It was a day of double delight for disabled man Roo Whiter.

Not only was he celebrating getting his pilot’s wings - he also gained a wife to be!

No wonder the former University of Huddersfield student was flying high at the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire.

Roo, 41, who lives in Mirfield, was presented with his wings for flying solo with the Flying Scholarships for Disabled People. But as he took to the stage he also took the chance to propose to his long-time girlfriend Linda Hales, who had gone along to watch him.

And of course, she said: “Yes”.

“There was just a thought she may say no but I’m delighted she didn’t”, said Roo, who suffers from what is known as Spordadic Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia.

He was one of 11 aviators who received their wings from Prince Faisal of Jordan at the ceremony.

“I became disabled while I was studying for a degree in human ecology at the University of Huddersfield, having arrived here from Essex. They said it was hereditary but it was a total shock, as none of my family had suffered.

“It meant I wasn’t able to complete my course and it started just after I’d finished a 12-month placement as an outdoor instructor in the Lake District. My health took a slow decline and by the time I was 30 I’d lost leg function to the point where I had to use a wheelchair full-time, so there were a number of things I came to think I wouldn’t be able to do:

“I really thought my dream of flying would be beyond me. But I took up wheelchair fencing and met an FSDP scholar, Sean Allerton, who’s now a mentor for the charity and he sent me the details of how to apply for a scholarship.

“I’d reached a point where I felt I could give 100 per cent to an opportunity like that, and being awarded a scholarship last year was brilliant. I learnt to fly a C42 microlight with Shadow Aviation at Old Sarum, and I’ve now flown solo four times.”

Celebrations for Roo Whiter and Linda Hales

Roo adds: “I’d love to go on to get my Private Pilot’s Licence, but I had surgery in January which didn’t work out as well as it should have so I may need to transfer to light aircraft. As soon as I’ve got the money sorted out, though, I plan to carry on.”

As regards his marriage plans, Roo met Linda online via Myspace in 2007. ”She ells me she was looking at people’s profiles, thought mine looked good and she got in touch. She lives in Hull where she still has children at home so we commute along the M62 a fair bit, but we do have a long-term aim of getting settled down together.”

When Roo took the microphone in front of guests, fellow scholars and dignitaries to ask Linda to marry him, the room erupted with cheers, applause and not a few tears as she said ‘Yes’.

Roo said: “I could hardly speak, I felt so emotional, and the tears didn’t stop flowing for quite some time. Flying has given me so much, and now I feel ready to take opportunities and to make things happen.”