From wimpy kid to pilot

HARVEY MATTHEWSON, AVIATION ACTIVITY OFFICER AT THE CHARITY AEROBILITY SHARES WITH US HIS AMAZING JOURNEY THAT SAW HIS CONFIDENCE LEVELS REACH NEW HEIGHTS

From an early age I was encapsulated by the magic of flight. I was thrilled by the fact that, in a world which is so connected, Aviation seemed to be a magical world of its own and a world which captivated my imagination. I was fascinated with how this world was interconnected and to me, whose life from an early age seemed abnormal and a little chaotic, the perfect order of this world seemed appealing. But of course, this was a world that I would never reach … or was it.

The 3rd February 2014 started like any other school day, but little did I know that my decisions on that day would change my life forever. Upon arrival I headed, as usual, to the specialist department who looked after me for a chat with my peers before the dreaded school bell sounded. However, I never saw my peers that morning. I was instead taken to one side by the head of the unit who informed me of an exciting opportunity which she had received over email inviting her to nominate a student for a trip of a lifetime through The Journey of a Lifetime Trust and she had thought of me! This of course was an exciting

opportunity. At least it would have been for a teenager other than me. I had a comfort zone and I was very comfortable staying within that zone, and it showed. At this point I was 16 years old and had nothing to show for it. I was painfully shy, still angry about my disability, I couldn’t stay away from home for any amount of time, I had a phobia of flying and needed to have therapy before going on holiday and medication for the flight, and I had real trouble facing the rest of my fears too. I hated the person I was and knew to break this terrible status quo it was essential that I went on this adventure. Five months later, after a successful interview and training day, I was on an aircraft destined for Africa. My trip would take 30 days and I would be travelling from the heart of Africa to Mozambique and the Indian Ocean, with 28 people who I had only met once before. For the first few days I was in shock but was able to pull myself together in time to make new friends and face some of my biggest fears. I will never forget that month. It made me who I am today.

On my trip I attended a one to one meeting with one of the expedition leaders in which I promised that upon my return I would face my biggest fear and learn to fly a light aircraft. On the 27th of February 2016, two years after making that promise, I did that very thing and had a trial flight with a UK based disabled flying charity called Aerobility. The

charity has 26 years’ experience of providing flying lessons and experience flights for people with a wide range of disabilities. This was a great comfort to me as I didn’t know how I was going to react, the only thing I was sure about was that I was petrified. After some quick checks my instructor ensured that I was still ok to go flying. As we rattled down the runway, a few minutes later, the strangest thing happened … as soon as our wheels left the runway l fell head over heels in love. As our blue and white flying machine climbed away from the ground, I felt all my earthly problems get smaller and dissipate which gave me an incredible sense of freedom. For the first time in my life I was fulfilling my dreams and I felt equal to everybody else in the sky that day.

Since my first flight I have not let my excitement fade. On that date I was determined to gain my Private Pilot’s Licence and join the growing community of disabled Pilots. In order to gain your licence students are required to fly a route of more than 150 nautical miles, landing at two different aerodromes, on their own. It was soon my time to do my route opting for a flight from Blackbushe to Thruxton, Thruxton to Coventry, before then returning to Blackbushe. It was only whilst I was flying over Salisbury at 2500ft, on my own, in my little flying machine that I realised what an incredible journey I have had. I also realised that the biggest benefit hasn’t been

the flying. The biggest benefit has been to my confidence, my ability to now stay away from home without even thinking twice and my ability to now eat in front of anybody at any time. As I raced through blue skies on that day, I realised I owe my life to Aerobility. Without them I would never have the confidence that I enjoy today or know the people I see as my very best friends. I would never have had the opportunity to fly to France or into air shows and I wouldn’t have a reason to get up in the morning. Flying is not my life. Aerobility is and without them I would still be the wimpy kid I knew so well in school. With them I am Harvey and I gained my Private Pilot’s Licence in Summer 2019.

For more information about Aerobility www.aerobility.com