Hanmer Camp

July 2008

Hanmer Springs Forest Camp Trust

Barry Cardno Flight over Hanmer.

Follow Your Dreams

Freedom in the Air (NZ) is the name of my Flying for the Disabled charity I wish to get off the ground in New Zealand. 

Registering with the Charities Commission, Freedom in the Air (NZ) will be a not-for-profit operation that I hope will be funded from grants and donations.

The purpose of Freedom in the Air (NZ) will be to share the freedom, joy and accomplishment of flying with physically or intellectually disabled children and young people; and inspire them by example to aim high and not give up on their own dreams.

The sky's the limit kind of thing.

In 1995 I broke my back in an agricultural plane crash. I was 21. It seemed my lifelong dream had been shattered in an instant.

Through encouragement from disabled pilots, including helicopter and deer industry pioneer, Sir Tim Wallis (partially paralysed in 1968 in a helicopter crash), and the late Professor Alan Clarke of the Burwood Spinal Unit (who was a paraplegic and pilot), they encouraged me to not remain a flightless kiwi.

With the use of a bolt-on T-bar, I am able to operate the foot actuated rudder pedals with my right hand.

But before getting airborne by myself or with passengers, I had to get around the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) medicos, whom have, in the eyes of many pilots, become too bureaucratic and interfering by imposing all sorts of difficulties and conditions on them wanting to obtain, or retain their medical clearance to fly.

The CAA said they might be persuaded to review my case at ten years post-accident.

Finally, in June 2006 – 11 years one month and one day since my last flight alone – I took off in a plane by myself. This was a microlight-certified Tecnam.

The Tecnam was a pleasure to fly, but its small size proved restrictive. There wasn’t the space for a passenger and my wheelchair.

In August 2007 I regained a full unrestricted general aviation licence. The aircraft I now fly is the four-seat Cessna 172. This the world’s most mass-produced plane was first delivered in 1956, and they are still in production today.

Flying a Cessna will allow the disabled youths to share the airborne adventure with their parents, siblings, or a friend.

Already I have taken disabled children flying. Their unbridled delight was proof Freedom in the Air (NZ) is a worthy endeavour.

The Kiwi bird symbolises 'we shall overcome' to Kiwi humans. From Richard Pearse on, our wingless anatomy has never stopped us flying. Disabilities, bureaucracy, bad luck – yes, they're obstacles. But when you've been bitten by the flying bug they can also be spurs.

Flight over Hanmer

Barry Cardno flew the boys over Hanmer for a 20 minute flight which they loved. Some of the boys have never flown before so it was a great experience for them. With the snow on the mountains and a clear sky it was awesome, as the boys put it.

Camp

When we got to camp it was all on. The boys where off to play in the snow. They got soaked through but didn’t seem to be too worried about the cold. It was 0 degrees. Once they had got ride of some energy they helped unpack the van and put their wet cloths in the drying room.

The huts’ slept two so the boys peered up and organised there bags into the huts’. They very cozy and the boys had fun. There where some late night adventures but generally they where responsible about it.

It was to be a bite of a challenge over the next 5 days as the boys got to know each other. Once the boys had settled down there was plenty to do. The weather wasn’t the best but we had plenty of board games to keep them busy.

We where given 22 free passes to the Hanmer hot pools for which we where very grateful. We went swimming twice.

The Hanmer Volunteer Fire Brigade put on a demonstration for the boys who where very interested in the jaws of life. Thanks to John and his crew.