British Antarctic Microlight Expedition - Summary for the Cabinet Office GREAT Campaign

1. THIS
IS
The British Antarctic Microlight Expeditionı
2013 - 2014

2. PRESENTATION TITLE DATE
BRITISH ANTARCTIC MICROLIGHT EXPEDITION
Of all the places on the face of the Earth,
Antarctica has proven to be the most challenging.
With average “summer’ temperatures of
-25 °C and Katabatic wind speeds at
the coast that can touch 198 mph, Antarctica is
the harshest place in the world to fly.
In Jan 2014 a team made up of British Wounded,
Injured and Sick (WIS) will attempt to over fly the
South Pole in Flex-wing Microlights (Powered
Hangliders)
The attempt will showcase British Exploration and
Endeavor. As a technical and logistical challenge
it will also demonstrate the best of British
Industry and British technical ability.

3. SOME OF THE WORLD S MOSTı
INSPIRING LANDSCAPES ı www.fly2pole.com

4. British Antarctic Microlight Expedition
PATRONS & SUPPORTERSı
• Baron Jones of Birmingham, Kt.ı
• Jim French CBE
• Rear Admiral David Steel CBE RN
• Major General Phil Jones CBE Army
• Air Vice Marshall Greg Bagwell CB CBE RAF
• Lt Charlie Martell FRGS – British Ocean Rower
• Dave Sykes – British Paraplegic Microlight Pilot

5. British Antarctic Microlight Expedition
BRITISH EMPLOYERS (so far)ı
• P&M Aviationı
• FlyBeı
• Bell Pottinger Privateı
• Pace Rehabilitationı
• Snowsledı
• Augusta Westandı
• EADS Group (Airbus, Eurocopter, Cassidan, Astrium)ı
• Arco Safetyı

6. British Antarctic Microlight Expedition
HELP FOR HEROES PARTNERı
BAME works in partnership with the
charity Help for Heroes to promote
opportunities for our wounded.
BAME training has established a legacy
project called Flying for Freedom (F4F).
Wounded Pilots trained for BAME will
go on to train future wounded, injured
and sick to fly.
Expedition Aircraft and the income
derived from the BAME TV
Documentary syndication will support
flying as a post-rehabilitation training
activity for years to come.

7. British Antarctic Microlight Expedition
ANTARCTICAı
The south pole attempt will be the culmination of two
years training and testing.
We plan to perform ‘Black Shod’ training at the end of
this year, followed by a mock cold weather expedition
to Northern Sweden at the end of February 2013. This
will test equipment, including some Antarctic flying
prosthetics designed by Pace Rehabilitation.
Deployment to the pole will be via HMS Protector in
December 2013 for an attempt in Jan 2014
1. Our route takes us down the Antarctic. 3. From Union Glacier the route will curve 5. We have started to film a TV
Peninsula. We will back stitch (ask your down across the and a landing at the documentary and have interest from all of
mum) fuel and equipment by air across Amundsen Scott Antarctic Research the main networks. We have MOD
Palmer Land and forward to Union Glacier. Station. permission to film.
2. From Union Glacier Richard Meredith- 4. Following the obligatory photo call at 6. BAME is a very different challenge from
Hardy will lead an attempt to overfly the the South Pole, the team will back track to all previous expeditions undertaken by the
summit of Mt Vinson (16050 ft), the Union Glacier for an extraction by air wounded. Our team will be attempting an
highest peak on the Antarctic continent. charter to Chilli. expedition that has never been attempted
before by the able bodied.

8. British Antarctic Microlight Expedition
TIME TABLEı
The project began back in Jan 2012 when flying trials were held for the wounded, injured and
sick as part of an MOD Risk assessment.
Microlight flying was found to be a great and cost effective post rehabilitation training
activity
Training has commenced with 10 wounded, injured and sick service personnel.
Many of the team have already challenged perceptions, as they have been able to fly with
injuries that were thought to prevent them from flying.
Expedition deployment
Timetable PROTECTOR
A173
HMS Protector has its own brand of beer called ‘Ice-Breaker’.
Jan feb mar apr may jun jul aug sep oct nov dec Jan feb apr may jun jul aug sep oct nov dec Jan feb mar apr may
2012 2013 2014

9. British Antarctic Microlight Expedition
Flight Training (Clockwise from top) Capt (Retd) Martin Hewitt – right arm paralysed; Capt Luke Sinnott – double above knee
amputee; Cpl Hannah Campbell- single lower leg amputee; Cpl Alan Robinson – single above knee amputee; Flt Kat Janes – Partially
Paralysed; Pte Owen Pick – single lower leg amputee

10. www.fly2pole.com

11. THAT’S