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On Tuesday 26th June 2007, The Ulster Gliding Club introduced a new high-performance two-seat training glider to further develop the facilities available at Bellarena. The new glider is fitted with special hand controls that make it suitable for flying by the able-bodied and by those with disabilities of the lower limbs.
Acquisition of the new glider was made possible with the generous help of grant aid from The Sport Northern Ireland Lottery Fund and The Enkalon Foundation.
Professor Saunders O.B.E., Chairman of Sport Northern Ireland, introduced the facility by officially handing over the glider to the Club. Professor Saunders has remarked “Sport Northern Ireland is committed to improving the programmes and facilities available for people of all abilities to participate in sport in Northern Ireland.
Funding towards the new glider will further improve the Ulster Gliding Club's facilities for all users. The inclusion of hand-controls and support equipment will provide full equality of access to flying training for wheelchair users for the first time in Northern Ireland. The new glider has a service life of at least 30 years and this will enable a generation of wheelchair users to have access to the sport at Bellarena.
Sport is an excellent vehicle for the social development of people with disabilities. It provides opportunities to be active, to interact with others, boost self-esteem and build new friendships."
On launch day the Ulster Gliding Club introduced a number of persons with a disability to the unique experience of flying a glider in the scenic skies around Lough Foyle. Chief pilot for the day was visiting instructor, Steve Derwin, who was one of the first wheelchair users to qualify as a gliding instructor.
The Ulster Gliding Club is following in the footsteps of Walking-on-Air, a registered charity that has been introducing people with disabilities to flying training at their base in Scotland for many years. Senior instructors and other staff from Walking-on-Air participated in the launch event. Promotion of the new opportunity will be assisted by Disability Sport Northern Ireland.
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