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Meet the Scholars - Real Flying, Real People |
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Mark Salter Until FSD Mark, a self-employed designer and jewellery maker, had led a somewhat solitary life. He had been a paraplegic for over 20 years since a motorbike accident at the age of 18. With the loss of mobility came the loss of confidence, aspirations and the ability to dream about the future. Mark achieved so much in his six weeks at the 43 Air School, South Africa and he stayed on at his own expense to achieve his PPL. During his stay he sent us the following email: “This has been the most amazing thing I’ve done in my life. I’ve cried tears of joy when flying in and out of the clouds. If the scholarship was set up to inspire or change people’s lives, it has been all that plus much more than you can possibly describe and I can’t thank all of you enough”. |
Mandy Pantall Mandy, a support worker, was no stranger to flying being a one-time member of the Utterly Butterly wing walking team. A horse riding accident left her with spinal injuries and unable to stand or walk without the aid of crutches. Following selection for a mini scholarship in 2005 Mandy applied for a full scholarship in 2006 and was awarded an NPPL scholarship at Goodwood which she passed with flying colours. She then upgraded it herself to a PPL. In reply to a question about her two scholarships, Mandy said “It has been truly the most encompassing, remarkable, challenging, intensive, tiring, fun, scary, rewarding and completely inspiring experience I could ever have wished for”. |
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Janine Broadbent Lost her right leg due to bone cancer Janine is a volunteer fund raiser for a children’s charity. The CAA doctor did not consider that she would get certification to fly abroad and so for the very first time FSD awarded her a National Private Pilot’s Licence at the Goodwood Flying School which she passed with flying colours! Janine was also the first FSD scholar to be awarded the “Wings Around the World” trophy and she is seen here alongside a statue of WWII Flying Ace Sir Douglas Bader, in whose memory FSD was founded. |
| Grahame Tribe Disabled congenital condition. After a Harley Street specialist confirmed that Grahame's frequent stumbling was a congenital disorder causing partial paralysis of his lower limbs, he was devastated. Although he tried to continue with his career, he was eventually retired on medical grounds. This eased the blow but he still had a wife and three young children, as well as a mortgage, to support. Anxious to remain active, Grahame, now in control of a sports wheelchair, took up basketball and even considered racing. Then his wife saw an advertisement for the FSD on TV. Grahame applied and, on his second application, was awarded a scholarship. He achieved his private pilot's licence and a bright new lease of life. Grahame now helps other disabled people to get airborne and has a burning ambition to gain a commercial pilot's licence. |
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Lisa Cowen |
| Ian Rutland Suffers from respiratory debilities resulting from curvature of the spine From birth Ian has had only 40% of normal lung capacity which makes him tire easily and can often be painful. He makes up for this with a 110% enthusiasm for life but never thought he would fulfil his ambition of learning to fly. The regulations were against him. Nobody with limited lung capacity could fly solo, so he and many of his supporters including the FSD took up the cudgels and, after great effort, proved his, and many fellow sufferers, ability to resist altitude hypoxia. No slouch Ian, he applied for and was awarded a full FSD Scholarship to Battle Creek in the USA where he surpassed all his and others expectations. He has now passed his JAR Private Pilot's Licence and can barely keep his feet on the ground long enough to run his successful web-site design business whose excellent work you see before you now. Fancy a flight anyone? |
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Susan Hanisch Lost a foot and severely damaged her other leg. Victim of an IRA bomb that exploded beside her in Victoria Station in London, Susan found herself overwhelmed by her sudden and violent change in her physical condition. Besides having to deal with her new disabilities, Susan felt her life had been irrevocably destroyed. Then she saw an FSD advertisement. In her hour of despair the opportunity of an FSD scholarship sparked in her a new hope. She applied and was soon on her way to California. There she rose to all the challenges and, to her and her new friends delight, found herself a proud possessor of a private pilots' licence. As she says "from nothing I was given a hope and belief in myself again - and that is totally beyond the realms of monetary worth" |
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Mike Rimmer Spina bifida and hydrocephalus sufferer From his earliest years Mike's burning ambition was to join the RAF as a pilot. A visit to RAF Lakenheath in 1992 reinforced this desire especially after sitting in the cockpit of an F-15. Mike's determination to overcome his physical debility was demonstrated by his passing his driving test and this fired his flying ambitions still further. At 21 Mike was awarded an FSD Scholarship which started him down the path for a PPL. Flying a Piper Warrior Mike soon showed his instructor the kind of young man he is. Indeed his all-round performance over that thrilling week showed to one and all his natural talent to become a gifted pilot and gained him his RIAT wings which he wears with pride. |
| Samantha Parmenter Following a car crash has become a paraplegic Sam always wanted to fly and joined the RAF at age 18. Then a serious car accident damaged her back and within 6 months she became a paraplegic dependent on pain-killing drugs. Realising she had to re-build her life, and flying was still her aim, Sam painfully weaned herself from her drugs. She applied to FSD and was awarded a 6 week Scholarship in California. Today she is the proud holder of a PPL, is a qualified accountant, is soon to be married and has a bright and fulfilling new life before her. |
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Sandip Toprani |
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| Click here to read a Scholar's Diary | |
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