News

Subscribe to our newsletter and social media channels to stay tuned about all our updates. We regularly post news about events, partnerships and innovation updates of our resident companies f.e.

<< Back to overview
4 Jun, 2023

Brustem Pilot Association organized maiden flights for pediatric cancer patients at DronePort

A number of pilots from the Brustem Pilot Association (BPA) are joining forces with Fighters Against Cancer. From Droneport in Sint-Truiden, the pilots are offering a free flight to 17 young patients. TUKI vzw takes care of allocating the seats and coordinating with the patients and parents.

Helicopters and airplanes

Rudi Claes is one of the pilots/initiators. “I came into contact with Fighters Against Cancer by chance and thought it was such a great initiative that I immediately called up the other pilots of our Brustem Pilot Association. That’s how we came up with the idea of organizing free maiden flights for the young patients.” For those in the know, the pilots flew 2 Helicopters (OO-HCP and F-HFAL), 1 Cirrus (N200EU), 3 Tecnam’s (OO-DNG, OO-MTR and OO-H46) and 3 Pilatus P-3’s from 1959 (OO-PIL, OO-RDS and D-EPCI).

The pilots’ base of operations is DronePort. Nore Dykmans, Campus Coordinator Droneport: “We enjoy giving wings to such wonderful initiatives. For example, the pilots got a discount on the fuel they consume during the air baptism. And we liked spoiling the kids with some goodies after landing.”

Just a start

Possibly these maiden flights are just the start. “We are looking at whether, at a future event, we and the Brustem Pilot Association can not only offer free flights to the patients, but also raise money for Fighters Against Cancer,” says Rudi Claes. “There is no concrete idea yet, but the intention is definitely there!”

20230603 - Fighters Against Cancer

Subscribe and follow us for frequent updates

DronePort hosts world record with 1,150 Teslas and 150 drones in a spectacular synchronized light show

DronePort hosts world record with 1,150 Teslas and 150 drones in a spectacular synchronized light show

feb 27, 2025 |

DronePort proudly announces the successful staging of a record-breaking spectacle that united innovation, sustainable mobility, and creative technology on its 3,4 km runway. A total of 1,150 Tesla vehicles—including four Cybertrucks and six Juniper Model Y cars—formed a dazzling, synchronized light show, complemented by 150 drones orchestrated by Dutch Drone Shows.

read more
Aidoptation officially kicks off the race for commercial applications of autonomous technology from DronePort

Aidoptation officially kicks off the race for commercial applications of autonomous technology from DronePort

feb 15, 2025 |

The American non-profit organization Indy Autonomous Challenge (IAC) announced that it had chosen Belgium’s DronePort as the global base for its commercial spin-off Aidoptation. Today, the first autonomous racing car arrived from the United States at DronePort in Sint-Truiden. This marks the official start of developing a wide range of commercial solutions based on the cutting-edge technology that aims to lead to a smarter and safer future. More specifically, Aidoptation will focus in Sint-Truiden on autonomous systems for various types of vehicles, as well as on a broad spectrum of applications, ranging from industrial automation and logistics to agriculture, entertainment, and e-sports.

read more
ADLC secures €2M in seed funding and lands at DronePort – Brustem Airport

ADLC secures €2M in seed funding and lands at DronePort – Brustem Airport

Jan 31, 2025 |

ADLC, a pioneering drone logistics company, has successfully raised €2.08 million in seed funding to accelerate its growth and further expand its services in the maritime and offshore industry. The investment round was led by Galactic Beacon Ventures (GBV), alongside co-lead investor LRM, Port of Antwerp-Bruges and NXT II, with the support of PwC – Next Level as financial/fundraising advisors and Van Olmen & Wynant as legal advisors. Moreover, we are delighted to welcome ADLC as a new resident on our DronePort business campus in Sint-Truiden, the innovation hub for autonomous mobility on the ground and in the air.

read more