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.”

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Bulldog certainly looks the part!

The Bulldog has just been emblazoned with its new Aerobility colour scheme. I think you'll agree it looks great. All our aircraft are now resplendent in our Aerobility scheme. As ever, click the image for the large version.

The Bulldog Trust have kindly agreed to help support the running of the Bulldog for the next three years.

Aerobility in the Newbury News

Thanks again to Aerobility member Elaine Brichard for her hard work fundraising for the charity. A 4 figure sum is quite a feat in these challenging economic times.

£82,000 Raised for Aerobility at the Aviators Ball

London, 13th December 2010

The Aviator’s Ball http://www.aviatorsball.co.uk a glamorous annual event in the aerospace industry calendar organised by the flying charity Aerobility http://www.aerobility.com was held on 27th November at the Sofitel Hotel at Heathrow’s Terminal 5.

Aerobility is pleased to announce that the ball was a great success, raising £82,000 for the flying charity.

Over 400 people attended the evening, with notable guests including Gerald Howarth, Minister for International Security Strategy, TV entertainer Jon Culshaw and the RAF Red Arrows aerobatic team. After a gourmet three course meal guests had the chance to bid on some incredible auction prizes, from a high speed taxi run in the Vulcan XH558 to a Breitling Aerospace watch.

A key moment in the evening came when Mr Howarth read out a personal message of support for Aerobility sent to him by the Prime Minister. John Culshaw then entertained the audience with humorous celebrity impressions and the night was rounded off with dancing to live music from the Big Kahuna Band.

The Aviators Ball is the main fundraising event for Aerobility each year, with the money raised contributing enormously to the charity’s annual running costs.

Mike Miller-Smith, CEO of Aerobility said:"Without doubt this year’s Aviators Ball was our most successful yet. We cannot hide from the current global economic situation, yet with the unwavering support of our existing sponsors, our new sponsors and the generosity of our brilliant supporters, we have raised a record breaking sum for the charity."

“Not only that but we have been inundated with such positive comments about the event, everyone genuinely had a great evening and are already putting Saturday 26 November in their diaries for the 2011 Aviators Ball. I’d like to say a big thank you to everyone who helped make the evening possible."

Gerald Howarth MP, Minister for International Security Strategy added, "Aerobility is doing a remarkable job in affording those with a disability the opportunity to engage their passion for flying. I am particularly pleased that we are able to include a number of those who have suffered serious injury on recent military operations."

"The amazing generosity of the guests at the Aviators Ball reflects the huge support there is for this project and will enable us to fund many hours of flying instruction. The Ball has established itself as one of the highlights of the aviation calendar, thanks in large measure to the inspirational leadership of Mike Miller-Smith and his team."

Aerobility is a charity that owns and operates specialised aeroplanes in order to provide trial flights and experience days for the disabled community, as well as Private Pilot’s Licence (“PPL”)

training. In 2010, Aerobility helped over 320 people with every conceivable disabling condition, from physical impairment, through to learning and sensory disabilities experience the joy of

flight. Aerobility is also providing flight training for wounded servicemen.

1. Aerobility is a British charity (reg. 1081804) that introduces the gift of flight to the disabled and the terminally ill

2. The charity was founded in 1993 and until 2010 was called the British Disabled Flying Association (‘BDFA’)

3. Aerobility achieved charitable status in 2000 and its Patrons are Gerald and Lizzie Howarth

4. Aerobility flight training is regulated by the UK Civil Aviation Authority (“CAA”)

5. Aerobility is a User Led Organisation (“ULO”) and provides advice, knowledge and advocacy for disabled people who wish to fly

Newbury Racecourse Golf Club - donation hole-in-one!

Over the last 12 months we have been one of the chosen charities of Newbury Racecourse Golf Club. Ladies Captain Elaine Brichard has been working hard and through the support of the members of the golf club we were recently presented a cheque for £1270.

Elaine is also a member of Aerobility, and as an Occupational Therapist has been helping us to ensure we lift and handle people correctly. Many thanks Elaine for your help and support.

Thank you NRGC.

Nathan is a high flier

Nathan Doidge started flying with Aerobility thanks to a scholarship from Flying Scholarships for the Disabled (FSD). Since completing his FSD sponsored course last year, Aerobility and its sponsors have continued to support Nathan through the Aerobility Bursary Scheme. Through this, Nathan has had the opportunity to carry on flying and go solo. Last weekend not only did Nathan complete his solo nav but he also found time to spend some time with a TV film crew...

http://www.itv.com/meridian-west/nathans-a-high-flyer69957/

Wilbur the wonder bear - the luckiest bear in the whole wide world

Just flown the F-18 Super Hornet at the Royal International Air Tattoo

Aerobility was lucky to have a new member signup earlier this year. Wilbur joined about the same time as his brother Orville. Don't let his cute smile and good looks deceive you. He is on a mission. On a mission to become one of the most experienced pilot bears there has ever been. He is never late for his assignments as he is also wearing his favourite watch, a brand-new Breitling Aerospace which is accompanying him on his travels. His logbook is already something to behold. Wilbur is becoming a legend in his own lunchtime, and he has promised to keep sending us pictures of his adventures. Here are some of the recent downloads from his camera...

Programming the Vulcan GPS at Farnborough airshow just before his display

12G capable bear restraint system in the F-18

Ready for departure - Farnborough Vulcan display

Wilbur has also taken part in a recent top-secret sortie. Declassification in coming days will reveal all.

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