One enterprise which, through keen foresight and entrepreneurial efforts, has recognised the opportunities available and already converted them into highly successful business projects is The Shemburn Group, which is based in Waterford. The Group, founded in 1999 now consists of 6 companies all involved in one way or another in the newly liberalised aviation industry.

"The aviation industry is poised for significant growth in the coming 20 years, not only in the areas of public transport but also in the provision of support and ancillary services, " said Mike Edgeworth, CEO and founder of The Shemburn Group. "All six companies in the Group are experiencing double digit growth rates and very acceptable earning this year and we are forecasting continuing similar performance levels well into the next decade."

Three companies in the Shemburn Group are focused on Pilot Training; Skytrace, based at Weston Airport, specialises in providing training for those wishing to qualify for a Private Pilots License, The Pilot Training College Ireland (PTCI) at Waterford specialises in providing training for those wishing to become commercial pilots with any of the European Airlines, and The Pilot Training College Florida (PTCF) provides pilot training services to both the European and American markets. Pilot Training College Florida is a joint activities partner with Flight Safety International, one of the world's leading training organisations with 45 training centres worldwide.

Prior to the establishment of Shemburn, enthusiasts would have gained some initial experience with flying clubs before having to pursue their commercial training outside of Ireland . . . usually the US, the UK and New Zealand.

However, changes in the licensing regime around the turn of the millennium meant that an the establishment of a world class aviation training facility in Ireland became a much more viable proposition. This is due to the size of the market within the JAA (the Joint Aviation Authorities of Europe) geographic region, which now spans 32 countries. It was in this context that The Shemburn Group was established.

Jeff Leonard, former Ryan Air Pilot and now Chief Flying Instructor at Skytrace has seen considerable growth in recreational flying in Ireland in the past five years.

"Skytrace provides a quality efficient and cost effective aviation training service to a wide variety of clients" he said. "Among them are lawyers and businesspeople purchasing their own aircraft for business and leisure travel purposes. In addition, we provide first stage training for those in pursuit of a commercial Pilot career in preparation for their entry to PTC".

Grandson of the founder of Weston airport, Captain Darby Kennedy, Jeff has a very optimistic outlook on the future of the newly liberalised general aviation market in Ireland. "Our recently acquired New Robin D800 diesel aircraft give us a considerable advantage in the marketplace in terms of economies and, indeed, in terms of quality and condition of aircraft, " he said.

Pilot training can be divided into two segments . . . visual and instrument training.

And while Florida has the advantage when it comes to visual (which is why we use our Florida base extensively), Ireland is the best location when it comes to instrument training, because we have variable weather conditions, without extremes."

Specifically, the Southeast has the best training conditions in Ireland, with freely available air space and comparatively good weather conditions. It is within close proximity of Cork, Shannon and Dublin airports, as well as Bristol, Cardiff and Exeter, while another advantage that PTC has over non-Irish schools is the competitiveness of the price, which is exempt from VAT.

"We have succeeded in fulfilling our original strategy of providing a world-class aviation services facility in Ireland, " said Edgeworth.

"We're up there with the best, and in the Commercial pilot training sector 98% of our graduates have been employed by airlines. We have over 60% of the Irish market and have provided aviation training services to people from 25 countries to date.

Out focus now is on continuing expansion activities in other JAA countries and the expansion of our Florida footprint."