Ballyboy Fly-In and Family Fun Day 2019

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The 2019 Ballyboy Fly-in and Family Fun Day in aid of Down Syndrome Ireland took place on Sunday 4 August 2019. Thanks to everyone who attended and helped us to raise funds for DSI.

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Under blue skies we had a full day of flying and entertainment. The kids were kept busy with our giant bouncy castles and face painters. And there was something for everyone with our full schedule of flying, with helicopters, our air display and lots of small aircraft activity throughout the day.

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Aircraft arrivals began from 10am and throughout the day we had over 40 visiting aircraft in addition to around 20 based aircraft on display to the public. 

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Our barbecue was in full swing as the public arrived from 11am onwards and the bouncy castles and face painting were busy all day long.

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Executive Helicopters Eurocopter EC120 operated pleasure flights throughout the day, with over 100 visitors getting an aerial view of Athboy and surrounding areas. 

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The main event started with the arrival of the Irish Air Corps AW139 Medevac helicopter at 1pm which was soon made available for the public to visit and meet with the crew. The Garda helicopter arrived at 1400 and at 1430 Rich Goodwin began the air display in his "Muscle" Pitts Special, with spectacular maneuvers ensuring everyone's gaze was to the sky! 

 

Next up was the Irish Historic Flight Foundation's Boeing Stearman and two Chipmunks flown by Declan Curtis, Mark Dwyer and Farrell McGee, with a display of formation flying followed by at a solo aerobatic display by Farrell in the 67-year old Chipmunk.

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Eddie Goggins then displayed his "Make-a-Wish" CAP-232, performing his fantastic competition routine to the sound of music simultaneously playing in the aircraft and to the crowd, a real treat.  Eddie even spoke to the crowd over the radio to tell us we could donate €4 to the Make-a-Wish Foundation by simply texting "FLYING" to 50300. 

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Once Eddie had completed his amazing display the Garda EC135 helicopter was opened to the public with the crew on hand to explain its operation. Our raffle followed at 4pm, with one lucky winner receiving return flights with Ryanair.  At this stage, the airfield was alive with movements with our visiting aircraft departing for home and helicopter pleasure flights continuing.

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The entire day took place in glorious sunshine, allowing our display acts to make the most of the conditions and give enthralling aerial displays and for the public to enjoy picnics and all the events and attractions around the airfield, including exhibits from the National Microlight Association of Ireland, Royal County Aeromodellers Club and Weir Park Books.

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As everyone left, clouds began appearing from the west and the first shower of the day reached us at 6pm - perfect timing!

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Special thanks to our many sponsors, volunteers, suppliers, supporters, Follow-Me Aircraft Marshallers, Meath Civil Defence and our Flight Display Director. Thanks also to our visiting pilots and crews who kept the huge crowd entertained – particularly the Garda helicopter, Air Corps Medevac helicopter, and our aerobatic displays from Rich Goodwin, the Irish Historic Flight Foundation and Eddie Goggins.

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Most importantly, once again we were supporting Down Syndrome Ireland - a fantastic charity organisation that supports people with Down syndrome, their families and professionals in their communities.  Thanks to everyone for their continued support for this very worthy cause! If you would like to make a donation to DSI, please click here.

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Thanks again to everyone for making this such a successful day.

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Click here for our photo gallery of the day and here for the Meath Chronicle/Paul Jones Facebook gallery. 

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Comments from Facebook:

It was a fantastic day with great entertainment and lovely weather. Looking forward to next year. Well done to all involved in organizing the event. 🛩👍🌞✈

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Great cause to support Down Syndrome Ireland. Thank you all for a great day. I love supporting this event every year. 🛩✈😍

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Amazing day from start to finish, well done to all involved 👏👏

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This is a GREAT event. It's so well organised. I look forward to it every year. Fair play to everyone who organised this & who volunteered. Fantastic family day out. 👍👍👍👍👍👍

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Well organized, well done to all involved & it was a marvellous day out for young & old & enjoyed by all 🚁✈️💯