July 30, 2010

Eastenders meets Aerobility

Disabled Eastenders actor David Proud recently tried his hand at the Aerobility Flight Stimulator at the Mobility Roadshow.


David enjoyed it so much he has subsequently done a trial flight with us. Let's just say he has been bitten by the bug and is now planning to learn to fly with us. In his own words, "I had such an amazing flight, and Terry really gave me a good taster for flying. I have 100% got the bug and really want to get my PPL... I posted pictures on my Facebook and Twitter, and the response from the disabled people I have on both was amazing."

Welcome to Aerobility David.

July 29, 2010

Aerobility wins

A tradeshow favourite, the business card raffle, must have taken place hundreds of times at last week's Farnborough airshow. However for once, I'm pleased to report that we won one of them! Singleton PR have awarded us with some free PR support. As you might expect and hope from a PR agency, the news has been released to the world...

Aerobility in the global press

News of Aerobility is spreading...

July 28, 2010

More from Farnborough

Introducing the thrill of flight

Stand

Future aviators

Nathan checks out his new ride

Wheelchair accessible

Inside our stand we gave a short film presentation to each visitor and talked them through what we do

Our friends The Blades (Blade3 on final)

Farnborough pictures

Reds

Stand

Arthur tries out the Gippsland Airvan

July 20, 2010

Another taught from scratch

Superstar instructor Craig Knott and new PPL Brian Catchpoole

Many congratulations to Brian Catchpoole, who earlier this week completed his licence. Born and bred BDFA, and another first for Tatenhill, Brian sent me his views:

"So at long last, the final hurdle is cleared, seven theoretical exams, Flight RT theory and practical, Navigation skills test, Cross country, and General Skill test. Sometimes you feel it's a marathon that maybe was just a little too ambitious. Who does he think he is? The wrong side of sixty and more limbs malfunctioning than is half way decent. But happen it has. Hard graft? Yes. Difficult? Yes again, but isn't that true of everything worth doing? So to what do I attribute today's success? That's simple - support. Instructors who actually care that you learn to fly and an organisation with the singular intention of putting disabled people in the driving seat. Thanks BDFA, I couldn't (wouldn't) have done it without you. To handle a machine that few others do, to fly in perhaps the only space still (relatively) free of congestion. A gift (indeed a privilege) to be savoured. Flights on my own to locations I choose, when I want, it doesn't get much better."

Baroni Rotti's 15th Anniversary Celebration


The Italian Disabled Flying community is holding a celebration at Serristori Airfield in Tuscany from Friday 9 July until Sunday 11 July to celebrate 15 years since the first Italian Disabled person obtained a pilots license.

We have close links with our Italian friends and BDFA members have been invited to attend the celebrations. The Airfield sounds idyllic with an on-site restaurant, disabled access accommodation, swimming pool and of course the beauty of the surrounding area.

We had hoped to fly one of our aircraft over, but unfortunately we have a pre-existing event the following Monday and we could not get the aircraft back in time. If anybody has their own aircraft or access to one, or indeed would like to drive over, then do let me know and I can pass on the details. It would be good to have the BDFA represented.

New Magazine

The fabulous new edition of Aerobility is as we speak on its way to the post office for posting to you, so watch out for that on your doorstep in the next few days.

Volunteer Reminder

Yes it’s already the AeroExpo show at High Wycombe. We need volunteers tomorrow Thursday from 6 PM until 8 PM to help set up the show, and at the show itself from 9:30 AM onwards Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Great weather, BDFA friends and aeroplanes. What more could one ask for! Let Brian Catchpoole have your availability.