BBC 3 counties radio came to see how our Freedom Wings days are run. Freedom Wings days introduce disadvantaged or people with disabilities to general aviation and the wonders of flight. Freedom Wings days introduce disadvantaged or people with disabilities to general aviation and the wonders of flight.
Thank you to 3 counties radio for your support.
From our recent Freedom Wings days event with Friends of Bright Eyes published in Luton News August 8th 2011. Click on the image to read the full transcript.
Disabled flying school Freedom in the Air (FITA) with support from Bedfordshire and Luton Community Foundation has invited 20 people aged between nine and 19 to learn how to pilot a plane. The young people all have some form of disability and are cared for by Friends of Bright Eyes (FOBE), a Luton based charity focusing on the needs of children with disabilities from the Muslim Community.
Within Britain there are over 6 million full time carers, but the work of this forgotten army goes unpaid. Yasmin has been dedicated to gifting many lives with unconditional love and support. Looking after her stepdaughter who suffers from muscular dystrophy took up a lot of time and energy, but Yasmin’s support and commitment to care for those less fortunate did not stop there. In search for other children who have disabilities, with a vision to set up a centre which provides respite care. Yasmin launched Friends of Bright Eyes as a voluntary charity. With minimal funds it was very difficult to keep the charity operating. A wife, mother and full time carer, Yasmin never looked back, always went that extra mile to help and 14 years later the charity which Yasmin started at home, now accommodates for over 50 children a week.
The hugely popular Freedom Wings days are designed to give youngsters with disabilities what is very often their first experience of flight in a light aircraft. Just to see the expressions on the children’s faces is evidence enough of the enjoyment and satisfaction they get from this new experience and their pleasure also guarantees a happy day for the whole family. We try, when possible, to ensure that brothers and sisters and parents get the opportunity to fly together at these events when their involvement is instrumental in siblings also having this exciting opportunity, Freedom is definitely “key”.
Freedom Wings hosted at Cranfield Airport EGTC July 2011. Freedom in the Air is a flying school for disabled people. We have hand controls for those with lower limb disabilities. Cranfield aiport is located in central England, UK, within easy reach of London and the North of England.
Courtesy of ITV Anglia
Courtesy of British Forces Broadcasting Service
Twenty youngsters from The Forces Children’s Trust (FCT) will had the chance of a lifetime to experience the freedom of flight, when they attend the “Freedom Wings” day.
From our recent Freedom Wings day with the Forces Children’s Trust on July 23rd 2011 from Cranfield Airport, EGTC.
On 11 June 2011, Freedom in the Air (FITA) held its first skydive Freedom Freefall day. Supporters from across the country joined us at Peterborough Sibson airfield drop zone to take part in this amazing challenge and raise money for FITA.
Monies raised will go towards our Freedom Wings project. Freedom Wings is a wonderful opportunity to introduce disadvantaged or disabled youngsters to the freedom experienced in the air. A day in a light aircraft, safely taking control of the plane for a short time is a life-changing experience and enables young people to feel that they can reach for the skies and achieve virtually anything. Flying is one of the few activities where disabled people can participate to the same degree as an able-bodied person.
On SATURDAY 23rd JULY 2011 Freedom in the Air (FITA) hosted an ‘Introduction to Aviation’ day beginning from Cranfield Airport, UK. Twenty youngsters from The Forces Children’s Trust (FCT) had the chance of a lifetime to experience the freedom of flight, in the hope that it may expand their horizons when they attended the “Freedom Wings” day. FCT is a charity devoted to helping children whose father or mother has died, or has been seriously injured, whilst serving as a member of the British Armed Forces.
On SATURDAY 23rd JULY 2011 Freedom in the Air (FITA) will be hosting an ‘Introduction to Aviation’ day beginning at 10:30 from Cranfield Airport in Bedfordshire. The day is named, for obvious reasons, Freedom Wings day.
Twenty youngsters from The Forces Children’s Trust (FCT) will have the chance of a lifetime to experience the freedom of flight, in the hope that it may expand their horizons when they attend the “Freedom Wings” day. FCT is a charity 
devoted to helping children whose father or mother has died, or has been seriously injured, whilst serving as a member of the British Armed Forces. FCT is an agile charity providing support and positive experiences to children who have suffered a great loss. By participating in events like Theatre trips holidays with other children in a similar situation they can create their own way of moving forward.
Together we intend to show that anyone can reach for the skies, and achieve virtually anything, sometimes with only the very smallest amount of support. The pilots ‘one off’ flight could be as life changing for them as someone who flies every week and ends up with their Private Pilots Licence. Flight Lieutenant Owen Varley, a Puma helicopter pilot based at RAF Benson, and Trustee of FCT will be attending the Freedom Wings day.
FITA founder Gautam Lewis, who uses crutches after contracting polio as a child in India, organises the Freedom Wing day to show people that disability is not a barrier to achievement.
He said: “I thought maybe I should do something positive about supporting disabled people and those with complicated backgrounds, help them learn new skills and push them to a new level of confidence so that they can have opportunities.
“It’s trying to show what we can do regardless of adversity.”
Flying is one of the few activities where the uplifting experience rebuilds confidence and Continue reading ‘Freedom Wings | Forces Children’s Trust | July 2011′
On 28th MAY 2011 Freedom in the Air (FITA) hosted the first ‘Introduction to Aviation’ day beginning from Cranfield Airport in Bedfordshire, UK (EGTC), for the summer 2011 flying season. The day is named, for obvious reasons, Freedom Wings day.
20 youngsters with a mixture of disabilities from Kangaroos had the chance of a lifetime to experience the freedom of flight, in the hope that it may expand their horizons when they attended the “Freedom Wings” day. Flying is one of the few activities where disabled people can participate to the same degree as an able-bodied person. The uplifting experience rebuilds confidence and restores self-esteem, and thus empowers people to explore their potential by extending their personal boundaries. In the air, we all fly at the same speed; nobody is disadvantaged or disabled. The young people looked around light aircrafts, learnt how Continue reading ‘Freedom Wings TV; With Kangaroos; Fly day for disabled Children’
Thirteen thousand feet in the air, at one hundred and twenty miles an hour…
On 11 June 2011, Freedom in the Air (FITA) is holding its first skydive Freedom Freefall day. Supporters from across the country will join us at Peterborough Sibson airfield drop zone to take part in this amazing challenge and raise money for FITA.
Monies raised will go towards our Freedom Wings project. Freedom Wings is a wonderful opportunity to introduce disadvantaged or disabled youngsters to the freedom experienced in the air. A day in a light aircraft, safely taking control of the plane for a short time is a life-changing experience and enables young people to feel that they can reach for the skies and achieve virtually anything. Flying is one of the few activities where disabled people can participate to the same degree as an able-bodied person. The exhilarating experience rebuilds confidence and restores self-esteem. This, in turn, empowers people to explore their potential by extending their personal boundaries. In the air, we all fly at the same speed; nobody is disadvantaged or disabled.
FITA is very proud to be associated with The Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, The Red Arrows . The Red Arrows have generously offered a VIP Day for 2 (unfortunately they cannot fly the winners) for FITA to raffle during the Freedom Freefall fundraiser. The winners will get to spend time with the pilots, look around the airfield, learn about how the team develop their aerobatic displays and have a special day to remember for forever. This is an incredible prize and we cannot thank the Red Arrows enough for their support. Runner up prize draw prizes include a VIP Weekend backstage camping pass for two at V-Festival 2011. The final prize is a 30 mins ride in a aerobatic aeroplane doing loops and barrel rolls.
We have planned several Freedom Wings days for the 2011 summer flying season with organisations such as, The Forces Children’s Trust (FCT) – supporting children that have lost a parent whilst serving with the Armed Forces, Raiders Wheelchair basketball team, Northampton County Council Disability Services to name a few. The Freedom Freefall fundraiser will help us raise enough funds to be able to support 300 young people with disabilities the chance to have a flying lessons.
How to take part
Application Details
Contact us for a skydiving pack by filling or Continue reading ‘Skydive for FITA from 13,000ft’
We are grateful to all the Freedom Freefallers who are taking part in our summer fundraiser at Sibson airport. Click here to learn more and enjoy watching the videos of some of the team members..
ALL SPONSORS & DONORS WILL BE AUTOMATICALLY ENTERED INTO THE PRIZE DRAWS.
This is a great way to encourage donations. For every £5 they donate – they get 1 ticket for the prize draw – so the more they donate, the greater their chances of winning one of the prizes
A VIP DAY OUT FOR 2 PEOPLE WITH THE RAF RED ARROWS
A RIDE IN A AEROBATICS PLANE FOR 30 MINS DOING LOOPS AND BARREL ROLLS
VIP BACKSTAGE CAMPING FOR 2 AT V-FESTIVAL CHELSMFORD
Freedom in the Air is very proud to be associated with The Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, The Red Arrows. The Red Arrows have generously offered a VIP Day for 2 (unfortunately they cannot fly the winners) for FITA to raffle during the Freedom Freefall fundraiser.
On 11 June 2011, Freedom in the Air (FITA) is holding its first Freedom Freefall skydive day. Supporters from across the country will join us at Peterborough Sibson airfield to take part in this amazing challenge and raise money for FITA. 25 Freedom Freefallers will be taking part in the fundraiser to raise funds and awareness for the Freedom Wings project.
Freedom Wings is a wonderful opportunity to introduce disadvantaged or disabled youngsters to the freedom experienced in the air. A day in a light aircraft, safely taking control of the plane for a short time is a life-changing experience and enables young people to feel that they can reach for the skies and achieve virtually anything. Flying is one of the few activities where disabled people can participate to the same degree as an able-bodied person. The exhilarating experience rebuilds confidence and restores self-esteem. This, in turn, empowers people to explore their potential by extending their personal boundaries. In the air, we all fly at the same speed; nobody is disadvantaged or disabled.
Acknowledged as one of the world’s premier aerobatic teams, the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team is the public face of the Royal Air Force. The Red Arrows promote the professional excellence of the Royal Air Force, assist in recruiting, contribute to Defence Diplomacy and support wider British interests through the promotion of British industry overseas.
Commanded by Squadron Leader Ben Murphy, the Red Arrows consist of over 100 officers and airmen drawn from throughout the Royal Air Force. Officially formed on 1 March 1965, the Team have now performed over 4,200 displays in Continue reading ‘Take off with the Red Arrows by supporting FITA’
Freedom Wings movie gets transmission today MARCH 21, 2011, on the Community Channel during the following times, GMT – 08.40 / 14.40 / 03.40 On Freeview Channel 87, Sky Channel 539, Virgin Media channel 233
Click on the image to watch a film about our Freedom Wings day with Ability Media on the Community Channel
Freedom Wings – Let Talent Fly is a documentary about students from Ability Media. Ability Media is a initiative of Leonard Cheshire Disability. to promote and encourage disabled people to get involved with the creative and media sectors. On Sunday, 24th October 2010, Freedom in the Air hosted an ‘Introduction to Aviation’ day from Cranfield Airport in Bedfordshire. 10 people with a mixture of disabilities from Ability Media had the chance of a lifetime to experience the freedom of flight, in the hope that it may expand their horizons when they attended the “Freedom Wings” day.
The Community Channel in the UK will broadcast the film during the following transmission dates. On Freeview Channel 87, Sky Channel 539, Virgin TC channel 233. Read more about the story and watch the film here:
Freedom in the Air is a unique and exciting aviation Not-for-profit Community Interest Company, committed to opening horizons for people with disabilities so that they can fly higher socially, physically and professionally.
This film is from our last Freedom Wings day of 2010. Our guest were from Ability media, which is an initiative by Leonard Cheshire Disability designed to help talent emerge and over time achieve greater representation of disabled people working in the media and creative industries.
This film will be broadcast on the Community Channel in the next few weeks. Once we have a transmission date, we will let you know.
