Wheelchair Users Break World Record

Every year year on the worlds strongest man contest you get incredibly strong men pulling, throwing and pushing some of the heaviest items they can find. Usually large stone objects, tractor tyres or whole vehicles such as trucks or planes. But showing them how its done were 38 wheelchair users who broke a world record by pulling a 65 tonne jet 100 meters along a runway. The extraordinary event was staged on the main runway of Lasham airfield in Hampshire and has so far raised an estimated £20,000 for the British Disabled Flyers Association (BDFA.net). The feat was watched by over 2000 spectators on a windy day.

The record attempt required months of preparation and training with test runs including pulling a car and then pulling a plane a few meters. The whole plane was moved through upper body strength alone which makes it an incredible achievement. The record breaking attempt also manged to raise the profile of the BDFA who are an organization that promote opportunities in aviation for people with disabilities.

They provide the opportunity for free trial flying lessons for terminally ill and disabled people as well as subsidized flying lessons for other disability charities. Flying is generally not thought of as an activity that is open to the general public let alone people with disabilities so its great that the BDFA are making it an achievable goal. In the same way that vehicles can be adapted for motorists they can also be adapted for planes.

It just shows what you can accomplish through teamwork and perseverance. And a robust wheelchair I would imagine.