In June this year, Chris Leigh was helping man the BDFA. stand and entrance at the Aero Expo in High Wycombe, when he entered a competition run by Shell Oil, which he was lucky enough to win. The prize is a trip to Cape Town where Chris will be flying Cold War Jets at Thunder City. THUNDERCITY is unique, it owns the world's largest and most diverse private jet squadron and are the only civilian operator to offer supersonic flights in former military jets. http://www.thundercity.com/ - this is also where Will Young shot his Top Gun inspired last Music Video. As a added coincidence, South Africa is the place where Chris learned to Fly with FSD and got his PPL. And to top it all Chris's dream trip to SA is scheduled for week commencing November 19, which happens to concede with his birthday!

So the moral of the story is - keep supporting the BDFA at events and you too may win a dream prize like Chris, the lucky devil!

If you are planning a flight from one of our airfields, forecasts are available right here on the BDFA website - go to the "Flying" menu or simply click here.

BDFA members enjoyed another great flying day at Sibson on Saturday 11th August. Judith Margolis, Ed Dixon and Tim Ellison took to the blue skies over Rutland. Thanks once again to Lucy Kimbell and the Northampton School of Flying for hosting the event and to BDFA instructors Mark Edworthy and Charlie McIlroy.

Image shows one of the BDFA "founding fathers"Tim Ellison over Rutland Water.

Flying Scholarships for the Disabled (FSD) is a charity dedicated to helping disabled people to discover their true potential through the mental and physical stimulation of learning to fly a light aircraft. The challenges they face and overcome will enable them to find new confidence and self esteem in rising above their own personal life difficulties and help them view the future with greater self assurance.

Above - BDFA Chief Flying Instructor Shona Bowman with Jay Jones.
Simon Khan is already in the back seat of the aircraft.


Mini scholarship students complete a 1-week course of training in the UK, which includes 10 hours of airborne tuition and ground school. This year, for the first time, FSD have chosen the BDFA to provide the mini scholarship training. Scholars Simon Khan and Jay Jones are currently at Lasham learning to fly in BDFA aircraft. Previously this training has been carried out at commercial flying schools, but todays BDFA, a charity run by and for disabled people with its own aircraft and instructors, is well placed to provide this training, and we hope to be providing this kind of training on a regular basis. Find out more about FSD

Above - Simon and Jay getting to grips with the paperwork