Handivol - Les ailes du partage 2023
News from 5 October 2023. It has not been updated since it was published: some information may have changed. Latest news
The 17th Solidarity Air Tour, "Les Ailes du Partage", organised by the Toulouse association "Les Citoyens Du Ciel – LCDC" in partnership with the FFPLUM, has just finished after a journey that took them from Villefranche de Rouergue to Saint-Junien, Bordeaux-Saucats, Tarbes Laloubère, Saint-Girons and… Montauban.
At each stopover, the Solidarity Tour was welcomed by a local club to carry out introductory flights together for young people with disabilities, their siblings and their carers.
In all, more than 130 first flights were offered, thanks to contributions from the FFPLUM (handivol division and regional committees), the ANS, Airbus and corporate sponsorship, to young people with physical, sensory, intellectual or social differences.
About fifteen highly motivated LCDC volunteers, three microlights, one aeroplane and three support vehicles criss-crossed the skies and roads of Occitanie and Nouvelle-Aquitaine to complete this tour, whose aim, besides the first flights, is to build links between the organisations responsible for disabled people and the clubs so that this approach lasts.
The Saint-Junien stopover, wonderfully hosted by the club of the same name, was also the setting for the first meeting of disabled pilots, co-organised by the club, the Handivol division and LCDC.
Nearly 90 people connected, closely or loosely, with flying and disability came together for this meeting, which opened up flying to all, notably with the participation and explanations of the association "Les Mirauds Volants", of hard-of-hearing pilot instructors, and the presentation of adapted microlights, all in a festive atmosphere of sharing our wings with the stopover's beneficiaries.
Fruitful discussions on flying practices specific to each type of disability were at the heart of the conversation between 2 flights.
The Saint-Junien firefighters, invited for the occasion and unanimously praised, deployed their vehicles and expertise, sirens and all, to the great delight of the little ones (and the grown-ups too). Passion comes in every colour.
The verdict: "a multitude of magical moments", like "a break from life's trials".
And for 2024 ... the human adventure, with the sharing of our wings at the heart of the action, will continue… but shh… for now let us savour these moments of intense happiness for these young people with such endearing 'differences' and their families, which the volunteers from the clubs and from the Nouvelle-Aquitaine & Occitanie regional committees, supported by the handivol division and Les Citoyens Du Ciel, were able to give to those who did not dare ask!
Happiness begins here, at our feet, and carries on in the air. Let us share our passion.
With heartfelt thanks to all the clubs that welcomed us warmly and contributed to the success of this event.
Writers: Jean-Paul Burgues, Alain Réveillon
Click on the left and right of the image to scroll through the pictures of the event
