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The Vimy Landing
On 14th June 1919, Captain John Alcock and Lieutenant Arthur Brown successfully completed the first non-stop transatlantic flight from St. John’s Harbour, Newfoundland to Clifden, Co. Galway in 16 hours 27 minutes.
On the 3rd of July 2005, the intrepid Steve Fossett together with Mark Reboltz co-pilot navigator flew a replica Vickers Vimy Atlantic bi-plane from Newfoundland to Clifden along the same flight path, landing on the 8th Fairway at Connemara Championship Golf Links, Ballyconneely, Clifden, Co. Galway.
The plane was made of wood, and the only update to it is modern glue, so that the plane adheres to FAA regulations. They also carried an extra fuel tank. It was an open cockpit, so rather noisy! They also carried a radio and a transponder. However as you may recall, their predecessors lost transmission shortly after take off. Take off was very tricky and at a maximum of 45 miles per hour(mph), it took them an hour to ascend to 1500ft because of the heavy fuel load of approximately 1000 imperial gallons.
The plane averages 75 mph, so they could only fly at a maximum of 5000 feet and thankfully there was not too much cloud cover which enabled them to take readings. Weather patterns were vital due to celestial navigation and lack of instruments onboard.
A massive crowd were gathered at Connemara Championship Links to greet the two pilots on their landing. It took them over 17 hours to complete the historic jouney and they felt very relieved when they landed safely on the 8th fairway.
Watch out for the commemorative plaque located close to the famous 8th fariway in tribute to remarkable and unique event.
On the 3rd of July 2005, the intrepid Steve Fossett together with Mark Reboltz co-pilot navigator flew a replica Vickers Vimy Atlantic bi-plane from Newfoundland to Clifden along the same flight path, landing on the 8th Fairway at Connemara Championship Golf Links, Ballyconneely, Clifden, Co. Galway.
The plane was made of wood, and the only update to it is modern glue, so that the plane adheres to FAA regulations. They also carried an extra fuel tank. It was an open cockpit, so rather noisy! They also carried a radio and a transponder. However as you may recall, their predecessors lost transmission shortly after take off. Take off was very tricky and at a maximum of 45 miles per hour(mph), it took them an hour to ascend to 1500ft because of the heavy fuel load of approximately 1000 imperial gallons.
The plane averages 75 mph, so they could only fly at a maximum of 5000 feet and thankfully there was not too much cloud cover which enabled them to take readings. Weather patterns were vital due to celestial navigation and lack of instruments onboard.
A massive crowd were gathered at Connemara Championship Links to greet the two pilots on their landing. It took them over 17 hours to complete the historic jouney and they felt very relieved when they landed safely on the 8th fairway.
Watch out for the commemorative plaque located close to the famous 8th fariway in tribute to remarkable and unique event.
