Dr Tom Kelly for Irish Aviation Authority addressing his last meeting gave an overview of 2014 race programmes/issues and was pleased to report no bird strikes recorded during the season. A huge reduction of activity was also reported from Baldoyle. The good work over the last number of years has paid big dividends, and all the members were thanked for their help and support. Each organization present gave a report on their own racing season, poor weather resulted in some poor races. Kevin Humphries for IAA also gave a report and covered some of the local problems at the Airport especially at the present time with Irish Hare and Curlew which are both protected species. One training flight was detected with a liberation of birds at The Kennel Club close to the line of flight for the planes landing, this had been dealt with and no further release was observed.
Copies of some race programmes were placed for 2015, some have still to be finalized. Checks were made regarding some liberation points, some were ruled out as not suitable. Regarding DNA tests being carried out on pigeons over the year, it was asked if it would be possible to confirm if birds were feral or indeed racing pigeons. This would be looked at. Wildlife activity inside the perimeter of the airport is a big subject, they study why different species are attracted to the Airport. In the future this study is, under new EEC Rules, to extend to an 8KM radius of the Airport itself. Dublin Airport are leading the way on how they deal with bird hazard in aviation safety.
Gerry Keogh Chief Fire Officer at Dublin Airport gave an overview of Operations at Dublin Airport, and later conducted the members on a tour of the complex seeing where the planes take off and land, Gun Scaring methods and other bird scaring tools, Fridge and how they deal with wildlife killed gathering samples etc. We also had a demonstration of what an engine fire looks like, and the fire engines themselves are a good bit bigger than we see around town. All in all it was a very interesting discussion and tour, we are all hoping for a successful season in 2015. Many thanks to Petier van Velzen from IAA, who supplied me with some photos of the visit.
Decision on NIPA Race Programme -
NIPA Race programme for 2015: Some 60 local clubs returned voting papers. In Old Birds Programme (1) flown last season had 278 votes while Programme (2), the modified one, had 452 votes. In the Young Birds Programme (3) flown last year had 379 votes while Programme (4), the modified one had 342 votes. We had a big vote to change the Old Bird programme and in a close finish the members decided to stick with the Young Bird programme flown last year.
Old Birds: 11th April Tullamore, 18th April Tullamore, 25th April Roscrea/Thurles Area *, 2nd May Fermoy, 9th May Fermoy, 16th May Rosscarbery Inl Nat, 16th May Tramore Area, 23rd May Pilmore Beach, 30th May Talbenny, 6th June Penzance Classic 6th June Rosscarbery Area, 13th June Bude, 13th June Rosscarbery Y/H & Y/C Nat, 20th June Penzance, 20th June Fermoy 5 Bird Championship, 26th June St Malo Nat (France), 26th June Roscrea/Thurles Area *.
Young Birds: 18th July Area Liberations, 25th July Area Liberations, 1st August Tullamore Mass Lib, 8th August Roscrea/Thurles *, 15th August Roscrea/Clonmel *, 22nd August Fermoy, 29th August Talbenny Nat, 29th August Roscrea/Thurles Comeback *, 5th September Fermoy, 5th September Fermoy 5 Bird Championship, 12th September Rosscarbery Nat.
I think it is important the Race Programme for voting goes to clubs with AGM Agenda and although my own club managed to deal with the business at one meeting, lots of other clubs had to have two meetings and looking at the voting where one third of clubs did not vote they probably decided against a second meeting. With the race programme now set and the fact the NIPA Committee now meet the first Wednesday of each month there should be no delay with the Race Books.
Remember Race Sheets, Vaccination Forms etc and Clocks for testing need returned to clubs 2 weeks before racing, that’s 28th March. Not be long coming round.
The NIPA are accepting applications for the following positions: Race Contoller, Convoyer and Lorry Drivers. In all the above positions excluding Convoyer a good working knowledge of Racing Pigeons is desired, in the case of the Convoyers position this can only be awarded to a long time racing pigeon fancier with a detailed knowledge of the transportation and welfare of racing pigeons. Applications with current CV and References to the NIPA Secretary at 108 Hillsborough Road Dromore, Co Down, BT25 1QW, before 28th Feb 2015. Section F meeting Sunday 1st March at 3 o’clock at Killyleagh Centre.
Mid Antrim Combine annual meeting has been arranged for the Harryville HPS on Wednesday 18th March at 8.00pm. Two Delegates from each member club to vote on proposals.
EDC Old Birds - 1st Tullamore, 2nd Tullamore, 1st Clonmel , 2nd Clonmel , 1st Pilmore Beach , Skibbereen Classic , 2nd Pilmore Beach, 1st Talbenny, 2nd Talbenny & Derek Wishart Memorial Classic Pilmore Beach 15 bird limit (on the same day ), Bude, Penzance and Penzance Classic , St Malo Old Bird Derby.
Young Birds - 1st Navan , 2nd Navan, 1st Tullamore , 2nd Tullamore, 1st Clonmel , Pilmore Beach , 1st Skibbereen Young Bird Derby & Talbenny Young Bird Derby (on the same day), 2nd Clonmel, 2nd Skibbereen Young Bird Derby.
INFC - Please note that the Annual General Meeting will be held on Saturday 28th February 2015 at Lagan Valley Leisure-plex in Lisburn, 2.00pm sharp. With the absence of any Resolutions it should be quick, any queries with accounts should be with the Secretary Trevor Topping in writing at least 3 days prior to the meeting. Race Programme for 2015 is as follows. Skibbereen OB Inl Nat Tuesday 26th May (Marking Monday), Sennen Cove Yearling Nat Wednesday 10th June (Marking Monday), Saint Allouestre Kings Cup Friday 3rd July (Marking Tuesday), Quimper Friendship Nat Friday 10th July (Marking Tuesday), Penzance YB Grand Nat Wednesday 2nd September (Marking Monday), Skibbereen YB Inl Nat Saturday 19th September (Marking Thursday). The Single Bird Challenge in the Kings Cup is another Free Nom, entry forms to be with Race Co-Ordinator David Black before 17th March 2015. He will be able to collect completed forms at the AGM.
So it's that time again, the BHW/INFC Single Bird Challenge is back. It's still a free entry with a £2,000 prize fund and a first prize of £500. Everyone who was a member last year should have received a single bird challenge entry form with their statement of accounts, anyone who is joining this year and would like to enter a bird call David Black on (07876) 157706 or (028) 92692713. As usual the closing date is Tuesday 17th March. With twelve prizes of £500, £400, £300, £200, £100 and ten at £50 plus the Joe Doheny Perpetual cup to the winner and Framed Diplomas for the first three.
The delegates meeting with Airport officials outside the Fire Station.
What an engine fire looks like, and can happen with a bird strike.
Pascal Mulcahy watching from the van.