Birr Air Display 2018
The August Bank Holiday weekend proved to be very busy on the general aviation scene in Ireland with events at Rush, Limetree, Craughwell and others but the biggest event was the Birr Air Display held on bank holiday Monday. Although the weather was not as good as earlier in the summer, all acts got to display although some were flat due to occasionally low cloud passing through. The only act not to attend was the Search and Rescue Helicopter from Shannon that was tasked on a mission shortly before it was due to display. Here’s a selection of photos from the day and a full list of attendees can be found at the bottom of the article.
The three Chipmunks from the Irish Historic Flight flown by Alan Murphy (lead in 169), Mark Dwyer (No. 2 in 170) and Farrell McGee (No.3 in 168). Leo Daly.
Chipmunk pair of 170 and 169 flypast in Line Astern formation. Leo Daly.
Team Raven closed the show but could only display with four aircraft due to a technical problem with the fifth aircraft. Leo Daly.
Garda Helicopter EC135 (272) did a short display before returning to Baldonnel. Leo Daly.
Christen Eagle G-CFIF flown by Andrew Fenton getting airborne for his display. Leo Daly.
Reims Rocket Cessna 172 “210” from the Irish Air Corps was a very rare visitor and will probably be one of its last public appearances before being retired with the arrival of the new Pilatus PC-12’s. Leo Daly.
Mig EI-FEP put on a spirited display in the capable hands of Gerry Humphreys. Leo Daly.
Andrew Fenton in his Christen Eagle G-CFIF. Robert Wade.
Richard Goodwin taxis out for his display in Pitts G-EWIZ. Robert Wade.
As usual Richard Goodwin wooed the thousands of spectators with his superb display in G-EWIZ. Robert Wade.
The Strikemaster pair had to complete their flat display due to the weather. They operated from Baldonnel. Robert Wade.
The IHF Chipmunks complete their final flypast in Vic formation. Robert Wade.
Dave Bruton’s recently acquired Boeing Stearman N67195. Robert Wade.
Gerry Humphreys and photographer Frank Grealish get airborne to get an aerial photo of the crowd. Robert Wade.
AIR SHOW PARTICIPANTS thanks to Paddy Kilduff
| 272 | Eurocopter EC135T1 (GASU) (did not land) |
| EI-FEP | Aviatika MAI-89 (Gerry Humphreys) |
| EI-HFA | DHC-1 Chipmunk 22 [168] |
| EI-HFB | DHC-1 Chipmunk 22 [169] |
| EI-HFC | DHC-1 Chipmunk 22 [170] |
| EI-HFD | Boeing E75 Stearman (Formation with Chipmunks on arrival) |
| EI-HUM | Vans RV-7 (Gerry Humphries) |
| G-CFIF | Christen Eagle II |
| G-CIBM | Vans RV-8 (Ravens) |
| G-CJSM | Vans RV-8 (Ravens) |
| G-EGRV | Vans RV-8 (Ravens) |
| G-EWIZ | Pitts S-2S |
| G-MAXV | Vans RV-4 (Ravens)(did not display due tech) |
| G-RSAF | BAC167 Strikemaster MK80A (Did not land) |
| G-SOAF | BAC167 Strikemaster MK80A (Did not land) |
| G-VFDS | Vans RV-8 (Ravens) |
| N67195 | Boeing A75N1 Stearman (Dave Bruton) from Italy |
VISITORS
| 210 | Cessna Reims FR172H (Irish Air Corps) |
| EI-FMF | Bellanca 7GCAA |
| EI-GER | Maule MX-7-180A |
| G-CJYK | Boeing B75N1 Stearman [7] |
| G-EICK | Cessna 172S |
| G-JTBX | Bell 206B |
| G-OABR | American General AG.5B Tiger |
| G-WALI | Robinson R44 II |
RESIDENTS/STATIC DISPLAY (others in remote hangars)
| EI-DKW | Evektor EV-97 Eurostar |
| G-BBTH | Cessna F172M |
About the Author
Mark Dwyer Mark is an airline pilot by profession flying the Boeing 737 for a major European airline. In addition he is also a Type Rating Instructor on the B737. Outside of commercial flying Mark enjoys flying light aircraft from the smallest 3 Axis microlights up to heavier singles. He also instructs on them including tailwheel differences training and is a UK CAA Examiner. He also flies the Chipmunk for the Irish Historic Flight Foundation (IHFF). Mark became the Chairman of the National Microlight Association of Ireland (NMAI) in 2013 and has overseen a massive growth in the organisation. In this role he has worked at local and national levels. In 2015, Mark won ‘Upcoming Aviation Professional Award’ at the Aviation Industry Awards sponsored by the IAA. Mark launched this website back in 2002 while always managing the website, he has also been Editor and Deputy Editor of FlyingInIreland Magazine from 2005 to 2015.
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