Ulster Aviation Society

These words on the event are from our Chairman, Ernie Cromie reported in the July edition of our society magazine, Airmail.

I’m delighted that it was successful overall, relieved that the attendance turned out to be more or less what we planned for [approximately 1000 people equating to 400 cars] thankful to have been blessed with such good weather and humbled by the record number of Society members and the Air Training Corps who at comparatively short notice gave up a whole day to marshal cars and visitors, receive their admission fees and distribute information packages, answer queries, manage access to the visiting helicopter park, staff our bookstall and look after the hangar and display rooms.

I really would like to name everyone who was involved in every aspect of things but I shall not attempt it as there simply isn’t enough space and in any case I’d be sure to inadvertently overlook somebody deserving of mention. In any event, you know who you are so please accept my deep gratitude on behalf of the Society Committee.

Thanks are also due to the non-member exhibitors – Ignatius McGreevy with ‘Betsy’ his fire engine, Gary Campbell for his Bofors anti-aircraft gun etc, Mid-Ulster Amateur Radio Club, Robbie Stewart with his Dodge ambulance, Dawn and Alfie Montgomery with their jeep, Brendan and Oonagh with their jeep, Rapheal and Betty O’Carrol of Kernan Aviation and THE SWING GALS, who will forget them? Unfortunately, at the time of writing, I do not have a complete list of visiting helicopter owners, meanwhile, I’ll thank the Irish Coast Guard and ask you, Fiona, to please forward my gratitude to your colleagues. Thanks are also due to Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service, for their essential presence.