BRITISH ANTARCTIC MICROLIGHT EXPEDITION
Royal Foundation Endeavour Fund Branding on our PulsR Flex-Wing. (Opposite): Expedition Leader Lt Col (Ret) James Harris briefs HRH Prince Harry, with John Laity and Nathan Forster
The Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry
Our MISSION Flying for Freedom, in partnership with Help for Heroes (H4H), are mounting a daring expedition to the South Pole to highlight how flying can help injured service personnel make a successful transition back into civilian life.
ROYAL SUPPORT FOR OUR ENDEAVOUR Our attempt is supported by the Royal Foundation of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry via their Endeavour Fund.
Contents Introduction Winning at many levels Backing Disability The Expedition Our Plan & Time Table Television & Coverage Told Their Way Media & Events Sponosorship Almost There 2015 Expedition Map
February 2015: Cold weather test flying from Arvidsjaur Flugtag, Sweden
3 5 8 8 9 10 10 11 12 13
INTRODUCTION - ADAPTIVE SPORTS for our wounded, injured and sick When an able bodied athlete breaks a world record, it is news. When a disabled athlete crosses the finish line it is news, but with added inspiration and emotion; however, rarely is it a world first. Able bodied athletes and explorers hold the accolade of being the World’s first and are committed to the record books, disabled athletes set disabled records.
Flying for Freedom’s challenge in Antarctica is your chance to change this inequality. With your help a group of wounded, injured and sick can be first to land at the South Pole by Microlight; this is something that has never before been achieved by the able bodied. You can be a part of their attempt. Your organisation can share in the emotion and inspiration. Your employees can be the Heroes to our Heroes for making it all happen. Together we can change perceptions of what can and can’t be achieved.
P&M Aviation GTR Donated by Lord & Lady Digby Jones of Birmingham
Expedition Air Team Leader Richard Meredith-Hardy, First person to overfly Mt Everest in a Flex-Wing Microlight...towing a Hanglider
THe EXPEDITION
EXPEDITION EQUIPMENT
Our South Pole mission will be the culmination of five years planning, training and testing. With support from sponsors and supporters we will deploy to Antarctica in December 2015 to launch our mission on the South Pole in January 2016.
The expedition is a huge technical challenge as it has never been attempted before and so we have to modify or design from scratch what we need. Consequently, this is a great opportunity for business and industry. From converted snowmobile helmets to newly designed prosthetics, our equipment has to be extremely light, but robust enough to withstand the rigors of the coldest place on earth.
IT CAN'T LOOSE The Expedition will achieve several Aviation firsts: > First to fly a flex-wing microlight in Antarctica > First to land a microlight at the South Pole The expedition will also help drive down the cost of disabled flight training by securing sponsorship and equipment for Flying for Freedom.
For safety and servicing reasons we hope to fly a minimum of four (4) Aircraft to the Pole These will be P&M PulsR Microlights that are open cockpit, but have a full fronted visor. Wheels will be replaced with skis for landing, small metal fittings need to be modified for manipulation in the cold and, an engine pre heating system need to be developed. The biggest change will be the total replacement of the wiring loom and fuel lines; rubberised wiring becomes brittle and crumbles away over time in Antarctic temperatures.
Backing Disability The London 2012 Paralympic Games attracted a cumulative TV audience of 3.8 billion in over 115 countries. Something not missed by brands such as EDF Energy, Sainsbury’s, Coca Cola and Lloyds TSB. Engaging with a disability makes strong and far reaching integrated multi-platform campaigns. (Above) FFF Team Member Capt Luke Sinnott at the 2013 Paralympic Games. Luke is part of the TeamGB Sailing team.
THe PLAN The final plan may change because there are a number of options depending on logisitcs and stores positioning. The expedition will fly three to five aircraft from the McMurdo Station up the Great Ice Road to the South Pole and then (with enough support from sponsors) onto Union Glacier. In support of the aircraft will be two ground vehicles carrying fuel, provisions and medical support.
IS IT POSSIBLE? FLex-Wing MICROLIGHT Faced with bad weather we can land and completely de-rig the wing. Something early aviators couldn’t do.
White out weather conditions, 180 mph winds, - 40O C temperatures and tiny open cockpit aircraft. It may seem impossible, but modern clothing and our aircraft design make our expedition safer and more achievable than the attempts made by the early aviation pioneers. Our aircraft have better performance and range than those flown in 1928 and our pilots face “impossible” everyday when overcoming their disabilities.
TIME TABLE Our TimeTable is as follows: 2015 > February - Cold Testing and Training (Complete) > June / July - Airshow Seasson > August - Mock Expedition > November - Equipment Shipped to New Zealand > December - Airlift to McMurdo,Antarctica > Christmas - Mission to the South Pole 2016 > January - Return flight from the Pole > February - Airlift back to Christchurch, New Zealand > March - Equipment and Team back to RAF Brize Norton Our team can support Sponsor Events and Fly-ins across 2015.
(Left) G-CHGA aka “The Flying Dig’ flying at -12O C off an ice runway 100 km North of the Arctic Circle.
(Above) 1928, Richard Byrd’s Flight to the South Pole required Aircraft to be reassembled prior to the attempt.
FFF Exedition Pilot Dave Sykes, first disabled person to fly solo from England to Australia,
Expedition Guide and Team Cameraman Kirk Watson has spent six seasons in Antarctica as a Safety Guide for BAS (British Antarctic Survey)
TELEVISION
COVERAGE
Since 2009, we have been filming our preparations for Antarctica, including our testing expedition to Northern Sweden. We are now in final negotiations for a two part TV Documentary, scheduled for the Factual Drama slot following on from UK prime time.
In building up to Antarctica, we have received coverage across the following News channels:
Our documentary focuses on the ability of our team, not disability. We tell the story of the Expedition and reference to our team’s individual stories will be covered by a “Band of Brothers” style talking heads at the end of each episode. In doing something that has never been attempted before the expedition has a real element of danger and the unknown. Antarctic Drama is not new to our Team Cameraman, Kirk Watson or Team Doctor, Matt Edwards. Kirk and Matt made ‘South of Sanity” the first ever motion picture to be written, shot and produced on location in Antarctica.
> Sky News (Audience 2,555,000) > ITV Lorraine > SSVC / BFBS > SVT - Sveriges Television (Audience 30% by Population) > Sveriges Radio P4 (31.3% by Population) > ITV Anglia > ITV Tyne Tees > BBC Scotland > ITV South West > ITV South East > ITV Yorkshire Later this year we hope to appear on BBC Top Gear as a feature and are scheduled to fly BBC Breakfast presenter Mike Bushell. Our newest flex-wing trainee, HRH Prince Harry is likely to create a media stir too.
TOLD THEIR WAY This story is told by our wounded, injured and sick. We have an embedded film team to capture the action and the team is creatively involved. The result - astounding. (Above) FFF Team Member Nathan Foster filming take offs from Arvidsaur.
ON-LINE We are partnered with Help for Heroes and share a joint Marketing and PR strategy. All our tweets and Facebook content is posted and distributed by Help for Heroes: Facebook: 328,999 Likes (Most Popular:18-24s and 35-44s)
Twitter: 228,000 Followers YouTube: 1,555,040 views (X-Factor Charity Single views)
helpforheroes.co.uk - 324,600 by Alexa.
MEDIA
EVENTS
Our preparations have featured in the following publications:
With Patronage from the Royal Air Force, British Army and Royal Navy we enjoy free access to the biggest air-shows in the UK:
> Telegraph (Readers 400,000) > The Sunday Times (Readers 885,612) > The Daily Star (Readers 535,957) > The Daily Express (Readers 529,648) > The Sun (Readers 2,409,811) > The Times (Readers 399,339) > Evening Gazette (Teesside) (Readers 40,546) > Pitea-Tidningen (Sweden) > MF Flying (Readers 2600) > Pilot (Members/Readers 3000) > Flyer (Readers 3600) > Loop (Readers 4000) (Above) One of our team Landrovers at -13OC on a frozen lake in Sweden.This was donated to us by Flix Media Limited and the Perrins Brothers. Ben Perrins drove it to all the way to Sweden from the UK to support us.
Our Activity is public facing and we form part of the overall PR fundraising strategy for Help for Heroes, under Adaptive Sports. As an official Endeavour Fund Project, we also form part of the media plan for the Royal Foundation of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry.
Royal InteRnAtional Air Tattoo 2015 - (2013:130,000 Visitors) Attendance at the 2015 event is expected to be higher as it is the Red Arrows 50th Anniversary. FFF will be opening the show to the Press and Public on 3rd June. Farnborough 2015 (2012: 109,000 Trade Visitors) At Farnborough we will be on display in support of Airbus Military and A400M. NEC Flying Show (2013: 24,000 Public Visitors) For 2015, our expedition to Antarctica is a key event for the Royal Foundation and forms part of HRH Prince Harry’s media schedule for the year. We CAN SUPPORT EVENTS AND PRODUCT LAUNCHES ACROSS EMEA
(Above left - right) Sky News interview, RIAT 2013 and our Patron Lord Digby Jones halping FFF Sponsor Trig launch their new range of Transponders
Flying for Freedom Expedition Pilots Luke Sinnott and Alan Robinson at a photshoot for the 2013 Range Rover Sports
Expedition Air Team Doctor Matt Edwards has wintered in Antarctica as Doctor to BAS (British Antarctic Survey)
SPONSORSHIP - How can you get involved ?
OUR DETAILS
We need about £1.2 million to pull off the expedition, which at the same time will establish five flying schools around the UK to support disability flight training. How much you contribute, will dictate what we can provide you in return for your support.
Make a small donation at: www.bmycharity.com/flyingforfreedom/
As you can see from the pictures oposite we are well on our way to Antarctica. However, we still need fuel, insurance, more aircraft and ground support vehicles to make our attempt.
Payments can be to our project office: Flying for Freedom & The British Antarctic Microlight Expedition Lane End Farm, Wembworthy, Chulmleigh, Devon, EX18 7QA ‘Flying for Freedom’ | The co-operative bank | Sort Code: 08-92-99 | Account Number: 65640900
MAKE IT HAPPEN Did you watch when Felix Baumgartner jumped from the edge of space? This is your chance to make the World stop and witness something as special.
ALMOST THERE Our Expedition is BIG and we almost have all we need to make our attempt. However, what we have will not get us to the Pole. With your help we could make it. What we need now is funds for the emainder of our equipment fuel sponsorship and emergency Insurance Cover. SKI FITTED PULSR Microlight
CUSTOM HANGAR TENT
STOVE
Modified SNOWMOBILE HELmet
TRANCIEVER RADIO (+VOR)
ONE DAY RATION PACK (3600 Kj)
ADVANCED TRAINER
£ 200
NEEDED
HEATED Liners / GLOVES
AIRLIFT TO ANTARCTICA
£ 675
TO AD Y RE
FLYING MITS
SKI FITTED PULSR Microlight
15 DONATED
£ 100
ENGINE COLD START COLD LD START AT:
o
-30 C
DONATED
£ 150
ANTARCTIC FLYING BOOTS
GO
GO RE AD Y
£ 435
£ 99.95
DONATED
TO
TO DONATED
£ 350,000
1 DONATED
www.fly2pole.com
£ 24
NEEDED
GO
DONATED
RE AD Y
15 DONATED
£ 150,000
SLEEPING BAG
TO RE
£ 25,000
N EEDED
RE AD Y
TO DONATED
Cover
TO
ANTARCTIC FLYING SUIT
AD Y
SE RV I IN
BASIC ER TRAINER
£ 80,000
GO
LT N EEDED
CE
P&M QUICKR Microlight
8500
AD Y
£ 300
RE
NEEDED
GO
7
1012
GO
7
TO
ANTARCTIC RECOVERY INSURANCE
£ 90
5 NEEDED
GO
AIRCRAFT FUEL
£ 250
ADVANCED TRAINER
TO
MICROLIGHT GPS
10 NEEDED
AD Y
£ 1500
NEEDED
AD Y
5
RE
£ 35,000
RE
NEEDED
GO
4
£ 35,000
15 DONATED
£ 125
John Laity Co-Founder Flying for Freedom (m) +44 (0) 7514 107977 (w) +44 (0) 1666 860465 john.laity@fly2pole.com
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