Polly Vacher touched down at Oxford on July 31, 2007 to complete her round-Britain flight promoting Flying Scholarships for the Disabled. In just over two months she made 230 landings and flew more than 19,000 miles, despite some of the worst summer weather for many years. Battling through rain and low cloud she managed to visit every UK airfield in the Jepperson VFR flight manual — a remarkable achievement in these challenging conditions.
Wings Around Britain followed two round-the-world trips which saw 63-year-old Polly raise £400,000 for her favourite charity. The FSD scheme sponsors disabled people to train for a Private Pilots’ Licence, boosting their confidence and self-esteem along the way.
Red Admiral was among many organisations and individuals to back her latest project. Our role was to make a publicy film and provide a link with broadcasers. This helped Polly to achieve widespread news coverage throughout the country. Along her route she gave more than 40 interviews for TV and radio. She was also generously supported by the RAF. How many private pilots can claim to have flown alongside the Red Arrows, the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and a Eurofighter Typhoon? All this happened during Polly’s unique flying odyssey.
So where next? For now that’s a secret. But you can be sure her long-distance flying in support of FSD is far from over. Congratulations Polly!
Wings Around Britain
