Last Saturday was a pretty normal operation at Bunyan (Canberra), though the flying was a bit "boring". But that changed when the couple of passengers we were expecting turned up early in the afternoon. They were part of a small family group, obviously some sort of celebration as they had brought pizzas and what appeared to be a birthday cake. (Being in the tug for the day I didn't have much chance to talk to them.)
The thing that was immediately different was the young guy in the group (early-mid twenties I'd say) who was in a wheelchair and had lost both legs, above the knees it seemed. Well that wasn't going to hold him back, he was up for a pax flight. I got the full story later from Col, one of our senior instructors, who took him up. Seems he lost his legs some years ago as a result of a car accident. Well the first challenge this presented to Col was making sure he was properly secured in the glider (fortunately the Puchacz has a crotch strap), the second consideration was the weight and balance. Although he weighed some 60kg, with no legs sticking out in front the weight was a little further back than normal - so Col elected to put a couple of ballast weights in. The flight went well, and our friend was offered a go at the controls. He was also a bit light on for arm and upper body strength, so Col suggested he use both hands on the stick, Col would do the rudder. This worked out OK, and a good time was had by all. Towards the end of the flight, our pax said to Col that it was the best fun thing he'd done since he'd lost his legs! Nearly cracked Col up when he heard that. And it left the rest of us feeling pretty good about the day, too. The family hung around for quite a while, two others also had pax flights, and there is a sneaking suspicion we just might see them again. It was a reality check for all of us on the field that day. So many things in life we take for granted, when you see the buzz that "another boring day" can give to someone who's had a rough trot in life, it does make you stop and think a little. And make you feel good that you have brought a bit of real joy to someone else. Allan Armistead ph (02) 6249 6470, fax (02) 6249 6555, mobile 0413 013 911 PO Box 908, Dickson ACT 2602, Australia "When once you have tasted flight, you will always walk with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been and there you always will be." Leonardo da Vinci, 1452-1519 _______________________________________________ Aus-soaring mailing list [email protected] To check or change subscription details, visit: http://lists.internode.on.net/mailman/listinfo/aus-soaring
