Squawk7000 - Aviation news from Ireland,

Welcome to Squawk 7000's weekly round-up of aviation news from Ireland, back with you for Season Five and brought to you in partnership with Flying In Ireland.com for the week starting September 11. It's good to be back with you after a challenging summer for light aviation, with almost nine weekends in a row when the weather was challenging. Remember to subscribe and keep us your top choice for Ireland's aviation podcast, delivering news to your device every Monday morning.  In the headlines this week, Major Aviation Contract Signed: Department of Transport Partners with Bristow Ireland Limited for Irish Coast Guard ServicesCHC Ireland Safety Stand Down: Precautionary Measures Amid SAR Contract TransitionIrish Aerobatics Champion Laura Russell: Prepares for World Advanced Aerobatics ChampionshipsSummerhill and Tullamore Masts Demolished: with Clearer Skies for Leinster Pilots and aRecord-Breaking Month at Ireland West Airport: August Sees Surge in Passenger Numbers

On this episode of Squawk 7000, we talk with Laura Russell, a trailblazing pilot with Aer Lingus who will compete at the World Aerobatics Championships in Las Vegas this October.Hailing from Cork, Laura’s impressive resume boasts a range of titles, including Airline Pilot, Upside-Down Pilot (her words), Physicist, Web Designer, and Powerlifter.In this energy-filled, thought-provoking episode, Laura shares with us her journey and how she has excelled in such varied fields.From the cockpit of a commercial aeroplane to studying the complexities of quantum physics, Laura’s passion for learning and pushing herself to new limits is truly inspiring.As we chat with her from her home in Monkstown, we get a glimpse into her preparations for the upcoming championship and the challenges that lie ahead.Join us as we delve into the extraordinary life of Laura Russell, a shining example of determination and excellence in a constantly developing world.

In this end-of-season episode, I chat with Mark Dwyer of Funfly Aerosports and FlyinginIreland.com and his partner Jenny Jacobs of Pilot.ie about their lives in aviation. I met them both at the FunFly AGM this weekend, and as the school's aircraft flew overheads, the Irish Parachute Club's two aircraft were busy too.Mark is an airline pilot flying the Boeing 737 for a major European airline. In addition, he is also a Type Rating Instructor, Type Rating Examiner and Base Training Captain on the B737. Outside of commercial flying, Mark enjoys flying light aircraft from the smallest 3 Axis microlights up to heavier singles. He is also an instructor and EASA Examiner on single engines and a UK CAA Examiner. He flies the Chipmunk for the Irish Historic Flight Foundation (IHFF).Jenny Jacobs is Director and Operations Manager at Pilot.ie, a dedicated online pilot shop and consultancy for pilots in Ireland.

In 2023 David Kelly's aircraft will be 82. It's a Luscombe - a tail dragged, and he started looking for it before finishing his PPL. On this episode of Long Final, David shares some entries from his logbook and tells us the story of his "affair" with a classic aircraft that left the factory in 1941 when Charles Lindbergh was only 39, and Orville Wright was still alive.

The summer flying season continued this weekend with the Ballyboy Breakfast Fly-in this Sunday, May 28th. Over 40 aircraft made the trip, and funds were raised for St.Vincent de Paul. A special thanks to Bernard Cullen and the folk at Ballyboy - we spoke with Cathal O'Connell, Michael Hickey, Chairman of the Irish Historic Flight Foundation, and John Matthews. Cub Owner Stephen Ryan from Funfly. Simon Corcoran, Nathan Gray and Darragh McGuinness from Sligo Aero Club.https://www.ballyboyairfield.com/Ballyboy Airfield is situated 2nm northeast of Athboy Co. Meath, Ireland, only 45 minutes from Dublin by motorway.  Ballyboy Athboy Airfield (ICAO EIMH) is situated 2nm northeast of Athboy Co. Meath, Ireland and only 40 minutes from Dublin by motorway, putting us in an ideal location to accommodate visitors from all over Ireland and overseas.​Please familiarise yourself with our guidance for pilots, including our preferred arrival/departure procedures.​GPS coordinates: N53°38'27 W006°52'72.​600m grass and tarmac runway 29/11 (grass x18m, Tarmac x12m)Avgas and Jet A-1 fuelMogas available in Athboy town (2 miles)Ample parkingHangarageTea/coffee, coffee dock and lounge area availableShower facilitiesCamping - contact us to arrangeRestaurants, supermarkets and services are available in nearby Athboy town, just 2 miles from Ballyboy Airfield.Accommodation, taxi and car rental can be made available.Licensed by the Aeronautical Services Department of the Irish Aviation Authority

In 2021 I recorded an interview with author and pilot Michael Traynor. Michael is the author of two large, hardback volumes totalling around 600 pages, including almost 800 images, called Petticoat Pilots from 1909 to 1939.Michael tells the stories of twelve trail-blazing women. He spent eight years researching the lives of these women. With an introduction by no less than the president, Michael D. Higgins, it's a remarkable piece of work.  Michael joined me from his home, and before we talked about his latest book, I was curious about his own flying career.More information on the book is available at https://petticoatpilots.com/