DOUBLE amputee Capt Luke Sinnott has successfully led a team of wounded service on a flight around the British coastline in a fleet of microlights.

Capt Sinnott, who had both legs amputated above the knee, planned the trip to highlight the importance of post-injury activities as part of a long term recovery programme.

He said that he also took the team on to demonstrate how flying can create a sense of freedom for those with physical disabilities and inspire other wounded servicemen and women to learn to fly.

The microlights departed from Cotswold Airport at 3pm on the June 7 and completed the 2,000 mile route in nine days.

The trip was not without drama, with two of the five microlights having to be left behind in the first two days due to technical difficulties.

The remaining microlights each carried two people and the pilots rotated seats, making more than 20 stops and flying over some of the UK’s most remote landscapes.

Upon finishing last Tuesday night he said: “I spent 6 months organising the flight and I think I underestimated the size and complexity of the task. It is too easy to forget that the United Kingdom is a big place with some very remote terrain.

“For me personally, the high point was today. I broke away from the team and overflew RAF Odiham in Hampshire, which is the home of the Chinook squadron that airlifted me out of the battlefield when I was blown up in Afghanistan.

“We were hoping to land there today, but we ran out of time. The rest of the team pushed on to Kemble, but I decided to overfly Odiham and tipped my wings in respect. The tower knew I was overhead, so I hope they saw me. When they last flew me, it was very much touch and go that I would make it.

Each of the Round Britain pilots has overcome a life changing disability, caused by injury or sickness, to join the Flying for Freedom pilot programme funded through sponsorship and public donations.

Flying for Freedom is partnered with Help for Heroes and supported by the Endeavour Fund.

A contribution of £3 can be made by texting ‘Wings’ to 70900 or by visiting the website: wwwflyingforfreedom.org,