Every two years, the Aero Club of Gruyère organise “Handiflight”, a worldwide
meeting of disabled pilots enabling them to share experiences and enjoy
incredible flying in the Swiss mountains. Opportunities may also be available
for gliding, ballooning and other aviation pursuits. In the past, disabled
pilots from New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Canada, USA, Sweden, UK,
Belgium, France, Germany and Italy have attended and enjoyed the pleasure of
flying in this stunningly beautiful region. Over the years Aerobility have
attended this event with both our aircraft and flyers enjoying this week long
event.
 
This year there are a limited number of places available and at this stage
you are invited to apply to be placed on a list of interested persons. To achieve
the most from attendance, we would envisage that participants, whilst not,
necessarily requiring a full PPL, would as a minimum, have attained a basic
competency in aircraft handling. As a guideline we expect the costs involved
to be in the region of £600 for the return flight out, road transport, and
accommodation, although internal flight and other optional aviation
experiences can add considerably to this amount. Driving out and attending by
road is also possible. The current plan is to attend with three Aerobility
aircraft although exact numbers are still to be decided.
We will contact those chosen with further details and a more accurate costing, at that stage we will require a deposit to be paid. Initial applications should be made to handiflight@aerobility.com |
On March 21,
1999, Brian Jones and Bertrand Piccard (Breitling Orbiter Team) touched down in
the Egyptian desert after a gruelling journey begun 20 days earlier amid the
snow-capped peaks of Switzerland. Where 21 previous attempts have failed, they
had triumphed… in flying non-stop around the world in a balloon.
As is often the way, a
meeting with Persimmon Homes Thames Valley Managing Director Martyn Clark who flies himself and who quickly
recognised the value of the charity's work over two years ago, the seed was
sown and the relationship has developed into a great partnership with Persimmon Homes choosing to support Aerobility this year.
It was a real pleasure to host
the staff of Persimmon Homes Thames Valley and demonstrate the life changing work of the
charity first-hand, and a moving moment when the £4000 raised so far was
presented to the charity. The generous fundraising of the Persimmon Homes team will make a
genuine difference, and directly supports us to provide ongoing flying
opportunities for at least 10 disabled people throughout the year.
Saturday 30th January,
4.30pm