New Beginnings....

Good Afternoon Aerobility!

So far, 2013 has been a year of new beginnings. We've had new pupils, new members, new volunteers and even a new charity number. The only thing we haven't had is a new blog entry......

So please, watch this space and join us in eager anticipation of a blog update full of exciting information, awe-inspiring stories and side-splitting witticisms.

We guarantee you will not be disappointed - come back tomorrow for your first installment of 2013 Aerobility news!

Article about Paralympic Opening Ceremony

Phil Whalley describes the story behind this incredible spectacle, with background and technical details from Guy Westgate. http://www.airshows.co.uk/features/2012/paralympic-opening-ceremony/

Aerobility interviewed on Italian TV

During the Paralympic Games, Aerobility received a visit from an Italian disability group called SuperAbile. It was a valuable day talking about disability issues and sharing our thoughts with new continental friends. The visit was recorded and was recently shown on Italian Gold TV.

Busy times at Aerobility

The last few weeks have seen a cascade of activity at Blackbushe, culminating tonight with Nathan Doidge flying Chris Evans on The One Show at 7.00 – Aerobility has been on TV and in the press more often than ever before, for a lot of good reasons:

The Global Flight Simulator Challenge has been an amazing success. Our disabled-adapted simulator has paid for itself, 92 pilots flying it round the world in 10 days, picking up a Guinness World Record on the way, together with enough funds to cover its purchase, and maintenance for five years. Now, at last, it really is ‘ours’!

The 10 day event drew in an astonishing range of celebrities, turning our Blackbushe home into a name-dropper’s paradise: Buzz Aldrin, Bruce Dickinson, and Joe Pasquale were among the many celebrity pilots, with Chris Evans really getting on board, literally, with Nathan tonight.

We’re expecting our recent high profile to show a lot more disabled people that they too can experience flight ‘from the sharp end’ - in the cockpit with the controls in their hands. That first awakening experience can have lasting effects – after all, if you can fly a plane, what else can you do? If you are disabled you can fly with us: get in touch, and get into the air. It’s the most fun you can have sitting down! Our website has all the details you’ll need.

Of course, the more people who fly with us, the more money we need to raise – we make flight financially as well as physically accessible, and we need the funds to pay for it. If you like what you’ve seen, you can make a donation through our website homepage, and give a lift to disabled lives. Thanks!

Click Here to go to Virgin Money Giving

Paralympic Flypast

How could you have missed the aeroplane flying over the Paralympic Opening Ceremony, covered in LED lighting strips, with blazing fireworks at the wingtips? If you did, it was Aerobility showing Britain and the world that disabled aviation is a stunning reality – with Aerobility trained disabled Afghanistan veteran Dave Rawlins in the hot seat.

Have you seen these films?

Aerobility Flying Day at Sleap

 

Aerobility were pleased to welcome patients from the Physiotherapy department at The Robert Jones and Angnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital, to a day of Flying at Sleap airfield on the 4th October.

Flight instructors Craig Knott and Mark Edworthy reported an enthusiastic group, who by all accounts had a great day. To quote physiotherapist Kate Betts "Perceptions and lives were changed on the day and patients who were unable to attend were inspired by the patients talking about their flying experience ".

Aerobility were glad to assist, and look forward to organising further days next year. Thanks go to Shropshire Aero Club for waiving landing fees on the day.

Looking for the Global Flight Simulator Challenge Blog?

Click Here to go to the latest Global Flight Simulator Challenge updates

http://gfsc2012.blogspot.com

FSDP Scholars at Blackbushe

Aerobility have just finished hosting Flying Scholarship’s for Disabled People (FSDP) two scholars Sylvia Wheeler and Mary Doyle. They were awarded twenty hours of tuition, and have spent the last three weeks learning to fly with us here at Blackbushe. Both ladies showed great promise and we hope they had a good time with us, Aerobility certainly enjoyed providing their instruction.

Mary decided to spend some extra time with us once she had completed her quota, and was rewarded for her extra effort with a first solo on her last day. Instructor Mike Owen takes up the story:

On the last day of Marys 3 week scholarship the wind changed so that runway 07R was in use – all her previous circuit training was on 25L. So Mary was initially thrown off her previous day’s excellent circuit standard by the new right hand view, but soon got into it.

After a good morning's work we had one last check circuit which went well. Then Mary was happy to try so off she went.

View from the tower was that she did a great circuit and a good landing. The photo shows her smile - well done Mary - congratulations.

And so say all of us, we look forward to welcoming you back to complete your PPL.

Aerobility Ballooning Weekend at Enham Alamein

Aerobility recently held its first Ballooning Weekend, and thanks to some reasonable weather it was considered a great success. In all, five flights were completed, in what is known as a ‘duo chair’. Everyone joined in for some early starts and much was learnt. Unfortunately, the wind was a little too strong for some planned tethered flights, but that didn’t dampen anyone’s spirits. We now feel that the concept of teaching disabled people to fly has been proven, so the next step is to secure funding for next year.

Our heartfelt thanks go to Brian Jones and the crews for donating their time and equipment, and to Chandra McGowan and the staff at Enham who ensured that the accommodation and food was delivered in an efficient and friendly manner. What a great atmosphere (not forgetting the specially backed cake).

The last word goes to participant flyer Graham Mann “It has certainly boosted my self-confidence, as I feel like I can take on the World now.”

Nathan Does It

STOP PRESS - STOP PRESS - STOP PRESS - STOP PRESS

Aerobility congratulates Nathan Doidge who today passed his General Skills Test and can now call himself a Pilot. A fantastic achievment for Nathan, with a little assistance from Instructor Mike Owen. A proud day for Nathan and Aerobility.

Mine's a pint Nathan

Avionews talks about Aerobility

Click Here to read

Aerobility now working with Boeing and The Air League to support wounded soldiers

Click Here to read the Boeing press release

Sir Roger Bone President Boeing UK and Sir Brian Burridge Chairman of The Air League with David Rawlins and Mike Miller-Smith from Aerobility at the recent Farnborough Airshow