What began as an ambitious vision to make recreational and professional flight training more accessible has evolved into one of Ireland’s most active and respected flight training organisations. The achievement reflects not only the growth of the club but also the dedication of its members, instructors and volunteers who have helped shape FunFly’s success story.
Since its establishment at Limetree Airfield in 2020, the club has experienced significant expansion. In 2021, operations moved to Clonbullogue Airfield, providing additional capacity for training and club activities. The most significant chapter in the club’s development came in May 2025, when FunFly relocated to its new purpose-built home at Benfield Airfield, creating a modern training environment designed to support continued growth for years to come.
Today, FunFly operates a fleet of five ICP Savannah S aircraft, providing members and students with reliable, cost-effective aircraft ideally suited to flight training, hour building and recreational flying.
The club’s training operation has become one of its defining strengths. FunFly holds approval from the Irish Aviation Authority as both a National Flight Training Organisation (NFTO) and an EASA Declared Training Organisation (DTO), enabling it to deliver structured, high-quality training programmes to aspiring pilots.
Students can complete training for both the EASA Light Aircraft Pilot Licence (LAPL) and Private Pilot Licence (PPL), supported by a team of highly qualified instructors. Collectively, FunFly’s instructional team brings together more than 50,000 hours of flight experience, spanning general aviation, commercial operations and airline flying.
The club also benefits from having in-house examiners, allowing students to complete their flight tests within the organisation and ensuring a seamless pathway from first lesson to licence issue.
Beyond initial licence training, FunFly has developed a strong reputation among pilots building experience towards commercial aviation careers. The club has become increasingly popular with hour builders working towards their Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL), offering access to aircraft, instructors and a supportive flying community.
Its educational activities extend beyond the cockpit. FunFly regularly hosts LAPL and PPL ground school courses, which are open not only to members but also to external students preparing for theory examinations. These programmes have helped introduce many new entrants to aviation while supporting the wider Irish flying community.
The impact of the club’s training programme can already be seen in the careers of its members. Despite its relatively short history, FunFly now counts current and former members among the pilot ranks of Aer Lingus, Ryanair and Emerald Airlines, highlighting the role the club is playing in developing Ireland’s next generation of professional aviators.
Reflecting on the milestone, Mark Dwyer, Head of Training, said: “We are absolutely delighted to reach the milestone of 10,000 flying hours. When we launched FunFly in 2020, none of us could have imagined how successful the club would become in such a short period of time. From the beginning, our focus has always been on delivering the highest standard of flight training through instructors with extensive real-world flying experience.
“This achievement belongs to our instructors, members and students who have placed their trust in us. I am particularly proud of the quality of pilots our team has trained and the strong reputation the club has built throughout Irish aviation. The continuing demand for membership, reflected in our substantial student waiting list, gives us great confidence for the future.”
Mark Brereton, Accountable Manager, added: “Reaching 10,000 flying hours is a significant achievement and a reflection of the steady, sustainable growth FunFly has experienced since 2020. We’ve always been committed to providing members and students with safe, reliable aircraft and a professional training environment, and it’s incredibly rewarding to see that vision become a reality. The ICP Savannah S has proven to be an outstanding aircraft for both flight training and recreational flying. Its reliability, low operating costs and excellent handling characteristics have allowed us to build a fleet that supports everything from a student’s first lesson to advanced hour building. Combined with the dedication of our instructors and volunteers, it has enabled the club to grow into one of Ireland’s leading flight training organisations. As demand continues to grow, we’re excited to keep investing in our fleet, our facilities and, most importantly, the people who make FunFly what it is today.”
Joelle Fagan, Chairperson of FunFly Aerosports Flying Club, said: “FunFly’s success reflects the dedication of our committee, instructors, volunteers and members, whose commitment has helped the club grow from strength to strength. We’re also very grateful for the support of Offaly Local Development through its grant funding, which has enabled us to invest in our facilities and provide a valuable resource for our students, members and the wider community. It’s a great example of what can be achieved through partnership, volunteerism and a shared passion for aviation.”
As FunFly Aerosports Flying Club looks ahead to the future, the 10,000-hour milestone serves as both a celebration of what has been achieved and a reminder of the tremendous progress made since 2020. From a single operating base at Limetree Airfield to a purpose-built facility at Benfield, from a fledgling training organisation to a recognised pathway for recreational and professional pilots, the club’s journey has been one of continuous growth.
With a modern fleet, experienced instructors, recognised training approvals and an ever-growing membership base, FunFly appears well positioned to continue contributing to Irish aviation for many years to come.
