Gyroplane Day at Kilrush

Wednesday July 8th saw a gathering of gyroplanes take place at Kilrush.  Originally planned for Limetree, it was moved to Kilrush on the day due to the strong crosswinds at Limetree.

First to arrive was Bensen B.8M EI-BSG.  First registered on January 1st 1986, BSG is Ireland's oldest active gyroplane and was trailered in from the owners home.  Fitted with a Mc Culloch two-stroke engine of 72hp, BSG made many flights throughout the day.  

Out of the trailer and ready for its blades

Spotless and rare Mc Culloch engine.

Instrument pod on BSG

Standby ASI!

Also trailered to Kilrush was Rotor Flight Dynamics Dominator EI-FLA.  Fitted with a Rotax 582 and based at Spanish Point, FLA is one of four Dominators currently in Ireland.

The only gyro to fly into Kilrush on the day was Limetree based ELA-07 EI-EES. The heavier and more powerful two-seater was able to cope with the crosswind that prevented the lighter gyros from flying at Limetree. 

With the three machines assembled and ready, flying got underway at lunchtime with the strong westerly wind providing perfect flying conditions from runway 29 until late in the evening.

BSG heading out to the runway.

 

Another gyro enthusiast arrives back from a trip in EES

 BSG on short finals.

 FLA taking off from 29

Also present on the day, but not flying, was Kilrush based Magni M16 EI-FFZ

New Residents in Kilrush and Limetree

A recent arrival in Kilrush is Spezio DAL-1 Tuholer PH-MJC.  It arrived a few weeks ago on a trailer from the Netherlands and was reassembled over last weekend.  Originally built in 1969, it was based in the UK for many years as G-NOBI before moving to the Netherlands in March 2009.  Its powered by a Continental C125 producing 125hp.

Meanwhile back at base in Limetree, a new arrival is ATEC Zephyr EI-CZA.  After a few years of inactivity in Galway CZA was roaded in Limetree last week and had its wings refitted. It should be flying again in the very near future,

June 3rd 1941, The original "Iolar" was lost at sea.

On June 3rd 1941 De Havilland 84 Dragon G-ACPY, operated by Great Western and Southern Airlines Ltd,  was lost enroute from St. Marys, Scilly Isles to Lands End, Cornwall.  Having left St. Marys with a pilot and five passengers on board the aircraft never arrived at Lands End and an immediate search was launched.  Only one body was recovered, that of a passenger who was washed up on the beach near Portreath.  Four of the passengers were from the same family, Mr John Leggitt, his wife Sheelagh and their two daughters, Jeannie (age 11) and Romalita (age 9). Also lost was the pilot, Capt William Anderson DFC and Mrs. Georgina Griffith.

Later investigations into the loss concluded that the aircraft was attacked by a Luftwaffe Heinkel 111.  Its left engine was set on fire and the aircraft crashed into the sea.

This aircraft was the former EI-ABI "Iolar", the aircraft that made the first flight by Aer Lingus on May 27 1936 when Capt. O.E. Armstrong and five passengers left Baldonnel, Dublin at 9am for Bristol Whitchurch.

A photo of EI-ABI can be viewed here  EI-ABI 1936 .

Photos of  G-ACPY  -  G-ACPY 1939   G-ACPY 1938

Breitling Wingwalkers at Kilrush

The Breitling Wingwalkers and their two Boeing Stearmans made a quick stop in Kilrush on their way back to the UK from the Abbeyshrule Flightfest.

Fuel tanks filled, engines started and ready to depart.

 N5057V taxying to runway 29.

 SE-BOG following.

SE-BOG taking off into a very strong westerly wind.

The two Stearmans turning southeast heading for the coast.