Swan flier wins noted aviation award

Gloucestershire conservationist Sacha Dench has been awarded The Britannia Trophy by the Royal Aero Club for her epic Flight of the Swan expedition. She is the first woman to win the award in 50 years.

Sacha - who works with the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust at Slimbridge - has been recognised for her long-distance paramotor flight following the migration of endangered Bewick’s swans.

The Royal Aero Club honour, previously awarded to the likes of Concorde’s first supersonic flight, Sir Richard Branson and the Red Arrows, has not been received by a woman since 1967.

• Watch: Sacha Dent 'High Flier'

Sacha was nominated for the award by the British Hang gliding and Paragliding Association (BHPA) for the ground-breaking ‘Flight of the Swans’ expedition, during which she flew 7,000km from the Russian arctic to the UK on a paramotor. During the adventure – spanning 11 different countries – she also became the first woman ever to cross the English Channel by paramotor.

Sacha will be presented with the award by The Duke of York at the Royal Aero Club awards ceremony on 17 May in London.