours). March 1971 joined the 727 Sqn at Karup Air base flying the Hun. In 1974 the Sqn relocated to Skrydstrup Air Base. In 1978 I was transferred to 730 Sqn, same Base.. Hun hours: 1497. The RDAF received the first F-16 in January 1980. I was in the first batch of pilots to go through the F-16 conversion in Denmark. I flew the F-16 until June 2000.

I started as junior pilot in 1971 and ended up as Squadron Commander. From July 2000 – December 2003 I was The Danish Senior National Representative at Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada. instructing flying the BA hawk 115. hawk hours: 547. After returning to Denmark I spend 6 month at Tactical Air Command, located at Karup Air Base. June 2004 I retrained on the F-16. I was the CO of the Conversion Unit until December 2006. Viper hours: 4013 2007 til retirement.

January 2010 I was Flying Safety Officer at Skrydstrup Air base. I flew a utility A/C : T-17 until retirement. T-17 flying hours: 640. Married to my high School Sweetheart, Marianne since 1972. We have a Daugther, Marlene (1973). is a Nurse Our son, Morten (1977) is an engineer.

After retirement Marianne and I travel the World extensively. I ride my road bicycle for fun and exercise. In mu “spare time” I ride my BMW K1200 or BMW Z4 The majority were great.”