Derby Amputee Social Club
Amputee and Family Social Group

DAC Flying Day 2009

On 19th June 2009 nine of us arrived at Tatenhill Airfield excited about having our Flying lessons! The weather was kind to us, bright but cloudy and reasonably warm. This year there was a new aircraft - a Piper PA 28, a 4-seater, which was much larger than last year's Piper Cherokee. Mark Edworthy was our first Instructor of the day.

Roy Fletcher was the first to fly taking Beryl as his passenger.  Mike and Craig helped Roy to slide up the wing and into the plane - not easy when wearing a non-flexible prosthesis. They flew towards Matlock, over Carsington Water, JCB, Uttoxeter Racecourse, Thorpe Cloud and Dovedale. From the broad smile on Roy's face we all knew he had thoroughly enjoyed the flight. 

Graham was next, taking his grandson Jack with him into the plane. Kate decided not to go with them and stayed to chat with those still on the ground. Graham later said that Jack was totally thrilled and felt 'Over the moon' after his adventure! Graham felt more relaxed than during his first flight and, although navigation was a problem, he knew what to expect this time and enjoyed it very much. They flew over Ashbourne, JCB and Alton Towers. 

Then it was my turn, I slid easily up the wing and into the front seat not realising until the plane reached an altitude of 1000 feet that I couldn't see out of the windscreen! So it was off with my coat, seatbelt undone and the coat rolled up to sit on. It's hard to pilot a plane when you can't see where you are going! Mark needed to help me several times as we flew over the beautiful landscape of Derbyshire including Dovedale where we saw the Stepping Stones, which appeared tiny from the air, much smaller than they looked last week when we saw them from the ground. The flight continued towards Staffordshire where Mark pointed out the huge crater caused by the disastrous munitions explosion at RAF Fauld near Tutbury in November 1944. Although the crater is 400 feet deep and three quarters of a mile across it seemed far smaller from the air. In the distance we saw Cannock Chase before flying around a reservoir near Rugely, then heading back towards the airstrip where Mark landed the plane very gently. 

Barry was delighted to be the next to have a go at piloting the aircraft. Craig was an excellent instructor, explaining the purpose of the dials and letting Barry sit in the pilots seat in front of the dials. The experience was so exciting that Barry told everyone he will have flying lessons to gain a Pilot's Licence and then buy an aircraft.  (Unfortunately he will have to wait until after he wins the lottery!) 

It was a very enjoyable day although we missed the DAC members who couldn't be there to share the experience.
Roy said, 'It was SUPERB and he's 'Waiting for it to be fixed up again.'