WHILE Michael may live with a visual impairment he hasn’t let that hold him back as he reached new heights to inspire others to take off “physically, emotionally and mentally”.

The 66-year-old from Cornwall who took to the skies as part of Flynqy’s new Cornwall Flying Scholarship has proven an inspiration, with demand for the initiative reaching new heights of its own - sparking the organisers to extend the application deadline.

Michael was recently able to fly a light aircraft thanks to the partnership between aviation charity Aerobility and pilot training school Flynqy Pilot Training, from Cornwall Airport Newquay.

Michael gives a thumbs up to signify he is ready for this next adventure in a light aircraft
Michael gives a thumbs up to signify he is ready for this next adventure in a light aircraft (Flynqy)

Michael’s story has had a huge impact on the local community, spurring many others to enquire about the opportunity, and as such the team have extended the application window to Sunday, October 25.

Michael has lived with a visual impairment, including permanent double vision and limited vision in one eye, since April 2023. Later in 2024, he was also diagnosed with a cognitive impairment which causes a delayed sensory response. As a result, Michael, aged 66, has had to adapt many aspects of his life.

During the flight he was given the opportunity to take the controls and fly a light aircraft over Padstow and Port Issac under the watchful eye of his instructor Michael Owen, former head of training at Aerobility in Blackbushe.

Michael said: “The flight was a remarkable and empowering experience. I give my heartfelt thanks to everyone who made this experience a reality, as you really do take off physically, emotionally and mentally when taking part in something like this – in fact you never really come down, I’m still up there!”

Michael soaring through the air during his flight day
Michael soaring through the air during his flight day (Flynqy)

Michael became aware of the Flynqy Pilot Training and Aerobility partnership as a result of his participation on the Cornwall Airport Newquay Accessibility Forum and decided to book a flight at a joint flying weekend held by both organisations in September. Michael booked a 30-minute flight experience through Aerobility, who subsidised his flying experience.

While Michael did not fly as part of the scholarship, he was part of a joint flying weekend hosted by Flynqy and Aerobility back in September to support accessible aviation opportunities in Cornwall. His flight was subsided through Aerobility’s fundraising activities, but he did make a contribution to the cost of the flight.

It was during this event that applications for the Cornwall Flying Scholarship were opened.

Since then Michael has very much become an ambassador for the programme and is keen to ensure that as many people as possible can be involved in such an experience.

Duncan Healey, contracts manager at Cornwall Airport Newquay, added: “We look forward to welcoming the successful scholarship recipients to Cornwall Airport Newquay, seeing them take to the skies and hopefully inspire others to believe that a future in aviation could be within their reach.”

Applications for the Cornwall Flying Scholarship will now close on October 25. Applicants must be aged 14 or over and either be living with a disability, be a disabled ex-Forces person, or be living with a terminal illness in Cornwall.

Applications can be made via Aerobility at: www.aerobility.com/cornwall-scholarship-application