29/05/2008 by Mr Shoe Wingtips.

Stan Brock started a charity - Remote Area Medical (RAM) - more than 20 years ago to bring relief to those cut off from healthcare. Originally it was to help poor tribes in the former British colony of Guyana, South America.

That is where he lived after leaving Preston, Lancashire, more than half a century ago - he still is a British citizen. The full article is on the BBC website - RAM website is here

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08/05/2008 by Mr Shoe Wingtips.

It was a year ago that i started to research all things hand control related for pilots who have lower limb disability. It was also the same time that i started to form a friendship with Suzi Duncan who is a great inspiration for me and we have many things in common. Suzi worked on the development of the vision air hand control with Gippsland Aviation, down under in Melbourne. Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Disability news, Hand Controls, Pioneers | Print | No Comments »

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 »

03/04/2008 by Mr Shoe Wingtips.

the final chapter of this epic interview with a truly inspiring aviator and pioneer for aviation, Polly Vacher looks to the future, how Polly feels about what she has achieved and finally her top tip for pilots….Blue Skies Polly

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21/03/2008 by Mr Shoe Wingtips.

a little trailer of Goatie meeting Polly Vacher. The full interview with Polly explores her flights around the world, religion, top tip for pilots and an insight into this truly remarkable person…watch this space for the full interview.

Posted in Disability news, People, Pioneers, Film | Print | No Comments »

20/03/2008 by Mr Shoe Wingtips.

We do have some amazingly talented and gifted friends. Artists, film directors, musicians, doctors, poets, monks, scientists who inspire us. Read the rest of this entry »

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20/03/2008 by Mr Shoe Wingtips.

A painting by Rosa Branson, one of London’s foremost painters, entitled Service above Self, was unveiled yesterday evening by Baroness Hayman, The Lord Speaker, in the River Room at The House of Lords, in front of an audience of politicians, business people and diplomats. Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Rotary International, inspiring, Disability news, People, Good causes, Pioneers | Print | 2 Comments »

17/03/2008 by Mr Shoe Wingtips.

Polly Vacher is one of those remarkable people that we can all be inspired by. Certainly, I have been inspired by her achievements, courage and passion for aviation and helping good causes.

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Good causes, images, Questions in the air, Pioneers | Print | No Comments »

06/03/2008 by Mr Shoe Wingtips.

Recently, I have been visiting the Douglas Bader Rehabilitation hospital in Roehampton, SW London. I pass the Limbless Association offices on my way to see my consultant. It was a year ago when i first made friends at this association, and it dawned on me that perhaps i should tell my friends there about flying - so I did and Ray Edwards, who is the current Chief Executive and a quad amputee (has had both his arms and legs amputated due to cancer when he was younger) got in touch with me to see how we work together to get him and his members flying. Today was one of those days when getting in the air makes you feel so alive and kicking. I arranged to meet Ray and he would do some flying with our master of training Mr Mike W. The sun was shining, i was listening reggae VERY loudly driving up the M1 and felt great by the time i arrived at Freedom HQ.

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Disability news, inspiring, People, Good causes, Pioneers, images, Plane trips | Print | 2 Comments »

09/02/2008 by Mr Shoe Wingtips.

Turko Files Fans Support Disabled Surfer

We recently interviewed Martin Lloyd, of Anglo American Aviation San Diego. This is a local news piece which features him. A person with disabilities who is a surfer had his board stolen. Martin and friends stepped in to get him a new one and to celebrate that the Sky’s the limit!

Read the rest of this entry »

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07/02/2008 by Mr Shoe Wingtips.

Martin Lloyd - JAA Chief Flying Instructor - Head of Disabled Flight Training, Anglo American Training, USA

May 2007 was when I first contacted Martin in San Diego. I was looking for a flight training facility that could offer a commercial service for pilots with a disability. The reply I received was “I think that our School is just what you are looking for” - Indeed they were and I was 1 plane ticket away from going to San Diego. Other opportunities opened up for me and I trained for my pilots licence in the UK. I found Martin to be incredibly helpful and we kept in touch. Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Questions in the air, Pioneers | Print | 1 Comment »

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 »