Archive - Monday, 5 April 2004


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Aviation charity celebrates birthday

A CHARITY that has given dozens of severely disabled people a new freedom and sense of adventure by allowing them to take to the skies has celebrated its 10th anniversary at Old Sarum airfield.

The Aviation for Paraplegics and Tetraplegics Trust developed technology to make it possible for almost anyone to take the controls of an aircraft.

Thirteen of its former students have gone on to obtain private pilot's licences.

APT's specially adapted plane allows even people with virtually no mobility to fly unaided.

Brakes are operated by leaning the head back on to a padded lever, the radio switches on and off with a drop of the jaw on to a touch-sensitive pad and altitude is controlled by the pilot either blowing on to or sucking air out of a mouthpiece.

A hundred invited guests celebrated the achievement with an anniversary party and buffet at Old Sarum Flying Club, attended by Salisbury mayor Bobbie Chettleburgh.

See Thursday's Journal for the full story and picture.