Ray Edwards – Chief Executive – The Limbless Association

Recently, I have been visiting the Douglas Bader Rehabilitation hospital in Roehampton, SW London. I pass the Limbless Association offices on my way to see my consultant. It was a year ago when i first made friends at this association, and it dawned on me that perhaps i should tell my friends there about flying – so I did and Ray Edwards, who is the current Chief Executive and a quad amputee (has had both his arms and legs amputated due to cancer when he was younger) got in touch with me to see how we work together to get him and his members flying. Today was one of those days when getting in the air makes you feel so alive and kicking. I arranged to meet Ray and he would do some flying with our master of training Mr Mike W. The sun was shining, i was listening reggae VERY loudly driving up the M1 and felt great by the time i arrived at Freedom HQ.

Whilst Ray and Mike chatted and discussed all things flying, i did my emails and prepared for my BBC Radio debate which i will be doing March 6th for 2 hours live…should be interesting. Even with having orthotics on both arms and legs – it is still possible to fly an aeroplane. Ray and Mike were very pleased with the way the flight went and the next step is to get Ray started on a flight training course to give get him flying. I was just happy to show Ray where Cranfield Flight Training is and to introduce him to Mike. Mike is brilliant. One of those teachers and mentors that you will always remember.After Ray finished his flight, i took him for a local VFR flight – via Oxford. I was going to take my grandfather, but he in the end he had to do too much before he goes to India for a holiday. We went in Terry’s PA28 – G-AXIO. I have not flown this aeroplane for while and it felt great. It’s like reconnecting with an old friend.My day ended with meeting friends in glitzy Tottenham Court Road for Chinese Dim Sum, coming home to watch a documentary on BBC 1 which featured Ray.