PRESS RELEASE!

Date: 19/10/2011 - 13:13:19

Britain's fastest blind man takes on world record with The Blades

Britain's fastest blind man, Mike Newman, has joined forces with the Royal Air Forces Association and The Blades aerobatic team in a bid to set new world records in the sky, the water and on land.

Former world blind landspeed record holder Mike Newman will be at the controls of one of The Blades' Extra 300 aircraft as they attempt to set a new world record for the most number of formation loops.

All former Red Arrows pilots, the record will be attempted by Blade 1, Myles Garland, who will be flying with Mike, Blade 2, Andy Offer, Blade 3, Andy Evans and Blade 4, Mark Cuttmore.

The team will fly in a box formation just feet apart from one another as they continually perform as many loops as possible in order to set the record.

Mike Newman said "I am excited about the prospect of flying with this prestigious group of pilots who are raising money for a very worthy charity"

James Cliff said "Setting a new world record for the most number of formation loops is going to take a lot of concentration even though we all have plenty of experience in flying this particular manoeuvre but we are ready and willing to take on the challenge. Having Mike Newman piloting the lead aircraft will make it all the more special and is a truly amazing achievement. He is a fantastic example of the message he is sending with Speed of Sight."

The world record attempt will take place on Thursday 20th October at The Blades' home in Sywell. After spending the morning rehearsing and allowing Mike time to get used to the aircraft the team will attempt the record in the afternoon.

Also taking part in the record attempt will be former SAC Jon Allan Butterworth, 24 who will fly in one of the other aircraft and who is sponsored by the RAF Association.

Jon was serving in Basra working for Joint Force Helicopter on countermeasures when he lost his left arm in a mortar attack.

After leaving the RAF Jon-Allan took up cycling as a professional career. His dream now is to compete at the 2012 Paralympics in London.

His latest challenge on the path to the Paralympics was the UCI Para-Cycling Track World Championships in Italy from 11-13 March where the former airmen set a new world record in the men's C5 kilo event.

The RAF Association provides Jon-Allan with support and sponsorship to take him to the 2012 Paralympics.

For the second year running The Blades are partnered with the Royal Air Forces Association. RAF personnel and their families dedicate their lives to their country. The RAF Association provides the support needed to ensure that their sacrifice does not end in suffering, poverty or loneliness.

-ends-

Notes to editors:
Mike Newman and Speed of Sight
Mike Newman has been the multiple World Blind Land Speed Record holder for a blind rider / driver over the last decade but lost his blind land speed crown last year to Turkish driver Metin Senturk. Senturk broke Mike's record by driving a Ferrari F430 unaccompanied at 182mph..

Mike is now planning to be the first blind person to hold World speed records for both Land and Water. Will be attempting within the next 12 months to beat the current Blind Water Speed Record of 99.19mph using a Silverline F1 Powerboat. And will launch an attempt to recapture the world blind landspeed record by driving a supercar at over 200mph unaccompanied. www.speedofsight.co.uk

The Blades
The Blades Aerobatic Team is flying its sixth display season during 2011. The team is based at Sywell Aerodrome, Northamptonshire - its home for the last five years. The team made its first public display in May 2006 and since then has gone on to perform nearly 500 displays in nine countries as well as countless flypasts. The Blades operate the Extra 300 LPS, a highly manoeuvrable aircraft designed with performance aerobatics in mind. All Blades display pilots are former Red Arrows and since 2006, the display has evolved each year whilst retaining the extremely impressive and dynamic ‘Blade Break'.

The Blades fly four Extra EA-300 LPS designed specifically with performance aerobatics in mind. Throughout the display, the pilots fly the aircraft on the edge of its performance envelope, often performing manoeuvres whilst sustaining well in excess of 8g.

The team fly a mix of graceful formation aerobatics and some extreme dynamic manoeuvres. Whilst looping and rolling only feet apart, they also perform opposition crosses with combined speeds in excess of 400mph. All of the pilots have an impressive RAF pedigree, have flown an array of RAF fast-jets and are former Red Arrows. With 25,000 hours of flying experience between them, the pilots have all flown on operations in Iraq, The Balkans and Afghanistan.

The 2011 Leader is Blade 1 and former Red Arrows ‘syncro-pair' Leader, Myles Garland. The Blade 2 position is shared throughout the season between Andy Offer and Chris Carder. Andy Evans flies as Blade 3, whilst Blade 4, who is also the team's solo display pilot, is Mark Cutmore. www.theblades.biz

RAF Association
Through a network of more than 600 volunteer welfare officers and over 70,000 members the RAF Association provides care and support to serving and ex RAF personnel and their families.

From an injured airman fighting to get back on his feet, to a child missing their parent on overseas operations or a war veteran needing a shoulder to lean on, the RAF Association is dedicated to supporting serving and ex RAF personnel and their families.

The RAF Association helps to provide care and support in a number of ways from offering help and financial support to individuals, to providing funding for RAF station facilities and carrying out home and hospital visits. www.rafa.org.uk

Media enquiries;
Mike Newman / Speed of Sight
John Galloway
07971 161 621
john@speedofsight.co.uk

The Blades
James Cliff
01604 671309
jamescliff@2excelaviation.com

RAF Association
Natasha Glenville
0116 268 8755
natasha.glenville@rafa.org.uk