Wounded Injured and Sick Servicemen and Women - Flying Days
Over the last couple of months we have run several WIS flying days, offering the chance of a trial flight to wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women across the country.
These flying days always prove popular as they present the the opportunity to try something new and exciting to those who are dealing with rehabilitation after suffering life changing injuries and the effects of PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.)
Some of our recent participants wanted to tell us just how much these WIS days have meant to them and how keen they are to continue their flying:
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I hope you don't mind me writing this. I don't know how much feedback you get and I do feel rather silly writing this but I wanted some one to know how much of a difference it has made to me and how grateful I am for the efforts made by Help for Heroes and Aerobility.
I attended the Trial Flight at Tattenhill airfield on Sunday 3rd June. I want to thank you for what for me felt life changing. It is hard to put into words what Sunday morning gave back to me I haven't felt any sense of being alive or had any drive for so long. I honestly wondered if I had it in me to ever feel driven or concentrated on anything again. It has shown me that although I have been trying different things and haven't been able to feel any sense of self worth, that all I need to do is keep looking because now I know that It is still possible to feel that sense of excitement and ambition, not just going through the motions day by day. It was a real penny drop moment because it means that there are things out there that create the same buzz and drive I once felt doing my Job in the Army and a part of myself I honestly thought would never resurface. My Instructor Craig was fantastic as were all the people at the centre and made me feel very welcome.
It was mentioned in the initial emails that there was potentially an opportunity to do more and even gain a licence. I have no doubt after everyone has been you will be bombarded with emails of people wanting to do more. Could I ask you to keep me informed if there are any more opportunities to do more flying or even theory work, whilst I do not wish to take up any places for people who have not been or who's needs are greater than my own I would very much like to be considered if there is availability in the future.
As a stand alone experience it was brilliant so once again many thanks to you all those involved in making it possible
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I can't thank you or the guys enough for today's flying. I was lost for words, an amazing experience.
How can I take this further?
Again thank you...
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Thank you for the opportunity for the flight experience with Aerobility at Tatenhill Airfield on Sunday. Both the staff at the airfield and Aerobility were extremely helpful and welcoming and made me feel at home from the moment that I arrived to the time left.
While I was there I had the opportunity to talk to some of the students that are currently being taught their PPL. They were more than happy to discuss their journey with Aerobility and what their aspirations are for the future.
I’m sure that you hear this all the time from participants that have experienced a taster flight as I did on Sunday; however it was amazing. For a brief period of time I forgot about my injury and for the first time in five years I felt equal to everyone around me. I found the experience helped me to switch off from everything else and just focus on flying which really helped me to relax.
Any and all information you could give me on future course to learn how to fly or how to approach funding to learn how to fly would be extremely appreciated. It would be nice to be a part of something that could help me to become my old self again before my injury.
Many Thanks Again,
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