Help Laura make history for Irish female pilots

My name is Laura Russell. I am an Aer Lingus pilot, from Cork and based at Cork Airport. I fly the Airbus 320 around Europe and the Airbus 321LR to the East Coast of the US. I started flying in 2004 after my grandmother gifted me a flying lesson for making it through the Leaving Cert unscathed.

When not at my day job, I am an aerobatic pilot working my way to the top level of the sport. I started competing in aerobatics in 2009.

I am on a journey to becoming Ireland's first female aerobatic pilot to compete at Unlimited Level.

You can see a little video that Aer Lingus made last March in celebration of International Women's Day here: Do What You Love

And an interview with Ray D'Arcy about this World Championships that I will be flying at in October: Ray D'Arcy Interview

Training for unlimited level aerobatics is a huge financial investment for me as I am self-funded. To progress, I have been actively looking for sponsorship and support. I want to make Irish history and in parallel, I want to pave the way for all young enthusiasts to follow their dreams.

The funds raised here have already gone directly towards the cost of competing at the World Advanced Aerobatics Championships (WAAC) in 2023:

1. Registration Fee: $3050 (See the WAAC fee breakdown here).

2. Aircraft Rental Rate: $4000 for 7 hours (excludes fuel, includes aircraft repositioning to competition venue).

3. Aircraft Use Fee: $1000 the position the rental aircraft to the competition venue and secure my place flying it.

3. Fuel Cost: $4550 for 7 hours of fuel (100 litres per hour at $6.50 per litre).

4. $400 for aircraft renters insurance (A standard requirement for aircraft rental in the US).

5. Flights to Las Vegas out of Dublin: €600

6. Car Rental for 3 weeks: €1000

7. Five days extra accommodation pre-competition: €1000

8. Two pre-competition training camps with my coach: €14000 (one will take place in Hungary, and the other will take place in Nevada immediately before the competition commences)

In September 2024, I will be competing at the European Advanced Championships in Romania.

In 2025, I will begin training towards Unlimited level aerobatics.

With the donations received here, and sponsorships from companies, I hope to make history for Irish female pilots.