Copyright Headway East Northants 2009. All Rights Reserved.
A Chance Remark – A Flying Challenge
By Joan Simpson
It all began at a barbeque party whilst talking to a friend who is a glider pilot. We were discussing gliding when I happened to say, “How about a gliding day for the disabled?” In the blink of an eye out came a mobile phone and a call was made to the airfield. I found myself talking to one of the committee members. The outcome of this conversation was that it was very feasible for anyone to fly whatever their disabilities, with a few
exceptions, and that the Gliding Club were looking to do more to integrate their passion into the community. The next move was to talk to the service users at Headway East Northants to see how many would be interested in taking up the challenge.
Having spoken to them and said there was a possibility of a gliding day, and discussed briefly the implications and how it would work, a group was quickly formed. I phoned the Gliding Club to say that we had a group who were very excited by the offer. A meeting was then arranged for one of the committee to come to Headway to show a video and talk to those interested.
The meeting was very successful and the questions asked were; How high do we go? Do we have a parachute? How do we get into the glider? What if we don’t like it? And many more. These were all answered sympathetically and with humour. Later that afternoon the conversations were very varied, ranging from nervousness, excitement and a disbelief that they had this wonderful opportunity.
The date was set, weather permitting, and everyone looked forward to their challenge. Two days before the set date, the weather forecast was not good, so it was suggested that we try the following day. That morning dawned clear and fine, an ideal flying day. Packed lunches were made and with some trepidation we all set off. At the airfield we were met by the staff and pilots who were to look after us for the day. A quick safety talk and other important information was given to us and then we watched a trial launch. Gasps of astonishment as the plane rose steeply on the winch and at the right height was released. At this point there were a few anxious faces. As the first two service users were helped into the cockpit everyone else looked on. Would any of them dare take the challenge of flying the glider themselves? Went through my mind as we watched them take off and followed their progress through the sky. After circling in the thermals and seeing the landscape from above, they eventually came in to land. Their faces said it all. “I never thought I would be able to do anything like this! I actually flew a glider; that was fantastic! I want to do it again!” was one of the comments.
As they day wore on, and each person had their turn, the atmosphere became more and
more upbeat. All realised that whatever their disabilities and problems, with help
and support from others, there is no limit to what they can achieve. The staff at
the airfield were wonderful at getting people in and out of the gliders, the pilots
giving them a running commentary whilst in the air as well as letting them take the
controls if they wished. At the end of the day photographs of everyone -
Finally, Headway East Northants, staff, volunteers and service users, would like
to thank Welland Gliding Club for giving us these never-
It was certainly a high-
exceptions, and that the Gliding Club were looking to do more to integrate their passion into the community. The next move was to talk to the service users at Headway East Northants to see how many would be interested in taking up the challenge.
Having spoken to them and said there was a possibility of a gliding day, and discussed briefly the implications and how it would work, a group was quickly formed. I phoned the Gliding Club to say that we had a group who were very excited by the offer. A meeting was then arranged for one of the committee
The meeting was very successful and the questions asked were; How high do we go? Do we have a parachute? How do we get into the glider? What if we don’t like it? And many more. These were all answered sympathetically and with humour. Later that afternoon the conversations were very varied, ranging from nervousness, excitement and a disbelief that they had this wonderful opportunity.
The date was set, weather permitting, and everyone looked forward to their challenge. Two days before the set date, the weather forecast was not good, so it was suggested that we try the following day. That morning dawned clear and fine, an ideal flying day. Packed lunches were made and with some trepidation we all set off. At the airfield we were met by the staff and pilots who were to look after us for the day. A quick
As they day wore on, and each person had their turn, the atmosphere became more and more upbeat. All realised that whatever their disabilities and problems, with help and support from others, there is no limit to what they can achieve. The staff at the airfield were wonderful at getting people in and out of the gliders, the pilots giving them a running commentary whilst in the air as well as letting them take the controls if they wished. At the end of the day photographs of everyone -
Finally, Headway East Northants, staff, volunteers and service users, would like to thank Welland Gliding Club for giving us these never-
It was certainly a high-
East Northants Headway is a Registered Charity Number :1085311 and a Company Limited by Guarantee Number : 03788049
Registered address 61 High Street, Irthlingborough, Northants, NN9 5PU
