Challenge Completed!

Although the day had more than its fair share of difficulties, Derek, Adam and Wee Vans completed their challenge of overflying all 282 Munros before sunset. Congratulations to them, and thanks to everyone who supported the team!

Dawn to Dusk Dash with a Difference

On Saturday 13th August 2022, pilot Derek Pake and clean technology specialist – and "Munroist” – Adam Forsyth are going to undertake an exciting and unusual challenge. In doing so, they’re seeking to promote the decarbonisation of aviation, help Scottish Mountain Rescue fund new life-saving technology and give disabled people wings.

Derek is fundraising for Aerobility

Adam is fundraising for SARAA Scotland

As a hillwalking enthusiast, Adam has successfully climbed all 282 Scottish mountains over 3,000 feet – the Munros. As a pilot, Derek is keen to enter the Pooleys International Dawn to Dusk aviation competition. Between them, they plan to overfly every one of those mountains in a single day.

The pair also hope to promote the decarbonisation of aviation.

The aircraft’s fuel tank will contain a small blend of sustainable aviation fuel (AVGAS) – at a level low enough to comply with current regulations. This has kindly been provided by Dr Massimiliano Materazzi who leads bioenergy and biofuels research at UCL. In this way, Derek and Adam hope to highlight that there are low and even negative carbon aviation solutions currently in development, and that aviation can be decarbonised. In his work at Longspur Capital with companies such as Velocys on sustainable aviation fuel, Lilium on electric flight and ZeroAvia on hydrogen flight, Adam has come to understand that the solutions are out there.

All About Aerobility

As we prepare for our unique fundraising event, we thought we should highlight just why we are raising funds for the charities we’ve chosen. First of these is Aerobility, the charity donations to Derek will support.

Founded in 1993, they change lives by providing anyone, with any disability, with access to the magic and wonder of flight. They do this because taking the controls of an aircraft drives a focus on capability and encourages the flyers to ask the question “If I can fly an aeroplane, what else can I do?”

This makes everything else in life feel that little bit more achievable, whilst offering the ultimate feeling of freedom and escape from restrictions of disability.

Aerobility represents the needs of those living with disability into aviation and is recognised as the leading expert in disabled flying.

From humble beginnings back in 1993 to their current fleet of 4 aircraft with a head office at Blackbushe in Surrey and operations from Tatenhill in the Midlands as well, they support nearly 1,000 disabled people per year with access to the unique joy of flight.

For some, just that amazing first flight is enough to change their outlook on disability forever.

Others, realising that the fantasy of flight is truly in their grasp, decide to continue flying, with some securing their Private Pilot Licence and then even looking toward commercial aviation.

Aerobility provides once in a life-time 'Experience Flights’ to as many terminally ill and disabled people as possible as well as subsidised flying for individuals and other disability charities.

A user-led organisation, Aerobility is run largely by disabled aviators, for disabled people. Through fundraising initiatives like the Munro Dash and careful management strategies, they allow disabled people to fly for a fraction of the commercial rate.

Aerobility also provides advice, knowledge and advocacy for disabled people who wish to fly, and is the representative body for disabled aviation within the UK.

Speaking on behalf of Aerobility, Fundraising and Outreach Events Manager Phoebe Weir said, “We were delighted to hear that Derek and Adam have chosen us as a beneficiary of their fundraising efforts. Every penny they raise for us will help us put any individual with any disability where they long to be – at the controls of an aircraft in flight.”

Introducing Derek - and WeeVans!

Derek Pake (60) has wanted to fly for as long as he can remember. In his youth he was a keen aircraft spotter and a member of the Air Cadets, where he gained his solo glider pilot wings at age 17, as well as serving as a Staff Cadet at No12 Air Experience Flight, RAF Turnhouse. Unable to join the RAF as a pilot due to slightly substandard eyesight, Derek instead embarked on a career as an Air Traffic Controller with National Air Traffic Services at age 19. One fringe benefit of this was that the training course included training to Private Pilot Licence standard and Derek obtained his licence in 1982.

Since then Derek has flown a wide range of types and owned shares in several light aircraft flying groups, before eventually settling on co-ownership of a Vans RV8 aircraft, with a fellow Air Traffic Controller Hamish Mitchell in 2017.

‘Wee Vans’ is an American kit built RV8 aircraft supplied by Vans Aircraft, Oregon, USA. Designed for sports aerobatics and touring operations, the aircraft is powered by a 180HP petrol fuel injected engine, giving a top speed of 230MPH/370KmPH. Normal cruising speed is around 184MPH/296KmPH with a fuel burn of 30-35 litres per hour. Over a flying year, Wee Vans averages 27 Miles Per Gallon. For aerobatic flight, the aircraft is designed to cope with forces of +6G and -3G.

When Hamish and Derek brought Wee Vans to a new home in Scotland, the aircraft joined seaplane Wee Dram (registration G-DRAM) in forming the Wee Air Force at Prestwick and it was then she gained her own nickname. In 2019, an opportunity to repaint the aircraft saw a charity competition to design a new scheme, with over 50 entries submitted whilst raising funds for the Aerobility charity. The vivid scheme raises comments, good and bad, wherever she goes. At the same time, an appropriate new registration G-WEEV was also applied to the aircraft.

Since coming to Scotland, Wee Vans has had many adventures, including attending aviation events in the UK and Europe. She also undertakes many sorties spreading the happiness and joy of flight to passengers both young and old, providing them with huge smiles which are known fondly throughout the aviation community as Vans Grins. Many show their appreciation by contributing to charity, in particular to Solving Childhood Cancer in memory of a brave young lady called Vanessa Riddle. Vanessa, her family, and friends raised huge sums of money in a campaign to fund her ground-breaking treatment of neuroblastoma. Whilst this did show positive signs and a period of remission, sadly the disease came back and took Vanessa shortly before her 18th birthday. The fundraising continues of course, to help other families and children battling with this horrific disease. Vanessa’s nickname was ‘Wee V’, mirroring the aircraft registration. In honour of her memory, Wee Vans carries the title ‘Spirit of Wee V’ proudly on her nose.

For Derek, the marvel of flight has never lost its magic, and although the personal satisfaction of carrying out a flight in Wee Vans is very hard to beat, it is always surpassed by seeing the beaming smile on a passenger‘s face when they have completed a trip in Wee Vans and earned their World famous ‘Vans Grin’. Additionally, using the aircraft to help raise funds for charitable causes through individual flights or campaigns gives an immense degree of pride and pleasure.

Now retired after 41 years as an Air Traffic Controller, Derek hopes that the potential extra free time that he might have can be used to further enjoy the personal ongoing wonder of flight in Wee Vans whilst also giving even more Grins and donations to charity.

Introducing SARAA Scotland

Today's story is of the work of SARAA Scotland - the second of our two charities, supported by Adam's fundraiser page.

The Search & Rescue Aerial Association Scotland helps save lives. Specifically, it trains drone pilots in the specific skills required to assist Scottish Mountain Rescue in its search and rescue operations – for example, to scan large areas much more swiftly than can be done on foot, and to give better analytic information once a rescue is underway.

SARAA Scotland was founded in 2018, and already has eleven qualified pilots, with more in training, providing operational support from Arrochar to Assynt and Tayside to the Tweed. While there are still constraints on the conditions under which they can be used – poor visibility will prevent operations, and the law requires that they can only be operated within the pilot’s line of sight – their deployment is growing steadily, as the benefits become more and more evident to the mountain rescue teams.

As Tom Nash, Chairperson of SARAA Scotland, pointed out: “Risk reduction is a key use of a drone.” Once the casualty is found, the drone can help rescuers plan the best approach, and even – with a speaker attached – allow communication.

When a light shines through the darkness around an injured and stranded climber, and a disembodied voice asks for a “thumbs up if you’re OK but can’t move”, a wearily raised thumb, through the lens of the SARAA drone, sends the strongest possible message – drones can make a vital difference to the safety and efficiency of Scotland’s Mountain Rescue teams’ operations.

“We were delighted when Adam and Derek chose us as one of the beneficiary charities of their Munro Dash. As well as the possibility of some extra funds to support our growth, they’re helping us reach a wider audience for the work we do,” said Tom.

The Story of Adam and Sustainable Aviation

Finally, we meet the other half of the Munro Dash team:

Adam Forsyth (58) started his career as a specialist in clean technology and renewable energy by taking a degree in Civil Engineering. He quickly moved into environmental work and then finance, but the skills he learned have remained with him – as has the love for the hills he developed during his time at university.

We caught up with him. It wasn’t difficult because, for once, he was sitting at a desk in an office.

Munro Dash Fact Find: What and when was your first Munro?

Adam Forsyth: Ben Starav in 1975. I was at a school camp at the bottom of Glen Etive and we climbed the hill from the campsite. We came down on the other side of the loch and someone had a boat to ferry us back. A few days later we did Bidean Nam Bian in Glencoe, which was quite an adventure for a twelve year old but I think by then I was hooked on the hills.

MDFF: You’ve climbed all of the Munros at least once, some of them several times. Which of them was your favourite to walk, and which one are you most looking forward to flying over?

AF: That’s a difficult question! So many different and wonderful experiences. It is never just the mountain but is always a combination of the mountain, the weather, and the company. I think one of my best days out was when I climbed Sgurr na Gillean by Pinnacle Ridge with a group of close friends. A long, pleasant climb on a sunny day but there was still snow in Coire a Bhasteir to glissade down and then we swam in the burn before heading to my climbing club’s dinner dance at the Sligachan Hotel. The fact I won a rucksack in the raffle is neither here nor there. In terms of the view from above, I think I’m most looking forward to the really remote stuff that is not seen that often. A' Mhaighdean is the most remote of the Munros and in wild country, so I think that will be really interesting to see from the sky.

MDFF: but… you’re sitting at a desk. Is there a link between clean energy and Scotland’s Munros?

AF: There are lots, and we’re trying to flag up just two in our Munro Dash. First: the importance of finding every way we can to mitigate our impact on the environment, and even find ways to protect the planet we’re inhabiting; and second, to recognise the role that aviation has in today’s world, and work out how we can make sure society can still sustainably use the Wright Brothers’ achievements to stay connected when we can.

MDFF: What’s your day job now?

AF: I am an investment analyst specialising in the clean energy industry. This means I produce reports for investors to help them make investment decisions. I explain what the company does, especially if it uses new technology. Then I put that technology in the context of today’s market need, and work out what that could be worth to potential investors. In short, I get to meet lots of really interesting companies doing really interesting things, and try to help others understand my enthusiasm.

MDFF: As an expert in the field of clean technology, do you think that the decarbonisation of aviation is a real possibility?

AF: I do, and it will be achieved through a combination of solutions including simply not flying if it is not really necessary. Aviation is too useful to avoid altogether, though, so the industry needs to look at the right solution for each need: putting it simply, sustainable aviation fuel for long haul, hydrogen for mid ranges and battery power for the shortest flights.

MDFF: How long will it be before we can all fly sustainably?

AF: I would expect that within five years there will be sustainable fight options available, but these will be smaller aircraft on targeted short routes. The blending of the right fuels so that longer flights will be equally sustainable will follow, but the urgency of the need is putting momentum behind the research into a solution.

MDFF: Why have you chosen to support SARAA-Scotland?

AF: Search and rescue seems such an obviously positive use of drone technology to me. Having been involved in a couple of mountain emergencies I know the value of promptly locating those in difficulty, especially when access is challenging. There are so many ways this relatively new technology can improve the response and hopefully lead to more positive outcomes – I hope our fundraising will make those responses even quicker and the outcomes better.

Plans for Munro Dash Day

The day of the Munro Dash is nearly upon us!

If all goes well, Derek and Adam will take off from Fife Airport in Glenrothes at around 9am. Their first waypoint is the overflight of the cemetery in Kirriemuir where Hugh Munro is buried. Refuelling stops are planned for Oban and Inverness, and the flight plan is illustrated in the pictures below.

If you want to track their progress in real time, you can go to https://www.flightradar24.com and enter Wee Vans' callsign "G-WEEV" in the search box.