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15 October 2010

Oh my goodness, they put a sick bag in my little carrier case, and I couldn’t understand why! Note to self, send message to all bears to walk away from any pilot carrying sick bag! I’ve been to the Dunsfold ‘Wings and Wheels’ Airshow in the the Royal Navy Historic Flight (RNHF) Sea Hawk with Lieutenant Commander Chris Gotke at the helm. He is one of the RNHF volunteer pilots and until recently he was a test pilot at Boscombe Down so you can imagine the flight I had. Mind you the engineers have very thoughtfully placed restrictions on the amount of ‘G’ forces the pilot can pull in the Sea Hawk as she is nearly 60 years old!

So although I thought the flight was terrifying at the time when I was then handed over to Red 10 from the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, The Red Arrows, I thought nothing could frighten me now. Crumbs, was I wrong! The pilots are all professional and know precisely what they are doing but to a bear it’s scary stuff!

Then a gentleman by the name of Lieutenant Si Wilson, another RNHF volunteer pilot awaiting training to fly the RNHF Swordfish, thought I should spend some time with the Army and sent me off on a parachute jump with the Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment known as The Tigers……. On the scary scale, somewhere between The Red Arrows and a display in the RNHF Sea Hawk!

I’ve also had a trip to the Dartmouth Regatta and the Cowes Powerboat Festival in a Lynx Mk8 helicopter from 815 Naval Air Squadron based here at Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton. Microlites next at the National Microlite championships with the pilot Rob Keene helping me to come first!

I then had what these Naval types call ‘a little RNR’, holiday to us bear types, and was then handed over to a gentleman by the name of John Beattie who used to be a Jungly pilot (flew Commando Helicopters). He calmed things down a bit and took me for a ride in a Seafire, a Hawker Nimrod and a Wasp. Low on the scary scale but high on the fun scale! These are privately owned aircraft but John, being an ex volunteer RNHF Swordfish and Sea Fury pilot, maintains close ties with the RNHF and thought I might enjoy the trips in these rare aircraft.

Oh and I’ve also been out with 771 Naval Air Squadron, based at Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose, Cornwall, who winched me down onto the local RNLI Lifeboat.

What came next however was what I’ve been waiting for – a flight in the RNHF Swordfish. It’s a naval biplane that flew during WWII. I’m pictured here with Lieutenant Commander Mike Abbey following a test flight in the aircraft. LS 326 is currently the only Swordfish that is flying in the world. Not sure what comes next but will let you know. I think the plan is to try and get me up in a Sea Fury………………………………..

As always, don’t forget to keep in touch! Look at my Facebook page, and of course you can always write to me at amy@aviationwithoutborders.org.

19 August 2010

Well, since you last heard from me I’ve taken up residence with the Royal Navy Historic Flight (RNHF) at Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton in Somerset. 

Within an hour of arriving I was taken up in their Chipmunk which is used to train their pilots who fly historic naval aircraft up and down the UK at various airshows. A few days later I climbed into the back of a Royal Navy Sea King Mk HC4 and went for a jaunt around Somerset with 848 Naval Air Squadron and loved it so much climbed into the cockpit of another Sea King, this time with 845 Naval Air Squadron , on what I thought would be another jaunt around Somerset, only to find when we landed I was onboard HMS Ark Royal, at sea in the Solent on her way back to her base in Portsmouth. So I now have a deck landing and little bit of sea time to my name! 

I’m now back with the RNHF recovering and am hoping to go to ‘Wings and Wheels’ airshow at Dunsfold next week. I’ll travel out in a Royal Navy Lynx Mk8 and return in the RNHF Sea Hawk. It’s the only airworthy Sea Hawk in the world and one of the first jet aircraft that flew in the 1950s. 

I’m just off in the Chipmunk again as it’s about to do it’s 18 000th landing which I’m told will involve a cake afterwards – yum! I’ll touch base on my return from Dunsfold and let you know what else they have in store for me.

As always, don’t forget to keep in touch! Look at my Facebook page too. And of course you can always write to me at amy@aviationwithoutborders.org or via my webpage of course.

24 July 2010

Flying with the best at the Emmen Airshow, Lucerne, Switzerland!

As I said in my last blog, I was hoping to fly with Brian Jones (one of AWB’s patrons) in his replica of the Breitling Orbiter 3 hot-air balloon. Well, this actually happened! What a privilege!

I went up with Brian during the hot-air balloon displays and flights at the recent celebrations of ‘100 Years of Aviation in Switzerland’ held at the Emmen Airshow, Lucerne in Switzerland on 24 July 2010. Brian said afterwards: ‘It was a little windy and the flight was quite exciting, so we only managed to get a couple of photos from the ground’. For me to have flown with him and his team was amazing. Thank you so much Brian!

Brian Jones was one of the pilots of Breitling Orbiter 3, the first hot-air balloon to fly non-stop around the world! The replica balloon is used to promote the work of Brian and his co-pilot Bertrand Piccard’s charity Wings of Hope which is dedicated to ridding the world of one of the most shocking diseases – Noma, a disease which kills thousands of young victims each year.

I believe flying in the Breitling Orbiter 3 replica has also helped people to know more about Aviation Without Borders and the work that it does, and of course my log book was signed by him!

Fun and fundraising at Farnborough International Airshow!

It was great to be able to meet so many of you at this year’s show! And what fun we had with the ‘Wheel Of Fortune’! I can’t believe how many visitors to the AWB stand in Hall 4 tried to win one of my look-alikes. And how many of you bought one as well. Thank you very much indeed – I didn’t realise quite how popular I was becoming!

Thanks to the generosity of EADS, AWB’s principal supporter, the charity was given a premium position at the front of the EADS stand during the public days. In fact the noise made by some of us during the spinning of the ‘Wheel Of Fortune’ created something of a stir! AWB raised several hundreds of pounds and easily exceed last times’ total by a significant amount. So thank you everybody.

As always, don’t forget to keep in touch! Look at my Facebook page too - See if you can find a picture of yourself at one of the events! And of course you can always write to me at amy@aviationwithoutborders.org or via my web page of course.

Here’s hoping we will meet again very soon.

18 July 2010, RIAT

Latest news!

It was fantastic to be invited once again by EADS, AWB’s major supporter, to join the special VIP guests at the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire on 18 July, 2010.

This is such an amazing event, and to be invited as a VIP is brilliant!

There were 13 young people from four different Action For Children groups and their carers and families who enjoyed watching the incredible flying displays. Among my favourites were the Avro Vulcan display and of course The Red Arrows! In fact I met up with Red 1, Ben Murphy and Red 7, David Montenegro before their display and reminded them that I flew with The Red Arrows at Farnborough two years ago!

It was also very interesting to meet one of AWB’s patrons - Brian Jones. He is one of the pilots of Breitling Orbiter 3, the first hot-air balloon to fly non-stop around the world! Brian invited me to join him and his team in flying a replica of the balloon during the forthcoming celebrations of ‘100 Years of Aviation in Switzerland’ to be held at the Emmen Airshow, Lucerne on 24 July 2010. How about that? The replica balloon is used to promote the work of Brian and his co-pilot Bertrand Piccard’s charity Winds of Hope dedicated to ridding the world of one of the most shocking diseases – Noma, a disease which kills thousands of young victims each year.

What an adventure this flight will be – it will be the second time I’ll fly in a hot-air balloon and of course I’ll have my log book with me to be signed. Just hope we get good weather, so that we can go up!

As always, don’t forget to keep in touch! Look at my Facebook page too - See if you can find a picture of yourself at one of the events! And of course you can always write to me at amy@aviationwithoutborders.org or via my web page of course.

See you soon!!!

 

January - July 2010

Hello again!

I thought I’d better let you know what I’ve been up to recently! But before I do I wanted tell you about the fantastic video made of last November’s AWB Smiling Wings Day ‘Special’ where I was very lucky to join some children on a flight of a lifetime in search of the Northern Lights. Take a look at it now!

2010 has proved already to be another busy year for me. In February I was privileged to accompany one of our Trustees during the transport of essential medical supplies from the UK on behalf of International Health Partners to the Dominican Republic, for distribution during the Haiti earthquake disaster. I flew in a specially chartered Air France 747-400F organised by AWB. I am proud to say that with AWB’s help, vital medical goods reached their destination safely.

You’ve also no doubt read or heard about the plight of the badly-injured baby girl from Haiti called Landina who was caught up in the earthquake. AWB was able to assist in the air transfer of Landina for surgery in the UK and I am happy to report that she is responding well to her life-saving treatment. I am hoping to visit her soon!

What about the volcanic ash from Iceland that caused some airlines to be grounded in April? Despite this, AWB with the help of Airbus Corporation, was able to fly almost 30 young people at another Smiling Wings Day at Filton near Bristol. This special event was organised in collaboration with BDFA (British Disabled Flying Association) and fly2help. I was able to meet everyone and watched them receive their Young Pilot badges and certificates.

I was at Cranfield Airport in May to join in the big AWB ‘Thank You’ to the students of the Air transport Department of Cranfield University who had raised an amazing sum for the charity. Immediately from there I joined AWB’s guests at the latest Smiling Wings Day at Cranfield. It was as always great fun and it was exciting to see all the young people who had flown on the day – some for the first time in their lives! – being presented with badges, certificates and of course a Bear.

And now I’ve just finished having a great time with AWB’s Wheel of Fortune at the AeroExpo Exhibition at High Wycombe, 25 – 27 June. It was really good! And of course I was able to make some great new friends and meet up with some old ones!

I’m also getting ready for RIAT (Royal International Air Tattoo) at RAF Fairford, and the Farnborough Air Show. I am really looking forward to all the air displays and to meet some new people perhaps!

Don’t forget to keep in touch! Look at my Facebook page - See if you can find a picture of yourself at one of the events! And of course you can always write to me at amy@aviationwithoutborders.org or via my web page of course.

PS. It was my birthday on 1^st July!!! I did have some greetings on Facebook, so thank you for that! It is always nice to be remembered.

See you all soon!

 

September - December 2009

Hi!  I just don’t know where the year has gone. I have been SO busy, I just haven’t time to blog or to keep my Facebook page up to date. I have met masses of people, made new friends and been on some really exciting aircraft and flights. I haven’t had time to list them all.

After the Blériot flight in July, I had a few days off, but in middle of August I went to Edinburgh to visit the Royal Hospital for Sick Kids. I presented some of the children with a sort of bravery award, an Amy ‘Wonderful’ Bear Award, for coping so well through the many problems and difficulties they have to face. I also gave them a "copy” of my cuddly self and which seemed to go down well.

When I flew to Edinburgh I went on British Airways, an Airbus 318, and the Captain actually invited me to the cockpit! He signed my logbook and as the Chairman of British Airways was also on the flight, he took the opportunity to sign the logbook as well!

At the end of August I went to Wings & Wheels – an airshow and also a display of veteran cars and aircraft. I helped with the AWB "Wheel of Fortune” while watching the Red Arrows do their fantastic display. There were of course also many other exciting aircraft displays.

You’ve all heard of the new Airbus A380, haven’t you? Well basically, I got to fly in one! And what’s more! - I was actually in the cockpit. This was during the Airbus ‘Family’ Day in September at Broughton, which AWB had been invited to. The A380 flew low over the airfield and gave those who had made the wings of this huge plane a chance to see it put through its paces. As you can see from the photo, the Captain was very friendly!! It was probably because I was wearing my "I Love Amy” scarf at the time, which must have been what he found attractive!

In September, AWB had its last 2009 Smiling Wings Day at Elstree Flying Club. I went along as well and met the kids from Bucks Activity Project. These opportunities to perhaps fly for the first time and feel the thrill of going up in a small plane are unbelievable, aren’t they! It is so, so different from the big jets we fly in when we go on holiday.

Then yet another first! This time I was part of making history, travelling on the inaugural British Airways A318 flight from London City to The Big Apple! I was invited along with my friend Louis on Flight BA 001 (the ‘special’ flight number originally used by Concorde) on Tuesday 29 September 2009. Now I’ve been both on the largest and the smallest of the Airbus fleet – how about that!

In November AWB invited members of the Bristol branch of Action for Children to come on a flight to see the Northern Lights. We left from Bristol Airport, late at night, we met the Captain and the rest of the crew and had photos taken in the cockpit with the Captain before we set off. Then we flew for about 3.5 hours and we did get to see the Northern Lights! It was very exciting. We got back late of course but I don’t think anybody minded, as it had been such a special evening.

In December I went to Cardiff. Yes, AWB had been chosen as the Match Charity, in a match between Cardiff Blues and Stade Toulousain in the Heineken Cup tournament. I had never been to a rugby match before, so it was very exciting for me. I met the Captain of both teams just before the start of the match. Cardiff Blues, the home team won, and as people left the Stadium they were in a good mood and very generous.

I’ve been working hard as AWB’s ambassador this year, to try and make people more aware of what Aviation Without Borders is all about. It’s been amazing, meeting lots of people throughout the year and I hope everyone will continue to keep up to date with what I’m doing.

Don’t forget to keep in touch! Look at my Facebook page - See if you can find a picture of yourself at one of the events! You can always write to me at amy@aviationwithoutborders.org or via my web page of course. See you soon!

 

May - August 2009

Wow, what a fantastic few months I've had! I don't know where to start. I've met so many new people and made so many new friends it's just unbelievable! I've also now got my own Facebook page!

I've been introduced to so many people at exhibitions, air shows and several of AWB's Smiling Wings Days. I've also taken some pretty amazing flights on some extraordinary aircraft. You'll be so jealous!

The Smiling Wings Days or flying experience days were amazing. They took place at Cumbernauld, Fairoaks, Barton, Perth and Cranfield airfields. They were great opportunities to either fly for the first time or experience the excitement of going up in a small plane which is so, so different from those big jets we all use when we go on holiday.

In June at the AeroExpo Exhibition I helped AWB to explain to the aviation world the exciting work it was doing. We had great fun with our famous "Wheel of Fortune" and many people won prizes. At the Biggin Hill Air Show there were thousands of people there and hundreds came to visit AWB's stand. I had my photo taken with many of them of course! And once again the "Wheel of Fortune" was a great attraction!! The flying displays were pretty amazing too! I really loved watching the Red Arrows flying display. (Not boasting or anything - but I have of course already flown with Red1!)

In July I was invited as a VIP guest, along with several friends from recent Smiling Wings Day, to the EADS hospitality suite at RIAT. What mind-blowing air displays they had there as well! We were even able to have a go with the controls of a French Air Force rescue helicopter and an American Hercules transporter. The mouth-watering food laid on was pretty amazing too! Thank you EADS. And, yes, I even flew in the Typhoon's solo display during the afternoon!

I have also been on some other pretty awesome flights too recently - with my log book of course! These ranged from a Junkers JU52 and Messerschmitt to an Airbus 320 and Hawk trainer. One of the more bizarre ones was the trip I took with Swedish pilot Mikael Carlson when he flew his replica of the Blériot XI during the re-enactment of Louis Blériot's historic first flight across the English Channel on 25 July 1909 - that's 100 years ago! Because of weather problems at Calais which stopped him flying at the very last minute, he flew the next day and landed successfully at Dover - just like Blériot all those years ago. Mikael signed my log book of course and so I was able to add this extraordinary flight to my long list!

Don't forget to keep in touch. You can also write to me at amy@aviationwithoutborders.org or via my web page and of course you can take a look at my Facebook page - and see if you can find a picture of yourself at one of the events!