Page 11 - link magazine

Community News

High flying 20-year-old has eyes set on instructor role

One of the youngest qualified flight that’s certainly true in my case.
instructors in the country, 20-year- “I’m lucky to be able to do what
old Yakupcan Tuna, is preparing to I do, but it didn’t just happen by
leave his home in Swindon to teach accident and it didn’t happen by
the next generation of pilots - in luck. I have worked really hard to
Inverness. earn the money I needed and I have
Yak, as he prefers to be known, spent hours and hours studying
developed the flying bug at the to make sure that I can pass the
age of 13 as a member of the Air exams.
Cadets. “I hope my example inspires any
And unlike most youngsters, kids out there who want to do
who struggle to decide what they something similar. Don’t ever think
want to do with their lives, he very something like
quickly realised that aviation was being a pilot is
the path he wanted to follow and beyond your
devoted every minute of spare time reach.”
towards achieving that dream.
“I was never very academic at
school - but to me that didn’t Yakupcan behind the controls of his single engined aircraft
matter because I knew what I
wanted to do. I just really love passion for aviation. because there is some great flying
flying,” he said. Yak took the first opportunity to up there with amazing scenery.”
“None of my family are pilots, fly solo, at the lowest legal age of Although he will be living 500
but they recognised that it was 16 - flying a PA28 single engine miles away from his family in
something that I was really four seater aircraft. Swindon he explained that he plans
passionate about and helped And he managed to obtain his to fly back down on a regular basis.
support me.” private pilot’s licence shortly after “A lot of people don’t realise the
Yak worked hard to earn the extra his 17th birthday - a month before dedication that you have to put into
money to help pay for his flying getting his driving licence. something like becoming a pilot.
lessons at Kemble Airfield - and “As far as my flying career goes, But if it is something that you love
his first job was as a delivery agent I want to take things one step at a then it’s not such a hardship. There’s
for the Swindon Link magazine at time. For me it’s all about the flying. a saying that if you find something
the age of 13. As he got older, he I’m so lucky to have got a job as an that you love and then you never
worked at Honda to support his instructor in a place like Inverness, have to work a day in your life and
Mechanics’ Institution Trust announce alternative Railway Village vision

The Mechanics’ Institution Trust I only knew about 20% of people in
has announced what it sees as the the room.
most logical course of action for “It is clear that we need to stop
the historic Railway Village area the back room deals and shady
of Swindon at a meeting during business that is keeping these
March. buildings from being properly
With a packed crowd gathered utilised. There are too many
at the Central Community Centre, personal and private interests and
Chairman Daniel Rose explained the not enough concern for the public
Trust’s ideas for the public assets assets in play here.
in the area, and shared some key “We have a chance to show what
details from a major viability study community-led regeneration can
on the Mechanics’ Institute itself. really do. Our discussions with the
The vision laid out during HLF have been really positive and
the meeting would involve the from the council’s point of view,
Mechanics Institute, Central with their finances stretched, why
Community Centre, Health Hydro, would they not take us up on our
Carriage Works, The Platform and offer of managing these sites and
the disused Cricketers pub coming turning them into sustainable,
under the management of the Trust, Mechanics Institute Trust Chair Daniel Rose successful community businesses?”
and utilised so that they mutually The Mechanics’ Institution Trust
benefit one another in a revitalised be sought from the Heritage Lottery our most important public buildings has called for the transfer of control
cultural quarter. Fund, with the remainder of the such as Lydiard Park, as well as the of The Platform and Cricketers
The Mechanics’ Institute itself estimated £20m cost of restoring explosion of community projects in Pub over to them in a bid to put
would become a central hub with the Mechanics’ Institute coming the arts and culture sector like the into action their vision for the
a new restaurant, revamped 200 from a trust and public fund raising. Bohemian Balcony and Shoebox area, and is also calling on leisure
seater auditorium in the Reading The Trust is now seeking a letter Theatre, meant that now would be operator GLL to clarify their plans
Room, a 350-400 capacity venue of support from Swindon Borough an ideal time to showcase our ideas for the Health Hydro as part of their
space on the first floor, as well Council, which up until recently for the Railway Village area and agreement with Swindon Borough
as several spaces for community seemed likely. specifically the Mechanics’ Institute. Council. If these plans aren’t made
groups, office and conference space Daniel Rose explained: “We felt We were humbled to see so many clear, the Trust has stated they have
and a ‘hot-desking’ area for small that with the current attitudes people at our meeting. The response proposals to make the Victorian
start up companies to utilise. in the town towards our heritage has been extremely positive. The baths viable again as part of their
To achieve this, almost £12m will assets and the future of some of encouraging thing for me was that combined scheme.
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