Dr Eddie Goggins’ hobby has taken him from the dentist’s office to the Bray Air Display to the World Championships.
The Dublin-based dentist is set to perform at this year’s Bray Air Display in Wicklow this weekend.
He has also won a bronze medal for Ireland in the Aerobatics World Championships and is hoping to participate in the Aerobatic European Championship next year.
On The Anton Savage Show today, Dr Goggins said he is “first and foremost” a husband and father – he’s just “occasionally” a pilot.
He said he wanted to fly from a young age – although he has no idea where that desire came from.
“I don't know where it came from, because I don't have anyone in the family who had any interest in aviation,” he said.
“But I was always staring up at the sky in wonderment, how aircraft flew, and things like that.”
Dr Goggins explained acrobatic flying is judged a bit like “Olympic ice skating”.
“They're judging you on technical issues and rhythm and positioning and all that sort of thing,” he said.
“One is the traditional arrestee flying, which is quite technical... and then the second part of the competition is all about freestyle, which is a bit like what we'll see today in Bray.
“Music, using smoke... you're just trying to entertain the judges.”
Dr Goggins will certainly entertain crowds at the Bray Air Show this afternoon.
He said he’ll be based at the Western Airfield where most of the ‘display acts’ will fly from.
“I've always been enthralled by the historic World War II aeroplanes as a Mustang and a Spitfire and they’ll be there,” he said.
“Everything from wing walkers and formation flying teams, helicopter display acts, parachute displays.
“You got the Coast Guard, Near Sea Rescue, the famous Red Arrows.
“Two formation teams flying this year, the Royal Jordanian Falcons and a civilian act, the Ravens.”
Aerobatics for the Bray Air Display will take place at 3pm today.
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