Flying around the world to tell their story

The crew took off from Geneva in Switzerland in November last year to begin the epic 80,000km voyage which will mainly be flown by disabled pilots and will take in six continents and 40 countries.

Over its 11 year history, Handiflight has become the biggest fly-in of disabled pilots in the world.

But this is the first time the organisation has organised an around-the-world voyage of this kind.

A key objectives of the adventure is to raise funds for Humanity & Inclusion, part of the charity Handicap International.

‘‘We want to change perceptions of disabilities; it is not just an aviation project, but to show that even in a chair you can achieve your dream,’’ co-founder and president of Handiflight Daniel Ramseier said.

‘‘The second goal is to raise funds for Handicap International, by the end we will raise $US80,000.’’

The nine month project will involve around 20 pilots, many of whom are paraplegic, completing stints in one of two CTLS light sport aircraft.

Baptised ‘Celine’ and ‘Dreamcatcher’, these aircraft were built by the German company Flight Design and have been fitted with special hand controls to allow them to be flown without the use of the pilot’s legs.

Two CTLS, accompanied by a Piper Comanche chase plane, have travelled from Switzerland through Italy, Greece, the Middle East, the sub-continent, Thailand and Indonesia on their way to Australia.

Tragically, the flight was delayed following the crash of one of the two aircraft on arrival at Bang Phra in Thailand, which resulted in the death of South African pilot Mike Lomberg last month.

The aircraft veered left on very short final and impacted the ground.

After consideration, Handiflight organisers decided to press on to Australia with the one remaining aircraft.

Mr Ramseier said one pilot close to Mr Lomberg did not want to continue, but the others did in tribute.

‘‘We wanted to go on in his memory.’’

French pilot Eric Dabas, a paraplegic, and the team eventually made their way to Deniliquin where they were treated to lunch and a cruise down the Edward River.

Mr Dabas has been in a wheelchair for 35 years since a motorcycle accident at the age of 17, but said a love for flying came even earlier.

Given his family background he said there was no other choice.

‘‘My father was a pilot and my mother a flight attendant,’’ he said.

‘‘My parents split when I was nine and I didn’t see my dad after that, but I always carried this love for flying.’’

Mr Dabas has been flying since 2003 and has been a fully licensed pilot since 2006.

Mr Ramseier said he was one of four pilots in the world capable of flying the specially designed plane, which is entirely hand-operated, with Mr Dabas joining the expedition for the Australian leg.

A support plane carries the majority of luggage, and two other team members.

The Frenchman said he had experienced difficulties living with a disability and found people could be apprehensive around him or others who are disabled, which was a big part of why the world trip was organised.

‘‘I wanted to do the flight to show you can still do a lot of things even if you are disabled.’’

Mr Dabas has to reach New Zealand by April 15, to return home to his work with the French Ministry of Defence.

Handiflight has been sponsored by Lions Clubs with Mr Ramseier saying without the support, they would not be able to run the program.

‘‘The partnership with Lions means we can meet locals and explain what we are doing,’’ he said.

‘‘However, we need sponsorship to continue the journey from New Zealand.’’

To donate to the Handiflight program visit https://handicap-international.ch/de/handiflight/handiflight-around-the-world-project.