10 youngsters with a mixture of disabilities from PHAB had the chance of a lifetime to experience the freedom of flight, in the hope that it may expand their horizons after they attended the “Freedom Wings” day.

Phab’s aim is to promote and encourage people of all abilities to come together on equal terms, to achieve complete inclusion within the wider community. Phab has been working with Authorities around the country to help them fulfil their duty to provide Short Breaks for Disabled Children and their families. Phab runs over 200 clubs around the country, offering all sorts of activities, according to what the members want – it could be flying aeroplanes, drama, art, circus skills, to swimming or just chilling out together.

“Having had the opportunity to fulfil one of my life long ambitions is absolutely amazing and at the same time unbelievable. From a very young age I have wanted to experience sitting in the cabin of an aircraft and help the pilot fly the plane and thanks to PHAB my dream has come true! The experience was far better than I had ever imagined it to be; I was able to take control of the aeroplane whilst both on the ground and when flying 2000 feet in the air above Bedfordshire.” Janette, PHAB Chester.

View some photos from the day:

Phab Freedom Wings

45 Photos

Our aim is to show that anyone with a disability 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. To have piloted an aircraft even once is clearly a massive experience for a person with a disability and a huge achievement.

“Thanks for organising the Freedom Wings event for PHAB last Saturday at Cranfield. I thoroughly enjoyed my turn at piloting. My wife was somewhat overwhelmed though! I enjoyed it so much that I am hoping to have some more lessons with Freedom in the Air and Cranfield Flying School, which will be fun, thanks” said Charles.

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The Douglas Bader Foundation is a charity organisation, formed in honour of Sir Douglas Bader in 1982 by family and friends, many of whom had flown side by side with Douglas during World War 2. Douglas was honoured in 1976 with a Knighthood for his contribution and work on behalf of the disabled. The mission of the foundation is to continue Douglas’ work in conjunction with and on behalf of individuals with a disability.

FITA spoke to David Bickers, the Chairman of the organisation about Douglas and the work of the foundation.

This movie is from our first Freedom Wings day in 2010 at Cranfield Aiport. It was held on May 22nd with guests from the Variety Club organisation. 10 lucky children were given the opportunity to not only take to the skies but also take controls of an aeroplane.

10 people with a mixture of disabilities from Attitude is Everything 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.

Attitude is Everything began as a pilot project in September 2000 as a response to Deaf and disabled people’s desire for fair treatment at music venues, clubs and festivals. They set out to address an apparent lack of awareness in the music industry of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) and its obligations.

For full story  click here (PDF file)

10 lucky children are being given the opportunity to not only take to the skies but also take controls of an aeroplane on the 22nd of May. The children, from 2 Bedfordshire organisations will be spending the day at Cranfield airfield and in the air, as well as going home with a flight goody bag and a personal certificate to say they flew an aeroplane.

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 brings children that glorious feeling of being alive and the exhilaration is carried through into their daily lives. To pilot an aircraft even once is a huge achievement for anyone and for a person with a disability or for someone who has been severely disadvantaged, it is doubly empowering.

To read the rest of the Press Release please click here…

click on image for large view. Article in Flight Training News: May 2010 issue