On May 22nd 2008, Brian Catchpole went Solo. CONGRATULATIONS Brain, you really deserve to have this special feeling all student pilots get when flying solo for the first time. The strongest memory i have from my solo flight is the great sense of achievement and freedom – my report from that day can be read here..
I first met Brian when we were shortlisted for the Flying Scholarship for the disabled selection board at RAF Cranwell. Neither Brian or myself were selected for the flying scholarship and we have not given up our dream of flying aeroplanes. Since we met, we keep bumping into each other at various stages of our training. At Lasham, Tatenhill, and finally Brian decided that to realise his dream, flying from Cranfield in Terry’s aeroplane with instruction from Mike and Donald of Cranfield Flight Training was the most realistic way to make his dream come real – To soar above the earth and have freedom in the air..
Like me, Brian has traveled all over the country to get training. The reason being we have to follow the aeroplanes that have the hand control. Last Thursday, May 22nd, Brian had his medical flight test with a wonderful flight instructor examiner called Piers. With regret Piers was not available for me but heh, i still had a great examiner who passed me. Likewise Brian was given the all clear after his medical flight test and on the same day, he went solo doing several circuits at Cranfield. I am so happy for Brian. He now has that special feeling which no one can express but can only feel…
So what is next, well i hope that more people with disabilities will join the aviation community at Cranfield and start learning to fly. Personally for me, i wish to fly with Brian as a flying buddy. I have only the best expectation and hope that Brain will fully qualify for his pilots licence during the second half of 2008 – Sky’s the limit.
Earlier this month, Brian was mentioned in Go flying magazine. I shall inform them of his success and hope they will include his solo flight in their next issue.
good article