On SATURDAY 17th July 2010, Freedom in the Air (FITA) hosted an ‘Introduction to Aviation’ day beginning at 10:30 from Cranfield Airport in Bedfordshire. The day was named, for obvious reasons, Freedom Wings day and, with the support of Cranfield Airport, was FITA third at the Airport for the 2010 summer flying season.
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:
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.
