Cherokee Joins the Fleet (August 2006)
The British Disabled Flying Association has recently purchased a PA28 Cherokee to complement the charity's existing Bulldog G-DISA. "The Cherokee is an ideal aeroplane for us with its low cost of operation, and having been fitted with a hand control and wide walkway is the aeroplane of choice for many disabled pilots and passengers. With the Cherokee hand control and the hoist for the Bulldog we are able to cater for most if not all disabilities", comments Mike Miller-Smith, BDFA Chairman.
The Cherokee is available to disabled members for £40 per hour, ensuring not only physical but financial accessibility. Both aircraft are also used for giving experience flights to disabled members of the public, terminally ill children and other good causes which benefit from the gift of flight.
Louise takes a dive & BDFA donation from Inner Wheel (July 2006)
On 10th July , BDFA member Louise Scotter fell 13,500 feet at 130 mph in order to raise over £2000 for the BDFA and FSD. Thanks to all who sponsored her in her first tandem skydive. Click here to view a Flash video of the stunt (requires Flash 8).Many thanks to Pat Elton and her colleagues at the Inner Wheel Club of Durham who have raised over £1350 for the BDFA. The association was Mrs Elton’s chosen charity for her year as President in 2005/2006. Steve Derwin and Chris Suddes went along to their lunch meeting in March 2006 to talk to the ladies and a great time was had by all, with a lot of interest and enthusiasm about the work of the BDFA.
Wingnames Scheme
The British Disabled Flying Association is launching the fund raising "wing names" scheme.
The concept is simple, in return for a small donation the BDFA will proudly carry the name of the individual or company on the wing of their aircraft. The income received is used directly for the benefit of the disabled community, with each £50 raised being used to fund a flight for a disabled person.
The scheme incorporates different levels of involvement, with £25 for a personal name, £100 for a company name, and £250 to carry a corporate logo. Click here to make your pledge to this worthy cause. You can pay online with a credit card, by postal cheque or standing order
Airways Support the BDFA again
The annual Airways Barn Dance and Fly-in in aid of the British Disabled Flying Association and Flyability took place at Darley Moor Airfield on Saturday 19th August 2006 and any BDFA members who can attend were made most welcome. There were be accuracy and distance competitions on the winch and fun microlight flights as well as a special invitation to powered hanggliders and paragliders. More details are at www.airways-airsports.com/news/newsdisplay.php.
Apprentices support the BDFA
Stars of the BBC's "Apprentice" programme hosted an event in London on Wednesday 26th July 2006, giving people the opportunity to hear the "inside gossip" from the show and some sound business advice too. BDFA member Simon Rapkin was managing the event and took the opportunity to talk to Alexa Tilley and Samuel Judah about the BDFA. The pair kindly agreed to donate part of the proceeds from the event to the BDFA, and the audience learned something about disabled aviation too. Thanks to Simon for his usual enthusiastic PR work for the Association, and thanks to the Apprentices too!
Mick Kirk
It is with great sadness report that long-standing BDFA member Mick Kirk passed away on Monday 10th July 2006 after a long illness. Our thoughts and condolences go out to his wife Janet and family. Always ready to help out at exhibitions and shows, Mick was a great asset to the organisation and and lovely man too. He will be missed.
The family are looking for any archive photos we may have of Mick, so if you have any please e-mail them to us.
MISSING PERSON - can you help?
Blake Hartley, went missing on the 8th August, 2004. His familywe believe he fell into the river L’Arve in Chamonix, south of Bonneville, France.but have never been able to find or recover his body. The story of what happened to him is on his website - www.blakehartley.com. If you know someone who might have been flying in the area at that time and maybe taking aerial photographs could you please get in touch with Blake's mother, Sally Perrin.
FSD WEBSITE
if you have been redirected here from FSD's website it is because they have a brand new website at www.toreachforthesky.org.uk. Please bookmark their new address.
The Netherlands foundation of wheelchair aviators
As you may know The Netherlands is still a country where disabled people are not permitted to fly SEP, MLA and TMG classified hand controlled aircrafts.
The intention of Stichting Rolstoelpiloten Nederland is to change these rules; as did the BDFA in the UK some years ago. Unfortunately as yet the website is mostly in Dutch but please pay them a visit.
AGM and Dinner 2006 , 4th February.
This years annual general meeting was again held at the Aviator hotel in Sywell. Our Bulldog aircraft G-DISA was flown in by one of our ferry pilots, Shona Bowman (whose “day job” is flying Airbuses for BMI), and was on hand to offer members the opportunity to get a close up look, with some members getting the chance to fly her too.
The formalities kicked off at 1400, with chairman Steve Derwin giving a summary of last years developments and activities. Sadly, Steve confirmed his wish to stand down this year to make way for new leadership. All joined to thank Steve for his services. The Association has made huge strides under his leadership, and will miss his contribution to the executive committee.
The meeting welcomed our new Chairman, Mike Miller-Smith. Mike has been instrumental in the Bulldog project, and we look forward to the continued growth and success of the association under his leadership.
Disabled access guide to airfields.
One of our priorities for 2006 is to develop criteria to be used in assessing airfields for disabled access and use, with a view to supplying guide publishers such as Pooleys and AFE with a standardised system. Our technical consultant John De Frayssinet has produced a consultation document, and we ask all members to take a look at the document and provide feedback to him for this important project. Go to http://www.bdfa.cd2.com/ to view the document and e-mail your comments to John. flying@pilotfriend.com
Gift Aid - What is it & what does it mean to the BDFA?
Gift Aid is one of the simplest and most effective ways of giving to charity. Using Gift Aid means that for every pound you give, the BDFA will receive an extra 28 pence from the Inland Revenue. This means that a £10 Gift Aid donation, is worth £12.80 to the charity - imagine what a difference that could make to the charity you support, and it doesn't cost you a thing. If you haven’t already done so, please download a form at www.bdfa.net/joinis and send it to our treasurer, mal@bdfa.net or by snail-mail to Malcolm Hollinshead, 1 Twickenham Court,, Seghill,, Cramlington,, Northumberland. , NE23 7TB
Northern Aviation Ltd in conjunction with SouthSide Broadcasting Ltd & the BDFA presented "Flights of Fancy," a FREE event to promote flying for the disabled at Cleveland Flying School, Durham Tees Valley Airport, on Tuesday August 23rd 2005. Events included presentations from Steve Derwin, Chairman, BDFA, Alan Wrigley, Chief Flying Instructor, Cleveland Flying School. Additionally there was be an acrobatic display by a Pitts Special, free buffet, refreshments….opportunities for a trial flight….flight simulator experience. Supporting exhibitors included Aegean Master Spas & Attractions Complementary Therapy.
BULLDOG IN THE AIR AT LAST
After an intensive 18 month restoration, the British Disabled Flying Association’s first Bulldog training aircraft for disabled pilots is now complete and ready to start providing even more opportunities in aviation for disabled people.
At a special event for BDFA members and sponsors at Lasham Airfield, Basingstoke on 23rd July 2005, Bulldog G-DISA was unveiled by Lady Bader, widow of WW2 hero and founding father of disabled aviation Sir Douglas Bader?The aircraft’s certificate of airworthiness was presented to Steve Derwin, BDFA Chairman, by Nicolas Cook, Chief Executive of ATC, a major sponsor of the BDFA.
Although they specialize in servicing and repairs to high-tech airliners, ATC have been carrying out much of the restoration work on this Bulldog ex-military trainer at their Lasham facility. G-DISA flew it’s maiden flight in formation with BDFA member Peter Vacher’s recently restored WW2 Hurricane R4118.
VIP guests gathering to enjoy the event, flying displays and ATC’s open day included Chairman of East Hampshire County Council Yvonne Parker-Smith, who enjoyed her first helicopter flight along with Paul Smith, executive director of the Spinal Injuries Association and representatives from the National Spinal Injuries Centre at Stoke Mandeville Hospital.
During the presentation ceremony, Steve Derwin took time to thank the numerous sponsors without whom the project would not have been possible, including ATC, ATL, Besso (Insurance), Honeywell (Instruments), Lasham Gliding Society, BDFA members Roger Dickson and Mike Miller-Smith, and of course Prince Feisal of Jordan (see panel below). A great day out concluded with some superb musical entertainment courtesy of BDFA member Simon Rapkin, who runs an event management company.
Pre Fathers Day Charity "Wingding"
Midland Counties Publications, the Worlds leading mail order Transport bookshop held a fundraising event for the BDFA at their mail order centre (4 Watling Drive, Hinckley, LE10 3EY, on June 18th from 0930 to 1600. In addition to raising money for the BDFA, it proviided a great opportunity to pick up some real bargain books (buy 4 get1 free), prints, model kits etc. The day included a talk by Peter Vacher at 1030 about his recent rescue and rebuild of a Hawker Hurricane. Thanks go to all at MCP. The event raised over £500 for the BDFA.
The BDFA working party fom Lasham had an interesting and energetic Saturday 28th May 2005 at RAF Wittering, preparing the 3 BDFA Bulldogs for their ferry flight to Lasham. They eventually left at 1615 and flew in loose formation. All three arrived safely,the perfect ending to a very busy, windy day. All this on a day when only the birds were flying due to high, gusty winds - tribute to the quailty of our intrepid pilots! Thanks to our team and everyone concerned at RAF Wittering for their help in making the whole thing possible.
Windy washout!
Thanks to those hardy few that joined us at our first flying day at Cleveland Flying Club on Saturday 28th May 2005. Unfortunately the weather prevailed and the 30+ knot wind meant we were unable to fly - hence the glum expressions in the photo to the right. First prize goes to Jeff Gosling who braved the wind and flew in from Barton. On final approach the wind picked up G-GOTH and spat it sideways, forcing a go-around followed by a scary landing greeted by applause from members and instructors alike. Thanks also to Cleveland Flying Club, and to NE organiser Adrian Ellerby for hosting the (non) event! The event wasr escheduled for 9th July.
July 2005. Heroes and Zeroes
New section on the site to enable you to share your good and bad experiences as a disabled aviator. Click here or use the dropdown menu at the top of the page
June 2005 . Friend of the BDFA, Squadron Leader Al Pinner MBE, member of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight is kindly using his displays to help publicise the work of the BDFA. Click here to learn more about the BBMF.
Speed Record
On May 12 2005, disabled pilots John de Frayssinet and Jennifer Ayres broke the absolute World Air Speed record (piston) from Lands End to John o'Groats to support the British Disabled Flying Association. The record had been held by Nicholas Lambert flying a Diamond DA40 D of 135 hp. at 138.553 mph.In the Pilotfriend Glasair, John and Jenny flew the same course at 207.3 mph, taking some hour and a quarter off the existing record. Thanks and congratulations go to John and Jenny from the BDFA. click here to view a video clip or click here to read John's hilarious account of the record breaking voyage.
January 2005. We are excited to be able to announce 2 celebrity patrons for the BDFA - Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson, OBE, MBE, Paralympic champion and Judy Leden, MBE, multiple world hangliding champion. Click here or here to learn more about these two very special athletes and friends of the BDFA.Tanni Grey Thompson helped us launch Cleveland Flying Club's adapted PA28 on 24th Jan 2005. Cleveland are now offering instruction for disabled pilots with lower limb disabilities. Full story and a radio interview here
Thanks to those who joined us at Cleveland Flying Club for an evening with Richard Meredith Hardy on Tue 26th April 2005. Richard came along to give a fascinating account of about his microlight flight (towing a hanglider)over Everest. An inspiring story. Find out more about his amazing adventures here
Thanks also to those who helped us us at the London Air Show, 8/9/10 April, 2005 at Earls Court. BDFA and FSD were guests on the Senate Aviation (Piper) stand, with all funds raised going to the BDFA and FSD. BDFA friend and supporter Polly Vacher was also on the stand at various times across the weekend.
The AGM and Annual Dinner were held at the Aviator Hotel, Sywell on Saturday 12th March 2005. Our change of name from British Disabled Flying Club to British Disabled Flying Association was officially ratified by the membership, and our constitution, revised to take account of this change was approved and can be downloaded here along with a copy of the accounts and the Chairman's address. Jeff Gosling stood down from the committee and we thank him for his past contributions. John Askew. Alison Melia and Chris Suddes agreed to be co-opted onto the committee for 2005. The Aviator Shield and the Jim Parkinson Memorial trophy were presented to Mike Miller-Smith (in recognition of his amazing 730km glide) and Lancs Aero Club for services to disabled aviation respectively. The formal proceedings ended with a talk by Polly Vacher about her flight around the Poles. The AGM was a great success, and the evening dinner was a great opportunity for members to get together from across the country to swap stories and enjoy a lemonade or two. Thanks to all who attended.
2004 Grand Christmas Prize Draw
Total amount raised for the BDFA Bulldog Appeal: £3,360 . Thanks to all who bought and sold tickets, and thanks to Malcolm Hollinshead, promoter.
DONATION FOR BDFA. At the close of 2004 we were presented with a kind donation of £450 from Airways Airsports. BDFA chairman Steve Derwin was presented with the cash from Chris Dawes and BDFA patron Judy Leden, MBE, at Telford Airsports Exhibition.
PUBLICITY FOR FSD AND BDFA was given another boost on Tuesday 9th November 04 when Peter Middleton, Grahame Tribe and Rosemary Taylor went to the Houses of Parliament to talk to Richard Ottaway MP.Click here to read more
On 31st October 2004 BDFA Chairman Steve Derwin took Tanni-Grey Thompson up for a flight to say a big thank you to her for supporting our disabled flying project at Cleveland Flying School Click here to find out more or read the fully story in the Spring edition of BDFA Magazine
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