Development of a dedicated register database
The new regulations for historical aviation are now in effect. This means new rules for flying historical aircraft. These regulations, which encompass all flying activities, fall under national legislation and were developed in collaboration with the Royal Dutch Aeronautical Association (KNVvL) and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management (IenW). The regulations are called “National Safety Regulations for Aircraft” (RNVL).
Aviation faces many threats, particularly historical aviation, including CO2 and nitrogen emissions, noise production, and airspace restrictions. To clearly define which aircraft fall under the category of historical aviation, a dedicated Register of Mobile Aviation Heritage is required.
The register includes over 1000 aviation heritage items and encompasses all forms of historical aviation, such as airplanes, helicopters (civil and military), hot air balloons, gliders, drones, etc.
This register will also serve as a reference for funding bodies like the Mondriaan Fund. It is recognized by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science (OCW) and will be consulted by the Mondriaan Fund when applications are submitted from the historical aviation sector in support of projects.
Additionally, it will help start a conversation with sponsors, companies, insurers, and airports. This is crucial, as they also can contribute to the preservation of this aviation heritage.
Implementation
Developing a database is a process that requires careful planning and execution. It is important to develop a database that not only meets the current needs of the NFHL. The database must also be scalable for future expansions.
The first step in developing a database is determining the requirements. What data needs to be stored, and how should it be structured? For the NFHL, this meant storing information about the different aircraft in their collection. This included their history, specifications, and technical information. Additionally, the database should allow for the expansion of information, such as including photos of the different models.
Once the requirements are determined, a database design can be created. This involves creating tables, establishing relationships between the tables, and adding data to the database. It is important to test the database to ensure its proper functionality.
Once built, the database needs to be maintained and updated. This includes adding new data when new aircraft are added to the collection, updating information about existing aircraft, and removing outdated data.
Security
Lastly, ensuring the security of the database is crucial. We restrict access to authorized users and regularly back up the data to protect against loss, following ISO 27001 guidelines. Developing a register database for the NFHL is, therefore, an important step in preserving historical aircraft and the history of aviation in the Netherlands. We are proud to have contributed to this effort. We’re looking forward to manage and technically maintain the database register on behalf of the NFHL.
Would you like to learn more about the possibilities of creating and managing your own database? Please contact us for a consultation.
