We are delighted to continue our corporate adoption of the iconic Horsa Glider, a prime example of British Army flying aircraft and ‘navigation by numbers’.

Our IS Accountancy team recently enjoyed a visit to the Army Flying Museum for a guided tour and ‘Silent Wings’ talk led by the brilliant Andy Bryant. ‘We were privileged to follow the story of the gilders from inspiration, training, adaptation, to deployment and mission, following their steep learning curve of just three years. The pilots had to learn and quickly adapt to fly the gliders as well as training as airborne infantry. The Glider Pilot Regiment made significant advancements in navigation, playing a crucial role in D-Day’s success. Incredibly, after two carefully timed 90 degree turns, using just a compass and stopwatch, the first Horsa Glider landed within 45 feet of its designated target, now known as ‘Pegasus’ bridge – a true testament to the skill of the pilots.’

The Glider Pilot Regiment was one of the smallest and shortest-lived regiments to form part of the British Army, 1941 to 1957. These spectacular silent wings made a significant impact helping to secure the freedoms we know today.

‘Their bravery and courage is breathtaking. The gliders are mostly constructed of wood and canvas, their structures and wingspans seemed so huge standing next to them. We were introduced to 4 different types of gliders used by the regiment. It’s astonishing that they even have the ability fly, let alone able to carry troops, tanks and artillery. The noticeable lack of comfort, padding and protection in the gliders seems quite horrific. Both for the pilots and the troops in the back. The landings must have been very uncomfortable and damaging.’

Did you know?

A little known fact is that the majority of the gliders landed in one piece. The tails were designed to come off to allow ramps to be set in place to unload jeeps etc, so any reportage photos taken led to the belief that most of the gliders didn’t land intact. Given that the gliders didn’t have an engine, and the pilots weren’t always in control of when they were released, there was no turning back for the troops once they’d set off on their mission. They truly lived up to their motto “nothing is impossible”.

“Nothing is impossible”

We value this motto in our accounting co-pilot approach to help clients solve their individual, business, or not-for-profit financial challenges. Working alongside them together as a team, we bring our different experiences and knowledge to help our clients decide, budget and plan the best route forward, keeping them on track, working towards achieving their mission in business and life.

“Shoot for the Moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.” – Norman Vincent Peale

Once you’ve defined your destination, navigating your numbers will help you get there, and we’re there with you every step of the way from formation, growth, to exit.