Media

 (L-R) Eamonn Brennan, Chief Executive, Irish Aviation Authority (IAA); Anne Nolan, Chairman, IAA; Taoiseach Enda Kenny, TD; and Mick Hickey, Chairman of Irish Historic Flight Foundation and Chief Operations Officer of Ryanair.

• Historic aircraft to be restored, maintained and flown for the public by a team of expert volunteers
• Dedicated ‘Aviation Experience’ Centre to open in 2017
• Industry support from the Irish Air Corps, Department of Defence, Ryanair, Aer Lingus, Stobart Air, and the Irish Aviation Authority

14 July 2015: A fleet of three 1950s De Havilland DHC-1 Chipmunk aircraft and the historic 1936 Aer Lingus ‘Iolar’ took to the skies in Baldonnel on the 30th June for the inaugural flight of the Irish Historic Flight Foundation  (IHFF), watched by the Taoiseach Enda Kenny, TD. Members of the Irish aviation industry have teamed up with a group of dedicated volunteers in December 2014 to form the IHFF and keep these historic aircraft flying for the public.

Speaking about their efforts, Mick Hickey, Chairman of Irish Historic Flight Foundation and Chief Operations Officer of Ryanair, said:

“The aircraft we already own and operate in the IHFF and those we hope to operate in the future, are those iconic aircraft that have played a pivotal role in Irish aviation over the years, aircraft such as the DHC – 1 Chipmunk, the Avro Cadet, the DC-3 and the Supermarine Spitfire.  Flying and maintaining these aircraft in an airworthy condition requires the highest levels of skill, professionalism and dedication from our team of unpaid volunteers.  Because they date from the 1940s and 1950s, finding people who are experienced in how to maintain these aircraft is a challenge – and one of the goals of the IHFF is to ensure these skills are maintained and enhanced and passed on to the next generation.  This will ensure these aircraft can keep flying and not gather dust in a museum. We want to preserve and share these unique planes with the public and they will be taking part in air shows around the country this year.”

The inaugural IHFF flight was part of an event hosted by international aircraft leasing company Avolon on 30^th June to celebrate the official launch of its commemorative book Pioneers and Aviators, A Century of Irish Aviation by Taoiseach Enda Kenny TD.

Eamonn Brennan, Chief Executive of the Irish Aviation Authority spoke about future plans for the Foundation, including the ‘Aviation Experience’ centre at Baldonnel:

“Irish Historic Flight Foundation is a fantastic initiative for the aviation industry to celebrate Ireland’s rich aviation heritage,” he said. “The Foundation has wide industry support, from the likes of the Irish Air Corps, Department of Defence, Ryanair, Aer Lingus, Stobart Air, the Irish Aviation Authority and a team of dedicated volunteers. Now we’re entering an exciting phase as the IHFF plans to build a world-class ‘Aviation Experience’ centre. We’ve identified a number of potential sites, including Baldonnel. This facility will be a place where our children can learn about aviation and start their careers in this extraordinary industry.  Visitors will be immersed in aviation as they view historic aircraft up close and gain an in-depth scientific understanding of aviation and flight. We’re looking forward to opening this state-of-the-art, interactive facility to the public in the 2017.”

Visit www.irishhistoricflight.com.                                                           

ENDS

For media queries contact:

Tony Lane, Communications Executive, Irish Aviation Authority

Tel: +353 1 603 1199 

Mob: +353 86 7911864

About Irish Historic Flight Foundation:

The Irish Historic Flight Foundation (IHFF) is an initiative for Ireland’s aviation industry, established in December 2014 to promote the historical aspects of aviation in the State. The Foundation has received wide industry support, from the likes of the Irish Air Corps, Department of Defence, Ryanair, Aer Lingus, Stobart Air, the Irish Aviation Authority and a team of dedicated volunteers.

It is involved in two key areas of activity:

1. The restoration, maintenance and public flying of historic aircraft: IHFF has a fleet of three De Havilland DHC-1 Chipmunk aircraft flying in Air Corps colours and the historic DH 84 Dragon (the Aer Lingus ‘Iolar’) is being added.

2. The establishment of a dedicated ‘aviation experience’ facility, allowing the public to both view historic aircraft up close and gain an in-depth scientific understanding of aviation and flight. Rather than a static display museum, it will be a state-of-the-art interactive facility, where visitors will be immersed in aviation. A number of potential sites have been identified, including Baldonnel (Casement Aerodrome) and the Foundation intends to submit a formal planning application by year-end with a view to having the facility in place in 2017.

Visit www.irishhistoricflight.com.  

About Pioneers and Aviators, A Century of Irish Aviation:

Pioneers and Aviators, A Century of Irish Aviation is inspired by the documentary of the same name which Avolon commissioned in 2013 and which premiered in the Irish National Concert Hall in the presence of Uachtarán na hÉireann, Michael D. Higgins in January 2014.

The book aims to illustrate and memorialise the story of Ireland’s role in shaping the global aviation industry over the last century. It is an extraordinary tale of circumstance, courage, bloody mindedness and, at times, grave misfortune. From the landing of the first non-stop (West-East) transatlantic flight in a bog in Clifden in 1919, the departure of the first (East-West) transatlantic flight from Baldonnel in 1928 right through to the development of Aer Lingus, GPA, Ryanair and a list of global players in the aircraft leasing sector today, Ireland truly has a unique place on the global stage of aviation.

Pioneers and Aviators, A Century of Irish Aviation is not available to purchase. However, a copy of the photographic book has been donated to a selection of national libraries and Universities in Ireland. Avolon hopes that that the public will take the opportunity to view this historical book and celebrate Ireland’s aviation history.