Freedom in the Air and Cranfield Flying School , in association with Variety Club the children’s charity first flying scholarship for a young person with a disability. The scholarship will allow a young person to achieve a National private pilots licence (NPPL) over the summer holidays during 2011 from Cranfield Airport, EGTC.

]]> http://www.freedomintheair.org/disabled-pilot-flying-scholarship-2011-fita-press/feed/ 0 http://www.freedomintheair.org/freedom-in-the-air-radio-press-bbc/ http://www.freedomintheair.org/freedom-in-the-air-radio-press-bbc/#comments Mon, 03 Oct 2011 10:52:20 +0000 admin http://www.freedomintheair.org/?p=4221 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.

BBC Radio Solent came to interview our Scholar after one of her flights prior to her approaching going solo stage of flight training. Thank you to t…he BBC for coming and letting us air the interview.

You may follow the progress of our scholarship programme using this link.

Variety Club the children’s charity in association with Freedom in the Air and Cranfield Flying School first flying scholarship for a young person with a disability. The scholarship will allow a young person to achieve a National private pilots licence (NPPL) over the summer holidays during 2011 from Cranfield Airport, EGTC. Click here to view full size image

Freedom tour of Britian is to raise awareness about the new “Freedom control” that will enable those with lower linb disabilites to fly aeroplanes without the need for their feet. The hand controls have been developed in partnership with Cranfield University.

This video is from day two of four, Sector one – Edinburgh to Islay in Scotland. To watch the film from day one, please follow this link:

FITA is committed to opening horizons for people with disabilities so that they can fly higher socially, physically and professionally.  Flying aeroplanes makes you feel alive and gives you a sense of freedom, of being liberated from disability with nothing to hold you back.

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”.

Courtesy of ITV Anglia

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.

Aaron competed in motocross for nine years until he had an accident in 2006 which left him paralysed. But this didn’t dampen his enthusiasm for sport and, in particular, motorsport. Initially following the accident Aaron took up wheelchair tennis, but his heart was still set on continuing in motorsport and after finding out that he could learn to drive a year earlier than able-bodied people, he started taking lessons.

He passed his driving test first time in May 2007 and two years later he became the youngest ever disabled person to be awarded an MSA National B race license.  FITA met up with Aaron again to see how he gets on with flying aeroplanes.