Air traffic controllers’ disabled flying charity push

It may be one of the slowest events ever to take place at the historic Goodwood motor racing circuit, but The Big Pull is set to bring rapid rewards to Aerobility, the British charity that facilitates light aviation for disabled and profoundly ill adults and children.

Teams of air traffic controllers and their managers aim to raise a remarkable £100,000 towards the acquisition of a Piper Archer aircraft for the charity which would be equipped with specific features to support disabled fliers.  The plan is to pull a vintage Second World War aircraft on a course down the main straight at Goodwood on Sunday 3 June 2012, the highlight of a charity weekend.  The previous evening there will be a gala dinner and auction at Goodwood House.

Last year, through Aerobility, 350 disabled people experienced trial instructed flights, 15 disabled people went solo and five completed either PPL or NPPL qualifications.  These people had varied disabling conditions from spinal injury, amputation and multiple sclerosis through to learning and sensory disabilities.  They ranged in age from 12 to 92 years old, and in background from school children to wounded service personnel. www.aerobility.com

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