Events and Air Smiles Days
Robert - Air Smiles Day 19th March 2011
After a few days of rain and cold temperatures, a perfect spring morning dawned bright and clear, heralding the start of a day of adventure for Robert and his family. Our volunteer pilot Jane flew to Cotswold Airport from Haverford West in her beautiful Cessna 310 along with her husband Paddy. An excited Robert arrived with his parents Jackie and Richard, accompanied by their family friend Mandy who had nominated Robert for this Air Smiles Event.
Over arrival drinks in the AV8 restaurant the group received a safety brief and then avidly looked over flight maps with Jane in order to decide the best route to fly. Robert was extremely eager to go and see 'his' personal flying machine so the coffees were finished and everyone set off across the flight apron to where the magnificent Cessna 
awaited them. Robert was gently and expertly assisted out of his wheelchair and into the aircraft by the Cotswold
Airport Duty Firecrew. Everyone was bubbling with anticipation as Robert settled into his seat with a fantastic window view. As the group taxied off there was much smiling, waving and thumbs up. The sky was blue and the wind calm as the aircraft headed off into the west with its very special passengers. Its route would take in the splendid scenery of South Wales, the coastline and the Severn Bridges.
After a forty five minute flight the Cessna returned full of beaming faces, in particular a radiant faced Robert. Amid the excited chatter of who had seen what from the air, the group headed back to AV8 for a well earned hot lunch and a rest.
Later, refreshed and ready, Robert and his group then went to visit the Delta Jet collection on a short tour kindly conducted by Brian. Robert was thrilled to see, close up, historic aircraft such as the Spitfire, Dakota, Hunter, Canberra and Harvard. Then it was time for a mini photo shoot back in front of the Cessna 310 as Robert received his fly2help certificate and goody bag. Everyone was relaxed and happy in the fabulous spring sunshine.
Finally, it was time to tour the Fire Section and meet the crew again with a chance to look over the red engines. Robert seemed as thrilled to see these as he had the aircraft. Farewells were said over a final cup of tea at the end of a superb day of Air Smiles!
"I can't begin to thank you and everyone at fly2help for such an amazing day... Everything was just perfect. We all absolutely loved it and are so grateful to you and all your team at Kemble for allowing us such a unique opportunity."
