Simone Bianchi / SPINEA
Matteo Dei Rossi has given wings. The Paralympic fencer from Spinea has fulfilled his great dream: to become an airplane pilot, obtaining the Ppl patent at Thiene airport. He thus became the second Italian driver at this level with a disability. All in a sporting season in which he took away a lot of satisfactions at a sporting level: from medals at the Italian championships in Verona, climbing on the podium in three different weapons, to the World Cup and the recent World Cup stage in Warsaw. Outside the Tokyo Paralympics, Dei Rossi now has two big goals: to qualify for Paris, and to become the first disabled Italian acrobatic pilot.
After a tortuous journey, finally the patent.
«After nine years of trying, I finally passed all the necessary steps, even at the bureaucratic and medical level, to reach this goal. When I was 16 I had my first medical examination in Milan, then slowly I managed to build the whole route, and now I really touch the sky with a finger ».
How does it feel to be among the very few to do it?
«The first was a colleague from Verona, so for now it is all a Venetian question. In Italy there are other pilots with disabilities, but in the ultralight sector. The general aviation (Ppl) private pilot license provides for being able to fly with aircraft of higher weight and power, such as Cessna or Piper, for example, therefore another category and different performance. The restrictions are different and also certain difficulties in the flight ».
Where did you take the exams? «I did everything in Thiene, with Aeropubblicita, and instructor Simone Maron. He followed me in all the steps, he was close and fundamental to me to succeed in what I can truly consider a business. I divided myself between work at Pometon di Maerne di Martellago, flying lessons in Thiene and fencing competitions and training between Treviso and Scaltenigo di Mirano. It wasn’t easy, but I succeeded ».
What does it mean to fly?
«Flying gives me joy, freedom, the feeling of not thinking about anything, with a free head and so much lightness in me. At the same time you must be aware that you are flying and have everything in your hands with the plane. So a great responsibility and attention takes over ».
A great emotion.
«The emotion is immense. Starting from the flight to obtain the patent. Before taking the exam I was very agitated, I knew the importance that all this had for me. Everyone complimented me at the end, a perfect flight also for the ENAC inspector who followed everything for the certification ».
In all this there will also be a great awareness of its means?
“I am aware that I have done something important. For me, of course, but also for those who can aspire to a similar result. Little by little I’m realizing what I’ve done. The most beautiful thing was the first flight alone, free in the sky, incredible, a truly indescribable joy ».
And now what are your goals?
«To become the first Italian aerobatic pilot with a disability. In Caposile, near Jesolo, the WeFly are operating, with two disabled pilots, but they fly in formation. I would like to learn to do much more, and I dream of reaching the international Red Bull races ».
Flight and fencing, certainly not two easy activities.
«I can say that the fencing was a completion of the flight, and I am happy to bring both of them to fruition. The dream of a life that has come true on two fronts ».
What is the secret?
“Patience was the key to getting to the flight license. I had to wait almost a year just for the medical examination between authorizations and Covid. It took a thousand papers, authorizations and bureaucratic steps, that’s right, but I did it ».
And a working collaboration was also born with Aeropubblicita.
«I also activated myself as a draftsman with the instructor Maron, since he works with drones. His Technodrome makes aerial surveys, and I reconstruct the floor plans starting from the images. A valuable collaboration was thus created. After all, I am a technical designer ».
Three weapons and three medals at the Italian Paralympic Championships.
«Champion in sword and silver in saber and foil in Verona. True, it wasn’t easy but I’m having a lot of fun. Vittorio Carrara has been very close to me in learning the saber in the last two years at the Mirano Fencing Workshop, as well as at the Treviso Fencing I have for years found a fantastic team that made me grow in foil and epee. I am thinking of maestro Flavio Puccini, Francesca D’Alessandri, Davide Cenedese and Roberto Simeone. They were able to bring out the best in me ».
And last week, fourth in his first Saber Team World Cup in Warsaw.
«Beautiful experience, shared with Nicola D’Ambra of the Officina. We are now like brothers, we do everything together, I found a great friend who helped me a lot to grow in the saber, being able to train in Scaltenigo. I have no idea how I manage to carry out all three weapons, but I really enjoy it and there is no shortage of results. I put my heart and a lot of passion into it. In the end it is the latter that makes everything move. Then just add the commitment and seriousness when needed to move forward ». –
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