Bader day rrr 5/9/05 4:27 pm Page 2

FreedomFreedom ofof thethe skiesskies forfor disableddisabled youngstersyoungsters

By Sarah Brodie

he West London Aero Club at White now dominating the view. The lawn in front of Waltham airfield played host to the the clubhouse was full of people and the Above: Pilot Sarah Brodie Douglas Bader – Seb Farrow family fun atmosphere was buzzing, with a small brass T with passenger flying day in August, giving some 40 disabled band playing 1940s music that really fitted Natalie Brown, children and their families a chance to with White Waltham’s history – Douglas Bader aged 7 experience flight in a light aircraft. could have walked right in. Right: Douglas This is not the first time the WLAC has held The notorious Group Captain Sir Douglas Bader statue at such a charitable event, but it was a first Bader, a second world war fighter pilot and Goodwood opportunity for many of the disabled double amputee, had a deep passion for flying youngsters and their families to have not only and possessed a fearless, positive and a day out at a beautiful and historic airfield, encouraging attitude to life. After the war, passengers. A but to leave the ground and have a free taster when he took up a civilian role with Shell selection of flight courtesy of WLAC members. aircraft operations, he came to recognise that private 150s, In July Catherine Loudwell, WLAC’s there were people in less fortunate positions Cherokees and operations manager, sent an email to club than himself, and he set about improving the Warriors members explaining that the club would be lot of disabled people. completed the working with the Douglas Bader Foundation Friends and family formed the Douglas fleet. and inviting pilots to help by offering Bader Foundation in the early 1990’s. The Many children enthusiastic disabled children and their family foundation encompasses many initiatives saw it as a members a sample flight. including ‘get on with your life’ schemes for challenge and The day was thought up by Mirelle Farrow, disabled individuals, and residential weekends wanted to learn about the aircraft and take whose son Seb was tragically killed in an for child amputees. There is also a Douglas control. Even if they needed help to make accident in California five years ago. She has Bader rehabilitation centre at Queen Mary’s certain movements, it gave a real sense of lovely memories of her son flying out of White Hospital, West London. I’m sure he would achievement for both pilot and kids to see Waltham, and felt that she wanted to do have been pleased see so many disabled passengers attempt to hold the plane straight something to remember him by, while also children take to the air, as he would have and level or make a turn for the first time. It giving children some equally happy times at known what a positive impact the day would was heart-warming to see faces light up when the airfield. She had previously worked with have had on their lives. the aeroplane actually responded to their the Douglas Bader Foundation and decided to For the pilots, it is always a pleasure to take inputs. On returning to the ground they told bring White Waltham and the charity together. up a passenger and to share the same their friends: “Wow, I turned the plane left,” Some 40 disabled children and teenagers exhilaration they feel every time they fly. White and “I saw London” in breathless voices. aged between 6 and 18 came to enjoy a Waltham was extremely busy, with movements These children and families got some thrilling and adventurous day out. Extra per minute on the field comparable with JFK. indelible memories from the day, and were facilities were set up at the airfield, gazebos Some pilots did more than ten flights on the inspired by seeing the world from an entirely were erected and a picnic lunch prepared. day. That sort of enthusiasm for the event different perspective and taking part in an After a grey and rotten week we were worried came from everyone – from operations staff activity they never thought they could do. The about the weather, but Sunday August 7th and ground crew to the event coordinators and whole day was a pleasure for all those turned out to be a beautiful day in more ways bar staff. involved. than one. Visibility was fantastic. WLAC club aircraft were made available For information on West London Aero Club Looking to the right on take-off from 03, the throughout the day, including C-172 and or the Douglas Bader Foundation email children saw the London skyline looking at its PA28s. An Extra 300 and a Yak-52 were [email protected] or the most amazing, with the new Wembley arch available for aerobatics for the more daring [email protected]

2 General Aviation October 2005