Escape to Ireland this Summer
During April, FlyingInIreland Magazine was approached with a great idea to encourage UK based pilots to visit Ireland this summer. As we all know, there will be serious flying restrictions imposed on pilots in the south-east of England this summer due to the Olympics. Well there's no better time to fly west and visit Ireland with our beautiful country side, abundance of uncontrolled airspace and welcoming hospitality. Our "Escape to Ireland" idea has drawn support from many Irish airfields which are listed below (and hopefully more to come). UK based pilots will be welcome to base their aircraft temporarily in Ireland at one of these airfields free of charge. You can then use this as a base to visit other airfields and enjoy our fantastic countryside from the air for the duration of the Olympic restrictions.
I'm a UK Based pilot and I want to "Escape to Ireland"
Take a look through the list of airfields below and see which one best suits your needs, facilities, location etc. Contact the airfield owner / operator directly to see if they can facilitate your aircraft. Don't forget the FlyingInIreland Magazine / National Microlight Association Fly-In that will take place on July 14th & 15th at Clonbullogue (EICL) - Click Here for more details.
At the end April, the UK CAA and IAA came to an agreement to mutually recognise aircraft permits which will allow aircraft to fly much more freely in Ireland. Details of the agreement can be read HERE. The specific details can be found in IAA Aeronautical Notice A19 . Please check that the exemptions apply to your aircraft. Please also note that this notice only applies to aircraft permits and not to personal licences. If you hold an ICAO licence you are free to fly in Ireland without any restrictions. If you hold a non-ICAO licence (e.g. NPPL) you may need a validation to fly here. The National Microlight Association of Ireland (NMAI) can help you with the validation process. Details can be found HERE. There is a €80 fee for licence validations. The validation is valid for 90 days so you can then fly for the rest of the summer in Ireland without restriction. On Friday May 25th, the Irish Aviation Authority amended Aeronautical Notice P21 to allow the holders of NPPL's to visit Ireland without needing their licence validated. See the link to Aeronautical Notice P21 for more details.
Don't forget to visit the the NMAI / FII Fly-in on July 14th / 15th at Clonbullogue.
Participating Airfields (hopefully more to come!)
Ardagh Airfield, Co. Limerick
Coordinates: N52 30.553 W009 04.286
Position: 1.5NM North of Ardagh
Airspace: Class C (Inside Shannon CTR)
Runway Dimensions: 520m x 10m
Runway Orientation: 11/29
Runway Surface: Grass
Frequency: 123.450MHz
Elevation: 350ft
Contact: John Selman john.e.selman@gmail.com
Comments: Microlights welcome.
Ardfert Airfield, Co. Kerry
Coordinates: N52 20.846 W009 45.824
Position: 5NM North Northwest of Tralee
Airspace: Class G
Runway Dimensions: 400m x 10m
Runway Orientation: 15/33
Runway Surface: Grass
Frequency: 123.450MHz
Elevation: 82ft
Contact: Brendan Gurnett +353 (0)87 2214648 brendangurnett@gmail.com
Comments: Will be extended to 480m from August 2012.
Ballyboy Airfield, Co. Meath
ICAO Identifier: EIMH
Coordinates: N53 38 27 W006 52 72
Position: 2NM North Northeast of Athboy
Airspace: Class G
Runway Dimensions: 517m x 20m
Runway Orientation: 11/29
Runway Surface: Grass
Frequency: 118.550MHz
Elevation: 230ft
Contact: Bernard Cullen +353 (0)87 2563070 www.ballyboyairfield.com
Comments: Additional overrun of 50m at the western end. Very welcoming airfield. Will be the base for the UK Flying Farmers visit to Ireland during June 2012. Fly-In June 2nd 2012, see events list for more details.
Ballina Airfield, Co. Mayo
Coordinates: N54 05.230 W009 09.370
Position: 1NM South of Ballina
Airspace: Class G
Runway Dimensions: 430m x 10m
Runway Orientation: 02/20
Runway Surface: Grass
Frequency: 123.450MHz
Elevation: 87ft
Contact: John Fallon +353 (0)87 8540001
Brittas House Airfield, Co. Limerick
Coordinates: N52 36.243 W008 25.068
Position: 8NM East Southeast of Limerick
Airspace: Class G
Runway Dimensions: 700m x 18m
Runway Orientation: 15/33
Runway Surface: Grass with Hardcore
Frequency: 129.900MHz
Elevation: 175ft
Contact: Gerry Humphreys +353 (0)86 3879137 humrv7@gmail.com
Cloongoonagh Airfield, Co. Mayo
Coordinates: N53 49.917 W008 44.585
Position: 5NM South Southeast of Knock (EIKN)
Airspace: Class C (Inside Knock CTR)
Runway Dimensions: 250m x 10m
Runway Orientation: 04/22
Runway Surface: Grass
Frequency: 123.450MHz
Elevation: 315ft
Contact: Michael Murphy +353 (0)87 2317709 michaelmurphy597@gmail.com
Comments: Suitable for microlights. Short strip with good approach from the north. Ideal base to tour the west. Close to Ireland West Airport (Knock) for car hire or to commute to many UK destinations. Tie down space and self catering accomodation on site.
Donegal Airport, Co. Donegal
ICAO Identifier: EIDL
Coordinates: N55 02 39 W008 20 27
Airspace: Class C Donegal CTR
Runway Dimensions: 1496m x 30m
Runway Orientation: 03/21
Runway Surface: Bitumen Macadam
Frequency: 129.800MHz
Elevation: 31ft
Contact: Pauline Sweeney (Airport) +353 (0)74 9548284 info@donegalairport.ie
Comments: Free overnight parking. If you buy fuel you get a €5.00 voucher for use in the airport restaurant. Prior arrangement required but this can be done by phone or email (above)
Enfield Airfield, Co. Kildare
Coordinates: N53 23.108 W006 52.335
Position: 1NM South Southwest of Johnstown Bridge
Airspace: Class G
Runway Dimensions: 310m x 10m
Runway Orientation: 08/26
Runway Surface: Grass
Frequency: 123.450MHz
Elevation: 257ft
Contact: Padraig Higgins +353 (0)87 2225925 alfromaviation@eircom.net
Enniskillen Airport, Co. Fermanagh
ICAO Identifier: EGAB
Coordinates: N54 23 56 W007 39 06
Position: 3NM North of Enniskillen
Airspace: Enniskillen ATZ
Runway Dimensions: 1326m x 30m
Runway Orientation: 15/33
Runway Surface: Asphalt
Frequency: 123.200MHz
Elevation: 155ft
Contact: Noel Baskin 028 6632 9000 and info@enniskillen-airport.co.uk
Comments: We will offer FREE outside parking for the month of August (Normally £ 360.00 +20% VAT) to visiting aircraft, who will also be able to avail of our VAT Free and Duty Free fuel when flying into the beautifully scenic South of Ireland. Enniskillen Airport EGAB is open 09.00 – 17.00 local 7 days per week. Early morning and evening arrivals and departures can also be accommodated. We have car rental facilities on site, and loads of recommended B&B’s and hotels nearby.
Erinagh Airfield, Co. Tipperary
ICAO Identifier: EIER
Coordinates: N52 48 45 W008 16 56
Position: 4NM Southwest of Nenagh
Airspace: Class G
Runway Dimensions: 600m x 18m
Runway Orientation: 06/24
Runway Surface: Grass
Frequency: 118.175MHz
Elevation: 155ft
Contact: Padraig Hanly +353 (0)86 8101360 padraighanly@yahoo.ie
Limetree Airfield, Co. Laois
Coordinates: N53 06.9 W007 14.6
Position: 1.5NM Northwest of Emo
Airspace: Class G
Runway Dimensions: 420m x 18m
Runway Orientation: 01/19
Runway Surface: Grass
Frequency: 118.075MHz
Elevation: 210ft
Contact: Jerry Deegan +353 (0)87 2510537 or Iain Brereton +353 (0)87 6269418
Moyglare Airfield, Co. Kildare
Coordinates: N53 24 16 W006 38 20
Position: 1NM Northeast of Kilcock
Airspace: Class G
Runway Dimensions: 540m x 18m
Runway Orientation: 07/25
Runway Surface: Grass
Frequency: 123.450MHz
Elevation: 230ft
Contact: Stephen Ryan +353 (0)86 0800225 stephen@bernardryan.ie
Navan Airfield, Co. Meath
ICAO Identifier: EIHH
Coordinates: N53 41 78 W006 39 22
Position: 3NM North Northeast of Navan
Airspace: Class G
Runway Dimensions: 530m x 20m
Runway Orientation: 07/25
Runway Surface: Grass
Frequency: 118.125MHz
Elevation: 250ft
Contact: Trevor Kellett +353 (0)86 2549883 www.navanairfield.com
Newcastle Aerodrome, Co. Wicklow
ICAO Identifier: EINC
Coordinates: N53 04 27 W006 02 73
Position: 1NM Northeast of Newcastle
Airspace: Class G
Runway Dimensions: 690m x 30m
Runway Orientation: 18/36
Runway Surface: Grass
Frequency: 122.550MHz
Elevation: 1ft
Contact: John Nugent +353 (0)86 2394417 www.einc.ie
Seven Parks Farm Airfield, Co. Dublin
Coordinates: N53 36.592 W006 15.984
Position: 2NM North NorthWest of Naul
Airspace: Class G
Runway Dimensions: 670m x 10m
Runway Orientation: 09/27
Runway Surface: Grass
Frequency: 123.450MHz
Elevation: 190ft
Contact: JJ Dunne +353 (0)86 3319729 midwayplantsales@eircom.net
Comments: Only 12 minutes drive from Dublin Airport
Sligo Airport, Co. Sligo
Coordinates: N54 16 48 77 W008 35 57 15
Position: 4.5NM West of Sligo Town
Airspace: Class C (Sligo CTR)
Runway Dimensions: 1199m x 30m
Runway Orientation: 11/29
Runway Surface: Asphalt
Frequency: 122.100MHz
Elevation: 110ft
Contact: Joe Corcoran, Airport Manager info@sligoairport.com +353 (0)71 9168280
Ruskey Airfield, Co. Donegal
Coordinates: N54 50.473 W007 39.226
Position: 6.5NM West of Lifford
Airspace: Class G
Runway Dimensions: 400m x 10m
Runway Orientation: 04/22
Runway Surface: Grass
Frequency: 129.550MHz
Elevation: 200ft
Contact: Jon Kilpatrick +353 (0)87 2547730 enquiries@RuskeyAirfield.com www.ruskeyairfield.com
Comments: There is a mobile home on site which can sleep 6, it is clean and fully equipped with kitchen /bathroom /power /water and internet/tv etc There is no charge for any of the facilities.
