On 20th October JDRF is hosting a ‘flying with diabetes’ day which you are welcome to attend, though places are limited.
On 1st September, six pilots with diabetes flying six aircraft set a new national formation speed record between Derby and Southampton (subject to ratification by the Royal Aero Club). Early low cloud and poor visibility delayed one of the six in reaching Nottingham for a rehearsal of the six aircraft flying in a “D” shape, but by midday the weather had cleared for launch and the entire journey.
James D’Arcy, Damian Fessey, Douglas Cairns, Karl Beetson, Matt Ponsford & George Duncan. The two planes flown were a Cessna 150 and a Piper Cherokee.
The speed record clock started at 11:15:45 GMT overhead Derby Airfield, and 1 hour, 22 minutes and 38 seconds later all six few over Southampton Airport to set the record. En-route at between 1000 – 2500 feet, the group passed over the cities and villages of Derby, Ibstock, Ashton Flameville, Buckingham, Emmington, Twyford, Earley and Southampton, the first letters of which spell “Diabetes.”
The pilots, all members of Pilots With Diabetes (www.pilotswithdiabetes.com), were all flying single engine aircraft and cruising in close formation at over 100 mph.
