By Lisa Ramsden
PEOPLE across the district had their fingers crossed they would witness the solar eclipse last week, with many locals sadly left disappointed that the weather called time on their hopes of seeing this celestial event.
However, one Kilkeel schoolgirl may well have had the best seat in the house – or should that be the best seat in the aircraft – when she and her dad took to the skies and, at 7,500 feet, managed to capture amazing photographs which certainly made it an experience of a lifetime.
Six-year-old Amelia Kearney and her daddy, Shane, set off from Derryogue Flying Club last Wednesday afternoon and headed east of Kilkeel along the coastline.
Reaching an altitude of 7,500 feet, they cruised about for a while, hoping their adventure would result in some incredible views of the Moon passing between the Earth and Sun, blocking some or all of the Sun’s rays from hitting Earth.
Amelia, who flew for the first time last October in her daddy’s EuroStar aircraft, has clocked up plenty of hours of flying-time since.
A regular ‘co-pilot’ for her dad, weather permitting, the pair thought their plans would be dashed.
But, as Shane explained, a bit of perseverance, good timing and a sprinkling of luck played in their favour and they got some great views of the eclipse.
Shane has described it as “a very special experience”, adding that it was a wonderful moment to share with his daughter.
He said that Amelia is his trusted sidekick in the cockpit, and he is certain that she will be following in his footsteps in the future, with her own light aircraft.
“It was such a special and a very proud experience,” he said.
Describing his daughter as “an amazing little lady,” Shane added that Amelia, who attends Kilbroney Integrated Primary School, is looking forward to starting P3 in just a fortnight’s time, loves nothing more than heading up to the airstrip and planning what adventures she and her dad will get up to next.
“There are not many people that can say they watched the eclipse from the sky and saw it all at 7,500 feet. It was a very special moment, and one to remember.”
The Kilkeel man continued: “Amelia likes flying with me, she doesn’t go up with me all the time, we gear her trips for when the weather is going to suit, and she loves it.”
