Frequently Asked Questions
| Q: Can anyone book? A: Yes. 4Aviation does not apply memberships or the like. Anyone interested in a tour can participate. |
| Q: I can indicate that I am interested in a tour. What does that mean? A: If you indicate your interest in a tour, you will, in most cases, be informed about the schedule and the prices earlier than people are informed that did not indicate their interest. At that moment you can claim your seat by booking. There are no further obligations. |
| Q: I am 68 years old. Is that a problem? A: Not at all. Anyone is welcome to join, and our oldest traveller was 82 years old. You do need to be aware that the tours regularly include larger distances that need to be covered. This means that we will not end up in a hotel at 17.00 o’clock every day. |
| Q: I am not from the Netherlands. Is that a problem? A: Not at all. In the meantime we have welcomed travellers from more than 30 different countries (Belgium, Germany, Ireland, United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, France, Japan, Malta, Sweden, Australia, etc. etc.). All tour guides can manage very well in English and mostly do pretty well in German. Written communication is generally bi-lingual (Dutch and English) |
| Q: What is the maximum group size? A: We prefer quality and flexibility over quantity. This means that the group size usually will not exceed 16 people. If less flexibility is needed the groups can be a bit larger. For visits to air shows, where no flexibility is needed, the group size is unlimited. |
| Q: Does 4Aviation carry insurance? A: Yes. 4Aviation carries a liability insurance for tour operators |
| Q: Should I carry insurance? A: Yes. Anyone travelling with 4Aviation is obliged to carry travel insurance. Carrying cancellation insurance is advised. Applicable insurances can be arranged via 4Aviation, but you can also contact your own intermediary. 4Aviation mediates in insurance policies and receives commission from Europeesche Verzekeringen. |
| Q: What can I expect from the flight schedule? A: If the information about the flights is available when we start booking for a tour, we will share this information at forehand. If the schedule is not available upfront you commit yourself to the flight schedule the will eventually be chosen. The basic rule is that we depart from Amsterdam-Schiphol and will try to mention it when this is not the case. The basic rule is also that we will fly low-cost companies as little as possible. We prefer to make use of flights that depart during daytime (after 9 AM in the morning), also if this means that we then have to make a stopover along the way. We will try to make a possible stopover last a short as possible, but cannot prevent you from having to spend a couple of hours at an airport (as an aviation enthusiast) on your way to your final destination. |
| Q: I want to arrange the flights myself. Is that possible? A: Yes, many times it is. Mainly with the multiple day international tours we offer the option to arrange the tickets for your flight yourself. We call this the “land-only” option. In these cases, you have to arrange transportation to and from the destination yourself. You are expected to conform yourself to the times of the group. |
| Q: I want to take part in the (possible) visits only and arrange the rest for myself. Is that an option? A: No. 4Aviation organises full tours, including accommodation and transportation. If you already are in a country, our “land-only” option is the best choice. In general, you pay 4Aviation for the tour, not for the (possible) visits. |
| Q: If an event (base visit or air show) is cancelled, will the tour be cancelled then as well? A: No, generally not. The tours generally consist of transportation, accommodation and a programme. If the program changes, due to circumstances, the transportation and accommodation stays in place. Looking at the content of the tours (mostly aimed at military content), there is always a possibility that things happen that result in the tour not ending up as described. In general, in these instances, the tour continues anyway. If you live in the Netherlands, Belgium or Germany and want to be able to cancel if an event is cancelled you can opt for an allrisk cancellation insurance through 4Aviation. You can then make use of this insurance if an event is cancelled. This insurance covers 75% of the total cost of the tour. If these changes happen, we will always address the situation and assess alternative options anyway. This also applies to the 25% that are not covered by the allrisk cancellation insurance. |
| Q: When and how do I get my travel documents? A: In general, the travel documents are sent by e-mail two weeks before the start of a tour. We strive to communicate by e-mail only. We send out a detailed description of the tour (briefing), containing all relevant details of the tour. |
| Q: When and how will I receive the airline tickets? A: Airline tickets are always e-tickets these days. In general, 4Aviation will arrange check in for all that travel with the group and hand out the boarding passes before departure. |
| Q: I need visa. Does 4Aviation arrange that? A: No, normally not. It is the travellers own responsibility to have valid travel documents. In exceptional cases, the visa process is set up for the group by 4Aviation. But, 4Aviation does never guarantee timely availability of valid travel documents. |
| Q: What kind of hotels can I expect? A: 4Aviation almost always opts for middle class hotels (twin share room basis, two beds and ensuite bathroom). In many cases breakfasts is included. Depending on the location and/or route, the accommodation can be a bit more ordinary or luxurious. |
| Q: Does 4Aviation give extras to loyal customers? A: Yes. After you have booked your first tour, you will get a discount on every tour you book from then on. The discount amount depends on the total sum of the tour. |
| Q: If I subscribe to receiving the newsletter, will I be bombarded with unwanted mail? A: No. The digital newsletters of 4Aviation are only sent when news is to be shared. Unsubscribing from receiving the newsletter is very easy. |
| Q: Can I carry with me as much a luggage as I like? A: No. Apart from the limits the airlines impose, we only have limited space available in the rental cars. Bringing hard shell suit cases is therefore strongly being discouraged. |
| Q: Is a representative of 4Aviation present during the tour? A: Yes. The group is always accompanied by one or more representative(s) of 4Aviation. These are always experienced travellers with, whenever possible, a specific interest in the destination. |
| Q: Is there a relation between Scramble/DAS and 4Aviation? A: No. Apart from the fact that the people running 4Aviation are or were editors of Scramble, there is no relation whatsoever between the two organisations. |
| Q: What is the idea behind the single room option? A:Very often we offer the option to book a single room. Consider this option if you know that your sleeping habits might disturb others. This works the other way round too; consider this option if you know that sleeping habits of others tend to disturb you relatively quickly. |
| Q: How do I interpret the colour coding of the intensity level? A:Green is the lowest level. This means that the tour schedule is not very physically demanding. Orange is the medium level. This means that the tour schedule is somewhat physically demanding. The schedule includes some early departures from the hotel, possible late check-ins and spending some time on the road. Red is the maximum level. This means that the tour schedule is rather physically demanding. The schedule includes regular early departures from the hotel, mostly late check-ins and spending quite some time on the road. |
| Q: Does 4Aviation have a Privacy Statement? A:Yes. Our Privacy Statement can be found here. |
