Up, Up and Away

Following the highly successful Flying Days we have held over the last seven years we have again arranged through the a day on which people with MS can get a taste of flying light aircraft.   

On Sunday 7 September 2008 the British Disabled Flying Association is hosting the MS Flying Day at Old Sarum Flying Club near Salisbury.  We should be able to put about 40 people with MS in the air on that day for what would be essentially a first flying lesson in an aircraft adapted for the disabled flier. Each one would do the pre-flight checks on the aircraft (typically a Cessna 152 or Cessna 172) and then take off for a 30 minute flight during much of which time they would have control of the aircraft. Each flight would cost about £75 (final price subject to confirmation by the Old Sarum Flying Club).

As the BDFA will also be putting a number of its own members in the air on 7 September, it should be a full and exciting day both for those who take wing and those who observe.  

The Old Sarum Flying Club serves hot and cold food and snacks and has a licensed bar. The clubhouse has accessible toilets.   

Any of us who gets the flying bug can seek further flying opportunities through the BDFA with which the MS Society operates an associate membership scheme. The new Private Pilot’s License makes it possible for people with MS to seek to qualify as a licensed pilot, subject to medical clearance by the CAA. There are one or two scholarship schemes that the BDFA know about.   Alternatively it might also be possible for such an individual to get support from a charitable trust.    

For more information or to request a flight contact please contact Jane on 0797 662 9012.