On 11th July, Shannon Airport marked 80 years since the landing of its first passenger aircraft way back on July 11th, 1939. Some 80 years ago to the day a Belgian airliner – tri-motor Sabena Davoia Marchetti S-73 – landed on the newly opened and then named Rineanna airfield and gave lift-off to what would soon after become known as Shannon Airport and an economic transformation of a region.

Fast forward the 80 years and Shannon Airport is today Ireland’s second-largest long-haul airport, the only one outside the capital offering direct flights to all key Irish markets – the UK, European mainland and US. It plays a critical role in facilitating and driving economic growth, with over 40% of US FDI companies in Ireland within the airport’s catchment.

Shannon Group’s (of which the Airport is a part) economic impact sees it generate €3.6 billion in GVA for the Irish economy each year and contributes €1.15 billion annually in tax revenue to the Exchequer. Over 46,000 jobs are supported by the activities of Shannon Group.

All of this grew from what is by today’s standards a very modest arrival of eight passengers and crew on board the Belgian airliner but by 1930’s standards a moment of wonder in rural west of Ireland. The passengers were greeted with cheers from the assembled staff of the fledgling airport before they were whisked to Foynes to board the Pan American’s ‘Yankee Clipper’ Boeing 314 flight bound for New York.

The news spread quickly of the presence of the Belgian airliner at Rineanna and by the time the crew returned later that night for their return trip, up to 500 people had gathered to watch its take-off on the return journey to Croydon in the south of England and then onto Brussels. By 1942, a serviceable airport had been achieved and was named Shannon Airport. By 1945 the existing runways at Shannon were extended to allow transatlantic flights.

The world leading pioneering spirit of Shannon was further emboldened in 1947 with the establishment of the world’s first Duty Free shop. It began as a small kiosk staffed by one woman and grew into a multi-billion dollar global retail industry.

Today Shannon International Airport has the longest runway in Ireland at 3,200 metres and is the only Irish airport that can accommodate the world’s largest jet, the Antonov AN 225. Other major milestones included it becoming, in 2009, the first airport in the world, outside of the Americas, to provide full US Preclearance facilities, while in 2017, Shannon become the first airport in the world to open a sensory room for passengers with autism or special needs.

Shannon Group continues to invest in the airport, having completed a €45 million investment programme to enhance its customer offering. New and upgraded dining and shopping options are now available, as well as enhancements to the airport’s VIP lounges, transit and boarding gate areas.

Mary Considine, Acting CEO, Shannon Group said that celebrating the 80th anniversary cannot be passed without acknowledging all who worked across the decades to make Shannon such a pivotal asset for the region.

“We are hugely proud of history here at Shannon, and our pioneering reputation is recognised and respected across the world of aviation.  Shannon Airport was the first European gateway for transatlantic flights and over the past eight decades we have welcomed every serving US President, royalty, famous actors and musicians along with tens of millions of international travellers.

“We are very proud of the place we have earned, through our commitment to innovation, in global aviation. Today we are remembering not just the 80 years but everyone who helped build this special airport and worked with pride and dedication across those decades to make it such a storied and central part of this region.

“Above all, we are an airport that is imbedded in our community, we would like to thank our customers for their loyalty and support over the years and ask them for their continued support in the years ahead, “said Ms. Considine.

Grounding of 737 MAX costs Shannon Region

The Air Canada 737 MAX service from Shannon to Toronto is one of the routes affected.

It has been estimated that the grounding of Boeing 737 Max aircraft will cost the Shannon region about €58m this year, according to the acting chief executive of Shannon Group Mary Considine. She told a special meeting of Clare Council recently that the loss of 120,000 passengers from three services affected by the Boeing Max grounding would end six years of passenger growth at Shannon airport.

Ms Considine said that passenger numbers at Shannon have increased 34% since separation from the DAA, but said that the loss to the region as a result of the Boeing Max grounding would be “huge”. The grounding of the Boeing Max has resulted in the axing of two services by Norwegian Airlines to the US, and one Air Canada service to Toronto for 2019, 13 services per week at Shannon.

Shannon Airport has also claimed it is being forced to spend €20m of its own funding on safety and security projects that would be better used on securing new routes.  Shannon Chamber is hitting out at the government’s level of investment in the Midwest facility, saying it is time they started supporting capital projects at Shannon. The Airport said “a lack of support is curtailing our ability to fund other projects and address historic under-investment”. The Airport does not qualify for the funding under the Regional Airports Programme that was announced by Minister Shane Ross last month.

As we approach the height of the summer season, there may be days that are significantly warmer than we’re used to. This can have significant performance penalties for light aircraft that all pilots must be aware of. One of our avid readers, ‘J’ from Tipperary sent us the advice below. The Light Aircraft Association has also published this Airworthiness Alert highlighting the impact long dry spells can have on aircraft. The Safety Sense Leaflet on aircraft performance is also worth a read.

The sun’s rays do not heat the air as they pass through it. If they did, the Earth’s atmosphere would be hotter at high altitudes, and cooler at ground level. IT’S NOT. When the sun’s energy enters anything solid (earth, sea, concrete, tarmac, glass, people etc,) its wavelength changes and THEN heats up whatever it enters (called “the greenhouse effect”). When ground heats, it then heats up the air above it. The Law of Physics is “hot air rises”. During a heatwave in Temperate Latitudes, this heating process is much stronger than usual. Over land, sea, cities, estuaries, coasts, seas, lakes, hills, bare fields, runways, roads etc., large bubbles of air (called ‘thermals’) suddenly break away from the surface and rise rapidly. This causes colder air to rush in from every side to replace the volume of air which has risen. In heatwaves, the rapid uprising of thermals and the rapid sideways influx of colder air to replace them at their site of origin causes much more pronounced LOW LEVEL TURBULENCE than usual. Mini-whirlwinds are sometimes seen over ploughed or harvested fields, but most of the time these dangerous air currents are INVISIBLE. As some tragic accidents have shown, the operators of ANY aerial device at low level need to be very cautious indeed, and, if necessary, NOT fly or use them. In a heatwave, the danger from turbulence is much more intense. The time of maximum air temperatures in a Summertime Zone are between 3PM and 7PM. Air currents near the ground are especially dangerous to people flying drones, microlights or even kites. Anything which flies is more difficult to control in turbulence, which is usually invisible. IN HEATWAVES, DON’T FLY THEM, STAY SAFE. 

    ‘J’, Tipperary (ex- UK Met. Office)

This weekend the biggest air display in Ireland takes place along the seafront in Bray Co. Wicklow. The show will span two days, kicking off at 15:00 on both days. All aircraft flying on Saturday will also fly on Sunday. In addition, Sunday will feature the Aer Lingus A320, The Blades Aerobatic Team and the Strikemaster Team. Ground events begin from 12:00 with the show starting at 15:00. With the weather looking good for both days, spectators are advised to get there early and use public transport where possible. Additional DART capacity will be put on for the weekend. For further details, see www.brayairdisplay.com

The full display line-up (including Saturday and Sunday)

• Irish Air Corps including the CASA, Pilatus PC-9M, EC135 Helicopter and AW139
• Irish Parachute Club parachute demo
• The Black Knights parachute demo
• Eddie Goggins – CAP232
• Irish Historic Flight Foundation – Two Chipmunks and a Stearman
• Richard Goodwin – Pitts Special
• The Garda Air Support Unit – EC135
• P51 Mustang  Miss Helen
• Royal Air Force – Tucano
• Search and Rescue display – Sikorsky S92
• Royal Jordanian Falcons – Extra 300
• Navette Bretonne – 100% electric aircraft.
• Ravens Aerobatic team – Vans RV’s
• Dave Bruton – Sukhoi 31
• Aer Lingus – Airbus A320
• The Blades Aerobatic Team – Extra 300
• Strikemaster Display Team

Dublin Airport is installing an automatic visual docking guidance system (AVDGS) on all aircraft contact parking stands. AVDGS is an electronic display above aircraft parking stands which provides real time information to pilots as they are parking aircraft on arrival or pushing back for departure.

The new system has an added safety feature with an infrared high-definition camera that scans the aircraft parking area for any possible objects that could affect the safety of the arriving or departing aircraft.  This camera detects large objects on the ground like equipment or baggage, which may block the stand.

Marshallers will input key information such as the aircraft type and other flight data into the AVDGS, which automatically gauges aircraft clearances, stopping distances, and records the exact on and off stand times. These recorded times feed directly in to the Airport’s Collaborative Decision Making (A-CDM) system. A-CDM focuses on aircraft turnaround times and pre-departure sequencing processes to boost air traffic flow and operational efficiency of all airport operators by reducing delays and increasing the predictability of events.

“AVDGS is another example of technology enhancing airport processes that deliver huge benefits for the airport, its airline customers and passengers,” according to Dublin Airport Managing Director Vincent Harrison. “It is a tried and trusted system of improving airport safety and efficiencies and supports Dublin Airport’s continuing drive for sustainability,” he added.

The smart AVDGS system is also equipped with a low visibility function allowing aircraft to park in extremely poor visibility conditions, such as mist and dense fog, thereby reducing the risk of delays in inclement weather conditions.

Fixed Electrical Ground Power

Dublin Airport is also currently installing new Fixed Electrical Ground Power (FEGP) units at aircraft parking stands as part of its overall sustainability programme. FEGP is an environmentally friendly ground power system that allows aircraft to plug directly into a fixed, electricity powered energy source while they are parked on the airfield. Previously, aircraft had to plug into ground power units, a small, mobile, diesel-powered engines that are noisy, emit fumes and take up valuable space on aircraft parking stands.

Removing the diesel-powered units and moving to FEGP has significant operational and environmental benefits for all airport users as well as for the local community.

“Dublin Airport is constantly updating its facilities in line with best practice and the latest technology,” said Dublin Airport Managing Director Vincent Harrison.

“The switch to FEGP offers many benefits to both our airline partners and airport operations. Ultimately though, it will help airlines operating here to significantly reduce their carbon footprint when at aircraft parking stands. This benefits all members of the wider airport community from staff, to passengers, to our neighbours in the local community.”

Introducing the new units will significantly reduce the level of airside traffic as the need for ground power units is decreased and eventually, once FEGP is installed across the airfield, removed altogether.

This eliminates emissions both from the diesel-powered engines and from the towing vehicles used to transport the engines and further reduces noise levels. It also improves safety as less equipment significantly reduces the risk for people working on the airfield and frees up space for other ground handling equipment.

Busiest June on Record

More than 3.2 million passengers travelled through Dublin Airport in June, which was a 4% increase on the same month last year and made it the busiest June in the airport’s 79 year history.

The number of passengers travelling to and from continental Europe grew by 5% as more than 1.7 million passengers took flights to and from European destinations last month. UK traffic increased by 1% when compared to June last year as almost 879,000 passengers flew to and from the UK.

Transatlantic traffic increased by 5%, with over 469,000 passengers travelling between Dublin and North America last month. Other international traffic, which includes flights to the Middle East and North Africa and the Asia Pacific region grew by 4% as 95,000 passengers travelled to and from these destinations in June.

The number of passengers on domestic flights declined by 19% in June, with over 9,500 people taking flights within the Republic of Ireland last month.

More than 15.5 million passengers travelled through Dublin Airport in the first six months of the year, representing a 6% increase on the same period last year. Dublin Airport has welcomed almost 875,000 additional passengers in the first six months of the year.

Main Image: Mark O’Connor, Project Manager, Asset Management and Development Dublin Airport; Conor Carroll, Client Project Owner, Asset Care, Dublin Airport and Dan Davis, Senior Project Manager IT, Dublin Airport pictured with the new Automatic Docking Guidance System at the South Gates in Dublin Airport. 

The 2019 Bray Air Display took place over the weekend of 27^th/28^th July along the Bray Seafront. A reported 55,000 people watched the display on Saturday and over 80,000 on Sunday. Here are a selection of photos from both days. If you’d like to have some of your photos featured in Part 2, please email them to mark@flyinginireland.com

PC-9M of Team Silver from the Irish Air Corps. Karl Donohoe.

Team Silver from the Irish Air Corps. Paul Kolbe.

Casa CN-235 ‘253’ of the Irish Air Corps. Karl Donohoe.

Eurocopter EC135 ‘270’ from the Irish Air Corps. Paul Kolbe.

A member of the Black Knights parachute display team approaches a packed Bray Seafront. Karl Donohoe.

G-EWIZ, the Muscle Pitts, flown by Rich Goodwin but on a fantastic display. Paul Kolbe.

G-EWIZ, the Muscle Pitts, flown by Rich Goodwin but on a fantastic display. Karl Donohoe.

Cap 232 G-IIAI flown by Eddie Goggins. Karl Donohoe.

Cap 232 G-IIAI flown by Eddie Goggins. Karl Donohoe.

Aer Lingus A320 EI-DVN opened the show on Sunday in formation with the Irish Air Corps PC-9M Team Silver. Karl Donohoe.

Boeing Stearman EI-HFD and Chipmunk 170 (EI-HFC) of the Irish Historic Flight. Karl Donohoe.

Boeing Stearman EI-HFD and Chipmunk 170 (EI-HFC) in formation as Chipmunk 169 (EI-HFB) loops above. Karl Donohoe.

P51 Mustang (G-BIXL). Karl Donohoe.

Sikorsky S-92A EI-ICG of the Irish Coast Guard. Karl Donohoe.

The Ravens. Karl Donohoe.

Dave Bruton wooed the crowds in his new Sukhoi SU-31 LY-FLO. Karl Donohoe.

The Royal Jordanian Falcons. Karl Donohoe.

Shorts Tucano of the Royal Air Force. Karl Donohoe.

PAC750 5B-CLY of the Irish Parachute Club. Karl Donohoe.

The Sunday Bray Air Display was opened by Emerald formation, an Aer Lingus A320 and five Pilatus PC-9M Irish Air Corps Aircraft from Team Silver. Here’s the video!

Main photo above of the Irish Historic Flight Stearman and Chipmunk by Jason Phelan

Thanks to everyone who sent photos in from the Bray Air Display, here’s instalment 2 of the photographs. If you’d like to have some of your photos featured in Part 3, please email them to mark@flyinginireland.com

The 2019 Bray Air Display took place over the weekend of 27^th/28^th July along the Bray Seafront. A reported 55,000 people watched the display on Saturday and over 80,000 on Sunday. Here are a selection of photos from both days.

Silvija Cuso

Silvija Cuso

Silvija Cuso

Dylan Tobin

Dylan Tobin

Dylan Tobin

Dylan Tobin

Dylan Tobin

Jason Phelan

Jason Phelan

Jason Phelan

Jason Phelan

Jason Phelan

Jason Phelan

Jason Phelan

Jason Phelan

Jason Phelan

Jason Phelan

Jason Phelan

The Department for Infrastructure Northern Ireland has signed a new Modified Planning Agreement with George Best Belfast City Airport which will control operations at the Airport with immediate effect.

This Agreement endorses the recommendations of the Planning Appeals Commission independent report of the public inquiry. It establishes a more effective noise management system at the Airport and removes the Seats for Sale restriction. This should achieve a better balance between the socio-economic benefits of airport expansion and the need to protect the environment and quality of life for the surrounding community.

The Airport will be required to submit an Annual Performance Report by 31st March each year to the Department detailing the Airport’s compliance with all obligations and restrictions within the Agreement. If there has been any non-compliance or there is a risk of non-compliance of the noise control contour within the incoming years, the Airport shall agree actions with the Department to rectify the situation.

The Modified Planning Agreement removes the seats for sale restriction and introduces the following new measures for controlling noise at the Airport:

• A noise control contour – the area experiencing an average equivalent daytime noise of 57dB shall not exceed 5.2 km when measured over the summer period (being the airport’s busiest period);
• A quota count system operating in tandem with the noise control contour– this is a noise categorisation scheme which classifies each aircraft movement with a quota count.  Over the summer period, the sum of the quota counts cannot exceed the overall Quota as specified in the Agreement.
• A departure noise limit will be introduced on all flights with levies payable to the Community Fund when this is exceeded (the Community Fund is administered by the Airport and supports community events and initiatives)
• A penalty system for late flights have been introduced into the Agreement with fines increased compared with the previous voluntary scheme operated by the Airport
• Adoption of a continuous approach descent approach for all landing aircraft to contain the noise from landing.
• Availability and use of fixed electrical ground power at all aircraft stands to reduce ground noise from aircraft
• The establishment of a Noise Insulation Scheme offering funding for sound insulation to residential and noise sensitive properties experiencing an average equivalent daily daytime noise level of 63dB.

Commenting on the agreement Belfast City Airport Watch said: “We would like to extend a cautious welcome for the new modified Planning Agreement.

“On a first reading, the document would appear to meet key recommendations made by the Planning Appeals Commission at the conclusion of the public inquiry on this matter.

Ryanair closed their base at Belfast City Airport in 2010 due to the restrictions operating at the airport.

Last Friday in Hamburg, Aer Lingus took delivery of the first of eight Airbus A321neoLR, registered EI-LRA. The remaining seven aircraft will join the fleet over the next 18 months and will become the backbone of the narrow body North Atlantic fleet. Aer Lingus becomes the first IAG airline to operate the A321neoLR and will deploy it on transatlantic flights to Minneapolis, Montreal and Hartford with 16 business class seats and 168 in economy. EI-LRA is powered by CFM International Leap-1A engines. It arrived into Dublin on Friday evening at 21:16, unfortunately too late to take part in the Bray Air Display on Sunday. EI-LRA will enter service this Friday on the EI-131 Dublin to Hartford (BDL) service.

Pictured above accepting delivery of the aircraft in Hamburg on behalf of Aer Lingus were Edward Murphy, Head of Fleet Assets, Lander Dominguez Ruiz Director of Fleet Planning and Procurement, and Liam Capaldi Fleet Management & Contracts

The beautiful @AerLingus #Airbus 321 LR Neo arriving into @DublinAirport last Friday night. First LR newbie of the @AerLingus family EI-LRA #avgeek #aviation #irish #airline #aircraft #photo #LongRange #New #Neo @AirlineReporter @Rotorblur pic.twitter.com/Zj1fDWzlh7

— Mel Byrne (@MelByrneRadio) July 29, 2019

.@AerLingus EI-LRA A321Neo delivery flight taxiing on the sierras #DublinAirport this evening pic.twitter.com/9wJgM3AA4N

— Essiejosie (@Essiejosie) July 26, 2019

Acumen Aviation Newsletters:

The Irish Aviation Students’ Association (‘IASA’) is a non-profit organisation, under the full control of a student body. IASA’s main purpose is to connect students with a passion for aviation to the industry, and to discover and develop opportunities that will shape the future of aviation in Ireland and beyond. Our vision is to help Ireland continue to provide the best expertise in the field of aviation by empowering the next generation of aviation professionals to be heard by the industry and enable greater collaboration for a brighter future.

IASA will hold Ireland’s largest Aviation Career Expo on the 22^nd of October in the Hogan suite, Croke Park Conference Centre. The Career Expo is an annual networking and career event hosted by IASA which promotes career opportunities in aerospace, space, aviation, MRO and air transport operations, including training and courses, apprenticeship routes, graduate employment and direct entry/experienced roles.

It is a great opportunity for aviation students and professionals alike to expand their knowledge and network with the international aviation community. Aviation universities and companies will showcase their activities via stands and presentations and conduct pre-interviews for vacancies. Next to the stands delegates, can make use of different career guidance services such as CV workshops with leading organisations.

All are welcome, with our visitors ranging from second and third level students and graduates seeking apprenticeships and employment, to experienced professionals looking to make their next career move. The event is designed to allow companies to nurture and develop the future of Ireland’s aviation industry.

The IASA Career Expo will open its doors to the public at 10:00 until 16:00 on the 22^nd October 2019.

We Hope to see you there!

Free Tickets can be purchased now up until the 22^nd of August at this link: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/iasa-aviation-career-expo-tickets-57269077352

The IASA Team

Acumen Aviation Newsletters:

The annual Fly-In at Ballyboy airfield near Athboy in Co. Meath took place this year on the Sunday of the August Bank Holiday weekend. It was moved from its usual place in the aviation calendar in June due to the forecasted inclement weather. This proved a wise decision as this year, there was plenty of blue sky around and only a scattering of light cloud and very little wind. The event is hosted by Bernard Cullen with a team of supporters and all the proceeds of the day are raised in aid of Down Syndrome Ireland. Aircraft started arriving on the field shortly after 10.00am with the gates open to the public from 11.00am. There was plenty to entertain the crowds with bouncy castles, ice cream stalls, food stalls, helicopter pleasure flights and of course plenty of visiting aircraft. The flying display started around 2.30 with Richard Goodwin in his Pitts Special, this was followed by an excellent display by the Irish Historic Flight Foundation with two Chipmunks and the Boeing Stearman. There was also displays from Eddie Goggins in his CAP232, the Garda Helicopter and the Irish Air Corps AW-139 was open to the public to view which was configured with the Medevac interior. The forecast for rain crossing the country later in the afternoon probably caused visiting aircraft numbers to be down on previous years but in excess of 40 visited this year and were all superbly marshalled by the team from ‘Follow-Me Aircraft Marshallers’

Photos supplied by Lily Dwyer and Alan Dwyer