17 May 2016
Stranded Flyer is a simple network of aviation people who are willing to help one another if someone is stranded away from their home base due to aircraft un-serviceability or weather, or any other reason that precludes continuing en-route or returning home.
Although the concept was started in the UK in 2011, the idea is applicable worldwide and the aim is to establish a large and even spread of members across all regions. Total membership is now 393. There’s now good coverage in England, reasonable in Wales, Scotland and some of north-west Europe but there are large gaps in France to fill (see above).
Ten years ago Standed Flyer founder Nigel Charles had an outrigger collapse on his Europa at Caernarfon which caused a minor prop strike.
“I did receive excellent help from a local LAA inspector who drove to a local Europa project builder to borrow a prop to allow me to fly home the same day,” said Nigel. “It was a very remote feeling to be stranded there.
“As I had to be at LHR the same evening for work, I had rung around some friends to arrange a lift for me and my passenger in case the aircraft was going to remain AOG (aircraft on ground) for some days. I was very fortunate to have so much assistance. It made me think how vulnerable we are when we fly away from our local area so hence the reason for the inception of Stranded Flyer.
“Please ask fellow aviators to sign up – it’s all completely free of charge,” said Nigel.
