Posts by: mark

New Tech Office opened at Limetree

At the recent AGM, the NMAI officially opened the new Tech Office at Limetree Airfield. The tech office houses the documentation of all the aircraft that are operated under the NMAI airworthiness scheme (117 aircraft at the last count!), and is the location where all of the permit applications are processed. Since the formation of the NMAI many moons ago, the tech office has usually been located in the home of the Chief Technical Officer. The opening of the office in Limetree marks the first permanent address of the NMAI and is a huge leap forward for the Association. The new office has plenty of space and now holds all of the IT equipment and records required to operate our airworthiness system.

The aircraft documents library

As announced at our recent AGM, Mark Brereton will be taking over from Padraig Higgins as Chief Technical Officer in the next few weeks.

There are plenty of benefits to the association in having a public office. For owners, if you get your aircraft inspected before the expiry of your existing permit, you can fly into Limetree to collect your documentation. We plan on purchasing some tools that inspectors can borrow from the office when carrying out inspections on members’ aircraft. When aircraft have transitioned to 3 years permits, the validity certificates can be signed on the spot at Limetree by the CTO, which will extend the permits validity for another year. The office can also be used as a means to promote the association and grow our membership. If you’re flying in to Limetree, feel free to drop in and say hello!

All future correspondence for the Tech Office including permit applications should be addressed to: NMAI Tech Office, Limetree Airfield, Portarlington, Co. Laois. The new Tech Office email address is techoffice@nmai.ie

Incoming CTO Mark Brereton busy processing a permit application

2014 Annual General Meeting

18^th May 2014 

The Garryhinch Golf Club in Portarlington was the venue for this year’s AGM. Attendance was around 60 members, a good turnout of considering the poor weather and the amount of members that had planned to fly-in to Limetree.

Getting prepared for the 2014 AGM

Mark Dwyer our interim chairman got on with the job making the agenda stay in focus with the slides.  The list of achievements for 2013 was pretty impressive.

• 3 Year Permit approved
• 2 New Mods Approved
• 2 New Aircraft Types Approved
• New Tech Office opened at Limetree Airfield
• NMAI Flying Group Formed
• 1 New Check pilot Appointed
• 2 New Inspectors Appointed

NMAI finance will benefit usefully from the three year permit. We need to continue our efforts to keep regulation proportionate and fair.  Our ongoing plans show that there are still plenty of projects to get on with. The priorities for this year will be to streamline to importation of new types into the country, increase membership and get more aircraft in permit and into the air.

The new committee was elected unanimously by the floor;

Much appreciation and thanks is due to Paul McMahon and Padraig Higgins for their respective 12 and five years of dedication – thanks guys, you are the ones who brought it along all this time; we will do well to keep up with your achievements, and hope to count on a little informal advice now and then. Padraig will remain on as CTO for the coming weeks to smooth the transition to Mark Brereton who will take over as CTO.

Let’s hope we all, Committee and Members alike, continue to keep microlight flying in Ireland enjoyable, convenient, safe and affordable for the future.  And as Paul said in his farewell speech, keep an eye out for the larger European scene and how we can cooperate and benefit one another.

Committee Contact Details

Mark Dwyer – mark@flyinginireland.com

Ken Lannery – ken@capitalmedia.ie

Mark Brereton – markbrereton23577@gmail.com

Brian Lowe – brianlowe@dalta.net

John Moriarty – jm2833530@gmail.com