NIAA at the Portrush Airshow

Members from the Northern Ireland Association of Areomodellers (NIAA) and pilots from Nijets staged a large static and flying display of model aircraft, for the many thousands of aircraftenthusiasts and the general public who flocked to the 2008 Portrush International Air show, held over the weekend.

This has been the third year that the NIAA has been invited to the air show and by all accounts, the public were not disappointed. Model aircraft ranging from Jets, Scale, Fun fly, Gliders, Heli’s, Control line and other small indoor models were on display, nearly 40 models in total lined two large display areas. Pilot’s Peter Carson, Chris Robb and Ian Robb from Nijets, give the large crowds of onlookers over the two days, an insight into the world of flying model jet turbine aircraft, with fantastic demo’s with two fine examples of scale jets being starting up at the same time and also running commentary from the area PRO John Pearson on jet modelling.
The flying display, which took place on both days before the full size aircraft displays, was restricted to electric models, due to the small landing area on the beach close to the sea front, however the public were not disappointed. Ballymoney club and Flight Power pilot Richard McMasters flew a fantastic aerobatic display with his new extreme flight fun fly over the sea and finished with a cheer from the crowd, with a prop hang into the hands of Robert McMasters standing next to him.

Next a squadron of small EDF, F16 jets and a F86 Sabre, took to the skies with pilot’s Peter Carson, Ian Robb, Chris Robb, Robert McMasters and Richard Boyd, flying the small jets fast and low over the beach with some only feet apart in the turns, the crowd loved it! and give the guys a well earned round of applause at the end of the display.

Robert McMasters and John Pearson who helped organise this years model display, would like to thank all the model pilots, helpers, supporters and also the Northern Ireland Fire Brigade who helped make this year’s model display, a great event and one of the best to date.

Report by John Pearson

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