Pilot sheds 100lb to fit into new aircraft

7:00am Wednesday 17th October 2007

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PILOT Mike Ash is flying higher than ever after shedding the excess weight that left him at risk of being grounded.

When the amateur aviator was told he was too fat even to sit in the cockpit of a new light aircraft, let alone try to fly it, he knew it was time to take stock of his life as a stocky 20-stoner.

For years Mike, 58, had been used to having to compromise between passengers and a full tank of fuel as he indulged in his passion for flying, because his weight meant the planes couldn't cope with both.

But when his flying club invested in a new lightweight sports aircraft he was horrified to discover he wasn't even allowed to get in the seat because it would not be able to get off the ground with him inside.

"Getting more than one person off the ground was problematic," said Mike, 58.

"It had got to the point where I was having to hire bigger planes. I wasn't quite asking about Lancaster bombers but it was going that way!

"When the club got these light sports planes, to my horror I discovered I was too heavy to legally even sit inside to see what it was like."

The semi-retired father-of-three from Boyatt Wood, Eastleigh, realised something had to be done and joined Weight Watchers with eldest daughter Vicky Watts.

Less than ten months later he is practically floating on air after shedding an incredible 100 pounds.

"I only joined to keep Vicky company," said Mike. "She's done really well too, but it's worked out better than I ever hoped for and it's made such a difference to me because when you're heavy like that it makes life really difficult.

"As well as the health benefits, for the first time ever in the 13 years I've been flying I can now have the tank up to the top and even take three people with me."