The Gatineau Gliding Club and Youth Flight Canada (YFC) are pleased to re-launch Freedom Wings collaboration under the YFC Education Fund. The “Freedom Wings” program provides inspirational glider experience flights to Ottawa Hospital Rehabilitation Centre clients and other people in the region with disabilities. The Ottawa Hospital is coordinating services and providing staff to help rehabilitation clients at the airfield maximise their experience.

Participants will sit in the front seat of a two-seated glider with a qualified glider pilot in the rear seat. The glider will take-off by being pulled by a tow rope behind a powered plane to a height of approximately 2000ft and released from tow. The motor less flight experience will begin; flying in silence above the colours of Eastern Ontario before gliding to a soft landing.

The Youth Flight Canada Education Fund is a registered Canadian charity that provides scholarships to youth who wish to become glider pilots. Donations can be directed towards Freedom Wings Gatineau-Ottawa through the attached link for Youth Flight Canada below.

The Gatineau Gliding Club with YFC financial support provides a complimentary day of airfield flight operations to make the event happen. There will be eight Club members volunteering their personal time. This includes four volunteer pilots and up to four ground staff. The club is also providing complementary glider rental, day membership, and full access to the Pendleton runways and airfield facilities.

Conval-Aid is kindly providing technical support for the transfer lift that lifts mobility challenged participants in and out of gliders.