Up, up and away – aerobatics captivate crowds
EYES were glued to the sky as 140,000 people enjoyed the aerobatics at the 13th annual Bray Air Display over the course of the weekend.
Spectators on the promenade were treated to a dazzling display of aviation expertise as the worldrenowned Red Arrows, the UK royal air force aerobatic team, took to the sky.
There was also a display by the Irish Air Corps and the Royal Jordanian Falcons.
Other highlights of the day included a Mustang flown by world champion air racer Paul Bonhomme, and a Vans RV7 aircraft painted in the distinctive pattern of a Friesian cow piloted by ‘The Flying Farmer’, Gerry Humphries, from Limerick.
Vintage aircraft were also popular with the crowds.
A 1940s-era Aer Lingus DC-3 aircraft painted in the original livery of that era rumbled through the sky.
Aer Lingus took delivery of its first Douglas DC-3 in April 1940, making it the fifth aircraft type to be operated by the airline. The first scheduled flight was a Dublin to Liverpool service on May 7, 1940.
A 75-year-old Catalina Flying Boat PBY-5A and two Strikemasters from Wales also took part.
The Irish Air Corps, Irish Coast Guard Search and Rescue and the Garda Air Support Unit soared overhead while the LÉ Róisín was anchored offshore to acknowledge the work of the Irish Naval Service.
The Irish Parachute Club closed the show with a free-fall demonstration.
Peter Kearney, of the Irish Aviation Authority, said he hoped the event “has shone a spotlight on the wealth of aviation talent in Ireland”.