Calling airfield owners / operators....

[mark]

Hi all,

A few people have contacted FII recently with a fantastic idea to promote and encourage pilots visiting Ireland this summer. As you know the Olympics are being hosted in London this summer (July 14th – August 15th) and with that will bring a wide range of airspace restrictions in southern England , effectively closing many airfields and grounding many pilots.

Coinciding with the beginning of the Olympics is of course the joint FII / NMAI fly-in at Clonbullogue on July 14th / 15th. We are hoping to attract as many visitors from the UK as possible and we’re hoping that some of the airspace restrictions will encourage people to cross the Irish Sea to our free and open airspace.

We would like to know if there are any airfield owners out there that would be willing to offer free hangarage or parking/tie downs to UK visitors and host / adopt a few aircraft for the duration of the Olympics? This would allow UK based pilots to explore out beautiful country from the air. The idea is that pilots would ‘commute’ over from the UK for a few weekends during the Olympics which would give the aviation community here a much needed boost.

Any comments of suggestions are welcome by replying here, sending me a PM or emailing mark@flyinginireland.com

Regards,
Mark

[BDoyle]

Mark what a great idea.
but as things stand just now you can delete Inisheer, Inishmore, Inishmann, Galway at weekends and after 17.00 every day and also two perfectly good runways at Inishbofin and Cleggan. all in the heart of prime tourist country.
these tax payer funded facilities are just taken out of service ......................talk about shooting ourselves in both feet with one bullett !!!!!!!!!!! enough to make ya weep.
Can anything be done ?

[hum]

I'd suggest anyone intending to visit Ireland by air gets a copy of one or both of the comprehensive flight guides available to visitors:

http://www.flightguide.me/page7.php?Ses ... b5b181aecb

http://www.flightguide.ie/VFR_Flight_Gu ... /Home.html

[jm2833530]

What does it take to get IAA and the Airport Operators to see a bit of touristic sense, to follow the FAA pattern of allowing closed airports to operate as at-your-own risk class G unattended facilities, that is to be used at pilots own risk? We could abide by simple email prior notification and an honesty box for donations.

Are there any people within earshot of Eamon O'Cuiv or whoever it is in Dail Eireann that looks after the interests of the people in the West, as they try to make a go of our tourism?

Join it up lads, do your bit for your country.

[Higgie]

Hi All.
What a great idea.
I can certainly take a couple or three, probably microlights as they will have to operate in and out of 300 metres with obstacles.
Please help.
The Reciprocal deal announced by the IAA last Friday will be a big help as they will not require permission for their aircraft.
Please don't turn this thread into a rant about the IAA, Aer Arann, The Weather, The Taoiseach, The IFA, The ICA,The Troika, etc.
We are trying to get some tourists into the country with a big CEAD Mile Failte not frighten them off.
It would be nice to have some friends to go visit in the UK in return.
Regards
Padraig

[jonkil]

Hi All.
It would be nice to have some friends to go visit in the UK in return.
Regards
Padraig

Been doing just that for years Padraig, unfortunately most of the UK permit guys saw Ireland as "too much trouble" with all the bollox the IAA placed in their path. At least sense seems to be prevailing to some extent now,,,
sorry, I'm dong exactly what you asked me not to do !!... rant over

Good idea, most airfields up this way will welcome our fellow UK aviators.

[mark]

Hi guys,

Well there has been a fantastic response to this idea and I would like to thank the 7 airfields so far that have agreed to host visitors from the UK (Ardagh, Ardfert, Enfield, Enniskillen, Erinagh, Sevenparks Farm & Ruskey). All of the details can be found at this new page: http://www.flyinginireland.com/escape-to-ireland.html

I would appreciate if you could all spread the word and we could get a few more airfields to help out. Hopefully our skies will be buzzing this summer

Regards,
Mark

[mark]

Hi guys,

Another three airfields added to the list - http://www.flyinginireland.com/escape-to-ireland.html

Thanks to Cloongoonagh Airfield (Mayo), Donegal Airport and Navan Airfield. Any others airfield owners / operators interested in joining the list?

Regards,
Mark

[mark]

Hi all,

Another two airfields added to the list this morning, Ballyboy Airfield (EIMH) and Newcastle Aerodrome (EINC). Thanks to Bernard Cullen and John Nugent for their support. There are a few more to be added to the list. See details at http://www.flyinginireland.com/escape-to-ireland.html

Since the IAA amended Aeronautical Notice P21 on Friday, most of the restrictions have been removed for UK based pilots wishing to visit Ireland

Regards,
Mark

[Higgie]

Hi Mark
Was asked to pass on that Ballina Airfield can also accept a couple of aircraft.
Right beside the town and preferential,ie. cheap accomodation available.
Contact John Fallon.
See VFR Flight Guide for details
regards
Padraig

[mark]

Hi Padraig,

Thanks for that - Ballina Airfield now added to the list www.flyinginireland.com/escape-to-ireland.html

Sligo Airport has also come on board to welcome a few visitors.

Regards,
Mark

[doug4knfpu]

Hi Padraig,

Thanks for that - Ballina Airfield now added to the list http://www.flyinginireland.com/escape-to-ireland.html

Sligo Airport has also come on board to welcome a few visitors.

Regards,
Mark

Awesome idea and list Mark. Thanks for all you do