Biker seriously injured in road crash takes up flying and then decides to go for a Down Under 'first'

IT’S a story some are calling as inspirational as that of Douglas Bader’s triumph over disability to become a top wartime flyer in Reach for the Sky.

When former BMW mechanic Dave Sykes, 43, was told in 1993 he faced life in a wheelchair after a motorcycle crash he started a fight back which would eventually lead to recovery of full movement in his arms.

But that was not enough for the former biker – he decided he wanted to do a charity parachute jump which he did, breaking a leg in the process.

While resting up after his latest setback he spotted an offer to try out flying in a microlight. Just as Bader discovered golf, Mr Sykes had found a pastime in which he could compete equally with the able-bodied.

Now the paraplegic pilot is on the brink of an epic solo, record breaking microlight journey from York, England to Sydney, Australia to celebrate 80 years since Amy Johnson became the first woman to fly solo to Australia.

This feat of aviation will see him cross the borders of 18 countries, flying 12,000-13,000 miles over hostile terrain ranging from mountain ranges to deserts and vast oceans through foul and fair weather.

The trip – to raise 20,000 for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance – will see him become the first paraplegic to make such a microlight trip – flying from Rufforth airfield, near York, to Sydney.

It marks a milestone in a journey which began on November 19 1993.

On his way to work by motorbike he was in an accident with a car in Birstall, Leeds.

He broke his back at the T8 vertebrae; he also broke a clavicle and femur bone in his left leg. He shattered all his ribs, punctured both lungs, and lost feeling in his right arm.

For the first three weeks doctors rated his survival chances as less than one in three. He was in hospital for six months.

His first thought on getting out was to take up parachuting, and did a tandem parachute jump in 1997. It was from 10,500ft and because he “quite liked the feeling” he did a second one with a faster canopy.

But he and his co-jumper stalled on landing and Dave broke his leg. His girlfriend put her foot down and said: “Don’t do that again or we’re finished.”

He took up microlighting in 2000. He found a Pegasus XL but it was too slow, so he upgraded to a 60mph Blade 912, which he flew for two years, including a journey across the English Channel and on to Spain, and to Ireland and back.

He has since bought a 80mph Pegasus Quik – one of the fastest microlights in the world – and had it adapted with hand controls.

Now Mr Sykes, of Earlsheaton, Dewsbury, is to embark a 55-stop tour expected to take him eight weeks. After York he will set down in Kent before crossing the Channel.

Then he will fly over France to Italy, Malta, Greece, Cyprus, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Dubai, Bahrain, Oman, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Burma, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and finally Australia – landing at Sydney.

He said: “Through Saudi the deserts with be challenge. There is also a long sea crossing from Rhodes to Cyprus and from there to Egypt, which are both a couple of hundred miles, then across the Timor Sea to Australia, which is 300 miles.”

“The main problem is long periods in a cockpit seven to eight hours. I have got official permission to fly through all the countries. It is going to be a huge challenge.

“It has not been attempted by anyone wheelchair-bound before. I aim to set a record the furthest and longest flight by a disabled pilot.”

The only thing delaying the take-off is initial sponsorship. He needs 30,000 to go and is still 20,000 short.

If you can help contact him on 07717 453533 or visit www.soloflightglobal.com