Episode 20 – The British Disabled Flying Association

BDFA

BDFA

In today’s episode of Flying Podcast I’m talking to Mike Miller-Smith from the British Disabled Flying Association.
The BDFA is a registered charity which provides ‘experience of a lifetime’ trial flying lessons for as many terminally ill & disabled people as possible every year. They also offer subsidised flying days for other disability charities and `at cost’ instruction & qualification flight training to BDFA members.

Listen to Episode 20

The organisation is based down at Lasham but are able to cover most of the UK.
They also have a base at Tatenhill near Stoke.

The BDFA have a small fleet of aircraft. There’s a Bulldog, donated by the King of Jordan and a couple of PA28s. These particular aircraft have been chosen for accessibility reasons. With the assistance of a hoist, disabled pilots can be helped into the seats. The PA28, via the wing, and directly in, via the large canopy, to the Bulldog.
In the past, the BDFA have also offered flights in gliders, microlights and hang gliders and they hope to offer these services again in the future.


Group in front of BDFA Bulldog aircraft

Group in front of BDFA Bulldog aircraft

The British Disabled Flying Association offer the flights to those with learning disabilities, disabled children and those with mobility impairments.

The aircraft have been modified with Visionair hand controls for the rudder and Mike says that the hand brake on the PA28 can be used instead of the footbrakes; something that I’d never even thought about.

Pilot sitting on wing of BDFA PA28

Pilot sitting on wing of BDFA PA28

Mike says that The British Disabled Flying Association is not just about smiles on faces. A flying experience can give the potential pilot confidence to try other things and stimulus to achieve other goals.

Able bodied pilots and members of the public can also participate.
This could be by helping at flying days, piloting aircraft at flying days, fundraising and sponsorship. There are only a few members of full time staff at the BDFA so volunteers are more than welcome.


BDFA PA28

BDFA PA28

The BDFA have a few special projects on the go at the moment:-

– Charity Flying Network. This is a network of private pilots with PPLs who are willing to take disabled people flying or are just keen to help with BDFA activities.
– Farnborough Airshow. The BDFA will be attending alongside their key sponsors and will be exhibiting their services to the general public.
– Easy Fundraising. If you’d like to support the BDFA you can do your shopping on-line via the Easy Fundraising website:
www.easyfundraising.org.uk
You simply pick the charites you wish to support and then do your usual on-line shopping. The charity then gets a small, or not so small, commission.
– Extreme G for Free. Similar the ubiquitous ‘sponsored parachute jump’ you will soon be able to raise sponsorship and be able to take an aerobatic flight. Keep your eyes on the BDFA website for details.

Contact details for the British Disabled Flying Association are:
www.bdfa.net


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