12/06/2008 by Mr Shoe Wingtips.

One women in aviation who i deeply admire is called Suzi Duncan. She lives in Melbourne, Australia and is herself a pilot with lower limb disability. She is also a flying instructor and an inventor. She designed the Vision air hand control which helps pilots with lower limb disabilities to operate the rudder and ground steering of a PA28. We have become friends and she has helped me and mentors me with my flying. She helped set up Wheelies with Wings in Australia, visit their site…

Posted in inspiring, People, Hand Controls, Film, History | Print | No Comments »

19/05/2008 by Mr Shoe Wingtips.

It was over a year ago when i first called Stan to say how much i liked what he was trying to do with Aviation Without Borders. Since then I have become heavily involved with this meaningful organisation and i hope to become a trustee very soon. i interviewed Stan for our Question in the Air section, if you have yet to read it, do take a read of his enlightening interview…. 

This slideshow is of me, Stan and Adrian at Brooklands reuniting Stan with his old CV10…. 

Captain Stanley Stewart, VC10 VB, VM, 747 - Click here for the most popular videos

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Aviation Without Borders, Disability news, People, History | Print | No Comments »

14/05/2008 by Mr Shoe Wingtips.

Rotary UK and Ireland invited Gautam Lewis to be a speaker at their annual conference in Blackpool, April 2008 , to talk about polio eradication. Felt great to have had the opportunity to speak about something close to his heart…sky’s the limit!

Part 1

Rotary UK & Eire Gautam Lewis Freedom in Air Speech Part 1 - The most amazing videos are a click away

Part 2

Freedom in the Air ; A Polio Survivors Tale - Funny blooper videos are here

Posted in Disability news, Rotary International, People, Good causes, Film, History | Print | 1 Comment »

16/04/2008 by Mr Shoe Wingtips.

It has been 1 year since I started my pilot training. I could never have predicted how the year would be. It has been mostly full of joy but also mental strain. I have made new friends and lost old friends at the BDFA. My training started with the British Disabled Flying Association but sadly the tale ends with my relationship with them broken. In a recent letter to me, their current Chairman sent me a cheque returning my membership fee. Life is too short to worry about stuff like that. Read the rest of this entry »

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03/04/2008 by Mr Shoe Wingtips.

The incredible story of Polly Vacher. In this interview she shares some of her amazing life stories with Gautam Lewis - who also wishes to promote flying for people with a range of disabilities. In this chapter Polly speaks about her early career as a Music Teacher, doing her pilot training; of how she developed a passion for long distance flying…Please visit Polly’s website World Wings - you can purchase her book via her site before they all get sold!!

Posted in People, Disability news, Good causes, images, Film, Pioneers, History | Print | 1 Comment »

03/04/2008 by Mr Shoe Wingtips.

In this episode Polly speaks about how she first started to get involved with The Flying Scholarships for the disabled and her work for meaningful organizations. Each year scholarships are given to people with disabilities to learn to fly’ or better still ‘If you have a disability and would like to learn to fly - go to toreachforthesky.org.uk and apply’

Posted in Disability news, inspiring, People, Good causes, Film, Pioneers, History | Print | No Comments »

05/02/2008 by Mr Shoe Wingtips.

The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Optional Protocol was adopted on 13 December 2006 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, and was opened for signature on 30 March 2007. There were 82 signatories to the Convention, 44 signatories to the Optional Protocol, and 1 ratification of the Convention. This is the highest number of signatories in history to a UN Convention on its opening day. Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Disability news, Good causes, History | Print | No Comments »

04/02/2008 by Mr Shoe Wingtips.

I have been asked by my old school to give the current students a talk about freedom in the air and my work with Rotary International. Read the rest of this entry »

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31/01/2008 by Mr Shoe Wingtips.

This landmark exhibition presents modern masterpieces drawn from Russia’s principal collections: the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Art and the State Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow and the State Hermitage Museum and the State Russian Museum in St. Petersburg. Read the rest of this entry »

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29/01/2008 by Mr Shoe Wingtips.

The Sound of Asian Britain

Gautam was chatting to Nihal today about his role in an immunization campaign in India. The show also focused on his recent achievements in aviation and the history of his life. The show has an audience of 1 million plus which is wonderful to reach so many people to tell them of the great achievements and challenges ahead for eradicating polio. The Sky’s the limit!!

Having made a name for himself as a world-class club DJ, Nihal arrived at BBC Radio five years ago to host a show with Bobby Friction, championing the Asian music scene and much more. Nihal promises to give listeners all they need to kick-start their week, playing the best new music around. A very big thanks to the BBC

Posted in Good causes, freedom podcast, Media, History | Print | No Comments »

29/01/2008 by Mr Shoe Wingtips.

A wonderful article by Peter J. Kuznick:

On November 1, Paul Warfield Tibbets, Jr., the man who piloted the plane that dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima, died at his Columbus, Ohio home at age 92. Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Pilot in Command, Pioneers, Airmanship, History | Print | No Comments »

26/10/2007 by Mr Shoe Wingtips.

I got a really lovely message today from a friend of my mothers in who is living in New York City.  He had visited Freedom in the Air and was liking what can be possible for people in aviation with disabilities..he included this nice psalm - a thought provoking message that we need from time to time.

The Lord is my Sky Pilot,
I will not be afraid.
He lets me fly over green pastures
And guides me across many waters,
As He refreshes my soul.

He elevates me to the Sun above the clouds,
Where His name is exalted.

Even though I fly through times
Of turbulence and stormy weather,
I will fear no fall;
For You are with me,
Your stick and compass
They bring me in.

You prepare a landing for me
In the presence of adverse conditions.
You bless my flight with ample fuel
And my plane flies perfectly.

Surely good times and joy will follow me
All the flying hours of my life,
Then I will fly west and land
In the Lord’s aerodrome forever.

Posted in Random, History | Print | 1 Comment »

25/04/2007 by Mr Shoe Wingtips.

I launched this blog on 16th April 2007 after my first day with Paul and the BDFA Training Facility…I am extremely suprised that in such a short period - less then 10, i have had 1007 Unique Visits show are staying and reading all the pages on Freedom - in - the - air. I hope for those readers who make return visits, you will start to give me feedback on the things that you are liking or not liking or would like me to include.

Thank you readers - if you have yet to visit the BDFA site you can do by clicking here…

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