Irish Historic Flight Foundation
About Us
The Irish Historic Flight Foundation keeps historic aircraft flying while celebrating the stories, people, and technology that shaped Irish aviation.
The Irish Historic Flight Foundation was established in December 2014 to promote and preserve the historical aspects of aviation in Ireland. Since then, the IHFF has grown into a nationally recognised not‑for‑profit organisation supported by volunteers and industry partners, maintaining and flying a fleet of classic aircraft from our base at Ballyboy Airfield, while also building a collection of artefacts and educational resources that celebrate Ireland’s rich aviation heritage.
Our Mission
The Irish Historic Flight Foundation (IHFF) is dedicated to preserving Ireland’s rich aviation history by restoring, maintaining, and flying historic aircraft. We celebrate the achievements of Irish pilots, engineers, and aviation pioneers, keeping their stories alive for generations.
Through our living collection of aircraft, educational programs, and community engagement, we aim to inspire a new generation of aviation enthusiasts and scholars while honouring the legacy of those who built Ireland’s aviation heritage.
“Once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward.”
– Leonardo da Vinci
Our Story
A Living Legacy In Flight
Founded in December 2014, the Irish Historic Flight Foundation was created to celebrate the rich and diverse history of aviation in Ireland, not as a static museum but as a living, flying experience.
Our first public flight featuring IHFF aircraft took place in June 2015 at Baldonnel Aerodrome, marking the organisation’s official introduction to the Irish aviation community. Supported by industry leaders and volunteers alike, the IHFF has grown into a nationally recognised heritage flight group.
In recent years, the Irish Historic Flight Foundation has made Ballyboy Airfield in Co.Meath its operational home, where a purpose-built hangar supports maintenance, restoration and operations for its fleet – providing a hub for aviation preservation and community engagement.
What We Do
Keeping History Alive in the Air and in the Community
Restoration & Maintenance
We restore, maintain and operate historic aircraft to the highest aviation and safety standards, ensuring they remain airworthy and authentic. Through expert engineering and ongoing care, the Irish Historic Flight Foundation preserves these aircraft as living examples of Ireland’s aviation heritage.
Airshows & Displays
IHFF aircraft are flown regularly at airshows, commemorations and public events across Ireland. These dynamic flying displays bring historic aircraft to life, allowing audiences to experience the sound, movement and spectacle of vintage aviation in the air, not just another static display!
Community & Education
Education and outreach are central to the Foundation’s mission. We engage with the public, aviation enthusiasts, and the wider aviation community to promote an understanding of flight, engineering and aviation history through community events, talks, displays and hands-on experiences.
Heritage & Preservation
Beyond flying, the IHFF preserves the stories, artefacts and documents that define Ireland’s aviation past. By safeguarding this heritage, we ensure the achievements, innovation and people behind Irish aviation are recorded, shared and passed on to future generations.
Our Fleet
Aircraft That Define Our History
de Havilland DHC-1 Chipmunk
The de Havilland DHC-1 Chipmunk is a classic post-war military trainer and a cornerstone of Irish aviation history. Designed in the late 1940s, the Chipmunk served extensively with the Irish Air Corps, where it played a vital role in pilot training for decades. Renowned for its responsive handling, reliability and excellent visibility, the Chipmunk remains a favourite among pilots and enthusiasts alike.
Operated today by the Irish Historic Flight Foundation in authentic Irish Air Corps livery, the aircraft continues to fly publicly, preserving a living link to Ireland’s military and training aviation heritage.
Boeing Stearman Model-75
The Boeing Stearman Model 75 is one of the most recognisable biplanes in aviation history and a symbol of early military flight training. Built in the 1930s and 1940s, the Stearman was used worldwide to train thousands of pilots, particularly during the Second World War. Known for its rugged construction, radial engine and distinctive open-cockpit design, the Stearman represents the golden age of aviation.
The Irish Historic Flight Foundation’s aircraft, the “Spirit of Tipperary”, continues to fly at public events, offering audiences a rare opportunity to experience the sights and sounds of a true historic warbird in the air.
Our Team
Meet The Volunteers Behind IHFF
The Irish Historic Flight Foundation is driven by a committed team of volunteers and board members who give their time, skills and experience to preserve Ireland’s aviation heritage, and not only showcase historic aircraft, but maintain them to an airworthy standard.
United by a shared passion for aviation, the team includes pilots, engineers, aviation professionals and support volunteers, all working together to keep these remarkable aircraft flying and accessible to the public.
Behind the scenes, our volunteer engineers and technicians maintain and restore historic aircraft to safety and airworthiness standards of modern aviation, while pilots and operations teams help ensure safe and professional airshows, displays & community events.
The Foundation is guided by an experienced board whose members bring leadership from across the aviation, engineering and wider industry sectors. This governance ensures that IHFF operates responsibly, sustainably and in line with its charitable mission—allowing a volunteer-led organisation to deliver professional standards while safeguarding Ireland’s aviation legacy for future generations.
Governance, Transparency & Public Benefit
A Non Profit Organisation With A Heritage Mission
The Irish Historic Flight Foundation (IHFF) operates as a not-for-profit organisation established to preserve and promote Ireland’s aviation heritage. Founded in 2014, the Foundation is structured as a company limited by guarantee, a common governance model in Ireland for organisations that exist to serve a public or community benefit rather than private profit.
IHFF is overseen by a board responsible for governance, financial oversight, and ensuring that the Foundation’s activities remain aligned with its heritage, educational, and preservation objectives. All funds raised are directed towards the operation, maintenance, and restoration of historic aircraft, as well as public engagement and community initiatives.
Transparency and responsible stewardship are central to the Foundation’s ethos. IHFF is committed to clear governance practices and to providing appropriate information about how the organisation operates and how funds are used to support its mission.