Page 21 - Linkline Autumn 2016
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                 Linkline Remembers One of Ireland’s Aviation Legends Frank Loughlin FCILT
 Captain Darby Kennedy, one of the pioneers of early Irish avia- tion, died recently in Spain at the age of 101. He was born in June 1914 at Straffan, Co Kildare. Darby will be fondly remembered by all who knew him or had the privilege of flying with him.
Darby Kennedy’s professional flying career commenced in 1935 when he joined Imperial Airways as a first officer. In 1939 he joined Aer Lingus and was one of the pilots on the first commercial flights from Collinstown in 1940.
In due course he became Chief Pilot with Aer Lingus. A few years later, in 1946, he became one of the founding members of the Irish Airline Pilots Association (IALPA) and later became the Association’s first president.
In 1947 Darby resigned from Aer Lingus to set up his own company at Weston Aerodrome, near Celbridge, Co Kildare. At Weston he operated a flying school and pleasure flights.
In 1959 Darby rejoined Aer Lingus. At this stage his son Roger Ken- nedy had joined Aer Lingus as a pilot. Father and son sat together as first captain and co-pilot on the same flight deck.
Later, Darby retired from Aer Lingus, to concentrate on the opera- tion and expansion of his flying school at Weston. In the early 2000s he sold Weston and returned to live in Spain.
Darby Kennedy will be fondly remembered by Airline colleagues and aviation students, for many years to come.
Captain Darby Kennedy speaking with former Irish president Dr Patrick Hillery in a Tiger Moth biplane.
   The De Havilland DH84 Dragon EI-ABI, aka ‘Iolar’, was used by Darby for light charter work and pilot training at his operation in Weston. It was later sold to Aer Lingus.
 The CharTered InsTITuTe of LogIsTICs & TransporT 21
  CAPT. KENNEDY























































































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