A 93-year-old care home resident fulfilled her wish to fly a small plane again - and said it brought back happy memories.<br /><br />Betty Buckland soared 2,000 ft above Edinburgh when she took to the skies in in a Cessna aircraft, flying at 150mph.<br /><br />Betty often visited America on holidays during her younger years to stay with her family in Seattle, and her cousin was a pilot who owned his very own aircraft. <br /><br />During these summer holidays, Betty sat alongside her cousin in his Piper PA-28 Cherokee plane – and he occasionally even let her take the controls.<br /><br />Betty told care home staff it was her dream to fly a plane again and was delighted when the trip to the Royal Air Force Kirknewton, in Edinburgh, was arranged.<br /><br />After a bit of training Betty took to the skies for a morning flight which was captured on stunning GoPro footage. <br /><br />Betty, a resident at Care UK’s Lauder Lodge in Wakefield Avenue, Edinburgh, said: "It was a wonderful day and we had an amazing view of the Kelpies at Falkirk. <br /><br />“Being in a small plane again was thrilling and brought back so many happy memories.”<br /><br />The flying session took place as part of the Wishing Tree, an initiative launched by Care UK.<br /><br />It allows residents to suggest ideas for new hobbies they’d like to try, places they’d like to visit or even activities linked to past careers. <br /> <br />Anees Riaz, home manager at Lauder Lodge, said: “We love to go the extra mile for residents here at Lauder Lodge, and our wishing tree is a fantastic way to understand what’s really important to residents. <br /><br />“We are thrilled we could help Betty to reminisce and get the chance to soar high in a plane once again. <br /><br />“It was a fantastic experience for everyone involved and it was wonderful to see the smile on Betty’s face as she landed after her flight.<br /><br />“A big thank you to Andy again for helping to make this wish come true. <br /><br />“I cannot wait to see what wish we organise next – the sky really is the limit.”
