On Sunday, 24th October 2010, Freedom in the Air will be hosting an ‘Introduction to Aviation’ day beginning at 10:30 from Cranfield Airport in Bedfordshire. 10 people with a mixture of disabilities from Ability Media 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.
Ability Media is the initiative from Leonard Cheshire Disability that gives disadvantaged and disabled people access to the skills and practical knowledge they need to express themselves through all forms of digital media. Leonard Cheshire 
Disability believes that by helping more disabled people with a career in mainstream media, it will be a positive influence towards leading a life they choose. Group Captain Geoffrey Leonard Cheshire, Baron Cheshire, VC, OM, DSO and Two Bars, DFC was a highly decorated British RAF pilot during the Second World War. Among the honours he received as a bomber pilot is the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry. After the war, he became a charity worker, setting up the Leonard Cheshire Disability.
Together we intend to show that anyone with a disability or from complicated backgrounds 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.
Freedom in the Air founder Gautam Lewis, who uses crutches after contracting polio as a child in India, organised the Freedom Wing day to show people disability is not a barrier to achievement.
He said: “I thought maybe I should do something positive about supporting disabled people, 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 disability.”
Donald Putnam, chief flying instructor at FITA, said: “Both myself and our organisation are keen to support the promotion of aviation to disabled people. We are happy to do as much as we can to help disabled people become pilots. As an instructor, I am naturally keen to encourage anyone to learn to fly.”
The young people will look around a light aircraft and airport hangars, learn how aeroplanes work and then take to the skies for 30 minutes with experienced instructors. If they wish, the young people can take control of the plane and fly it themselves. Nobody is forced to do this but most take the opportunity. It is safe because the instructors have dual and are highly trained in teaching people to fly. 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.
Freedom Wings days are great fun. We challenge, we educate, we empower. We use flying to raise people’s sights, expand their horizons and fulfill their potential.
FITA is a not-for-profit organisation based in London, which is committed to opening horizons for people with disabilities so that they can fly higher socially, physically and professionally. For more information about both organisations please visit www.abilitymedia.org / www.freedomintheair.org
The day will be organised as a fun day for all and it is hoped to see many smiles.
