Air traffic controllers’ Big Pull to give disabled flying charity a huge push

It may be one of the slowest events ever to take place at the historic Goodwood motor racing circuit, but The Big Pull is set to bring rapid rewards to Aerobility, the British charity that facilitates light aviation for disabled and profoundly ill adults and children.

Teams of air traffic controllers and their managers aim to raise a remarkable £100,000 towards the acquisition of a Piper Archer aircraft for the charity which would be equipped with specific features to support disabled fliers.

They will be sponsored to pull a vintage Second World War aircraft on a course down the main straight at Goodwood after the air traffic control officers’ branch of the union Prospect and the UK’s leading air traffic services provider NATS came together to support Aerobility as their adopted charity.

Aerobility will benefit from a series of fund-raising projects and events organised by NATS and the controllers in the year ahead, with The Big Pull on 3^rd June 2012 as the highlight. The previous evening there will be a gala dinner and charity auction at Goodwood House. Prospect members can also opt to donate as much as an entire working shift’s pay with tax benefits under a Gift a Shift scheme supported by NATS.

Last year through Aerobility 350 disabled people experienced trial instructed flights, 15 disabled people went solo and five completed either PPL or NPPL qualifications. These people had every conceivable disabling condition from spinal injury, amputation and multiple sclerosis through to learning and sensory disabilities. They ranged in age from 12 to 92 years old, and in background from school children to wounded service personnel.

Prospect ATCOs’ branch officer, Mr Chris Edwards said:

“As an absolutely terrific aviation charity, Aerobility is an obvious choice for us to direct our efforts towards. The Big Pull will be a great challenge for everyone involved and we look forward to beating the team of NATS executives who are taking part!

“We’re extremely grateful to the management at Goodwood Aerodrome for supporting the event.”

NATS CEO Richard Deakin said:

“Aerobility has achieved a fantastic amount already in getting so many people airborne who would otherwise find it extremely difficult to experience the pleasures of flying an aircraft. It’s a great pleasure to direct our fund-raising efforts at NATS towards helping Aerobility move on to the next stage in its development.”

Aerobility CEO Mike Miller Smith said:

“Growing the organisation to meet demand has not been easy in recent times. Working with NATS is going to give us the ability to support more disabled people around the UK and to grow the Aerobility family into an even more effective social project. It’s wonderful to get this kind of support from inside the aviation community, working with both the employer and employees that manage the skies above us. It would be hard to find a more fitting partnership.”

-Ends-

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Another first!

Andrew Taylor  after his first solo

Congratulations to Aerobility Tatenhill student Andrew Taylor on a very nicely flown first solo. After just 8 hours of training with instructor Craig Knott, Andrew achieved a nice smooth landing which was witnessed by his parents.

Enjoy the rest of your training towards getting your pilots license.

Andrew represents an additional first, Aerobility's first ever solo pilot with ASD – Autistic Spectrum Disorder.

AeroExpo Festival of Aviation chooses to support Aerobility

London, Wednesday 15^th June 2011

Aerobility www.aerobility.com, the British charity that facilitates light aviation for disabled and profoundly ill adults and children has been selected as the chosen charity for AeroExpo 2011 – the UK’s festival of Aviation.

AeroExpo UK (www.expo.aero/uk ) will take place at Sywell Aerodrome in Northampton between the 17^th -19^th June. Aimed at pilots and all those interested in flying, AeroExpo UK is the dedicated General Aviation exhibition in 2011, showcasing everything from ultra lights through to turbo props and jets.

The Aerobility mascot Wilbur the Flying Bear will be manning the Aerobility stand and he will be available for photos with children as they experience the inside of an Aerobility aircraft. The Aerobility professional simulator will also be available allowing visitors to have a go at a unique flying challenge of trying to maneuver a modified aircraft to a safe landing. Free five-minute professional shoulder massages will also be offered on the Aerobility stand.

Mike Miller-Smith, CEO of Aerobility said:

"Aerobility is thrilled to be the chosen charity of AeroExpo UK 2011 allowing us to showcase our activities to the aviation community. This year’s Festival of Aviation is a groundbreaking event allowing visitors to shop for the latest flying gadgets, test fly aircraft, join aviation seminars and watch air displays from some of Europe’s best aerial acts. One of the highlight includes the first air display outings for the RAF Chinook helicopter anywhere for two years. The Aerobility team are proud to support our friends and be a part of AeroExpo UK.”

Paddy Casey, Show Director of AeroExpo UK, commented:

“AeroExpo UK are proud to continue our long association with Aerobility as our chosen charity.
This year is the sixth year since we held the first event, and the first at our new home at Sywell Aerodrome.”

Alex Ayling, Show Co-ordinator, AeroExpo UK, commented:

“The Aerobility stand looks to be one of the must do parts of our event. We are encouraging everyone to stop by and learn about the important work of Aerobility, a charity which is very close to our hearts.”