One hundred years ago this April……..

[Happy Days]

On 22nd April this year it will be 100 years since the first heavier than air flying machine succeeded in crossing the Irish sea from the UK  to the island of Ireland

A gentleman called Denys Corbett-Wilson took off from Fishguard in Wales and made a rather heavy landing just outside the town of Enniscorthy, Ireland at a place called Monageer. (Not far from the Model County Flying Club ground.)

To celebrate this achievement a number of events are being planed in and around Enniscorthy on that day. One of these events will be a static display of aero models, and if the weather is obliging, a flying display of the models will be included at the towns open air stadium.

The organizers of this display are wondering if there are any vintage model glider pilots who might like to participate in such a display. Perhaps their models don’t date back to 1912, but any that look old’ish would be very welcome.
I offered them my Phase 6 on the basis that it looked very old due to all the repairs it’s received. They said they didn’t mean that kind of old looking! Although they did ask if I would like to model some of the flying clothes from that era, as I looked the appropriate age!!! :shock:  

I’ve been asked to point out that although there is no Glider A or B certificate requirement in R.o.I. pilots who have a ‘B’ powered model cert would be preferred if they wish to participate in the flying part of the glider display. Non B Cert pilots would be welcome to inquire if they wished to but would need to be able to show the required flying ability equivalent of a B Certificate.
Having models that participate only in the static display places no such obligation on an owner of course.

The reason for this B cert requirement is because this will be a public event at a venue near houses and other buildings. (The stadium is just on the outskirts of the town.)

So, if you have any vintage models that you’d like to put into the display, and if you would like to be involved in the glider / tug flying display call  “Brian” on 087 6501284. (Brian likes organizing things.
I wouldn’t say he was bossy, but I think he used to be a school headmistress in a previous life :lol: )

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denys_Corbett_Wilson

Keith

[Brian]

Hi Guy's.
We really would like to have a glider presence at this.
In particular vintage,retroplane, types.
3 or 4 good pilots and up to say 10 models both for static and flying - with a tug and/or bungee .
What are the chances of you guys changing your fly-in on Mt L,, to the same week end.
The display is not until mid afternoon on Sunday 22Apr. We only need 3 o4 or your guys to get it going. Every one is welcome to attend.
This might make it easier for you guys to participate.

Brian

[Fred]

Very good  :clap:

Well, I don't have my "B" certificate...
But I have a "Demo" pilot from France on my Licence...

Anyway, I can't move the ISR week end (Flights are booked for some), and I think, the 22nd, is the NI Slope Fest (but I might be wrong on that one...).

I can lent some vintage gliders if you need numbers for the display...

[JohnPearson]

Brian/keith
Sorry but we have the N.I. slope fest over that weekend, i could leave my Minimoa 3m with keith when we are down the week before at the ISR event, a nice model for static display, if you are short of vintage models?

[Brian]

Hi Guy's,
Keep it coming.
Pity about the date clash with slope fest !!.
However sometimes less is more. This may be an example of that.
If we can get 3,4 or 5 good pilots and a nice selection of models we will be happy. As Keith has said this is an urban setting.
The field is big ,10 to 12 acres, however a lot of the flying will be over houses roads etc. I have seen ,otherwise competent , pilots under pressure in better situations.
Fred ; email me a copy of your French license, as I think I can sort that for you. I would be great to have you there and a few more if we can get them.
There is no A or B cert here for RC glider pilots - there is elsewhere. So I hope to get a sort off '  derogation ' for one or two appropriately experienced glider specialists if they do not have a B. This will be to fly gliders only.
A tug pilot will have to have a B. We will have some B's there anyway.
John ; thank you that's great, much appreciated, and I think you would be wise not to let him fly it

Brian

[JohnPearson]

keith is a great pilot Brian :?:  :?:  :?:  :?:  :lol:
Reading your last post, you highlight the flying will take place near roads and houses and of course the public will be in attendance. May I suggest Brian that maybe your should keep the flying display simple and only use foam models. I acted as 'air boss' for the model section of the Portrush International Airshow for 4 years and i was lucky to have some of the top display pilots available flying various models. Even with the best people flying and good forward planning, things do and did go wrong!. The public will enjoy four or five electric wings flying around the slowline just as much as a big scale piper cube with a 50cc up front flying. The last show I helped with had a flight line up as follows:

1. 6 phase3 F16's flying together.
2. 2 electric aerobatic foam model doing a routine together.
3. 2 hand launch gliders flying up and down the slow line
4. 2 scale heli's doing simple figuare 8 and take offs
5. control line flying

each section 10mins total show time 60mins.

I used the static display area to show off the big models with pilots and modellers on hand to explain how the models work etc.

Hope some of these ideas help Brian

[Brian]

Hi John,
Thank you.
MACI has done quite a few 'urban' displays in the not too distant past.
I suppose that is why we and the BMFA and other ngb's have a B Cert scheme.
As a side note,on this very subject, the biggest club in Ireland is based smack bang in the center of Dublin city.
Having said that a great many clubs all around the world are in cities and towns.
I competed in a WC'S ,F3A and Pylon in a city ,in a recreational park, where the only access was through housing estates.There were houses,shops etc all around us. We were flying directly over lots of houses. Again in Austria ,2010 EC's, we were flying directly above a lot of houses. The practice sites were not nearly as bad as the comp site.
I suppose when you think about this sort of stuff it can get a bit scarey but then most passenger handling airports are 'urban' too.
Just look where the Red Bull Air Races are held and at what they are making them do - all just to promote a soft drink that is probably bad for people.
It would make one wonder.
Ah well !!!

Brian

[Happy Days]

So, at last it’s almost arrived. The centennial of the very first flight across the Irish sea.  In 1909 there were many celebrations for  the first crossing of the English Channel. Three years later the crossing of the Irish Sea was more than twice the distance!

There are to be a series of events on the day all of which are due to be covered by RTE television. (I believe BBC 2 have shown an interest in the events as well.)

The events on the day are as follows:
Sunday 22nd

12.15 Unveiling of Commemorative plaque at Enniscorthy Castle

12.30 Flyover of Enniscorthy by light aircraft from the UK, (having flown the same route as the original Bleriot.)

14.00 Fly past of the Irish Air corp CN-235 maritime patrol aircraft.

14.30 - 17.30 Model County Flying Club present a Flying Show at the Showground in Enniscorthy

The display includes Model aircraft display of aircraft & helicopters (including a flying display if wind & weather permit)
As well a fly past of a full size 1930’s de Havilland ‘Dragon’ aircraft similar to the one used for the first passenger flights between Dublin and Bristol
Also a flight of a post WWI, open cockpit,  ‘Tiger Moth’. (And you guys thought it was cold on Mt. L. last weekend!)

At around about 16.00, weather permitting, a replica model of a Bleriot XI  is due to land at the showground having been flown all the way from Fishguard in Wales to the Stadium in Enniscorthy

All these events are free to the public.

The weather is looking good for Sunday, so, if you’re not doing anything particular on Sunday, or even if you are! make your way to Enniscorthy and join in these once in a lifetime celebrations of some of the earliest days of Irish aviation. :clap:

I have to raise my hat to those early pioneers. They had more courage than I ever will.

Keith

[Happy Days]

Oh, what a terrible days weather it turned out to be!  Heavy showers, followed by heavy showers followed by even more showers. :cry:  The only fly-by of old full size aircraft that managed to make the event was the de Havilland Dragon, all other planes had to turn back or didn’t even take off because of bad weather.

The model flying display was also badly disrupted by the rain.
It was a terrible shame considering all the hard work that had been put into the event. However we did see some fantastic model aerobatic displays in between the showers.  Control line, fixed wing and rotary wing displays caused some sharp gasps of breath from the public,  and large quantities of exhaled gases from the buttocks of the pilots. :shock:
The static display of models including a 1/5 size Bleriot gained a lot of interest, as did some of the gliders on display. (Alas, no gliders flew on the day.)  

The flying model Bleriot also drew interest from the crowd that had braved the showers, and gave us an idea of what the original sight must have been over Enniscorthy 100 years before.

Alas I don’t even have any pictures of the event because upon arrival at the showground I was immediately handed a microphone and told that I had been volunteered to be the displays' commentator.
(I must confess this does sound rather ‘rich’ coming from a forum member who is always telling other members to post pictures!) Maybe some other members who attended will have some picies for us! Les, Kevin, Brian???

There is talk of one of the two flying model Bleriots’ being flown across the Irish sea at a future date,….just to show it can be done, and as a belated celebration of the 1912 crossing. We’ll have to wait and see. :wink:

Keith

[Happy Days]

I received this slightly cryptic email from Brian last night. Maybe they caught something of the days events on their camera’s


" Hi All,
Watch Nationwide after the 6-1 News RTE1 on Wed coming. (25th April)
Thanks to all who contributed.
Brian "

K.

[Fred]

Keith, you do look not too bad on TV!  :clap:  :clap:
But you forgot to mention... "The Box"!  

Anyway, well done all involved for the event!  :clap:

[gerryb]

hi guys,  saw nationwide earlier tonight, very good presentation of the event.
saw the model flying, all looked most enjoyable.  mr. keith, you have a career in tv waiting for you, very natural in front of the cameras.  well done to all involved

[Happy Days]

Thank you for your comments gentlemen. (BTW if anyone wants my autograph, I now charge €25 + p&p)

Or, you could have it for free, ……..just tell me what’s in that BOX! :evil:

 Go on. , I promise I wont tell. (No one else is reading this thread so no one else will know you‘ve told me :wink: )

I'm going to find out eventualy, so why not tell me now!!! (Then at least I can get some sleep.)

K.

[billscottni]

It's like a Russian Babushka doll Keith, inside are steadily decreasing boxes until in the very centre is a single servo.

Done to keep it safe from the Post Office handling :twisted:  :twisted:

[Happy Days]

:lol:  :lol:  :clap: