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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
Dawn to Dusk Reach for the Islands
On Thursday 18 June 4 pilots with 4 FSD scholars took off from Jersey at Dawn, landing in Inverness at Dusk having visited en route 11 British islands.The background to this venture can be read by clicking here
The purpose of the flight, in the D2D Challenge series, was to raise as much money as they could for flying scholarships in 2010. Donations are still coming in but it is hoped that at least £20,000 has been raised. Fantastic, and our special thanks to all concerned.
The full story will emerge in due course but meanwhile meet the key players who are from left to right:
Steve Hopwood (FSD scholar); Timothy Nathan (Pilot/Owner); Caroline Begg (FSD scholar); Dierk Reuter (Pilot/Owner); Charles Strasser (Chairman AOPA CI Region); Edwin Brenninkmeyer (Pilot/Owner and lead pilot); Diana Green (FSD Trustee); Robert Lough (Pilot/Owner); Emma Suddaby (FSD scholar); Al Rosser (Marshalls of Cambridge Chief Test Pilot & Formation Flying Guru!) and Andy Lewis (FSD scholar).
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
2009 Scholars and Sponsors
Last year, thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, we were able to award 14 scholarships and this year we have been able to go one better to 15 but with a different scholarship mix.
6-week scholarships at 43 Air School, South Africa have been awarded to Simon Crane, Luke Delahunty, Val Fisher, Sarah Gregory, Kevin Kevane, Sy King and Dan Rovnick.
4-week scholarships with the BDFA at Lasham have been awarded to Nathan Doidge, Ian Johnson, Frank Lees and Nick Poole.
1-week scholarships at the Goodwood Flying School have been awarded to Roy Griffiths, John Hayes, Sarah Jenkins and Mike Smith.
Our scholarship sponsors this year are:
The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight; British Airways High Flight; the British Women Pilots’ Association (in memory of Lucy Rodger); the Garfield Weston Foundation; the Guild of Airline Pilots and Navigators; the RAF Charitable Trust; RAF Marham; the Red Arrows Charitable Trust; Skyforce Avionics and Wings Around the World.
In addition to the annual Paul Bowen Memorial Scholarship, and thanks to an anonymous donor, we have been able to award a scholarship in memory of Air Vice-Marshal Freddie Hurrell (FSD Vice Patron) and the many friends of Richard Chambers (FSD scholar) have contributed to a Memorial Scholarship in his name.
Finally in our 2008 Silver Jubilee Year we set out to raise sufficient funds to mark that occasion by having a one-off special scholarship in 2009, and thanks to the help and support of many hundreds of people we have been able to do just that!
In thanking all our sponsors for their magnificent support and congratulating our 2009 scholars we commiserate with those candidates who attended the final selection board at RAF Cranwell earlier this week, but who were not selected.
Applicants, former scholars, and selection panel members of the 2009 selection board held in April 2009 at RAF Cranwell
Click here to view a larger version in a new window
2009 mentors at RAF Cranwell. Top left to right: Emrys Harries, Carrie Begg, Debbie Grice, Pauline Gallaher, Ben Bennett and Dean Elzein. Bottom left to right; Mark Salter, Kate Sills, Alex Krol and Grahame Tribe.
Date posted 10th April 2009
Air Traffic Controller sails round the world for FSD
Former RIAT volunteer Alan Moss is sailing round the world to raise enough money to fund at least one 6-week FSD scholarship.
Alan is participating in a round the world clipper race which sets sail from the Humber estuary on 13 September. Ten boats will spend the following 10 months racing 35,000 miles around the world – each one crewed by 16 amateur sailors and one professional skipper.
The race, routed via France, Brazil, South Africa, Australia, Indonesia, Singapore, China, USA (San Francisco), Panama, West Indies, USA (New York), Canada and Ireland, is due back in the UK in July 2010.
Alan has always dreamed of circumnavigating the world and has given up his career as an Air Traffic Controller at the UK ATC Centre in Swanwick to self-finance this ambition. However it is his intention to raise funds ashore for FSD wherever and whenever he can.
Thank you for your splendid support Alan and nearer the time we will wish you “bon voyage”. Meanwhile we can all help him achieve his fund raising objective by donating now on line. Please click here to go to our "giving" page, click the "Donate Online Now" button, enter your personal and credit card details and the amount you would like to give, and scroll down the page to the menu in “Additional Details”. Just highlight “H-CRTW Alan Moss” and we will ensure that your donation is credited to Alan’s target of financing at least one 6-week FSD scholarship.
Alan Moss
Date posted 31st March 2009
Yet another FSD Skydive!
The last two Tandem Skydives organised by FSD Director Sue Whitby raised the magnificent total of £12,000, and she is determined to carry on with the good work by organising another one this year. The event is taking place on 8 September at Weston on the Green which is on the Oxfordshire/Northamptonshire border.
Sue is looking for 25 volunteers and for further details and sponsorship advice please contact her at sue.whitby@toreachforthesky.org.uk or telephone 0870 800 1942.
Sue Whitby (centre) and Janet Bowen talking to Ben Owen-Jones (2008 FSD scholar) with Paul Holzherr (2006 FSD scholar) and his family on the left.
Date posted 31st March 2009
Congratulations!
Steve David (1995 scholar) and Clara David, who were married in Goa on 23.2.09. Congratulations from all at FSD
Date posted- 24th March 2009
New Sponsor for 2009 Scholarships
The Garfield Weston Foundation is sponsoring a scholarship this year and we are most grateful for their valuable support
Date posted 23rd February 2009
Reach for the Islands in aid of FSD!
Please click here to read all about the "Dawn to Dusk" plans for four aircraft, carrying FSD scholars and supporters, to visit over a dozen British Isles. You can also make a donation for the flight by clicking here.
Date posted 11th February 2009
Results of FSD Silver Jubilee Promotions
Over 1,000 FSD supporters kindly donated at least £5 each, which will make a significant contribution to our Silver Jubilee Scholarship next year.
In thanking them all for their donations we should like to congratulate the lucky winners who are:
A flight in a TR9 Spitfire: Mr JR of Lincoln
A flight in the Goodwood Harvard: Mr AD of Buckinghamshire.
£100 of merchandise in RAFCTE Catalogue: Mr MS of Bournemouth
Date posted 6th December 2008
A Profitable Round of Golf!
The morning of Saturday 22 November was sunny, cold and crisp when 64 players arrived at the Berkshire Golf Club, Ascot for FSD’s first Charity Golf Day.
Sponsored by Aberdeen Asset Management, and organised by Colonel John Arthur, it proved a great success and raised over £11,000 for the charity.
In the picture below John Arthur is flanked by his FSD “helpers”!
From left to right: Rosemary Taylor (selection board member); Sandip Toprani (scholar); Lucy Cannon (scholar); John Arthur; Emma Suddaby (scholar); Ben Bennett (scholar); Peter Middleton (trustee) and Susie Dunbar (trustee).
Date posted- 29th November 2008
