Founded in 1994, the Trust was established to provide facilities to teach disabled people to fly, using specially adapted Microlight aircraft.

I cannot begin to describe how much it means to be up there in the sky when you spend all your time in a wheelchair

Jonathan Rudge

The charity, Aviation for Paraplegics and Tetraplegics Trust (APT), is based at Old Sarum Airfield, near Salisbury, Wiltshire.

A shortage of funds threatened the charity with closure in 1998, but fundraising and media coverage helped them to pull through. The charity has flourished ever since.

APT landmarks during the last ten years:

• 125 disabled people have had assessment flights;

• 12 physically disabled pilots have completed flight training and received their coveted National Private Pilots Licence (NPPL):

• 9 disabled flight trainees are currently undergoing flying instruction for their NPPL.

On 3rd April 2004, the charity celebrated its anniversary by bringing together trainees and qualified pilots from around the country.

Jonathan Rudge

More than two dozen disabled pilots, from across the South, attended an Anniversary Party and Open Day. In all, between 150 and 200 families, carers and supporters descended on the airfield.

Disabled pilot Jonathan Rudge, from East Gomeldon, near Salisbury, who learnt to fly with APT after a car accident, says flying has transformed his life: "I cannot begin to describe how much it means to be up there in the sky when you spend all your time in a wheelchair," he says.

"To be able to control the plane, take off, climb, navigate, use the radio, descend and land, gives me a tremendous sense of freedom and a buzz that lasts for days."

Lt Col Jack Simpson

Lt Col Jack Simpson, who runs the charity, says APT is organising the event to recognise the hard work of the trainee pilots and to raise general awareness of the charity.

"Each year we award a number of flying scholarships to disabled people," he says.

"Although the standard of applications is very high, not enough people know about us.

"This open day will help people understand what we do, encourage more disabled people to apply for scholarships and capture the interest of potential supporters and donors."