Yvonne McDaid and Shaun Hasson back on terra firma after his marriage proposal with a difference
A DERRY couple is on cloud nine after they got engaged mid-flight over a Co Donegal beach.
Yvonne McDaid had bought her boyfriend a lesson with Eglinton Flying Club for Christmas.
But Shaun Hasson got the last laugh when his parents wrote the words “Will you marry me?” in 12ft letters on Lisfannon beach on Monday.
Mr Hasson said that all systems were go when Air Traffic Control gave the codeword “Geronimo”.
“As we flew close to the beach I couldn’t see anything,” he told the BBC.
“Then we came past a bit lower and I was ready with the ring: “can you see the beach I asked?”
“I looked at her and she couldn’t believe it. She just said: ‘You’re dead.’
“That’s Derry code for yes,” he joked.
A month in the planning, Mr Hasson’s family hatched a scheme involving the local flying club and the help of City of Derry Airport.
The dramatic engagement could not have happened without the assistance of pilot Eugene McShane.
He took over the lesson mid-flight whilst Shaun calmed his nerves and focused on the proposal.
“They were unbelievable, really really helpful,” said Mr Hasson.
“My mother and father, my friends were all involved. We tested out (the proposal message) with a rake on the beach but it all depended on the tides.
“I was raging when I didn’t get a picture of the letters but I just had too much on my mind.
“She’s just the perfect woman and I always thought one day, one day,” Mr Hasson added.
The couple, who have been dating for nearly four years, revealed they are also expecting a baby.
