Gama Group, the global business aviation service provider reveals its role in the London 2012 Paralympics Opening Ceremony.

Millions of TV viewers around the world tuned in to last night's London 2012 Paralympics Opening Ceremony to be treated to a spectacular flying display.

The London 2012 Paralympics Games organising committee chose the Tecnam P2006T twin aeroplane to be the first "act" of the opening ceremony.

Gama especially adapted the aircraft to enable it to put on the remarkable pyrotechnic show. This was flown over the London 2012 Olympic Stadium by Lance Corporal Dave Rawlins (a British Army soldier recovering from injuries sustained in Afghanistan) with co-pilot and former Concorde Captain, Tim Orchard, Tecnam's dealer for the UK, Ireland and Iceland.

The most challenging tasks of converting, flight testing and certifying the provision of pyrotechnic dispensers to the wingtips, as well as installing LED strip lights to the wings and fuselage of the Tecnam Twin were achieved by Fairoaks, UK based Gama Engineering Ltd, a Gama Group company.

Critical to the success of last night's flight demonstration was the exceptional support provided by the UK based charity Aerobility. Aerobility has, since 1993 offered disabled people, without exception, the opportunity to fly aeroplanes.

Aerobility was a critical part of Dave's rehabilitation and gave him the confidence to achieve his Private Pilots Licence last year and then go on to perform his spectacular Paralympics Opening Ceremony "mission" last night.

"I am extremely proud of the dedication and support of the entire Gama Engineering team in successfully modifying and certifying the Tecnam Twin to enable Dave to perform last night's spectacular flight over the London 2012 Paralympics Opening Ceremony" said Harry Lees, Managing Director Gama Engineering Ltd. "The exceptional team work and support provided by Aerobility, Tecnam UK and the Civil Aviation Authority in particular proves to everyone the maxim that if I can fly a plane, what else can I do?"

Dave Rawlins long held ambition, after his British Army career, is to work in civil aviation. Gama Group is delighted to announce that Dave will be joining our Operations team at our Farnborough headquarters next month.

Contributed by Gama Group