Events and Air Smiles Days
Jo - Air Smiles Day 27th July 2011
On a beautiful summer's morning Jo and her family arrived at Cotswold Airport to enjoy the experience of a lifetime together. Jo, who lives with Parkinson's Disease, had always wanted to fly in a helicopter as her late father had been an Army Air Corps pilot.
Once the safety brief had been given, everyone sat outside on the decking of the AV8 restaurant in the sunshine drinking coffee, excitedly awaiting the arrival of their 'personal' helicopter. Jo, husband Tim and young daughters Tegan and Amelia looked amazed as a fabulous EC-120, generously flown in and owned by its pilot John, came to a hover and landed by the Control Tower. John and his friend David walked over to meet the family and look over the map with them in order to finalise the route that the family hoped to fly.
At last it was time to take to the skies! Jo was invited to sit up front beside David, with the girls and Tim strapped in the back. As the helicopter gently hovered up and then turned to fly across the runway everyone was waving and smiling. The family flew south over the scenic Marlborough Downs and then, much to their delight, they were able to see an aerial view of their home in The Vale of Pewsey. After 45 minutes of flying over the picturesque summer landscape of Wiltshire the helicopter returned to Cotswold Airport and its grinning passengers were unloaded. It was time for everyone to enjoy a relaxed lunch and chat about the flight.
After lunch the family was escorted up to the Control Tower to see the airfield from a new perspective. Whilst looking down on the runway from the elevated position of the Tower, they were able to listen in to the radio calls from other aircraft and watch them take off and land.
To round off their visit to the airport the family were welcomed at the Fire Section by the Duty Crew. The girls got the chance to clamber in and out of the fire engine, as well as being invited to try on the helmets and operate the sirens!
At the end of the thrilling day out with their parents, the girls were presented with fly2help goody bags and flight certificates. Another very special Air Smiles event had been achieved.
Feedback quote:
"Riding in a helicopter was one of the best things we have ever done. Thank you for organising the trip. We very much appreciate it. It was so much fun."
