Squawk7000

This week I met with Gerry Humphreys and Eddie Goggins at Ballyboughal airfield in North County Dublin as they prepared to take part in the 2022 Rush Air Display - here are two guys who love what they do. Gerry Humphreys displayed his Vans RV7 ‘flying cow’. The RV7 is a ‘homebuilt’ 2-seat sport aeroplane powered by a 5-litre 150 Horsepower engine. Built from a kit produced in Oregon, USA, it took Gerry 5 years to complete and has now done over 1700 hours since it first flew in 2007. Eddie Goggins is a dentist and an aerobatic pilot and had his first flying lesson at the age of 18; He has represented Ireland in the Aerobatics World Championships. This weekend was the second time Eddie flew his Cap 232 at Rush - the last time he flew with Gerry as the Dynamic Duo - this year they both flew solo. In this episode they talk about the art and science of aerobatics and upset recovery training - SMOKE ON!

Earlier today the Irish Air Corps celebrated a special centenary Veterans’ Days in Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel. As part of the event the Royal Air Force 'Battle of Britain Memorial Flight’, accompanied by the Irish aerobatic display team 'The Silver Swallows', flew in formation across Dublin City and landed at Casement Aerodrome.The VVIP guest for the event was proud Irish man, Group Captain (Retired) John ‘Paddy’ Hemingway (Distinguished Flying Cross),​aBattle of Britain Pilot who flew with distinction during World War 2. In Casement Aerodrome, John was reunited with a Hurricane Aircraft, the same type he flew in WW2. On its arrival, the Hurricane came to a stop and powered up its engines so that the wartime pilot could see, hear and smell what he called his 'office' throughout WW2.John is a resident in South Co. Dublin and celebrated his 103rd birthday this week.The Chief of Staff of the Irish Defence Forces, Lieutenant General Seán Clancy and Royal Air Forces Deputy Commander Operations Sir Rich Knighton and General Officer Commanding the Irish Air Corps, Brigadier General Rory O'Connor werein attendance along with a range of other invited guests and veterans. We hear from the BBMF Crew and the IAC Silver Swallows.

One of the greatest pleasures in bringing you this podcast is that we get to meet with people with a passion for what they do. This episode is no different as we are in Baldonnel with the Irish Air Corp as they celebrate not only 100 years of operation but, especially this week, ten years of the Emergency Aeromedical Service EASTheEmergency Aeromedical Service(EAS), which has had a residence in Custume Barracks, Athlone, Co. Westmeath, is a joint project between the HSE and the Defence Forces. Air Corps flight crews work alongside National Ambulance Service Advance Paramedics in a dedicated military helicopter for the rapid transfer of critical patients to the most appropriate hospital in the country.Initially set up in 2012 for a 12- month trial period, the aim was to assess the level and type of dedicatedHelicopter Emergency Medical Service(HEMS) required in Ireland in light of recent closures of regional facilities such as Roscommon Hospital. Since its inception, it has become a vital asset in terms of critical pre-hospital care and has completed over 3500 missions. We speak with Commandant Oisin McGrath, Officer Commanding 301 Squadron, the (Tactical Helicopter Squadron). Lieutenant Colin Delaney, is currently a copilot on the AW139. Captain Jason Mc Dermott; the officer tasked with being responsible for the helicopter operation in Athlone, Sergeant Philip Byrne, Pat Moran and Tommy Monaghan both Advanced Paramedics from the National Ambulance Service and Sergeant Diarmuid Corcoran Crewman on the AW139.

Our love of aviation started at a young age for many of us, but we might have found it hard to experience the real thing until much older. This Summer, NFC is holding their annual Summer Camp. The Aviation Summer Camp comprises an introductory flight lesson and associated briefings of the Private Pilot Licence (PPL) Course, in addition to 2 hours in our glass cockpit simulator, which can be set up for four classes of aircraft, from the single-engine piston, twin-engine piston, twin-turbine and medium category twin jet.Once the camp is done, students will receive the wearable NFC Wings Badge. The Summer Camp aims to provide the student with hands-on experience flying a light aircraft. You will understand how to obtain a Private Pilots License and how to train to become an Airline Pilot. The course is a taster for anyone considering a career in the aviation industry. The next summer camp starts on June 7th to 10th and another in July dates to be confirmed check the website www.NFC.ie for details. We spoke with the Head of Training at the National Flight Centre (NFC), Darragh Owens.

On Friday, May 27th, at Waterford Airport, an event took place to recognise 20 years of CHC Ireland providing Helicopter Search and Rescue services on behalf of the Irish Coast Guard out of Waterford. Simultaneously Winchman Sarah Courtney, the recipient of a 2021 National Bravery Award, was presented with the CHC Excellence Service Award by Eugene Clonan, acting Director of The Irish Coast Guard.CHC has provided Search and Rescue Services to the Irish Coast Guard for 20 years and has four bases in Ireland at Waterford, Dublin, Sligo and Shannon. They employ over 140 professionals in their Irish operation. For 70 years, CHC Helicopter has provided reliable, cost-effective helicopter service in some of the most remote and challenging environments worldwide. We meet some of the crews and find out about the operations at Waterford. In part two, we also talk with the Airport Manager, Aidan Power, about the airport's future and activity at the airport.

In this episode, we talk with Kathryn Vinclaire. Her first work in the film industry was as a camera operator, working on features, short dramas, music videos and commercials, with work being shown internationally and at the BFI’s LGBTQ+ Flare film festival. Her most recent work is behind the microphone, as a voice-over artist, with clients including Switzerland Tourism, Heathrow Airport and Paco Rabanne. This documentary concept originated from her passion for aviation, and that giddy, gleeful feeling she gets when piloting an aircraft.The world of female pilots is riddled with stereotypes and challenges too often hidden from public view. Discover the struggles they face in training, in the cockpit, and at home, in "Women at 36,000 Feet". For the first time ever, the complex issues surrounding women in aviation are being investigated across the entire industry. From fighter pilots to commercial airline captains, from helicopter pilots to aerobatic champions; uncover the common fight for equality that underpins these tenacious women’s work on land and in the skies. We talk to the filmmaker about her plans and her fundraising.Show your support here https://igg.me/at/flightpathproductions/x#/https://www.flightpathproductions.com/home.html

Skill fade is defined as ‘the decay of ability or adeptness throughout non-use’ – in other words, it’s when your skills get rusty over time. Studies on the subject have concluded that the amount of fade is dependent on the type of skill and the individuals' previous levels of competency and experience. In this episode, Mark Dwyer CFI of FunFly Aerosports and FlyinginIreland.com talks about staying current and recognising when you may be experiencing skill fade.

On the 5th of September last, we brought you a report from the Birr Breakfast Fly-in that marked the end of the summer flying season. At the time, 40 aircraft attended, and a remarkable 2,000 euros was raised on the ground to be matched by other events to raise funds for St. Vincent DePaul.This weekend, General aviation pilots launched the summer flying season again and, as tradition would have it, flew to Birr for Breakfast. This time around, 100 aircraft, pilots, and passengers raised over 20,000 euros, and we were there to capture the atmosphere. We chat with the people involved.

This week's episode is an antidote to stress, or when you can't go flying but wish you could. Please sit back, let go, immerse yourself: it’s time to go slow. Listen to birds, light aircraft, turbine engines, parachutes descending and people chatting, a gentle breeze, and an Irish airfield's atmosphere as you go about your busy day—a lo-fi celebration of sound. Pop on your headphones, find a corner, close your eyes and let your imagination take you where the images in your head are better than on any screen.