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- Founded in October 2002, Sligo Light Aviation Club immediately invested in two light aircraft. Our first purchase was a Thruster TST Microlight, one of the most popular microlight training machines. This was soon followed by a quality Cessna 152, formerly used as a trainer in Abbeyshrule and meticulously maintained by Midland Aviation. During the summer of 2003, we welcomed the Dimona motor glider to our hangars and a number of members have invested in their own aircraft - individually or as part of flying groups.
- 2005 was a particularly active year with 3 new aircraft arriving at the field. In line with our policy of providing members with a "different flying experience", the club addressed a requirement for a more capable training and touring aircraft with the purchase of 4-seater Koliber 160A. This machine had been used as a sales demonstrator and was purchased by the club "as new" with less than 180 hours from new.
- A group of members also invested in a recently restored Bucker Jungmann - this distinctive biplane was welcomed to many fly-ins and shows throughout Ireland during the Summer of 2005. It has been preserved in Spanish military colours and was acknowledged as the best Classic Aircraft at the Anglo-Irish Classic Fly-in in Birr.
- The third acquisition of 05 was a Searey Amphibian kit aircraft. Construction began in April 05 and it was approved for flight in April 06.
- Today we have access to a variety of machines including a Hiller UH12C helicopter.
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Dimona Touring Motor Glider
- Cessna 152
Our first 2-seater Cessna 152, EI-BMN, arrived at the field on October 7th 2002 and immediately impressed seasoned aviators with its sparkling condition and exceptional flying performance. This remained our primary PPL (A) training aircraft until summer 2005, when it was sold the arrival of the versatile Koliber 160A - see above.
Members Aircraft
Cessna 182RG - G-WIFE owned by John Brennan, Seamus Kane, Bob Roemer
Bucker Jumgmann owned by J. Brennan, K Grimes, S Kane, N O'Donnell, T McGovern, B Roemer
Dimona Touring Motor Glider owned by Mervyn and David Coulson
Piper Cub - G-BTSP owned by Adrian Corcoran, Andrew Fenton and Jim McBride.
SeaRey Amphibian, built locally and owned by John Brennan and Bob Roemer
Sonerai - EI-BMU owned by A Fenton A Corcoran N O'Donnell T McGovern and Tony Walsh
Homebuilding & Restoration
A number of members have been involved in building or the restoration of aircraft. Club members John Brennan and Bob Roemer ordered a Searey Amphibian early in 2004. Shortly afterwards, a second kit was ordered by club CFI Patrick Gallagher and Kitfox owner, Tony Reid. (Tony has already put the Kitfox on floats !). Both kits arrived in March 2005 and the airport "build room" has been a hive of activity since their arrival. In 2005, Patrick was appointed Ireland and UK distributor of the Searey kit by Progressive Aerodyne, the American manufacturers.
The club congratulates all of those involved in the restoration of the Piper J3 Cub who won 3 major awards at the Popular Flying Association (PFA) Rally, in Kemble, UK in 2004. Note also that the Sonerai above was also restored locally, having suffered severe storm damage.
