Who is Dr. Hans Heerkens
Hans, born in Gouda, completed havo and vwo with ease and began studying Mechanical Engineering at the Twente Technical College in 1978. He soon switched to Public Administration. During his student years, he was active in student associations. In 1982, he co-founded the Drienerlose Algemene Studentenvereniging (DAS), intended to bring students together through activities such as debating societies and cycling trips. Two years later, he joined the Liberal Student Association Drienerlo (LSD), founded on the principle of free thinking.
After graduating, Hans obtained his PhD and co-developed the Managerial Problem-Solving Method (MPSM), a framework that helps students and professionals with complex decision-making. As a university lecturer at the University of Twente, within Industrial Engineering and Business Information Systems, he earned great respect for his knowledge of research methodology and aviation.
His fascination with aviation began at a young age, during a return flight from Liberia. Despite an eye condition, he obtained his ultralight aircraft pilot’s license and flew for more than ten years from Lelystad. Hans became a leading aviation expert and a sought-after media commentator, with more than 900 appearances in newspapers, radio, and television. He received the UT in the Media Award several times and was a long-time columnist for Piloot & Vliegtuig.
In the final phase of his career, Hans focused on Unmanned Cargo Aircraft (UCA). As chair of the Platform for Unmanned Cargo Aircraft (PUCA), he promoted collaboration between government, industry, and knowledge institutions. His vision led to the establishment of the XL CargoDrones knowledge center and applications such as Wings for Aid, through which, in 2024, the World Food Programme transported emergency supplies by drone for the first time to remote areas in Madagascar.