An Cosantóir

65 tion and enabled the Air Corps to fulfil its roles and duties in a time of need. This se- lect group represents a significant element of the history and heritage of the Irish Air Corps. school course through the Technical College located on Kevin Street. Once this course was completed, the students sat an exam and upon passing, received their commer- cial 'B' license which certified them to fly civilian commercial aircraft. After the conclusion of their five-year un- dertaking, the Sergeant Pilots performed an air display to mark the occasion. Nineteen of the former Sergeant Pilots left the Air Corps with only one deciding to stay. Those who left were required to undertake annual training in Gormanston or Baldonnel as part of an Air Corps Reserve pilot scheme. After seven years in the reserve, Sergeant Pilots were offered a commission in the Officers Reserve and for the first time in twelve years, could join their colleagues in the Of- ficer's Mess. The single Sergeant Pilot who chose to stay in the Air Corps after his five- year undertaking, Sgt. Michael McGloughlin was killed when his Miles Master crashed in Sillagh, near Ballymore Eustace on March 23rd, 1949, coinciding with the annual anni- versary of the Air Corps. Nineteen of the former Sergeant pilots tran- sitioned into the civilian life with ten joining Aer Lingus, eight of whom retired as senior Captains, some joined other airlines, the Irish Civil Aviation Department (Predecessor of the IAA), and the RAF. A small number retired from flying and worked as journal- ists, dentists, and in other business-related careers. In 1965, Baldonnel was renamed Casement Aerodrome to honour Irish nationalist Rog- er Casement. In March 1965 an Aer Lingus Fokker F27 Friendship aircraft landed in Casement Aerodrome with the remains of Roger Casement before he was buried with full military honours in Glasnevin cemetery. The Captain flying the Aer Lingus F27 was Capt. Gerry Headon, a former Sergeant pilot. The Sergeant Pilot Course of 1943-1944 remains the sole example of this type of course and the twenty pilots who received their wings form a unique group within the body of military pilots who have served the State since 1922. They served with distinc- Rear Row: C. O'Grady, W. Briscoe, S. Treacy, D. Goggins, G. Headon, J. Sheehan, D. McLoone, J. Gibney, M. Geoghan, T. Keogh, M. McGloughlin Middle Row: S. Conway, J. Ryan, G. Turley, P. Whyte, B. Lewis, R. Kelly, N. Brennan, G. Cullen, R. O'Keefe Front Row (Officer instructor's) : Lt Treacy, Lt Healy, Capt. Higgins, Capt. O'Toole, Capt. Swan (CFI), Comdt. Cathain (OC School), Capt. Quinlan, Capt. Byrne, Lt Cagney, Lt Flanagan Miles Magister M.14a at Baldonnel Aerodrome in 1939 A line up of Miles Master aircraft in Baldonnel Aerodrome SERGEANT PILOTS

• Cover