An Irish aviation legend

Tenger

I would like to extend a Happy Birthday to Captain Darby Kennedy. he will be celebrating his 100th birthday within the next week.

For those who don't know the name, this man has trained countless irish pilots in in the 1950-1980's. he created Weston, he owned the DH-84 Dragon that was flown as EI-ABI, which he later sold to Aer lingus. This aircraft is the Iolar that we see flying out of DUB.

From the Weston Wiki page:
Weston Aerodrome was originally founded in 1931 (licensed circa 1937) by Darby Kennedy, who, from 1946, operated a de Havilland Dragon and several Dragon Rapide aircraft commercially from the Weston flying field, operated under the name Weston Ltd.

de biz

Here,Here Tenger!

I have put in a request to RTE to replay the episode of Plane Spotting in which he featured in 1981.

It would be a fitting tribute to The Captain and his era.

L1011

I still have the politest PFO letter I ever got somewhere, from him when asking for work experience at Weston shortly before it was sold - gave an honest and legitimate reason why it wasn't an option (insurance). Didn't realise he was that old although clearly he has to be going on how long Weston has been open.

folbotcar

I flew with him on several occasions. He is quite the character. They say there no old bold pilots well he was certainly bold but somehow managed to live to be 100!

I have quite a few stories about him and I don't doubt there are many more out there. He flew for Imperial airways before the war, Aer Lingus during it.

Someone should really write a book about him.

Suasdaguna1

Enjoys the odd ciggie and a glass of whiskey. The man is a living legend. Privileged to have been in his company on many occasions.

Tenger

Just to add to this. I had a quick look at Flight of the Iolar to see what reference there is to Capt. Darby O'Kennedy. Not a lot unfortunately:

He joined EI in 1939, qualified as Senior Pilot in 1943. As of 1946 he was 1 of 3 EI Captains (this number grew to 30 in 1951)

He was EI Chief Pilot in 1946 and operated the inaugural flight to Paris on 17 June of that year.

smurfjed

Watching him flying aerobatics in the Rallye was a delight.......

Suasdaguna1

smurfjed wrote: »

Watching him flying aerobatics in the Rallye was a delight.......

Did my first solo with the Capt in his yellow 100st......thats not today or yesterday.....i always addressed him as Captain unlike some other yobs saying "howya Darbs".

smurfjed

Did my first solo with the Capt in his yellow 100st

If it was your 1st solo, why was he with you :):):) (Just teasing, I know what you mean:))

Suasdaguna1

Smurf, you got me, i wont even edit it.....yeap, he jumped out after a few circuits and i was on my my sweet tod.....will never forget it.

bombs away

For those interested in how Darby is doing after hitting his 100th birthday,

http://www.frequency.com/video/very-happy-100th-birthday-to-captain/181783803/-/5-84603


He hasn't lost any of his enthusiasm or energy that's for sure :D:D

Happy 100th Birthday Darby

ProfessorPlum

Sad news today of the death of Darby Kennedy. A legend, he will be missed.
RIP.

deandean

Aww so sad to read this. 'Gabriel's Oboe' came on the radio just as I was reading the thread. seemed appropriate. RIP Captain Kennedy.

smurfjed

I have the most amazing memories of the old Weston, Captain Darby and his peacocks. Many the day i walked down the runway at sunrise hoping that he didn't catch me and realise that i had stayed the night.

He was a wonderful character, may his soul rest in peace.

May I ask, where did he (double) retire to ?

smurfjed

I remember the worst "bollocking" that he gave me, two of us in a Cessna 182 and 172 did a formation takeoff early one Saturday morning, we were parachute club pilots and spend a lot of time flying in formation to allow 8 jumpers to jump in formation, we felt that we knew what we were doing

When we returned on Sunday night he met us and told us that he enjoyed our takeoff, he knew us and knew that we were doing formation flying all weekend, BUT, please consider my normal students who fly once a month, DONT give them ideas.

That was the end of our formation flying from Weston :)

duskyjoe

God speed Capt. I am so privileged to have been instructed by the Capt and let solo at 16 yrs old in his yellow rallye ..... I remember distinctly he demanded a full Stop on rwy 07 which came out of no where, opened the canopy, jumped out and shouted at me "your out of the nest now!!!" .....34 years ago. 18k hrs later I'm still to the good. God bless Capt, you were an utter inspiration.... A once off.

PeteF

Small piece on him here
http://www.rte.ie/news/2016/0517/788925-news-in-brief/

May he rest in peace.

billy few mates

Very sad news indeed, RIP.