UK's First Charity Wing Walker Takes Off

Michelle Pullen from Royston, Hertfordshire has become the UK's first fully approved charity wing walker following a thrilling 20 minute wing walking experience with Aerobatic Tactics at Damyns Hall Aerodrome in Essex in aid of Parkinson's UK. Michelle is the first of many thrill-seeking fundraisers to benefit from the new CAA (Civil Aviation Authority) regulations permitting the Essex and Kent-based aerobatics experience company to operate wing walking for members of the public and for fundraising purposes.

Michelle chose to fundraise through wing walking in memory of her grandad who suffered from Parkinson's. But what inspired her to walk on the wing of a 1940s biplane on a sunny spring afternoon in Essex: "I've done a skydive before and that was fun. I'm always up for a new opportunity to do something exciting and a new experience. When I heard about the Aerobatic Tactics official approval for wing walking experiences for fundraising, I had to sign up!

"On behalf of the charity I've raised over £1,400 so it's all really worthwhile. By doing this hopefully we'll encourage others to do something like this to raise funds for Parkinson's UK and other charities. Parkinson's UK is a leading charity in the UK for support and research. The funds raised through my wing walk will be used for nursing care, information support, helpline, local support groups and towards valuable research for a cure to the disease. Parkinson's is a progressive neurological condition. One person in every 500 has Parkinson's. That's about 127,000 people in the UK."

Commenting on her wing walk Michelle said: "It was an amazing experience. I was really excited. I don't know where the bravery came from, but I just wanted to enjoy it. I'm really proud of what I've achieved for people with Parkinson's and it feels really good to give something back to the charity.  I'd definitely recommend it. Wing walking is an amazing experience and if you can raise money at the same time then even better!"

Michelle, Eastern England Fundraiser for Parkinson's UK, was inspired to sign up for the wing walk after hearing of newly approved regulations, granted by the Civil Aviation Authority in October 2013, permitting aerobatic experience company Aerobatic Tactics to provide wing walking experiences to the general public including fundraising. The Essex and Kent-based aerobatics experience company is currently the only operation in the UK legally permitting to provide wing walks to the general public.

Previously wing walking for the public was only permitted as part of air show training and whilst this allowed some individuals to experience wing walking under certain restrictions, it did not permit fundraisers to do a sponsored wing walk due to the lack of regulations. 

Michelle worked closely with Aerobatic Tactics to obtain all the relevant paperwork to get the go ahead from the charity and to successfully become the first charity wing walker in the UK. To view video of Michelle’s wing walking experience go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRqLv3U7lkQ

Aerobatic Tactics operates wing walking in a 1940s Boeing Stearman Biplane from Damyns Hall Aerodrome in Essex from April to October (subject to weather conditions) as well as occasional operation from Headcorn Aerodrome in Kent and other parts of the country by arrangement. The cost of one wing walk is £435 with two to four bookings reducing the cost to £400 per experience. Larger discounts are offered to multiple same day bookings for groups or corporates appealing to larger charities and organisations for daytime or evening events. 

Parkinson’s UK is organising a bespoke wing walker fundraising day on Saturday 6th September at Damyns Hall in Essex.  It is £100 to register and Parkinson’s UK requires each wing walker to raise a minimum of £750 in sponsorship.  To join this event and wing walk for Parkinson’s UK email fundraising@parkinsons.org.uk or call Michelle Pullen Regional Fundraiser Eastern England on 0207 963 9367.

To discuss wing walking as a fundraising activity for your chosen charity or to add wing walking as a fundraising experience on your charity’s website please contact Tony Richards via email tony@aerobatictactics.co.uk or call: 07814 641 356. To find out more about wing walking for charity visit www.charitywingwalk.co.uk

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Note to Editors:

To discuss wing walking for editorial purposes or to arrange a charity wing walking day for an event for your publication's chosen charity please contact Samantha Williams via email pr@revvedupcommunications.co.uk or call: 07972 888 174.

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Wing walking for charity with Aerobatic Tactics

Mass participation sports such as marathons and triathlons and adrenaline sports such as skydiving and bungee-jumping have been the activities of choice for adventurous fundraisers for many years, providing memorable and fun ways to raise money for their chosen charities. Wing walking can now be added to that list of experiences available to fundraisers thanks to a new and recently-approved regulation from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). This new regulation permits aerobatic experience company Aerobatic Tactics to operate wing walking experiences for the general public including fundraising activities.

Prior to October 2013 wing walking was considered a display activity and not a sport by the CAA therefore fundraising or sponsorship through the activity was not permitted. Wing walking was only possible for members of the public as part of professional wing walker training through an approved aviation training organisation.

Richard Pickin and Tony Richards, business partners and pilots for aerobatics experience company Aerobatic Tactics saw a gap in the market as enquiries to wing walk for fundraising purposes increased, as Richard explains: “Over the last couple of years we noticed a marked increase in enquiries at air shows from the general public and charitable organisations about the possibility of wing walking for fundraising.

“Throughout our aviation careers we have both been involved in sponsorship projects for aerobatics in various forms and we wanted to pursue the opportunity to be able to provide wing walking experiences to the general public for fundraising to further raise the profile of our sport in the way that skydiving has benefitted from charity parachute jumps.

“We worked closely with the Civil Aviation Authority to meet operational requirements and procedures to allow our organisation to operate wing walking experiences for the general public and fundraising activities. Aerobatic Tactics is currently the only company in the UK with permission from the CAA to legally offer this service.

“The requirements dictate that our aircraft are UK registered, our pilots hold full commercial pilot’s licences with Display Authorisations and we undertake regular training of all staff. Our facilities and aircraft adhere to strict safety standards, our customers are briefed in an official greeting area at our office and our team wear corporate uniform.”

Aerobatic Tactics operates wing walking in a 1940s Boeing Stearman Biplane from Damyns Hall Aerodrome in Essex from April to October (subject to weather conditions) as well as occasional operation from Headcorn Aerodrome in Kent and other parts of the country by arrangement.

The cost of one wing walk is £435 with two to four bookings reducing the cost to £400 per experience. Larger discounts are offered to multiple same day bookings for groups or corporates appealing to larger charities and organisations for daytime or evening events.

All individual wing walking experiences – up to four bookings - can be made via the Aerobatic Tactics website www.aerobatictactics.com and bookings are independent of monies raised for charity. For group or corporate bookings please contact one of the team.

Aerobatic Tactics is now taking bookings for the 2014 season from individuals and charitable organisations for both one-off experiences and corporate events. For more information please visit www.aerobatictactics.com or contact Richard Pickin on email richard@aerobatictactics.com or call 07540 192 551 or Tony Richards on email tony@aerobatictactics.com or call 07814 641 356.

Taking to the air...
On arrival at the aerodrome of choice, wing walkers are met in the Aerobatic Tactics greeting room. Friends and family can relax in the cafeteria or viewing areas. Before the wing walking flight Aerobatic Tactics provides a comprehensive ground and safety briefing. Then before the flight a fitness/waiver declaration must be signed. Once strapped into the five-point harness the wing walker will take off for a 10 minute ultimate experience that will include zooms and climbs at speeds up to 130mph and passes near to friends and family.

Two high resolution cameras are fitted to the aircraft making it possible to record the wing walking flight to enjoy with friends and family. The recording includes cockpit and engine sounds and is edited and returned by post within 28 days in DVD format. The cost of this lasting reminder is just £50 and can be paid for on the day. After the wing walking experience each customer receives a certificate confirming that they have participated in a wing walk.

Please note that to wing walk you must be no heavier than 12 stone 2 pounds (77kg) and between 18-65 years of age. All fundraising must be undertaken by the individual or via an approved fundraising organisation and Aerobatic Tactics accepts no responsibility for fundraising or payments to charitable organisations.

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For bookings enquiries for charities and individuals please contact:
Richard Pickin via email richard@aerobatictactics.com or Tel: 07540 192 551 or Tony Richards via email tony@aerobatictactics.com or Tel: 07814 641 356.

For marketing or press enquiries please contact:
Samantha Williams via email: pr@revvedupcommunications.co.uk or Tel: 07972 888 174.
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Gerald Cooper upholds British Aerobatic Champion title

World class air display and competition pilot Gerald Cooper, based in Lincolnshire, has secured the British Aerobatic Champion title for the fifth consecutive year in the Unlimited British National Aerobatic Competition held at Sywell Aerodrome last weekend (4th-7th July 2013). 

Competing in an XtremeAir XA41 high performance monoplane, Gerald flew four classic accuracy flights and scored the highest marks to win the overall title of British Aerobatic Champion for Unlimited competition aerobatics. 

Gerald Cooper British Aerobatic Champion 2013 Photo credit: Leif Culpin

Alan Cassidy MBE, British Aerobatic Association (BAeA) Chairman commented: "As a former National Unlimited Champion myself, I understand the determination and dedication required to reach the pinnacle of sport aerobatics in this country.  Everyone in the British Aerobatic Association is consequently in awe of Gerald's current performance level and I can only add my own congratulations for all his hard work, skill and involvement in our sport.”

Gerald is currently ranked seventh in the world for competition aerobatics and holds the Gold medal for freestyle aerobatics from the European Aerobatic Championships 2012.  Gerald will display at a number of air shows and private events across the UK and Europe this summer and will compete at the World Aerobatic Championships in Texas in October. 

Copyright: WARTER aviation. Photography: Darren Harbar.

Gerald Cooper is UK agent for new AvGas brand WARTER aviation bringing more affordable fuel to the UK General Aviation market. For more details see www.warteraviation.co.uk

For more details on Gerald Cooper visit: www.geraldcooper.com

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For press enquiries on Gerald Cooper or WARTER aviation UK please contact:
Samantha Williams, Director, Revved Up Communications
Tel: 01233 756179 or Mob: 07972 888 174 or via Email: pr@revvedupcommunications.co.uk

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