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Disabled Pilots Take Flight in Cornwall
15 Oct
Summary
- Disabled individuals experience piloting light aircraft through a scholarship program.
- The initiative offers trial flights and funded training for aspiring aviators.
- Participants describe the experience as life-changing and confidence-boosting.
A groundbreaking initiative in Cornwall is offering disabled individuals the unparalleled experience of piloting light aircraft. The Cornwall Flying Scholarship program, launched in September, provides pathways for those looking to develop aviation knowledge and pursue pilot training. Participants, including Michael, who has a visual impairment, have experienced full control during flights over scenic coastal areas.
This initiative, a collaboration with the charity Aerobility, caters to individuals with a range of disabilities, including hidden ones. It offers two levels: a beginner scholarship with a 50-minute trial flight, and an intermediate scholarship with three hours of fully funded training. This aims to introduce the fundamentals of flying and formal pilot training.
Nathan Doidge, who gained his pilot's license despite cerebral palsy, highlights the scholarship's role in promoting the freedom of flight. He stated that the program is a crucial opportunity for disabled individuals to experience aviation firsthand, emphasizing that "anything's possible."
The scholarship was made possible by a generous donation from a local pilot, fulfilling a long-held desire by Flynqy Pilot Training to offer such opportunities. They hope to inspire more people with disabilities to consider aviation, whether for leisure or a potential career, with applications closing soon but hopes for the program's return next year.
