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FSD scholar becomes TV personality!

Nathan Doidge, who was awarded FSD's Silver Jubilee scholarship in 2008, is rapidly becoming a TV star in his own right! On Friday 20 August he was interviewed at Duxford by BBC Look East TV and East Anglia TV and again on Saturday 28 August at Lasham by Meridian TV; all remarked how comfortable he was in front of the cameras - a 'natural' in fact according to one bystander!

On Friday 20 August, to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, the BBMF had planned to fly two Spitfires and two Hurricanes over 37 former Battle of Britain airfields and for part of the way a light aircraft in FSD livery was going to fly in formation with them. Nathan was going to be a passenger in the light aircraft but unfortunately bad weather severely curtailed the programme. Nonetheless the media were still very keen to interview Nathan on the ground at the former Battle of Britain RAF Station, Duxford.

Since being awarded his FSD scholarship Nathan has carried on flying at Lasham with Aerobility (formerly the BDFA) and only a few weeks ago, to the delight of everyone, flew solo. Now, thanks to the help of an anonymous donor, he has his sights firmly set on achieving his pilot's licence with Aerobility.

Nathan's remarkable achievements to-date have not gone unnoticed by the media, hence his second TV interview at Lasham on Saturday 29 August by Meridian TV. He is seen here with the cameraman and Mike Owen, Aerobility's CFI.

Date posted 6th September 2010

Off to 43 Air School

The first party of three 2010 scholars bound for South Africa left LHR on Saturday 31 July. They are seen here with from left to right (back row) Alan Smith (FSD Chairman), Alan's wife Linda, Jason Beaumont (2010 FSD scholar), Carrie Begg (2008 FSD scholar), Janet Bowen (FSD) and Sue Whitby (FSD Director). Waqas Zaib (2010 FSD scholar) is front row left and Martin Sabry (2010 FSD scholar) front row right.

We wish them every success with their flight training

Date posted 2nd August 2010

RIAT in comfort!

Compared to the last few years the weather was relatively kind to FSD’s Presentation Ceremony at RIAT on Sunday 18 July. However the gusts of wind in the morning damaged the back drop so to play safe the decision was taken to hold the ceremony under canvas in a tent which this year was large enough to comfortably accommodate all!

In his welcoming speech Alan Smith announced that, after seven years, he was standing down as Chairman of the FSD Trustees this November. Under his guidance the charity has flourished and we will miss him.

HRH Prince Faisal of Jordan (our new Patron) presented wings to FSD’s 2009 scholars and certificates to those who were awarded scholarships this year who also received flying suits from ACM Simon Bryant, Deputy Chief of the Air Staff. They are seen below with the scholars of both years.

Date posted 21st July 2010

On parade at the Biggin Hill Air Show!

The first public appearance of Timothy Nathan's aircraft with the FSD logo was last weekend at the Biggin Hill Air Show.

He is seen here on the left with Diana Green (FSD Trustee), Peter Vacher (FSD Trustee), Sy King (FSD Scholar) and Chief of the Air Staff ACM Sir Stephen Dalton.

Date posted 6th July 2010

FSD helps commemorate the Battle of Britain with the BBMF

On 20 August this aircraft will fly in formation with the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) over 11 Battle of Britain fighter stations in the south of England.

For the full story please click here

Date posted 12th June 2010

2010 Scholars and Sponsors. Click here to watch a video

This year, and once again, thanks to the generosity of our sponsors we were able to award 14 scholarships.

5-week scholarships at 43 Air School, South Africa have been awarded to Jason Beaumont, Dave Cooper, Vin Lloyd-Williams, Martin Sabry, Barbara Towler and Waqas Zaib.

4-week scholarships at Lasham (BDFA) have been awarded to Michael Boreh, Paddy Corcoran, Lee Pirie and Matt Wilson.

4-week scholarships at Filton (Bristol Flying Club) have been awarded to Colin Preston and Steve Mitchell.

4-week scholarships at Wellesbourne (Aeros Flight Training) have been awarded to Tony Brealey and Stuart Spink,

Our scholarship sponsors this year are:

Aeros Limited (in memory of Martin Bromage who was sadly killed in a Microlight accident); the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight; British Airways High Flight (2); Peter Cruddas (in support of FSD’s “Dawn to Dusk” venture); FSD’s “Dawn to Dusk” venture (thanks to corporate and public donations); FSD’s Help for Heroes scholarship for a wounded serviceman or woman (thanks to corporate and public donations); Help for Heroes (2); the Guild of Airline Pilots and Navigators; the RAF Charitable Trust; the Red Arrows Charitable Trust and the RIAT Air Traffic Controllers.

The “Dawn to Dusk” (D2D) venture on 18 June 2009 was a brave attempt to win Pooley’s D2D Challenge. Four light aircraft, each carrying one able-bodied and one disabled (FSD scholar) pilot took off from Jersey and 10 hours later landed in Inverness. En route they visited 11 of Britain’s outlying island airports and at the same time possibly achieved the longest formation flight undertaken over Britain in one day. They came second in the Challenge, and raised enough funds for two scholarships.

The Charity Battle Back, in association with Help for Heroes, selected their own three candidates to attend the final selection board at RAF Cranwell, and the injured servicemen in question were in addition to the people chosen to attend by FSD. Provided the three military candidates satisfied FSD’s selection procedure (which they did), and subject to how much had been donated, the agreement was that FSD would pay for at least one scholarship with Help for Heroes paying for the other two.

For the past three years the Air Traffic Controllers of the Royal International Air Tattoo have made contributions each month to FSD for a sponsored scholarship and their goal was achieved earlier in the year. But not content with one scholarship they have now started to save for another one!

In thanking all our sponsors for their magnificent support and congratulating our 2010 scholars we commiserate with those candidates who attended the final selection board at RAF Cranwell at the end of last month, but who were not selected.

Applicants, former scholars and selection panel members of the 2010 selection board held in March at RAF Cranwell.

Click here to view a larger version . Click here to watch a video

Date Posted 7th April 2010

New FSD Patron is known to many scholars

Because of her many other commitments Her Majesty Queen Noor of Jordan, widow of King Hussein, who supported FSD from its inception in 1983, has decided to stand down as Patron of the Charity.

We are extremely grateful to Her Majesty for the help and kindness she has given us over the years, and to continue the Jordanian Royal Family’s association with FSD we are very pleased to welcome His Royal Highness Prince Faisal (son of King Hussein) as our new Patron.

When Her Majesty Queen Noor was unable to attend FSD’s Presentation Ceremony, Prince Faisal represented her, and as a result met many scholars at RIAT. His Royal Highness said that he was full of admiration for the scheme and the scholars who took part and was honoured to have been invited to be Patron.

Alan Smith (Chairman of FSD) with Prince Faisal at RIAT 2008

Date posted 22nd February 2010

Alan Moss's round the world yacht race in aid of FSD.

Further to the news item from 31st March 2009 (scroll down this page) about Alan's plans, here is an update.

Cork Clipper is pictured here on the rocks of Gosong Mampango reef in the Java Sea, 200 mils north of Jakarta. Cork ran aground in the early hours of 14th Jan 2010 (local time) and was officially abandoned some days later. 16 on board all escaped onto a nearby coral island and then subsequently picked up and taken to Batam, Indonesia by two other boats from the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race. There is a plan to find another suitable vessel to rejoin the race - maybe in California. Photograph courtesy Alan Moss, FSD fundraiser.

Date posted 2nd February 2010

"This year we'll come 1st"

Challenging words from FSD Trustee Diana Green after she and the FSD team were awarded second place in last year's 45th Dawn to Dusk Competition.

On Thursday 18 June four pilots and four FSD scholars took off from Jersey at Dawn landing in Inverness at Dusk having visited en route 11 British Islands. It was also one of the longest formation flights undertaken by small aircraft.

Their mission was to raise money for 2010 FSD scholarships; and they did for two of them, so an excellent result all round!

Seen in the picture below on Diana Green's right is the current Master of GAPAN Rear Admiral Colin Cook- Priest who made the presentation, and behind them are two of owner/pilots - on the left of the picture is Dierk Reuter and on the right Edwin Brenninkmeyer, both holding their certificates which have been signed by Prince Philip.

Diana is holding the Coventry Trophy but next year intends to be photographed again with the first prize which is the Duke of Edinburgh's Trophy. The FSD D2D team's flight plan for this year's competition is still top secret, but watch this space!

Date posted 27th January 2010

FSD Visit to RAF Marham

Following their sponsorship of a 10 hour flying scholarship in 2009, RAF Marham invited its scholar, John Hayes, and other representatives of FSD, on a visit to the Tornado Maintenance Unit recently.

Pictured left to right, back row are: Janet Bowen, Steve Hopwood, Peter Viccars, Flt Lt (Woody) Lunnon-Wood; front row: Luke Delahunty, John Hayes, Pauline Gallagher and Sue Whitby.

Date posted 14th December 2009

Full House of FSD Ladies at BWPA Awards Lunch

At the luncheon Debbie Grice (2008 scholar) was presented with the BWPA Naomi Christy Award for achieving her NPPL against all odds.

She is seen here (centre back) with standing left to right Diana Green (Trustee), Susie Dunbar (Trustee), Rosemary Taylor (Selection Board member) and Tricia Nelmes (Trustee). Seated left is Carrie Begg (2008 scholar) and right Sy King (2009 scholar)

Date posted 11th December 2009

FSD Trustee's daughter DID conquer Kilimanjaro!

Well done Danielle and to prove it she is seen here on top of the world! The story behind this great achievement can be read by scrolling down to the article dated 12 June 2009 and by visiting http://www.daniellevskilimanjaro.webeden.co.uk/

Date posted 23rd September 2009

South Africa Bound - Party 2

Seen here with FSD personnel at LHR are this year's remaining three scholars who have were awarded 6-week scholarships at 43 Air School, South Africa. We wish them well.

From left to right: Sy King, Sue Whitby (FSD), Carrie Begg (FSD 2008 scholar), Janet Bowen (FSD), Simon Crane, Susie Dunbar (FSD) and in the front Kevin Kevane.

Date posted 23rd September 2009

Fundraising skydive for FSD

FSD supporters did another group skydive last Tuesday 8 September at Weston on the Green. 13 people participated and arrived safely to terra firma!

Training - 3 FSD volunteers having their safety briefing, pre-jump

Carrie Begg and Instructor

Ex scholars Kate Sills, Carrie Begg and Sue Whitby, FSD Director

Kate Sills in flight

Date Posted 16th September 2009

Alan Moss sails round the world for FSD

Following up on Alan's story dated 31 March and published lower down on this page you can visit his own website by clicking here and the one for the main race by clicking here.

Date posted 1st August 2009

You read it here first!

Emma Suddaby, newspaper columnist, 2006 FSD scholar and passenger/pilot in the recent Dawn to Dusk "Reach for the Islands" flight (see story below dated 24 June 2009) has written an amusing account of the adventure; please click here to read it.

Emma is seen here (fourth from left), after receiving her D2D certificate from HRH Prince Feisal at the recent wet and windy RIAT, with the Prince, two of the other FSD scholars involved, Carrie Begg and Steve Hopwood, and two of the D2D pilots Dierk Reuter and Edwin Brenninkmeyer.

Date posted 26th July 2009

A wet and windy day for FSD’s 2009 Presentation Ceremony

Once again the weather did not favour our Presentation Ceremony at the Royal International Air Tattoo on Sunday 19 July. As in 2007 the Ceremony had to be held under cover but in a more restricted space.

During the morning Sue Whitby, FSD Director made the right decision to hold the event inside and she and her volunteers did a magnificent job to make the tent as habitable as possible by 1500 hrs with a layout that did not detract from the importance of the occasion. As the rain lashed down outside and the wind tore at the canopy Prince Feisal of Jordan, and Chief of the Air Staff ACM Sir Glenn Torpy presented scholars with their certificates, flying suits and wings.

A number of family members and friends of the scholars and other guests had to watch the proceedings from outside, at first under umbrellas but then under canvas as RIAT volunteers pulled out all the stops to erect gazebos over their heads.

The customary group photographs at the end of the ceremony could have been a nightmare to organise but those concerned were quickly marshalled by FSD Trustee Susie Dunbar, who with microphone in hand got everyone into the right place; and once again she is to be congratulated on a job well done as the event presenter.

Seen below with HRH Prince Feisal and ACM Sir Glenn Torpy, Chief of the Air Staff, are the scholars, the Italian display team, the Frecce Tricolore and the Air Cadets who made a great contribution to the smooth running of the presentations

Click here to see more pictures of the day.

Date posted 24th July 2009

The Duke meets Alex

Each year, provided the recipient has RAF connections, the RAF Charitable Trust very generously sponsor a 6-week scholarship at 43 Air School, South Africa.

Last year the RAFCT sponsorship was awarded to Alex Krol and he is seen here chatting to HRH The Duke of Kent at a reception in the Freemasons' Hall, London. The occasion was the formal presentation of a cheque for £50k by the Freemasons to RAFCT.

The Duke of Kent is not only the Grand Master of the Freemasons United Grand Lodge of England but also Patron of RIAT.

Date posted 17th July 2009

South Africa bound!

The first four scholars awarded 6-week scholarships this year at 43 Air School flew out from LHR Terminal 5 on Saturday fortunately missing by one day the baggage upheaval that occurred there on Sunday.

In addition to the usual FSD party seeing them off was Carrie Begg (FSD scholar 2008) who went to South Africa last year and who lives nearby and kindly turned out to see if she could be of any help; and at the South African end of their journey they were met by Kath Allsop (FSD scholar 2006) who now lives in that part world having become engaged to ex 43 Air School instructor, Paul Kirby.

Seen here from left to right are:

Sue Whitby (FSD director); Dan Rovnick (FSD scholar 2009); Carrie Begg (FSD scholar 2008); Sarah Gregory (FSD scholar 2009); Janet Bowen (FSD) and Alan Smith (FSD chairman of trustees). Seated in front are Val Fisher (FSD scholar 2009) and Luke Delahunty (FSD scholar 2009).

We wish them all well with their flight training.

Date posted 30th June 2009

This photograph was taken by Steve Cook at first light in Jersey before they all took to the air.

Date posted 24th June 2009

Trustee's daughter to conquer Kilimanjaro!

Sue Hanisch, a former FSD scholar who has climbed Kilimanjaro herself, has inspired Danielle (daughter of FSD Trustee Susie Dunbar) to do the same for charity in September.

Full details of the venture can be seen (and heard!) on www.daniellevskilimanjaro.webeden.co.uk
Donations will be shared equally between FSD and a school in South Africa.

Date posted 12th June 2009

FSD Raffle Prize Winners at the Mobility Roadshow

1st Prize: 2 tickets for RIAT - Mr B Jones of Lydney
2nd Prize: 1 hour flying lesson - Mr N Doidge of Cornwall
3rd Prize: Polly Vacher's book - Mr T Jackson of Bristol
4th Prize: Helicopter flight - Sgt P Andrew, RAF Cranwell

Our congratulations to them and our grateful thanks to everyone else who bought a ticket.

Date posted 11th June 2009