The Aspiring Pilot

Fly for MS flight into Poland

Being of Polish descent, it was great to read this portion of the Fly for MS trip and especially being able to write about it.  Wish I could do more, but have no contacts that I can think of that would be able to assist in making changes or a difference.  Just have to hope this article will bring some attention and maybe spread the word until someone sees it that can help make a difference in Poland. 

from my General Aviation Examiner column:

Fly for MS crew with one of the groups who were taken on a flight around Warsaw

Photo: Fly for MS crew

Following their successful visit to Romania, the Fly for MS crew flew on to Poland on September 22nd, landing at Babice Airport near the Polish capital city of Warsaw. According to the Polish Multiple Sclerosis Association, there are at least 50,000 people, and possibly more than 60,000 people, with Multiple Sclerosis in Poland.  Of those, only 6,000 are members of the Polish MS Association. The association consists of 10 employees with around 200 volunteers assisting. 

The state of MS treatment in Poland is very poor with MS patients facing many roadblocks and regulations limiting care. According to the Polish MS Association, care is focused only on patients between the ages of 16 and 40, leaving those younger or older with little to no care for their MS symptoms.   Even those within the approved age group are limited to have their treatment costs covered for only 36 months, leaving most without the ability to afford treatment beyond the 3 year period.  

For more on the Fly for MS visit to Poland, I have more at my examiner.com column here. 

Fly for MS' visit to Andrei's home country of Romania

From General Aviation Examiner: 

Fly for MS presenting at the MS Congress in Sibiu, Romania

Photo: Fly for MS crew

Following their success in Moldova, especially with their visit being instrumental in laying the foundation for the creation of a local MS Society, it appeared the rest of the trip may pale in comparison.  Next up was a visit to Andrei's home country of Romania after a short stop in St. Petersburg, Russia.  The trip to Russia was last minute and unplanned as obtaining the permissions and clearances to fly into Russia in a general Aviation airplane was extremely difficult.  There was little scheduled due to the last minute appearance; however, the stop in St. Petersburg added to the long story and success of the flight to date. 

From their Fly for MS finally continued on to Romania. Along with Andrei, 12 of the 25 volunteers for Fly for MS are also from Romania.  During the visit, the crew flew MS patients in the cities of Bucharest, Tulcea and Iasi.  While in Iasi, the crew suffered an unfortunate shortage of fuel and would not be able to fly the MS patients that had shown up; however, a local pilot, Razvan Apetrei, offered up his services and airplane for the Fly for MS cause.  Razvan flew three couples with MS who had arrived at the local airport.  Without any prior knowledge of the Fly for MS mission, he donated his time, fuel and airplane to assist the crew and to bring the joy of flight to the MS patients in Iasi Romania.  

Please visit General Aviation Examiner for the rest of this amazing story and please subscribe to the examiner column for updates on all articles I publish there.  

To Donate to Fly for MS, visit their Donations Page. 

Fly for MS in Moldova, help create Moldovan MS Society

From National General Aviation Examiner.

Vice-Minister of Health Octavian Grama, Vice-Director of the Neurology Hospital Dr. Andrei Uncuta, Fly for MS Pilot Keith and Andrei

Photo: Fly for MS crew

Fly for MS was in the country of Moldova on September 15 through the 17th with a busy schedule, full of events.  Andrei stated that 'Moldova is unique among the 30 countries we will visit as the country is the only one without an MS organization.' 

As a result of the visit by Fly for MS, the trip acted as a starting point for the countries doctors, MS patients and governmental entities to bring attention and resources to the fight against MS.  The MS Society in Moldova was created thanks to the groups visit and work with so many people and groups within Moldova.  

See National General Aviation Examiner for entire story.  If you only read one of these Fly for MS updates, this is the one for right now.   It demonstrates the power of even a single group of people can have on raising awareness and support for a cause.  

 

Fly for MS plane in Estonia, amazing reception

(excerpt from report in National General Aviation Examiner)

MS patient boarding airplane for sightseeing flight around Tallinn, Estonia

Photo: Fly for MS crew

Part 4 of a continuing series tracking the Fly for MS flight.  

1. MS Awareness Flight Intro
2. Departure from New York
3. Flights from Canada to Denmark

After departure from Denmark, the Fly for MS crew proceeded onto additional stops within Europe, including Estonia.  The crew landed in Tallinn where they had a media presentation attended by local media and the Minister of Health.  The press conference was followed by a regional Multiple Sclerosis congress after which they had multiple flights organized.  (see rest of the Estonia story and photos at examiner.com) 

 

Fly for MS flight has reached Europe, last update from Denmark

(excerpt from National General Aviation Examiner)

Fly for MS reaches Greenland after 4 hours over the open North Atlantic waters.

Photo: Florian Trojer

Part 3 of a multiple part series

The Fly for MS crew reached Denmark on September 5th after a long and arduous journey following their August 31st departure.  The trip from New York and flight through Canada was affected by Hurricane Danielle.  The winds from the former hurricane added stiff headwinds to their flight, slowing the airplane considerably and jeopardized the first few scheduled events.  With 4 pilots aboard, the crew was able to fly through the night and make up some time. 

For the rest of this amazing update with video, please visit the examiner.com article here.

Fly for MS flight has departed on mission for MS awareness and charity fundraising

The Fly for MS flight departed on August 31st.  Excerpt from my write up in examiner.com is below with quotes and link.  

The Fly4MS plane, Cessna 340, registration N7841Q.

Photo: by Maria Pulice Photography

The Fly for MS awareness and charity flight departed Republic Airport (KFRG) in Farmingdale, NY on August 31st for their first day of the 60 day, 30 country, 29,000 mile trip.  The flight arrived at their first Canadian airport prior to 10PM EST.  They had been awaiting clearance through customs before continuing on.

Prior to their departure however, they were able to offer a flight to a local MS patient with the assistance of theNational Multiple Sclerosis Society, Long Island Chapter (NMSS LIC) . (click here for full article.)

 

MS awareness flight to span over 29,000 miles across North America and Europe

• by Andrew Smolenski Chicago General Aviation Examiner
• August 26th, 2010 8:58 pm CT
  

Fly for MS global logo

Photo: Provided by Fly for MS

Starting August 31st, Andrei Floroiu will be undertaking a challenging, lengthy endeavor that will test both man and machine. Fly for MS, his non-profit, charity flight will be flying over 29,000 miles, visiting over 30 countries over 60 days in an effort to raise funds and increase awareness of Multiple Sclerosis across North America and Europe. (see full article here)

Donations as little as $3.00 accepted.

I highly encourage you to read the whole article and please forward/share it with all  your contacts, friends and family.  This is for a great cause and the scope of the endeavor will require a lot of support, from all over for the crew.  I will write additional articles following the trip, you can subscribe to the RSS feed to follow in multiple 'subscribe' links on my blog.