Captain Paddy Robinson is retiring from the company and has been flying to the Aran Islands with it for about 26 years. Robinson says that every moment of his work as a pilot has been 'memorable'.

He says that the best part of the job was in the days before helicopters, when he would pick up someone very ill and take them to hospital and then see them make a full recovery.  He adds that he will really miss his job. "What I will miss most about it will be the people, the banter, the fun, and the solving of problems, because there are always difficulties," he says.

The captain intends to keep up flying planes. regardless of his retirement. "In my interminable spire time, I will certainly fly," he said.

He added that his favourite planes are the ones he has flown in Aer Arann for years. the ten-seater Islanders, but added that given the chance, he would really love to fly a Spitfire, Battle of Britain fighter plane. "I'll have to organise that," he says.

Robinson studied and trained to be a pilot at The Leinster Aero Club, Weston. He has one golden rule of advice for all young, aspiring pilots and that is "Be pre-pared to work very hard."