When Passion Meets Purpose: Designing a Way for Seniors to Fly High
Sitting in the passenger seat in front of me in the cockpit of a 1940 de Havilland Tiger Moth, Jack R., from Oakville, Ontario, smiled from ear-to-ear. It had been over seventy years since his first solo flight as a student pilot with the Royal Canadian Air Force during World War Two, and he was taking flight once again.
He wore his old sheepskin bomber jacket, and I equipped him with goggles and a leather flying helmet, because it gets mighty chilly at 3,000 feet. Then I strapped him into the parachute that doubles as a seat cushion.
Jack held a framed picture of himself on his first solo flight, back when he was in his early twenties, and the same pride and excitement was evident on his face when I started the engine and the propeller sprang to life.
We took off from the Oshawa Airport, where I store my refurbished biplane, on a cool August morning into a clear blue sky. There was a steady wind, but it was an otherwise perfect day for flying. We soared up above Rice Lake, about 25 miles east of Oshawa, marveling at the beauty of the landscape below. After about half an hour, we landed back at the airport, and Jack was elated.
“It was a wonderful experience,” Jack repeated over and over at the end of our flight together.
It was just one of many trips I have taken veterans and their families on in the Tiger Moth.
I learned to fly in my forties when most of my friends and colleagues were playing golf. I had never been much of a golfer, so I wasn’t keen to participate in the various charity golf tournaments many of my Seniors Housing clients often hosted, but I wanted to contribute in some way. That was how the Tiger Moth Charity Flights began. I started donating flights at silent auctions for organization like Sunnybrook Hospital’s Veterans Wing, the Alzheimer’s Society, Nisbet Lodge and Amica Senior Living - and they were a huge hit!
Restoring and flying vintage aeroplanes is one of my favourite pastimes, and when I get to share the experience with people who either flew in WW2, or are the family members of people who did, it’s a win-win. Add in the fact that we are raising money for worthy organizations that support seniors and veterans, and it’s a perfect way to share my love of flying and my love and respect for seniors.
As a professional architect specializing in the design of Long-Term Care Homes for seniors, I have the desire to go above and beyond to create spaces that support and honour Canada’s elders.
Caring for seniors is a true calling. When you are an operator or owner of a long-term care home, you want the design of your facility to go above and beyond all of your residents’ needs. Working with an expert who has a deep appreciation for seniors and what they mean to the community gives you the confidence that you are building or renovating a place they can truly call home.
Though the Tiger Moth might not go very fast or very far, it definitely goes FUN for those who have the opportunity to experience a flight. When the hangar door opens, eyes begin to twinkle and the excitement is palpable. For our most special passengers, it’s been over 70 years since these heroes learned to fly in an identical aircraft before moving on to the Spitfire, Hurricane or Lancaster they flew in the war.
They step into a time machine and take off for the skies - and their memories - and their youth.
Robert F., also in his 90s, flew ammunition to the Allied troops fighting in the mountains in Burma. Before our flight he confided to me that a typical weather briefing before those missions guaranteed 90% cloud coverage in the area of operation – and a 90% chance of mountains! Robert took the controls after we were safely aloft and proved through a series of deft moves that he still had “the Right Stuff” decades after his last flight. It was wonderful to help him rekindle his memories.
Ninety-three-year-old Werner H. never flew a plane in the war, but he learned to fly one at the age of 75. As a chief engineer on a German U-boat, he also served his country. He appreciated the flight, marvelling at the opportunity to recapture his love of flying.
Flying high to commemorate loved ones
Camilla’s father was a Spitfire pilot. He has passed away, but she sat in the cockpit of the Tiger Moth proudly wearing her father’s RAF sweater. It was a special experience to share with her as she commemorated her dad.
World War II united our society as people everywhere dealt with sacrifice, food rations and scrap drives for scarce materials needed for the war effort. It was an all-consuming time that united Canadians across the country. I feel fortunate to have the opportunity to spend time with these rare gentlemen, as well as their families, to thank them for everything they have done for us.
Designing a way for seniors to fly high
Combining passion with purpose, it’s an honour to take these men and their family members for a flight in the Tiger Moth. I also consider it an honour to design spaces for seniors to relax, enjoy and celebrate their later years. Making a positive difference in these Long-Term Care facilities is my calling and I believe there is great value in helping operators and owners make life better for seniors.
Let’s work together to ensure the “Greatest Generation” continues to fly high.
To learn more about designing Long-Term Care Homes for seniors or if you are interested in fundraising for your organization, contact me at bob@murphypartners.ca