As some of you will know, we tried to surprise Canman (KevAn) with a microlight flight, courtesy of Aceman's (Ian's) brother who is called KevIn.
The weather was unsuitable for flying on the first day we congregated but we had to let the cat out of the bag and tell Kevan what we had had in store for him.
Fortunately, a few weeks later Kevan, Kevin and Ian were able to complete the mission.
I'm sorry that I couldn't be there on the second day but I'd like to add my personal thanks to both Kevin and Ian for making this such a memorable one for Kevan.
If you have any more photos, please add them to this thread.
Below is an extract from "Thumb Print" the magazine of the MNDA with a few words from the Pilot and his intrepid Passenger:
Sky’s the limit for Kevan
When my brother Ian told me he was surprising Kevan Hassall, who has MND with a trip to the Peak District I suggested he might like a flight in my microlight aircraft. Microlights are a class of aircraft, which have to be under 450kg in weight (including crew and fuel). We would be cruising at 2,000 feet at around 70mph in the open air. Airways Airsports, based near Ashbourne, is a flight school and club for hang gliding, paragliding, paramotors and microlights and gives people with disabilities the chance to fly (http://www.airways-airsports.com) For me it was an excuse to take someone flying in my own aircraft, a privilege I sometimes take for granted. Kevan’s account, below, makes me realise how lucky I am.
Kevin Grayson, Microlight Pilot
Kevan says:
“On the day I was full of excitement and fear. I always thought when I saw them flying, are they mad? If man was meant to fly he’d have wings. The airfield was already busy on arrival, all kinds of equipment being prepared and checked. Kevin gave me a detailed informative tour of our microlight. I was impressed by the amount of tech this machine had. But also worried on how unstable the microlight looked. I was reassured by Kevin and his calm confidence slowly rubbed off on me. I was diagnosed with MND on New Year’s Eve 2010. So far the disease has severely affected my right arm and is affecting my left arm. With help to get my flight suit on and strapped in I was ready. Through the headset Kevin asked how I felt and explained the pre-flight checks. Once on the runway the power in the engine became apparent as we took off and the smoothness really surprised me. We climbed up to 2,000 feet with ease and the views were fascinating, almost surreal. I was in a new world, a world away from reality, a world with no MND. The most amazing feeling, left me lost for words. To think that I was becoming a prisoner in my own body yet here I was in complete fascination of the whole element of flying and the freedom of the sky. We flew over Chatsworth House and many other Derbyshire towns then circled over Alton Towers before returning to Ashbourne Airfield. The landing was perfect - better than any I had ever experienced in a jet plane. As a disabled person I never thought this opportunity would be available, nor did I think that flying would be so exhilarating. Thanks to the generosity of Kevin and a few great friends from the organisation, this has been one of the most memorable experiences I have ever had. Disabled people can enjoy this kind of flying with the help and support from kind, sharing pilots like Kevin.”
^
^
The weather was unsuitable for flying on the first day we congregated but we had to let the cat out of the bag and tell Kevan what we had had in store for him.
Fortunately, a few weeks later Kevan, Kevin and Ian were able to complete the mission.
I'm sorry that I couldn't be there on the second day but I'd like to add my personal thanks to both Kevin and Ian for making this such a memorable one for Kevan.
If you have any more photos, please add them to this thread.
Below is an extract from "Thumb Print" the magazine of the MNDA with a few words from the Pilot and his intrepid Passenger:
Sky’s the limit for Kevan
When my brother Ian told me he was surprising Kevan Hassall, who has MND with a trip to the Peak District I suggested he might like a flight in my microlight aircraft. Microlights are a class of aircraft, which have to be under 450kg in weight (including crew and fuel). We would be cruising at 2,000 feet at around 70mph in the open air. Airways Airsports, based near Ashbourne, is a flight school and club for hang gliding, paragliding, paramotors and microlights and gives people with disabilities the chance to fly (http://www.airways-airsports.com) For me it was an excuse to take someone flying in my own aircraft, a privilege I sometimes take for granted. Kevan’s account, below, makes me realise how lucky I am.
Kevin Grayson, Microlight Pilot
Kevan says:
“On the day I was full of excitement and fear. I always thought when I saw them flying, are they mad? If man was meant to fly he’d have wings. The airfield was already busy on arrival, all kinds of equipment being prepared and checked. Kevin gave me a detailed informative tour of our microlight. I was impressed by the amount of tech this machine had. But also worried on how unstable the microlight looked. I was reassured by Kevin and his calm confidence slowly rubbed off on me. I was diagnosed with MND on New Year’s Eve 2010. So far the disease has severely affected my right arm and is affecting my left arm. With help to get my flight suit on and strapped in I was ready. Through the headset Kevin asked how I felt and explained the pre-flight checks. Once on the runway the power in the engine became apparent as we took off and the smoothness really surprised me. We climbed up to 2,000 feet with ease and the views were fascinating, almost surreal. I was in a new world, a world away from reality, a world with no MND. The most amazing feeling, left me lost for words. To think that I was becoming a prisoner in my own body yet here I was in complete fascination of the whole element of flying and the freedom of the sky. We flew over Chatsworth House and many other Derbyshire towns then circled over Alton Towers before returning to Ashbourne Airfield. The landing was perfect - better than any I had ever experienced in a jet plane. As a disabled person I never thought this opportunity would be available, nor did I think that flying would be so exhilarating. Thanks to the generosity of Kevin and a few great friends from the organisation, this has been one of the most memorable experiences I have ever had. Disabled people can enjoy this kind of flying with the help and support from kind, sharing pilots like Kevin.”
^
^
