BRISTOL NURSE GIVEN FLYING OPPORTUNITY
A former Painter & Finisher in the RAF is looking forward to flying high. David Cooper, a psychiatric nurse from Bristol has been awarded the Royal International Air Tattoo Flying Scholarship for the Disabled.
David Cooper, who is 43, has been in a wheelchair since he was injured in a paragliding accident in 2007. He has completed the tough selection process at RAF Cranwell and is absolutely delighted to have been awarded a full scholarship, funded by the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust.
David and 5 other lucky students will fly out to South Africa in September for five weeks of training which will part qualify him towards his PPL. David says he is really looking forward to the challenge of the course and the chance to meet new people. "This gives me a goal to work towards and the opportunity to reconnect with flying and if, while I am out there, I could fly solo, it will be the icing on the cake!" said David.
David was eligible for the scholarship as a former serving member of the RAF. Following time as an air cadet, he later went on to join the RAF as a painter and finisher, serving from 1984 to 1990 at RAF Odiham, in the Falklands and Belize. David heard about the FSD from last year's scholar, Luke Delahunty, who successfully completed his flying training course in South Africa in the summer of 2009. "Luke told me about the FSD whilst we were on a multi-activity course and he inspired me to go for it".
Following his accident, David returned to his full time employment as a Qualified Mental Health Nurse which has been a big challenge, fighting his own depression and trying to rebuild his confidence and self esteem. This opportunity has given him a huge lift "it has been a real boost, better than any anti depressant drugs, I wish I could prescribe it to my patients!" says David "I feel fortunate that I have been given the chance to develop new and happy memories, something I never thought I would be able to do again after my accident".
The Flying Scholarships for the Disabled Charity was inaugurated in 1983 to perpetuate the indomitable spirit of air ace Group Captain Sir Douglas Bader, a former President of the Air Tattoo, who lost both legs in an accident yet resumed his flying career with the RAF. Over 300 disabled people have participated in the scholarship scheme to date.
Of his RAFCT scholarship David says "The past two and a half years have been the most difficult in my life. Blaming myself for my accident, and having to deal with the day to day challenges of living life in a wheelchair; it can be depressing and soul destroying. However, this flying scholarship has given me a whole new lease of life; my spirit and zest for life has been resurrected. I now have hope for the future and it has helped me develop a positive, confident state of mind that will stay with me for the rest of my life. I'm so fortunate and grateful to the RAF Charitable Trust for giving me this opportunity, it really is life changing."
Tim Prince, Chief Executive of the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust Enterprises, who helped inaugurate the scheme in 1983, said "These scholarships aim to give disabled people the opportunity to realise their full potential through flying. David's determination and spirit is what FSD is all about. I look forward to seeing the smile on his face when he returns from South Africa"